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crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

14 They 10 meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.

15 But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.

16 So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.

17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death and in war "from the power of the sword.

21 Thou shalt be hid 12 from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.

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24. And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not "sin.

25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.

26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn 16 cometh in in his season.

27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it "for thy good.

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the persons or things, which call for our remarks, much useful matter may be scattered to the winds and thrown away.

In this chapter he carries on the address, and points out the need of due consideration; the miserable end of the wicked; the hand of God in all our afflictions; and the happy termination of sanctified adversity. From all these particulars we may learn much true wisdom, and derive great personal comfort.

The great need of due consideration. Are you prone to murmur under your afflictions? Call now; who will answer you in this way? To which of the saints will you turn, to find countenance in such murmuring and rebellion? Granted that their troubles were very great in their day, as may be yours now; but would they curse the day of their birth, or wish they had never been born? Who, among all the suffering saints on earth, or the glorified spirits above, would speak as you have done; or talk so rashly, and inconsiderately, after your example? (v. 1.) Think of them; and, instead of murmuring, learn to pray.

Are

The miserable end of the wicked. Does not the blast of heaven often wither them up and throw them down? Does not the curse of God rest on their habitation? they not far from safety; and often crushed in the gate? Is not their state miserable here; and their end more tremendously so hereafter? Who, then, would wish to have his part with them, either in this world, or in that which is to come? Avoid, then, their path. Flee from their ways. Follow not their pursuits (v. 2—5).

But whence comes affliction? Why are troubles sent? How should man demean himself under them? Come afflictions by chance? Spring they out of the dust? Is there no hand that sends them? Is there no cause, why they are sent? Have we ever considered this matter as we ought? What will you do in the day of your trouble? A wise man will say, I will seek unto God; and unto God will I commit my cause. The fool never lays it to heart; never thinks of his soul; never prays for conversion or salvation. Hence he meets with darkness, and gropes in the noonday. His heedlessness

carries him on headlong in his wretched path; and hurries him at last into the depths of hell (v. 6-16). Are such persons to be imitated? Is their end desirable?

Now observe, on the other hand, the blessed issue of sanctified tribulation. Happy is the man whom God correcteth. Happy is the man that despiseth not the chastening of the Almighty. He maketh sore, and he bindeth up. He woundeth, and his hands make whole. How many have had cause to bless God for sanctified tribulation! How many never thought of seeking his mercy, till the Lord touched their heart in the day of adversity! How many happy seasons have the children of God enjoyed in the days of sorrow and trial! How many sweet comforts have been imparted! How many precious promises realised! How many love - tokens given! How many earnests and foretastes of heavenly felicity enjoyed! May the Lord give us grace to glorify him in the day of trouble! May we submit it to his heavenly will! May we pray for grace to demean ourselves aright! May the comforts of his Spirit, and the joys of his salvation, be nearer and dearer to our souls, than even the restoration of health, or our release from suffering! And, when we come to our grave at last, may it be in the full age of grace, ripe for heaven, and meet for glory, as a shock of corn cometh in in his season! (v. 17, 27.)

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7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me 'the thing that I long for!

9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

10 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass

away;

16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

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17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are 'consumed out of their place.

18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

21 10 For now ye are "nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

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THIS portion contains Job's reply to the address of his friend, who had spoken to him in the two foregoing chapters. In the course of this reply he states, that his complaint was not without cause; that he earnestly wished for death, as a release from all his troubles; and that his friend was very unkind in speaking to him in the manner he had done. These things may teach us many important lessons.

We should well consider every subject, before we venture to speak upon it. "Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!" (v.2.) Eliphaz would not have spoken in the manner he did, had he throughly weighed the character of Job's grief, and laid it fairly and impartially in the balances of God's word. Had he done so, he would have seen that he had made a great mistake; and, instead of censuring and condemning his afflicted friend, as he did, he would have poured the oil of comfort and consolation into his distressed bosom. Would not the same thing keep you, also, from many mistakes; especially about the afflictions and sufferings of the people of God? Learn, then, to think, and ponder well every important matter before you venture to speak upon it, lest you should utter rash and evil words, or make the heart of the righteous sad, and strengthen the hand of the wicked that he should not return from his evil ways. On the other hand, we may learn, that rash and hasty desires, or desires rashly and hastily uttered, are seldom cherished in a right frame of mind. There can be no doubt, that the death of a believer in Christ is a happy event. It puts an end to all his sufferings and sorrows; and brings him at once into the presence and joy of the Lord. But to wish for death, merely to be rid of pain, or to enter into rest, is not a right feeling. There is a great deal of selfishness and sin in

such desires. There is great want of faith, and submission to the divine will. Christ learned obedience by the things which he suffered. So must you. Christ said, If this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. Such a mind must you have. Granted, this may be a hard lesson to flesh and blood; but grace will enable you to learn, and practise it also. Job's wishes in this respect were blamable. Paul's confession is the right frame of mind: "To me to live is Christ; and to die is gain ;" and, "whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord; so that, whether we live, or die, we are the Lord's." (Rom. xiv. 8.) So, too, may you say, whether we suffer, we suffer unto the Lord; or whether we are at ease, we are at ease unto the Lord. So that, whether in ease, or in pain, we are the Lord's. Let it be your aim to glorify God while you are here. Leave it with him to release you from your service and suffering on earth, and to take you to the heavenly rest above, in his own time, and in the way that shall seem best to his tender love and godly wisdom.

Learn, then, to place no reliance on man; and to put your whole trust in the Lord. It is probable, that Job expected much comfort from his former friends. It was very reasonable that he should do so. They were godly men; and no doubt they had often taken sweet counsel together. But man is man. Even under the best circumstances, no confidence can be placed in him. Job found it so. They ought to have pitied his case; but they censured him. They dealt deceitfully with him, as the failing brook. They proved to be nothing to him, when he most required their friendly help. Their words were all misplaced; and their heart was turned from him.

Did the Lord thus forsake him? Did he abandon and cast him off? No: he never left him; he never forsook him. Learn, then, to trust in the Lord; in the Lord alone; in the Lord always; in the Lord at all times. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." Thus will you find, that the Lord is good unto them that wait for him; and to the soul that trusteth in him. And thus will you experience, that

when all friends and helpers forsake you, and your own flesh and heart fail, God will be the strength of your heart, the guide of your goings, and your portion for ever. (Ps. lxxiii. 26.)

CHAPTER VII.

1 Job excuseth his desire of death. 12 He complaineth of his own restlessness, 17 and God's watchfulness. S there not 'an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?

2 As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:

3 So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.

4 When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.

5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.

6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

7 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more 'see good.

8 The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.

9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.

10 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth 1; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

12 Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?

13 When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;

14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:

15 So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.

16 I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.

17 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

18 And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?

19 How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?

20 I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

21 And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

(1) Or, a warfare. (4) Heb. shall not return. (2) Heb. gapeth after. (5) to see, that is, to enjoy. (3) Heb. the evening be measured? | (6) That is, I can live no longer. (7) Heb. than my bones.

In the former chapter we found Job giving vent to his earnest desires for death, as a release from his sufferings; and we offered some remarks upon that frame of mind, which wishes for death without a due preparation, and submission to the will of God. It is hoped those remarks may not be forgotten. In this chapter we find this afflicted saint offering some excuse, as it were, for the expressions he had used on this subject; describing the painful and restless state he was in, and the constant watchfulness which God exercised over him. Here, again, practical improvement must be the great object for us constantly to keep in view.

Whatever is wrong never ought to be palliated nor excused. Even if the thing be right in itself, if you misuse or misapply it, your manner of doing so cannot be right; and it requires mercy and forgiveness. For instance, if you wish to die and go to heaven, and are not prepared for death through faith in the Redeemer's merits, or are not submissive to the will of God, as to whether you shall live longer and glorify him in any way which he may please, here upon earth; that very desire, so felt and so expressed, needs as much the blood of Christ to wash away the stain of its guilt, as any other of your sins whatsoever. It is no palliation to say, my sufferings are great; my trials are heavy; I know not what to do. The answer to all this is, So is the will of God; but he giveth more grace; and according to your days, so shall your strength be. (1 Peter ii. 15; James iv. 6; Deut. xxxiii. 25.)

At the same time, these several excuses offered by Job will teach us many useful, and many alarming lessons. Is there an appointed time for man upon earth? Are his days like the days of an hireling? Will the shadows

of the evening certainly come, and his work assuredly be done? Or, are you made to possess months of vanity? Are wearisome nights appointed you? Are you often ready to say, When will the night be gone? Are you full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day? In a little time will your flesh be clothed with worms, and clods of dust; and your skin be broken and loathsome? Are your days swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and spent without hope? Will the eye that hath seen you, soon see you no more? What, then, do these things teach you? Do they not teach you to set your house in order, knowing that you shall die and not live? Do they not teach you to prepare to meet your God? Do they not teach you to seek the Lord while he may be found, and to call upon him while he is near? If you are liable to sufferings in this world, ought you not to be most anxious to escape the sufferings which are beyond the grave? Is there not a worm that never dieth; and a fire that never will be

quenched? Are there not the bitter pains of eternal death? Ought not these things to be attended to in time, whilst you may; before the night cometh, when no man can work?

And if your condition should be further like Job; if the anguish of your soul were such as to lead you to speak in bitterness; or you thought yourself a mark for God to set a watch over you for evil, and not for good; if when you hope your bed, or your couch, might ease your complaint, you were only scared with dreams and terrified through visions; yea, so much so, that sometimes your soul might be tempted to choose strangling and death rather than life; what shall we say? Is there no hope; no refuge; no comforter? Is there no hand to guide you; no arm to lead you; no eye to pity you; no mercy to bless you? Is there not Jesus, still able, willing, mighty, and faithful to cheer and support you?

If you examine the latter part of this chapter, you may see with what earnestness and fervour you ought to attend to these things. What a humble confession did Job make! I have sinned, O thou preserver of men! What an earnest prayer did he offer. And why dost thou not pardon my trans

gression, and take away mine iniquity? (v. 20, 21.) That is as much as to say, Lord, I never can be happy without these blessings. Lord, I can never have peace or comfort here or hereafter, unless my sin be pardoned, and mine iniquity be taken away. How can I go down to the dust of death in peace, unless I am thy pardoned child? How shall I awake with joy in the resurrection morning, unless I am made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light? What say you to these things? Is such your desire, and your prayer? Oh! do not neglect these important matters. Now is the time, or never. Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.

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2 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?

3 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

4 If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away 'for their transgression;

5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.

7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

8 For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a

shadow :)

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