“God inquires of Job concerning several
animals. In these questions the Lord
continued to humble Job. In this chapter several animals are spoken of, whose
nature or situation particularly show the power, wisdom, and manifold works of
God. The wild ass. It is better to labour and be good for something, than to
ramble and be good for nothing. From the untameableness of this and other
creatures, we may see, how unfit we are to give law to Providence, who cannot
give law even to a wild ass's colt. The unicorn, a strong, stately, proud
creature. He is able to serve, but not willing; and God challenges Job to force
him to it. It is a great mercy if, where God gives strength for service, he
gives a heart; it is what we should pray for, and reason ourselves into, which
the brutes cannot do. Those gifts are not always the most valuable that make
the finest show. Who would not rather have the voice of the nightingale, than
the tail of the peacock; the eye of the eagle and her soaring wing, and the
natural affection of the stork, than the beautiful feathers of the ostrich,
which can never rise above the earth, and is without natural affection? The
description of the war-horse helps to explain the character of presumptuous
sinners. Every one turneth to his course, as the horse rushes into the battle.
When a man's heart is fully set in him to do evil, and he is carried on in a
wicked way, by the violence of his appetites and passions, there is no making
him fear the wrath of God, and the fatal consequences of sin. Secure sinners
think themselves as safe in their sins as the eagle in her nest on high, in the
clefts of the rocks; but I will bring thee down from thence, saith the Lord, Jeremiah 49:16. All these beautiful references to the works
of nature, should teach us a right view of the riches of the wisdom of Him who
made and sustains all things. The want of right views concerning the wisdom of
God, which is ever present in all things, led Job to think and speak unworthily
of Providence.”
“Communion with the Lord effectually convinces and
humbles a saint, and makes him glad to part with his most beloved sins. There
is need to be thoroughly convinced and humbled, to prepare us for remarkable
deliverances. After God had shown Job, by his manifest ignorance of the works
of nature, how unable he was to judge of the methods and designs of Providence,
he puts a convincing question to him; Shall he that contendeth with the
Almighty instruct him? Now Job began to melt into godly sorrow: when his friends
reasoned with him, he did not yield; but the voice of the Lord is powerful.
When the Spirit of truth is come, he shall convince. Job yields himself to the
grace of God. He owns himself an offender, and has nothing to say to justify
himself. He is now sensible that he has sinned; and therefore he calls himself
vile. Repentance changes men's opinion of themselves. Job is now convinced of
his error. Those who are truly sensible of their own sinfulness and vileness,
dare not justify themselves before God. He perceived that he was a poor, mean,
foolish, and sinful creature, who ought not to have uttered one word against
the Divine conduct. One glimpse of God's holy nature would appal the stoutest
rebel. How, then will the wicked bear the sight of his glory at the day of
judgment? But when we see this glory revealed in Jesus Christ, we shall be
humbled without being terrified; self-abasement agrees with filial love.” –
Matthew Henry
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