Before Christ 1. He He have here, 1. Job's piety, ver. 1. 2. His prosperity, ver. 2, 3. 3. His concern for his children's spiritual comfort, ver. 4, 5. 4. Satan's males against him, and the permission he obtained to try his confiency, ver. 6—12. 5. The troubles that befel him, ver. 13—19. 6. His exemplary patience under them, ver. 20—23. 1. THERE was a man in the land of Ux, whose name was Job, and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3. His subsistence also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household: so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. 4. 1—3. We have here the character and greatness of that venerable patriarch Job. 1. He was a native of Ux, supposed to be that part of Arabia that bordered on Chaldea. His name is by some interpreted, nor heard, as his sufferings formed to speak; others desire it from a word signifying it desire, as if he was the desire of his parents, though he lived to curse the day of his birth: to uncertain are all our promised joys. 2. His piety was remarkable and eminent, and the more so, probably, because of the generally abounding wickedness. He was a perfect man, not in an absolute sense, as his conduct showed; but one who was in God's sight without spot, as accepted in the Saviour, and whose heart was sincere and upright before him. No allowed guile was entertained within, nor known evil indulged in his congregation: nor that feared God, continually influenced by a regard to his holy will, and diligently engaged in the exercises of his worship; and eschewed evil, or deformed from evil, as abominable in the sight of God, and carefully abstained not only from the open acts, but from the appearances of evil. 3. His prosperity was singular as his piety, v. 2, 3. His children were numerous, his household large, and his subsistence was in flocks and herds, wherein at that time the riches of men consisted; so that in all the east there was none so great as Job. Note, (1.) Though it is not common, it is not impossible, to be very great and very good; abounding in the riches of earth, yet more replenished with riches of grace from heaven. (2.) Worldly possessions are then valuable blessings, when in their hands who study to make them subservient to the interests of God, and the good of mankind. 4. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day, and sent and called for their three sisters, to eat and to drink with them. 5. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and slandished them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings, according to the number of them all: for Job said, 'It may be that my sons have finned, and + cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. 6. 4. 5. Though children are generally coveted among the first blessings, yet it is their conduct and behaviour which them them with real value; else they are troubles inflicted of comfort. Job had not only a pleasing number of both feats, but. 1. He saw all his sons happily settled in the world; and though each had his separate family, yet they lived together in that harmony, which is so desirable and uncommon among brethren. At least times they visited each other in turn; invited their sisters to join in their entertainment; and round the festal board, not of intemperate luxury, or hateful excels, but of affluence, crowned with the divine blessing, rejoiced in the gifts of God, and thanked him for a heart richly to enjoy their mercies. Note, (1.) There is no evil in entertaining our friends, or making a feast in our own house, whilst in the fear and love of God we eat our bread with a cheerful heart. (2.) Brethren and near relations are especially bound to cultivate mutual love. 2. He continued to watch over them with pious care and holy jealousy, and they continued to pay him all dutiful respect and submission, and readily joined with him in his solemn exercises of devotion. When therefore the days of their feasting were ended, fearing left in the midst of youthful mirth they had sinned, and some irregularity might have been committed; or cursed God in their hearts, that is, had entertained some unbecoming apprehension of God, or his providence, or been guilty of some neglect in their religious services, he tends to fondlyly them, enjoins them to prepare for the sacrifice he was about to offer in their behalf; to examine themselves, and seriously reflecting on the past days, to bring their humble confessions before the God of mercy, and lay their sins on the head of the beast, the type and figure of that one great sacrifice, which should be offered for the sins of the world. Accordingly, early in the morning he erails, and offered for each a sacrifice of atonement, whilst they attended, and joined in the holy worship, expecting remission of sin through the atoning blood: and thus did Job continuously, or every year, after every close of their annual circuit of entertainment: a remarkable instance of his paternal care and deep godliness, and an evidence also of the true seriousness of his children, who so readily joined in the sacred service. Note, (1.) In the midst of mirth and feasting we are in danger of forgetting God and godliness, and need a double guard over our hearts. (2.) Every thing is beautiful in its season. There is a time to laugh, but set our mirth be innocent, and never indispose us for, or detain us from, the necessary returns of prayer. (3.) Job's example should be every parent's pattern; not rigidly severe, yet watchfully jealous over their children for good. (4.) They who serve God truly, serve him continually. (5.) We see from the beginning, the grand point of true religion consisted in the vicarious substitution of the beast for the sinner. The gospel thus was preached to them, even as unto us. 6. ¶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 7. And the LORD said 5. Though children are generally coveted among the first blessings, yet it is their conduct and behaviour which them them with real value; else they are troubles inflicted of comfort. Job had not only a pleasing number of both feats, but. 6. ¶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7. And the LORD said We have seen Job great and good, and, to appearance, most firmly established; but this is a changing world, and nothing is sure to us beneath the sun. His piety and prosperity could not but provoke the envy of the devil, who wanted impatiently for an occasion to greatly his malice upon this holy happy man. We have here, 1. Satan appearing among the sons of God. Some apply this to the angels, returning from their services here below, to receive new orders from the eternal Majesty, and Satan as an intruder daring to appear, or as a criminal summoned to attend. But it is rather to be understood of God's people, who had their solemn zealous of devotion before the infliction of the Sabbath; and even in their assemblies, the devil, who is yet permitted to range about the earth, finds a place, and watches, looking whom he may devour. Note, We are not safe from temptation, or the suggestions of Satan, even upon our knees; but let not that discourage us from continual waiting upon God. 2. God's enquiry, whence he came: not as unacquainted with his walks or designs, but as referring his bold intrusion there; or to lead him to what he saw was his malicious purpose concreting Job. Though the way whereas (pools thus connect) he mysterious, I see not therefore why the reality of it should be questioned, nor any need to suppose this translation merely allegorical. Note, Many thrall themselves in among God's worthipping people, whose malicious and wicked tempera, and bad designs even in the house of prayer, make them in God's fight as hateful as Satan himself. 3. Satan's answer, v. 7, which may be construed as the bouth of pride, as though the earth was his own, and he freaked over the vast circumference, as a king in progress through his dominions; or it may refer to his retitals misery, that suffers him no where to find safe; or to his indefatigable diligence in his faithful work of tempting and destroying the sons of men. Note, There is one who ever wakes and watches, and no time or place is secured from his shares: how wakeful then and wretched, must we be, that we enter not into temptation. 4. God questions him concerning Job. Half thou confessed my servant Job, observed his piety, or set them heart upon him, to do him some mischief? I know thou hast. God calls him my servant, the most honourable of all titles, and expressive of his high approbation of Job's fidelity in his service, that there is none like him in the earth; not only in the land of Us, but probably among the sons of men, his fellow was not found for true piety; a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and eichewerth evil, as was before asserted, v. 1. Such a character could not but awaken Satan's malice, and God knew what was his present design upon him. Note, (1.) God knows all the devices of the wicked one, and will disappoint them. (2.) They who approve themselves faithful servants to him, will find him a faithful God to them, to preserve them from the shares of the devil. 5. Satan's safe infirmation and proposal. He had nothing whereof to accede him; his characters are allowingly sinners and upright, but by a fly interrogation, Doth Job force God for toughs? he would infirmate, that his views were mercenary, and his service at bottom hypocrisical. He enumerates, v. 20. with a kind of envious grief, the many and singular moecies he enjoyed, and therefore would infer, that if Job served God, he was well paid for it; but let God strip him of his worldly comforts, and he would soon see an alteration. He will carve thee to thy face; or rather the words imply an imprecation, If he does not carve thee to thy face, then let me suffer the damnation of a living tongue. Such a severe trial Satan hoped would shake his fidelity; at least, his own malice would be gratified in Job's misery. Note, (1.) The commendations of others in the case of envy grace harth discord. (2.) Worldly ends and mercenary motives are still made, by Satan's instruments, the occasions against those whose conduct affords no evil thing justly to say of them. They cannot prove them vile like themselves, therefore they will call them hypocrites. (3.) A fly question often conveyes the vilest infirmation. (4.) They who ask impetus, when God sloves and makes us common, show with what anafire they have been, though even the devil here speaks with more rezerw than many profane savarers, who openly blaspheme God, and invocate horrid vengeance on their souls. 6. God permits the trial he suggested: all that he hath is in thy power. And that he doth, not to gratify Satan's malice, or as doubting of Job's integrity, but to confound the devil, to make Job's graces appear more eminent, and to glorify the greatness of his own power and love in his support and likention. Only upon himself put not forth thy hand. The devil's power is limited: he who permits his wickedness, doth to him, Haberto mayeth thou come, and no further; and this should ever encourage the children of God against despair. 7. Satan immediately proceeds to put in force the permission he had received, eager to do mischief, and hoping, it may be, to prevail against this holy man, who do desire, and little apprehended the impending storm. Note, Every moment we are in jeopardy, nor can foresee what is plotting against us by the prince of the power of the air. 13. ¶ And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 14. And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The open were plowing, and the afters feeding beside them: 15. And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away, yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burnt up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them, and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 18. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 19. And behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead, and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. We have here, 1. The deceitful calm which preceded the terrible storm. The days of feasting were begun, the tillage going forward, the castle grazing in fat paffures, and peace and prosperity seemed to reign in all Job's house. Note, In our happiest elhate we need ever rejoice with trembling. 2. The sudden storm arises, and successive messengers bring the most doleful tidings, each on the other's heels pursuing, till the last complexes the wretched tale, and adds to the unverbal destruction of his substance, the utter desolation of his family. His castle and servants at plow are attacked by a rowing band of Sabeans, the men flare, the oxen and also taken; his sheep, with the Shepherds, burnt up with lightning; his camels found, and his servants slaughtered by the Chaldeans; and, last and worst of all, his children buried together under the ruins of their elder brother's house, struck by the refidient whirlwind. Afflictions so many, great, and aggravated, in which not only the hand of man appeared, but the fire of God was employed, that they formed to helpock his disposition, and the vanity of all that integrity and uprightness he had so carefully maintained. Note, (1.) Sudden and unexpected strokes are apt to ruffle the most compelled temper. (2.) The children of God must not count it strange, if evil upon evil purfeas them; it is not so destroy, but to prove them. (3.) There are great deeps in God's providential dealings, which now we cannot fathom. (4.) If the devil had but permission, he could soon arm his instruments for our destruction; but he is bound. (5.) The loss of a child is a bitter trial, their sudden death more afflictive, but to lose many, all, at once, in the midst of gayety, and after every other earthly comfort was gone, this to nature would seem quite insupportable; but what can not Divine grace enable us to bear? Are any thus afflicted, let them remember the patience of Job. 20. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and worthipped. 21. And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Behold the awful change that one short day hath made; the greatest man of the soft stripped of every comfort, naked and desirous. Well may we lay of all this world, Fancy of comfort, all is vanity. Yet hath not Satan gained the least advantage; the darker the scene, the brighter than the graces of the holy sufferer. 1. He felt with deepest sensibility the afflicting tidings, and with the most expressive signs of bitter anguish rest his deaths, and barred his head, and fell upon the ground. His grief was great; and was there not a cause? yet no indecent rays, no rich extravagance appears: he felt as a man, he mourned as a believer. Note, (1.) Religion never requires stoical apathy, but patient submission. (2.) Mourning for the dead is the tribute we owe to humanity, only let us not foresee as those who have no hope. 2. His resignation and piety appear most distinguished. He worshiped: far from being driven to curse God, as Satan vaunted he would, he bliss the hand that smote him, and humbly submits to the divine disposal. He said, Naked came I out of my mother's sound, and brought nothing into this world, and naked shall I return thither, to the dust from whence I came, and can carry nothing out of the world: if God therefore pleads to drop him of all, he is but at he was born, and as he must be when he dies. He acknowledges God's sovereign right to all he publishes; The Lord gave, out of his undeterred bounty, and, when he pleases, may resume his gifts: the Lord hath taken away, nor have we any thing to complain of: they were his own, and that he hath lent them to us so long, deserves our thankful acknowledgment; blessed be the name of the Lord. Note, (1.) No afflictions must indispose us for God's worship; the more we feel, the more we need his grace to support us. (2.) The consideration of the near approach of death, when we must be stripped of all, should wean our afflictions from a perishing world. (3.) Every blessing is God's gift, and every suffering from his hand, whatever instrument is employed. This therefore should make us acknowledge him in all, bless the gracious giver for the loan, and radiate it without murmuring, whenever he demands it. (4.) Whatever we lose, enough is left to deserve our thankfulness, and to engage our praise. (5.) Where God bestows a spirit of meekness, and patient submission, he leaves a greater blessing behind, than any outward thing of which his providence deprives us. 3. God bears testimony to Job's gracious disposition. In all this he found not: his grief was not excessive, his patience was exemplary, and his faith unshaken: nor charged God forcibly; did not blaspheme, as Satan hoped, nor arraign the wisdom, mercy, or goodness of God in this afflictive dispensation. Note, In great trials God gives great grace, and then we can do all things through Christ strengthening us. The first trial disappointed the tempter, and magnified the sufferer; but Satan will not yet dofit. 1. He means for another trial, ver. 1—3. 2. God permits it, ver. 6. 3. Satan invites him with a very painful and loathsome disease, ver. 7, 8. 4. His wife tempts him in early God, but he refoils the temptation, ver. 9, 10. 5. His friends come to console with, and to comfort him, ver. 11—13. 1. A GAIN there was a day, when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence cometh thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hath thou confidereit my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and echeweth evil? and 'fill he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to 'destroy him' without cause. 4. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea all that a man hath will be give for his life. 5. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will 'curse thee to thy face. 6. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand, but save his life. c. 7—8. Restless is our hellish foe, and disappointment but sharpens his rage, and makes him return more furious to the attack. Though proved a liar, he persists in his accusations, and pretends another trial as least will yet prove Job a hypocrite. They who hate God's people will submit to no evidence, but lie on in spite of conviction. We have, 1. Another solemn assembly of the sons of God, and Satan with hardened impudence appearing among them, filled with the same inveterate stature against the faithful sufferer: The same enquiries, and the same answers, introduce the great point in dispute, the integrity of Job; and now it might be so poised, that on the issue of his own proposal he would own God's character of Job, and take shame for his infamous insinuation concerning his hypocrisy; seeing, saith God, he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou removed me against him, to destroy him without cause: he cries higher under every pressure, and gains in true greatness by his losses. 2. With persevering accusation this enemy dares support his plea, and, though baffled, pretends that it was more owing to the insufficiency of the test, than the integrity of Job, that he had not made good his allegation. Says for this, yet all that a man hath will be give for his life: whilst he himself rests in a whole skin, he can do calm under the other losses; but put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, torture him with pain, or afflict him with sickness, and then he will curse thee to thy face. Note, Mostly torture is indeed the feverish trial of human patience. 3. God contents he shall make the experiment; reserving only Job's life, he is at liberty to afflict him to the uttermost: thus purposing ultimately to make a more glorious display of the power of his grace; to preserve to future ages an eminent monument of patience under every affliction; with deeper confusion to cover this wonder of the brethren, and by these works of wickedness permit him to fill up the measure of his iniquities. 7. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with fore boils, 'from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8. And he took him a pottherd to scrape himself withal: and he sat down among the afters. 9. Then said 'his wife unto him, 'Dost thou still retain thine integrity?' Curse God and die. 10. But he said unto her, 'Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh: what? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?' In all this did not Job sin with his lips. No sooner is the permission granted, than the devil is impatient to worry his prey; and whilst every thing Job feels is tormenting, every thing he hears in discouraging; thus Satan hoped he should at last prevail. 1. Job is smitten from head to foot with fore boils. What was his peculiar disease, hath occasioned many conjectures: I should suppose it was no common case, but some extraordinary effort of him who hath the power of death, to concenter the force of every disease in one, uniting the anguish, pain, sickness, nauseousness, selfishness, and every other ill that flesh is hurt to; whilst no comforter was near, no medicine to affleag, no oil to supple, no rags to cover, not even a dog to lick his force. In the afters he sat, a poethed in his hand, and whilst with this he sought to affleag the intolerable itching, it served but to aggravate his torment. Yet in this miserable state no murmuring word is heard; he is dumb before God, and his soul deeply abated, as his body in the dust and afters that were spread under him. Note, (1.) How admirable does Job appear? what a lesson to us in pain or sickness, to keep the door of our lips from impatient complaints? (2.) When our body is humbled with disease, our souls should correspond with our circumstances, in deep and lowly abatement. 2. The wife of his bosom becomes the tempter of his soul, and no trials to severe, as those that come through their hands who are dearest to us. She cannot wish patience for her husband retain still his humble submission to God; Dost thou still retain thine integrity? How useless is how little doth he deserve thy service, whose mind hast thus rewards thy fidelity? Curse God and die: blaspheme his name, and renounce all dependence upon him; get out of his reach, and by death rid thyself of thy troubles. Or, as the words will bear a milder sense, Bless God and die: bless him, pray to him to take thee away, as weary of a life now rendered insupportable. Note, (1.) The blackest suggestions of blasphemy and self-murder have sometimes attacked the dearest saints of God. (2.) They are bad judges of true religion, who look no further than this present world: had we hope here only, we should be often miserable indeed. 3. Job nobly repels this fiery dart thrown at him from Satan's quiver. Thus speaketh at one of the foolish women speaketh; far different language should flow from these lips, that have so long been taught a wider lesson. Such attentional and blasphemous words might be expected from the profane libelants, but the wife of Job had been better taught. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? With indignation he receives the suggestion: many blessings they had received at God's hand; if now he chose to afflict them, it was what with meekness they should prepare to receive, and, under all submissive, wait in hope. Note, (1.) When we rebuke even great provocations, we should avoid every rash or hasty expression, and do it calmly and seriously. (2.) We Benedictine (2.) We must never put with the suggestions, but reject them with abhorrence. (3.) In this world, good and evil are set over against each other; whatever we enjoy of the one, we may not expect exemption from the other; and the latter to a child of God usually proves the greatest blessing. 4. God bears a fresh testimony to Job's integrity, In all this he found not with his lips, never yet uttered a murmuring impatient word; and whatever struggle there might be within, hitherto grace had triumphed; and in bridling his tongue, he had maintained the deserved character of a perfect man. 11. 9 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, and Billiad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mount with him, and to comfort him. 12. And when they lift up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice and wept, and they rest every one his mantle, and sprinkled duft upon their heads toward heaven. 13. So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days, and seven nights, and more spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. The afflictive circumstances of so great a man's fall and suffering soon spread abroad; his enemies rejoiced, but his friends mourned. We have here, 1. An appointment made by three of them to come and confide with him, Eliphaz, Billiad, and Zophar, generally for-posed descendants from Abraham, by the sons of Keturah or Efeso; See Gen. xxxvi. 12. Gen. xxv. is men of deep knowledge and experience. They had known Job in the days of his greatness, and were not like many others, who left him when brought love, but thought themselves then especially bound to testify their regard; and by sympathetic tears, to alleviate the sorrows of the mourners. Note, (1.) A true friend is known in advertise, and such may be justly esteemed among the chief blessings of this life. (2.) The house of mourning will be frequented by the wife and gracious, both in charity to support others, and as a school to learn themselves. 2. Their astonishment, grief, and anguish is painted in the strongest colours. When after off, they lift up their eyes: so changed was his countenance, so disfigured his body, so wretched his appearance, that they at first burn him out; but soon discovering through the dark veil the miserable sufferer, a buff of tears and cries tellified their deep affliction; they rest every one his mantle, and sprinkled duft upon their heads towards heaven, the tokens of expression forests; so they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, probably never stirred, and in bitterness are the bread of mourners, and mingled their drink with weeping: or at least each day and part of the night they spent with him, however painful and grievous the scene; and none spake a word unto him. In silence overwhelmed with such stupendous woe, too big for utterance; for they fear that his grief was very great. Note, (1.) Disease makes frightful changes; the dear loved countenance will soon be hurled ghastly: let us remember what vile bodies we have, and be abased. (2.) They who haite from the chamber of disease, and are glad to fly from the melancholy door, their themselves strangers to true friendship, as well as unmindful of, and unprepared for the evil days they must tharrily die. (3.) When we perceive the grief so great, as to be incapable of admitting immediate consolation, we must wait till an opening offers, to speak a word in season.