Job 26:14 See, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? Under the dispensation of the new covenant, a clearer knowledge of the Divine nature and properties was vouchsafed. Yet still the things of heaven are raised far above the level of mortal faculties. If God under the law made darkness His pavilion, He dwells under the Gospel in inaccessible light. I. THE INCOMPREHENSIBLENESS OF GOD AS IT RELATES TO HIS GENERAL NATURE. Who can comprehend His distinct personality, combined with His diffused omnipresence? What clear and distinct notion does man entertain of eternity? Nor can we form a more accurate notion of unbounded space. God is omnipotent. But God cannot destroy His own nature. God cannot obliterate space. God cannot act wickedly. What is this omnipotence which is fettered with so many "canners"? God is a Spirit. But what does man know of Spirit? God is omniscient. But how can we reconcile this with the contingent and optional conduct of men as moral and free agents? II. TO HOW SMALL AN EXTENT WE CAN COMPREHEND GOD'S MORAL ATTRIBUTES. Wisdom, Justice, Holiness, Mercy. If God be holy, why did He permit the existence of vice? If He be merciful, wherefore did He permit the existence of suffering? If He be just, whence the promiscuous distribution of good and evil observable, with little respect to merit or demerit, in this world? How many such questions might be asked! Inferences — 1. How exceedingly petulant appear the cavils of infidelity! 2. In those matters of faith wherein we possess no analogy to assist our power of comprehension, it will be well to rest satisfied with the authority of Scripture. 3. In our present inability to comprehend the Divine nature, we seem to possess the valuable earnest of a future state of being. Oh, the exquisite and endless pleasures which the full comprehension of Divinity will impart to the unfilmed understanding of man! (Johnson Grant.) Parallel Verses KJV: Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? |
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