Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 3.djvu/23

Rh are taken under his special protection, they and all that belong to them; divine grace makes a hedge about their spiritual life, and divine providence about their natural life, so they are safe and easy. He had prospered him, not in idleness or injustice, (the Devil could not accuse him of them,) but in the way of honest diligence; Thou hast blessed the work of his hands; without that blessing, be the hands ever so strong, ever so skilful, the work will not prosper; but with that, his substance is wonderfully increased in the land: the blessing of the Lord makes rich; Satan himself owns it. 2. What notice the Devil took of it, and how he improved it against him. The Devil speaks of it with vexation; I see thou hast made a hedge about him, round about; as if he had walked it round, to see if he could spy ever a gap in it, for him to enter in at, to do him a mischief; but he was disappointed; it was a complete hedge. The wicked one saw it, and was grieved, and argued against Job, that the only reason why he served God was, because God prospered him. "No thanks to him to be true to the government that prefers him, and to serve a Master that pays him so well."

VII. The proof Satan undertakes to give of the hypocrisy and mercenariness of Job's religion, if he might but have leave to strip him of his wealth. "Let it be put to this issue," says he, v. 11. "make him poor, frown upon him, turn thine hand against him, and then see where his religion will be; touch what he has, and it will appear what he is. If he curse thee not to thy face, let me never be believed, but posted for a false accuser. Let me perish, if he curse thee not." So some supply the imprecation, which the Devil himself modestly concealed; but the profane swearers of our age impudently and daringly speak out. Observe, 1. How slightly he speaks of the affliction he desired that Job might be tried with; "Do but touch all that he has, do but begin with him, do but threaten to make him poor; a little cross will change his tone." 2. How spitefully he speaks of the impression it would make upon Job. "He will not only let fall his devotion, but turn it into an open defiance; not only think hardly of thee, but even curse thee to thy face." The word translated curse is barac, the same that ordinarily and originally signifies to bless; but cursing God is so impious a thing, that the holy language would not admit the name: but that, where the sense requires it, it must be so understood, is plain from 1 Kings xxi. 10··13. where the word is used concerning the crime charged on Naboth, that he did blaspheme God and the king.

Now, (1.) It is likely that Satan did think that Job, if impoverished, would renounce his religion, and so disprove his profession, and if so, (as a learned gentleman has observed in his Mount of Spirits,) Satan had made out his own universal empire among the children of men. God declared Job the best man then living: now, if Satan can prove him a hypocrite, it will follow that God had not one faithful servant among men, and that there was no such thing as true and sincere piety in the world, but religion was all a sham, and Satan was king de facto—in fact, over all mankind. But it appeared that the Lord knows them that are his, and is not deceived in any. (2.) However, if Job should retain his religion, Satan would have the satisfaction to see him sorely afflicted: he hates good men, and delights in their griefs, as God has pleasure in their prosperity.

VIII. The permission God gave to Satan to afflict Job for the trial of his sincerity. Satan desired God to do it, Put forth thy hand now. God allowed him to do it, (v. 12.) "All that he has is in thy hand; make the trial as sharp as thou canst, do thy worst at him." Now, (1.) It is matter of wonder that God should give Satan such a permission as this, should deliver the soul of his turtle-dove into the hand of the adversary, such a lamb to such a lion; but he did it for his own glory, the honour of Job, the explanation of Providence, and the encouragement of his afflicted people in all ages; to make a case, which, being adjudged, might be a useful precedent. He suffered Job to be tried, as he suffered Peter to be sifted; but took care that his faith should not fail, (Luke xxii. 32.) and then the trial of it was found unto praise, and honour, and glory, 1 Pet. i. 7. But, (2.) It is matter of comfort that God has the Devil in a chain, Rev. xx. 1. He could not afflict Job without leave from God first asked and obtained, and then no further than he had leave; "Only upon himself put not forth thine hand; meddle not with his body, but only with his estate." It is a limited power that the Devil has; he has no power to debauch men, but what they give him themselves, nor power to afflict men, but what is given him from above.

Lastly, Satan's departure from this meeting of the sons of God. Before they broke up, Satan went forth (as Cain, Gen. iv. 16.) from the presence of the Lord; no longer detained before him (as Doeg was, 1 Sam. xxi. 7.) than until he had accomplished his malicious purpose. He went forth, 1. Glad that he had gained his point; proud of the permission he had to do mischief to a good man; and, 2. Resolved to lose no time, but speedily to put his project in execution: he went forth now, not to go to and fro, rambling through the earth, but, with a direct course, to fall upon poor Job, who is carefully going on the way of his duty, and knows nothing of the matter. What passes between good and bad spirits concerning us, we are not aware.

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 oxen were plowing, and the asses 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 a particular account of Job's troubles: