Job 9:12 Behold, he takes away, who can hinder him? who will say to him, What do you? Job was afflicted not more for his own benefit than for the benefit of others. His discourses with his friends gave him a good opportunity of justifying the sovereignty of God, in the dispensations of His providence. The friends insisted that God treated every man according to his real character, in His providential conduct towards him; but Job maintained that God acted as a sovereign, without any design of distinguishing His friends from His enemies, by outward mercies and afflictions. In the preceding verses, he gives a striking description of Divine sovereignty. I. IT IS THE NATURAL TENDENCY OF AFFLICTIONS TO MAKE THE FRIENDS OF GOD REALISE AND SUBMIT TO HIS SOVEREIGNTY. Afflictions always display the sovereignty of God. Whenever God afflicts His children, He gives a practical and sensible evidence that He has a right to dispose of them contrary to their views, their desires, and most tender feelings. Of all afflictions, those which are called bereavements, give the clearest display of Divine sovereignty. II. SUCH A REALISING SENSE OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN AFFLICTIONS, HAS A NATURAL TENDENCY TO EXCITE TRUE SUBMISSION IN EVERY PIOUS HEART. 1. While they realise the nature of His sovereignty, they cannot help seeing the true ground or reason of submission. 2. God designs thus to bring His children to submission. 3. It has so often produced this desirable effect in their hearts. Apply the subject. (1) If all afflictions are designed and adapted to bring men to a cordial submission to Divine sovereignty, then all true submission must be in its own nature absolute and unreserved. (2) We may assume that we shall have to submit to the Divine sovereignty in the world to come. (3) The doctrine of unconditional submission to God ought to be plainly taught and inculcated. (4) If afflictions are designed and suited to make men realise Divine sovereignty, then they always try their hearts, whether they are friendly or unfriendly to God. (5) The afflictions that bring men to submission must do them good. (N. Emmons, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?WEB: Behold, he snatches away. Who can hinder him? Who will ask him, 'What are you doing?' |
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