700. JOB 1:6-12. THE WONDERFUL CONVOCATION. [NO. III.]

Job_1:6-12. The Wonderful Convocation. [No. III.]

"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said. From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it," &c.’97Job_1:6-12.

What a wonderful book is the Bible! How profound its mysteries! How vast its discoveries! How varied its themes! How instructive its narratives! How unsurpassingly sublime many of its descriptions and scenes!

Men of the mightiest genius have been overwhelmed with their own insufficiency to do full justice to the Scriptures.

Few parts are more difficult and perplexing, than the portion selected for our present consideration.

It is a drama in miniature; and the personages are the most distinguished and magnificent that can engage our attention.

First of all is Jehovah, in solemn convocation. He sits on the throne of his holiness. He exercises universal dominion. Angels are his ministering attendants. There, are the Sons of God ’97evidently the angels of his presence, come in their united ranks to do him homage. It is a day of especial audience. A royal court day, when the shining orders of cherubim and seraphim have more immediate communion with their divine Lord.

It is probable, too, that they come to notify their obedience to the divine behests, and to hear the will of God, that they might again fly to do his commands.

And now the mystery increases. Satan, the accuser, the fallen angel, the leader of the apostate legions’97he also appears. The Lord may require the presence of this fallen spirit, as a proof of his subordination to his own will and authority.

God then addresses him; Job_1:7. And he replies, in perfect keeping with his own character,’97"Doth Job serve God for naught?" Here he insinuates that Job is a mere hireling, &c. Thus he becomes the accuser of Job! See Zec_3:1, Zec_3:2. Rev_12:7-10.

Job’s condition is described by Satan as one of invulnerable security; Job_1:10, &c.

Then he vents forth the utmost malice and envy of his fallen spirit; Job_1:11. He then adds, "But, put forth thine hand," &c.

The Lord accepts the challenge’97gives a royal license to the devil, to bring Job into circumstances of adversity; Job_1:12.

Thus the drama terminates. The sons of God wing their way to do God’s command. Satan retires to exert his hellish influence on the circumstances and family of Job.

Let us, then, ground certain important and instructive propositions, on the subject thus introduced to you.

I. God is at the head of all authority, dominion, and power.

All creatures both in heaven and earth are subject to him. "He doeth as he will," &c. All laws are his. All government. &c., emanates from him. Of him it is said’97"By whom are all things, and for whom are all things." The drop of water, and the grain of sand, and the lightning, and the thunder; all do his will. All creatures, from the insect to the leviathan. Man is is his creature, &c. All the angels of heaven are subject to him.

How great and glorious is Jehovah of hosts! A God greatly to be feared, and had in reverence by all his saints.

II. Holy angels are especial servants of Jehovah.

They are called sons. They are holy, wise, and blessed intelligences. Doubtless, they are employed according to his perfect and wise authority. "Bless ye the Lord, all ye his angels, &c., that do his will, hearkening to the voice of his word," &c.

The Scriptures reveal many of their mighty and marvellous doings, both as messengers of terror and of mercy. To the saints, they are friends, guards, and ministering spirits. "The angels of the Lord," &c. "Are they not all ministering spirits," &c.

III. Satan is the restless, subtle, and malevolent enemy of the saints.

Job_1:7.

How this agrees with that New Testament declaration’97"Your adversary the the devil goeth about," &c.

He sees the goodness and piety of the saints, and hates it.

He beholds their felicity, and labors to destroy it.

He delights in diffusing sorrow, and sin, and woe in the earth. Envy, pride, and cruelty, are his essential attributes. But, mark; he is a creature, and his power bounded by God’s supreme authority.

IV. God’s permissive providence allows Satan to distress and afflict the saints.

Many of the chastisements of the saints are directly from God. He may do it immediately and directly. At other times he permits it. So in this instance. God allows Satan to attack, and tempt, and invade the peaceful province of Job. God never does moral evil. He never tempts to it. He has explicitly averred this. "He is the Father of lights," &c. Author of good, and not evil. Jam_1:13.

But he may permit evil to arise,’97he may allow Satan to tempt, &c.; but still, God is at the helm of affairs, and his love and his care are never withdrawn from his saints.

V. Satan enunciated a great and important truth in reference to God’s people.

"Doth Job fear God for naught;" Job_1:9, Job_1:10.

His insinuation was envious and false’97but the declaration is true.

1. The service of God is well remunerated.

Job did not serve God for naught, nor any other saint. God is a good master. He rewards all his servants. "Godliness with contentment," &c. "Godliness is profitable," &c. "Seek ye first," &c.

God’s service has a reward in it. "In keeping his commands, there is great reward." There is also freedom, and peace, and joy.

Then there is also a reward with it. Every pious act exalts and improves the soul, and conforms it to the image of God.

Besides, there is also a reward following it. "Be thou faithful," &c.

2. The persons, families, and possessions of the pious are under God’s special protection.

"Hast thou not made an hedge," &c., Job_1:10; or fence, or palisading, &c. Yes, the providence of God surrounds and environs all his saints. They are in his hands. The very hairs of their head are numbered. "All things work together," &c. "Who is he that shall harm," &c. "If God be for us," &c.

3. God’s blessing is the joyful portion of all his people.

"Thou hast blessed," &c., Job_1:10. This just agrees with the declaration of Balaam. "The Lord hath blessed," &c. So David said, "Thy blessing is on thy people."

This is often seen in reference to their temporal concerns. Always in their spiritual things.

Application

1. How signally great and blessed are the people of God.

Objects of God’s complacent regard. His constant love, and his unfailing care. "Happy art thou, O Israel," &c.

2. To dwell in the families of the pious is no small privilege.

The children of such, and the servants of such, are favored beyond others. The hedge surrounds them. As a privilege it may be abused and perverted. Oh, rightly value it, &c.

3. It must be well with those who serve God.

Enemies they may have; and trials and sorrows may befall them; but still it is written: "Say ye unto the righteous, it shall be well with him." Seek this character, and maintain it.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS