Job 9:4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who has hardened himself against him, and has prospered? These words imply that there is such a thing as for a man so to harden himself as to contend with God. I. INQUIRE WHEREIN THIS HARDNESS OF HEART CONSISTS. 1. The word signifies a spirit that is obstinate and incorrigible. 2. It is descriptive of a rebellious spirit, which discovers itself under the various dispensations of God, both in a way of mercy and judgment. 3. There is also a judicial hardness to which sinners are liable, in a way of righteous judgment for their iniquities. This is not owing to any defect in the Gospel, or in the dispensations of God towards us; but to the depravity of the human heart, which perverts the means of salvation into those of destruction. II. NOTICE SOME OF THE INSTANCES IN WHICH THIS SIN IS STILL COMMITTED. 1. It appears in indulging hard thoughts of God, of His government and of His holy law; in esteeming Him as a hard master, and in considering sinful propensities as an excuse for sinful actions, though no one thinks of excusing the offence of others against himself on the ground of such a plea. The indulgence of such thoughts lead on to final impenitence. 2. It manifests itself in a rejection or dislike of God's way of salvation. 3. Persisting in an evil course, amidst many convictions and fears, is another instance of this sort of depravity. Pharaoh knew that he was wrong, and yet he dared to persist. 4. This hardness of heart appears in the resistance that is offered to the hand of God in providence instead of being humbled under it. 5. Presumptuously tempting God, amidst the most affecting means of salvation, is another instance of this hardness of heart. It was thus with Israel in the wilderness. III. THE FATAL ISSUE OF FINAL IMPENITENCE. "Who hath hardened himself against Him, and prospered?" 1. The longer you continue in this state, the more hardened you will become, till at last you will be past feeling (Ephesians 4:19). 2. This also is the way in which God punishes men for their impenitence (Isaiah 6:8). 3. The end of this impenitence and hardness of heart is fearfully described by an apostle, and should warn us of our danger (Romans 2:5-9). (T. Hannam.) Parallel Verses KJV: He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? |
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