not the cRee. Ellhu ehowed how God trained e.nd educated hie children in the school of affliction, Job hnd been oo that school, and there be hnd learnt humility and n tr,w appreciation of the greatness of God, whom man cannot judge. 2. In kinuiness. ,Job bee.re no grudge against his three friends. He intercedes for them io genuine concern for their oonditlon under the wrath of God. When be shows a forgiving spirit God ie most merciful to him. 'fbie is not the formal return of payment; but it ie a. graoioue reward, and it is a favour shown to ooe who is fit to nccept it. For we are never so fit to receive good fortune as when we are chiefly occupied in kindly concern for others. Selfish prayers do not bring a blessing. We are most blessed when we forget ourselves in praying for others. III. !Te EFFEOTB. Job's fortune is doubled. God never bleHees imperfectly. He does not simply mend and patch up the broken life. He heals and renews and blesses with supembunda.nt kindness. Job's fortune was but external. This was according to tho ideas of primitive times. Christ has led us to look for higher blessings. The Christian Job may never recover his property or his health; and yet in hie afflictionH he may receive his greatest heritage of blessing from Heaven. But whatever be the form of God's blessing, it is great and wonderful. The Christian has more than a Paradise regained. The second Adam brings a kingdom of heaven that is more precious than the lost Eden. 'l.'he soul that has been tried by fire ha.{ a richer inheritance in God than it ever had in the old days of peace. The discipline of sorrow is the key to wonderful treasures of heavenly joy.-W. F. A. Vers. 11-17.-Theret'U1'11, of prosperity. Job is now restored to the favour of God. The result is earthly prosperity. With our Christian light we know that this does not always follow, nor is it the best blessing. But as the portrait of Job is painted in the colours of his day, we must accept the lessons which it contains in sympathy with his age and circumstances. Let us, then, look at the ingredients of the new prosperity. I. A REVIVAL OF OLD FRIENDSHIPS. We are horrified to have it brought distinctly before us on the last page of the book that Job had had brothers and sisters a.s well as other acquaintances during the whole time of his affliction; a.nd yet they had discreetly retired from the unpleasant neighbourhood of the a.ffl.icted man. Now they reappear with his prosperity. This common experience of life is often commented on with some bitterness. But Job shows no bitterness. Hisgra.nd soul forgets the previous unkindness. In his own humility he ignores the faults of his brethren. With princely magnanimity he accepts their presents when he does not need them, though they had not thought fit to offer them him in the time of his dire necessity. This is the Christ- epirit. There is no true happiness in selfish isolation. Even though our acquaintances may not deserve much attention, it is a miserably selfish thing to throw them off. Geueroeity is a mark of genuine health of soul. The Christian must learn to be brotherly and to cultivate social sympathies. II. A RECOVERY OF GREAT POSSESSIONS. Job is now richer than ever, and he is now more than ever fitted to hold wealth. He will receive it back with double gratitude. He will recognize more clearly that it all comes from :=.e hand of God. Having himself suffered from hardships and troubles, he will be the better able to succour the afflicted. Therefore he can well be trusted with great wealth. It is not every good man to whom wealth would be a blessing, or who would make a good use of it. But when God gives temporal prosperity to one of his true servants, this should be accepted not only as a token of his kindness, but also as a trust. The talents are increased; so is the responsibility. Ill. THE GIFT OF A NEW FAMILY. Property is a poor recompense to offer to the bereaved and desolate man. A true father values his children above nil flocks and herds. Job is to be restored in all respects. And yet we cannot but feel that to have more children, but other ones, could not r11ake up for the loss of the first family. Job's fatherly heart could net have been thus easily satisfied. All we can say is that the picture of the return of prosperity is made as complete as it could be. But we have a brighter prospect through Christ in ngain meeting the bkssed dead, who are not lost, bu~ who have only gone on before us. IV. THE ENJOYMENT OF FULNES~ OF LIFE. Job lives to a green old age. In bis ffl THE BOOK OF JOB, [oa. n.n. 1-17,
mi11ery he had p~yed for dee.th ; in hi11 renewed prosperity life 11 a boon, The ve.lua of life depend11 on the use the.t ill made of it. In Obrist the poorest earthly life la rich; and the m011t unfortunate life ii well worth living when it is given to God, But the Old TestAment bleeeedneee oflong life is enlarged in the New Testament, and appeani as the gift of eternal life-the greatelt bleaamg enjoyed by God'• redeemed ohil4lren.-W. F. .L HOMILETIOAL INDEX TO
THE BOOK OF JOB.
OHAPTEB. I. CHAPTER II. TIIIIIIII •A.GB THBHB ...... The Hero of the Poem 7 A New Trial moved for 36 Job ... 9, 28 The Value of Life 38 Wealth and Piety 9 Satan's Proverb ... 88 Banqueting 9 The Patriarch's Second Trial 39 Family Worship ... 9 Job and his Wife 40 The Fundamenta.1 Controversy of the Fonr Voices 40 Poem 9 Job and A.dam: a Para.llel and 11 A. Sermon on Satan 11 Contrast 4D "Doth Job fear God for Nought P" 11 The Patriarch's Third Trial; or, the The First Trial of the Patriaroh 12 Coming of the Friends ... 4D Introduotory: on the General Teaoh- Renewed Assanlts and Temptations ing of the Book 13 of the Adversary 42 Job's Life and Ohe.racter ... 16 A Picture of Friendship ... 43 Counsels in Heaven concerning Man's The Severer Tests of Faith 44, Life on Earth . .. 21 Human Impotence in Presence of The Invasion of Trouble, and its First Great Sorrow ... 46 Effect on Job ... 23 " Satan's Old Saw" 46 The Typical Conditions of Domestic Job's Leprosy 4,7 Happiness 25 Husband and Wife 4,7 The Sanctification of the Home; or, Job's Comforters ... 48 Po.rental Priesthood 26 The Trial of the Righteous J\Ian 26 The Righteons Man OHA.PTEB ID. 27 The Triumph of Faith 27 The Stricken Patriarch's Lament : 1. The Dangers of Prosperity 28 Deploring his Birth 53 Satan's Wanderings 29 The Stricken Patriarch's Lament: 2. Disinterested Piety 30 Bewailing his Life 65 In Satan's Power 31 The Grave 56 Job's Unparalleled Calamities 31 " To be or not to be " 56 Job's Resigno.tion 82 The Strioken Patriaroh's Lament : 3. Standing Fire 83 Desiring his Death 56 Ii JNDEX.