711. JOB 42:17. LESSONS TAUGHT BY JOB’S HISTORY. [NO. XIV.]

Job_42:17. Lessons Taught by Job’s History. [No. XIV.]

"So Job died, being old and full of days."’97Job_42:17.

In our last discourse we saw the tide of Job’s suffering and adversity rolled back, and we beheld the stream of prosperity filling him with joy and gladness.

Our design this morning, is a review, or practical application of the whole. What

Are the great lessons which Job’s astonishing history teaches us.

I. We see the mutability of earthly greatness and prosperity.

When we view Job in the midst of affluence. The greatest man in all the East. On the summit of prosperity. With all that heart could wish. The sunshine of happiness gilding and beautifying all he had. We marvel not that he should say, "I shall die in my nest." What was to hinder? Surely his mountain would stand firm, and never be moved.

But observe, like a moving panorama, while you gaze, the scene changes’97like a dissolving view, the representation is reversed,’97the light and the beauty, and the abundance, are exchanged for darkness, and sadness, and adversity. One good fails after another. His possessions’97his servants’97his family’97his health’97his social enjoyments, &c. Life in a flickering state, and hope ready to expire’97are all that remain, &c.

His magnificent vessel strikes upon the breakers’97the sea rolls over it and destroys the cargo’97the crew and the vessel,’97himself and wife on planks and boards, reach the shore of dreariness and desolation. How true’97"The fashion of this world passeth away," &c. Earthly titles, earthly grandeur and magnificence,’97earthly power, pomp, and riches! certainty belongs to none of them. They recede as the ebbing tide,’97they are effaced as characters written on the sand,’97they vanish as the mists of the morning,’97they fade as the flowers in autumn,’97and they wither as the leaves in winter.

How exhibited in Cardinal Wolsey, and thousands of others! We see,

II. The malevolence and power of Satan. He is Apollyon’97the destroyer. It is true his wrath is restrained, and his energy limited: yet he is often permitted to exercise great and direful influence. He is called, "The god of this world, the prince of the power of the air," &c. He is the monarch of evil. Darkness is the region in which he dwells. Cruelty the element of his being. He binds in hellish fetters. He afflicts with misery,’97he gloats in the tortures of his victims. Their tears are the joy of his spirit’97and their sighs and groans, the music of his fallen soul! It is evident that he exerts his influence on the minds of men; as in the case of the Sabeans and

Chaldeans’97on the elements of nature, as in the fire and lightning which he brought down’97on the air, as in the whirlwind, &c.: on the body, as in the foul and loathsome affliction of Job.

In the Redeemer’s time, his hellish power on earth seems to have reached a fearful ascendency. Hence, the numerous possessions, &c. That was, indeed, the hour of this world, and the hour of darkness. Against him we are solemnly warned. "Above all things, taking the shield of faith," &c. "Resist the Devil," &c.

III. We see what an amazing series of afflictions may be borne, through the sustaining help of God.

The saint is most feeble and impotent; yet most powerful and elastic. Can do nothing, and bear nothing; and yet can do all things and bear all things.

We should not have marvelled if Job had been overwhelmed with melancholy, enveloped in despair, or expired in anguish. A tithe of his sorrow, has often produced death. Such sudden reverses have made countless maniacs, and often peopled an early tomb. How did Job patiently endure? By the strength of the grace of God’97by the power of religious principle. He reposed on God’s bosom’97he reclined on God’s arm’97he trusted to the divine help. Thus when he was weak, he was strong, &c. The life of God within, was the grand sustaining principle. So it has been to thousands.

IV. We see the unfailing character of God’s goodness and promises.

The promises of God are exceedingly great and precious. He is the unchanging friend of his people. He will never leave nor forsake, &c. His goodness cannot fail, nor his pity falter. His tender mercy endureth forever. Had he forsaken Job, he would have perished, &c. Hence, the triumphant boast of the Apostle: "If God be for us," &c. "Who is he that can harm us?" &c. He hath assured us of this, in the emphatic language: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." In the original there are five negatives employed: and it might read thus:’97"I will not leave thee, I will never, never, never, forsake thee." Hence the paraphrase of the Poet’97

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,

I will not’97I will not, desert to his foes.

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never’97no never’97no never forsake."

V. The best of men are weak and fallible.

Job’s friends were of the illustrious of the day; doubtless, the most intelligent and holy of that age. Yet we see, even with the best intentions, how greatly they erred, and how they failed to be a solace to Job. The best of men are but men at best. Let us not expect too much from the creature. The arm of man is the arm of flesh. The mind of man is environed by darkness and error. The heart of man not only deceives others, but often itself. Who would go to the cistern, which may or may not contain water, and leave the fountain? "Cease ye from man," &c. "Cursed is the man who maketh an arm of flesh his truth; but blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord," &c.

VI. The severest afflictions of this life are necessarily light and evanescent.

"Wherefore should a living man complain," &c. All men are sinners, even the best. All sin deserves perdition, even the least. Therefore, all suffering in this life, is as nothing, compared with our desert. Then how transitory! At longest, it is but for a night. The Apostle says, "Our light afflictions which are but for a moment." The furnace of affliction, however hot, &c., is not hell; and the sufferings of the saints, are not as the anguish of the lost.

VII. How essential is the exercise of patience in suffering.

To recognize God’s hand. To rely on God’s heart. To wait God’s time. Job said, "I will wait," &c.

VIII. God will more than recompense his suffering people.

Are you surprised at Job’s sufferings? Do you feel inclined to suspect God of cruelty? &c. Wait the issue. Job sows in tears, &c.; but reaps in joy. He has a dark night, &c.; but behold the light of day, &c. Often in this world God’s people have a reward,’97most certainly they shall have hereafter, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time," &c. Sufferings make the joys doubly rapturous. "These are they that came out of great tribulation," &c.

IX. The last days of the godly, shall be their best.

The journey may be tedious, but they shall come with joy, &c., to Zion. The voyage rough, but an abundant entrance shall be given, &c. The valley dark, but they shall emerge into the cloudless rays of eternal day.

Four advantages arise from Job’s trials.’97We see,

1. The reality of true religion.

2. The glory of God in his character, and government.

3. The experience Job improved.

4. An example of patience, left for the imitation of the Church, for all after ages, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS