709. JOB 40:4. JOB’S PENITENTIAL CONFESSION. [NO. XII.]

Job_40:4. Job’s Penitential Confession. [No. XII.]

"Behold, I am vile," &c.’97Job_40:4.

The character, sufferings, and trials of Job, form one of the most interesting and instructive subjects of Old Testament history. Here was a good man’97one perfect in his generation, &c., reduced from the highest prosperity and happiness, to the deepest state of abasement and suffering. In the midst of his unparalleled afflictions, his friends come to visit him. They are intellectual, godly men. But they mistake the true principles of the Divine government. They conclude that God ever punishes sin, and rewards righteousness, in this life; and hence they surmise evil of Job,’97conclude that he has been guilty of some heinous sins and deep hypocrisy. This goads and overwhelms the sufferer. His patience fails’97he utters hard things of God, and even seeks that God should destroy him. God, the wise arbiter, steps in and decides the controversy. He admonishes Job’97reproves his friends’97and then, mercifully heals and restores his servant.

Now Job is humbled in the dust. His self-complacency is gone, and he exclaims’97"Behold, I am Vile."

Observe,

1. The text is strikingly applicable to unrenewed human nature.

The tree became bad’97the fountain corrupt, &c.; therefore the stream defiled. Hence God, in describing the state of the antediluvians, &c. Gen_6:5. Hence, also, that declaration: "The heart is deceitful," &c. What phases of wickedness! In indescribable forms of sensuality’97in awful exhibitions of pride, &c. In concentrated forms of selfishness’97in terrible forms of cruelty and blood. No tongue can describe’97no mind conceive the intense, deep depravity of the human heart! Yet in the midst of the vilest there may be some remains of his primeval excellency’97some features of the original image, &c.

II. The text is not inappropriate to the renewed people of God.

Case of Job. The best of men have felt it. Abraham’97David’97Isaiah’97and Paul. See Gal_5:17, &c. "If we say that we have no sin," &c. What awful thoughts! what strange feelings! what vile desires! what fearful folly!’97have characterized even the good and excellent. And this sense of vileness is heightened,

(1.) Just as persons see the extent of the divine law.

(2.) Just as they feel the great claims God has upon them.

(3.) And as they discern the odiousness of all sin.

(4.) And the necessity of perfect holiness to enjoy God and heaven, &c. Forget these things, and you may easily be self-satisfied and self-righteous’97or by comparing yourselves with others, or your former selves. But the true feeling is that of the text’97"Behold, I am vile!"

III. The text should lead to humiliation and contrition before God.

If true, and really felt, there will be self-renunciation, self-loathing, self-distrust. There will be great modesty in speaking of ourselves,’97great charity in speaking of others. Constant confession’97repentance and prayer.

IV. The text will lead to the right appreciation of the person and sacrifice of Christ.

Here is the malady, and where is the remedy? "the fountain opened," &c. Here is the sin, and where is the salvation?’97in the cross of Christ. Here is the peril, where is the deliverer?’97Jesus who gave himself, that he might redeem unto himself, &c. Here is the enemy, where is the power for the victory?’97Christ and his Holy Spirit, and efficient grace. A low sense of ourselves will produce a high sense of Christ,’97so in the opposite case, &c. Christ will just be precious, as sin is felt, deplored, &c. Oh, yes, Christ will be infinitely precious to the believer!

V. The text is no plea for indifference to the divine commands.

Not to sin that grace may abound. But mourn for sin, and strive against it. Seek entire deliverance from it. "We that are in this tabernacle groan," &c. Labor for the moral triumph over sin. Press after entire holiness, &c.

VI. The text has no signification in the heavenly state.

In the full redemption, all sin will be destroyed.’97All depravity removed.’97Hearts transparent.’97Souls spotless.’97Spirits immortal.

"Sin our worst enemy before," &c.

Washed their robes, &c. Without spot or wrinkle, &c. Don’t suppose that death does this for the Christian, but the grace of God during life,’97making meet for the inheritance, &c.

Let the subject,’97

1. Lead the sinner to repentance.

2. The believer to lie in the depths of humility.

3. And all to prize and trust in the great Redeemer, and to abhor the folly of self-righteousness.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS