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248     THE CONVENTION TEACHER

thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. The Lord Himself acted as judge of the counsel for the accused and plead for him. Hast thou considered my servant Job - Art thou now at length convinced that he is a faithful servant of mine, a perfect and an upright man; for thou seest he still holds fast his integrity? This is now added to his character as a further achievement. Instead of letting go his religion, and cursing God, he holds it faster than ever, as that which he has now more than ordinary occasion for. He is the same in adversity that he was in prosperity, and rather better and more hearty in blessing God than ever he was. See how Satan is condemned for his allegations against Job. thou movedst me against him - As an accuser, to destroy him without cause. Job is commended for his constancy, notwithstanding the attack made upon him. "Still he holds fast his integrity" as his weapon, and thou canst not disarm him; nay, thine endeavors to do so make him hold it the faster. Instead of losing ground by the temptation, he gains ground. God speaks of it with wonder and pleasure and something of triumph in the power of His own grace. Thus the trial of Job's faith was found to be his praise and honor. "Constancy crowns integrity."

(4) And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will be given for his life. The accusation is further prosecuted. What excuse can Satan make for the failure of his former attempt? What can he say to palliate it when he has been so confident that he should gain his point? Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will be given for his life - Something of truth is there in this, that self-love and self-preservation are powerful principles in the hearts of men. One observes Satan's impudence. "Skin for skin," a proverbial expression, a question of barter. Job has yet a whole skin. He will part with anything to save his life, not only his property and children, but probably his religion too. The test was not yet sufficiently severe. Satan argues still on the principles of man's selfishness. His words are too often proved in fallen humanity, but his statement was a libel upon the race. Self-preservation is a powerful instinct, but not supreme. With a good man it is subordinate to the principles of morality and religion.

(5) But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. Here is another challenge to make a further trial of Job's integrity. Satan knew it, and we find it by experience that nothing is more likely to ruffle the thoughts and put the mind into disorder than acute pain and disease of the body. Satan was acquainted with the tendency of great bodily suffering. Pain, a powerful means of disquieting and weakening the mind, disordering its faculties, exhausting its energies and plunging it into despondency. This was a piercing shaft in Satan's quiver. Man have blasphemed God because of pain. This was Satan's expectation in regard to Job - "He will curse Thee."

(6) And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. God renews His permission to Satan. he is in thine hand - Before, only his property and children; now, himself. Do thy worst with him, but with a proviso and limitation; save his life. Afflict him, but not to death, Satan hunted for the precious life, would have taken that if he might, in hopes that dying agonies would have forced Job to curse his God; but God had mercy in store for Job after his trial, and therefore he must survive it. If God did not chain up the roaming lion, how soon would he devour us! Job's life is to be endangered but not destroyed. Life and death are in God's hands, not Satan's. There are precious blessings still for Job to experience, and important work still for him to do. 

III. JOB'S REPENTANCE. (VV. 1-6,) 10a.) (1) Then Job answered the Lord, and said, Job comes to himself and is ready to do what is right. While his patience had not its perfect work, his repentance for his impatience had. He is thoroughly humbled for his folly and unadvised speaking, and it was forgiven him. Good men will see and own their faults at last, though it may be some difficulty to bring them to it. When God had said all that to him concerning His own greatness and power, then Job answered the Lord, not by way of contradiction, he had promised not so to answer again, but by way of submission; and thus we must all answer the call of God. 

(2) I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Job subscribes to the truth of God's unlimited power, knowledge, and dominion. Corrupt passions and practices arise either from some corrupt principles, or from the neglect and disbelief of the principles of truth; and 

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therefore true repentance begins in the acknowledgment of truth Job confesses his judgment convinced of the greatness, glory and perfection of God, from which would follow the conviction of his conscience concerning his own folly. He owns that God can do everything. He knew this before, and had himself discoursed very well upon the subject, but now he knew it with application. no thought can be withholden from thee - not one unbelieving fretful, discontented thought is in our minds but God is a witness of it. It is vain to contest with Him, for we cannot hide our projects or counsels from Him. 

(3) Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Job admits himself to be guilty of that which God had charged him with in the beginning of His discourse. "Lord, I have hid counsel without knowledge, I have ignorantly overlooked the counsels and designs of God in afflicting me, and therefore have quarrelled with God, and insisted too much upon my own justification." Therefore have I uttered that I understood not - That is, Job had passed a judgment upon the dispensations of Providence, though he was utterly a stranger to the reasons of them. He owns himself ignorant of the divine counsels, and so we are all. God's judgments are deep; we cannot fathom them. 

(4) Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Notice Job's desire to take the place of a humble inquirer and learner. The mark of true repentance is to desire to know the Lord's will. Job will not answer but he will make supplication to his Judge; not speak as plaintiff or defendant, but as a humble petitioner. 

(5) I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eyes seeth thee: Job had known something of the greatness, power and sovereign dominion of God, and yet was not brought by what he heard to submit himself to Him as he ought. The notions he had of God served him only to talk of. But now God by immediate revelation had discovered Himself to Job in His glorious majesty. now mine eye seeth - Knowledge obtained by "seeing" is much more clear and satisfactory than that by hearing. By the teaching of men God reveals His Son to us; but the teaching of His Spirit God reveals His Son in us and so changes us into His own image.

(6) Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Here Job expressed sorrow for his sins. It concerns us to be deeply humbled for the sins we are convinced of, and not to rest in a slight superficial displeasure against ourselves for them. Job repented in dust and ashes. These, without an inward change, do but mock God; but when they come from sincere contrition of soul, the sinner by them gives glory to God, takes shame to himself, and may be instrumental in bringing others to repentance. 

(10a) And the Lord turned the captivity of Job. Job's patience under his troubles is forever an encouragement to follow his example. His troubles began from Satan's malice; his deliverance from God's mercy. There is no mischief done by the Serpent, but can be undone by the Woman's Seed. God is able to deliver. He Himself is the deliverer both of His Church collectively and of His people individually. God is the true and Great Deliverer. He turned the captivity of Job - His outward condition, resembling such. Stripped of all his property, separated from his friends, sitting on an ash-heap, his body covered with sores, scars and filth - strictly a captivity. Job's captivity was inward, as well as outward. In his affliction he was held bound by his own spirit, as well as the spirit of evil. But now he was released both from Satan's hand and his multiplied sufferings. 

QUESTIONS ON THE LESSON

1. What is drama in the Bible? 
2. How did Job handle trouble?
3. What growth comes from suffering?
4. How can Job's speeches develop character?
5. What does faith mean to the believer?