_Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches._ PERSONAL APPLICATIONS OF TRUTH Here is the great failure in the case of the three friends and Elihu: they speak broad generalities; they are sure the doctrine is right. With these, as mere utterances, we have no fault to find; but where was the wisdo... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Spirit of God hath made me._ ON THE GENERAL DISPENSATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH RESPECT TO THE NEW CREATION The Holy Spirit completed the work of creation in all its parts. With respect to the new creation, the work is threefold. I. His rich and copious influences and operations. The dispen... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead._ THE PHILOSOPHY OF MEDIATION The words mediation and intercession present fundamentally the same idea--a coming between, to bridge over a gulf, or to avert a stroke. Some being to stand between him and God, and to be the interpreter of God’s deali... [ Continue Reading ]
_God is greater than man._ Why dost thou strive with Him? MAN’S CONTENTIONS, WITH GOD The mysterious meeting place of the Divine and human wills. Unknown by us and undiscoverable. Both wills are operative, and can only be reconciled by filial acquiescence. Man has two prerogatives to choose, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_For God speaketh once._ ELIHU’S FIRST DISCOURSE Elihu says, God does speak to men in various ways. It is not true that He gives no account of Himself, and of His dealings with men. Two or three of God’s ways Elihu specifies. 1. God quickens men to thought and moral emotion in the silence and slu... [ Continue Reading ]
_In a dream._ A HARD CASE How persevering is Divine love. God has voices which He uses in such a way that men must and shall hear. I. So, then, first, let us begin with what is a very humbling consideration, namely, that man is very hard to influence for good. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, o... [ Continue Reading ]
_He is chastened also with pain upon his bed._ SANCTIFIED AFFLICTION Two Chapter s in the hook of human life are hard to understand--the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous. The Book of Job is a luminous commentary on both. Carefully studied, these verses furnish a chain... [ Continue Reading ]
_If there be any messenger with him, an interpreter._ HOW TO VISIT THE SICK It is not man’s torment or ruin that God desires, but his reformation and amendment. To this end He speaks to men in dreams. When that will not do, by afflictions. To make those afflictions more intelligible and effectual,... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall return to the days of his youth._ THE AUTUMN CROCUS If the snowdrop may be called the morning star that ushers in the dawn of the floral year, the crocus may be said to be its sunrise. So much is the crocus associated with the showers and the sunbeams of April, that it requires a special... [ Continue Reading ]
_He looketh upon men._ A PENITENTIAL SPIRIT The text-- I. Presents to us the extent of the Divine inspection. “He looketh upon men.” God’s omniscience ought to make us adore and tremble. He watches over men’s actions, and there is no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man._ DIVINE PROVIDENCE He who believes in the being of a God, must logically believe in the doctrine of Divine providence. That providence is over all things--a general providence--must imply a particular providence, for all generals are made up o... [ Continue Reading ]