Job 34:33 Should it be according to your mind? he will recompense it, whether you refuse, or whether you choose; and not I… The speaker is Elihu. The meaning of the question is obvious. "Shall the Supreme Being do nothing without thy consent? Should He ask counsel of thee?" Job would instantly have answered, "No." I. TO HAVE THINGS ACCORDING TO OUR MIND IS A VERY COMMON WISH. Man is naturally self-willed. The disposition appears very early in our children. All sin is a contention against the will of God. It began in Paradise. Enter the world of grace. Behold the revelation which God has given us. One deems it unnecessary; for a second it is too simple; for a third it is too mysterious. We seek to be justified by our own works, while the Gospel assures us we must be justified by the faith of Christ. The same is seen in the world of providence. Who is content with such things as he has? Who does not covet what is denied him? Who does not long to be at his own disposal? But is not this disposition crushed in conversion? Alas, too much of self-will remains even in the choicest saints. We are far from saying that they would have nothing done according to God's mind, but they are often solicitous to have too many things done according to their own. II. THE DESIRE IS UNREASONABLE. For we are wholly unqualified to govern; while God is in every way adequate to the work in which He is engaged. Nothing can be more absurd than to labour to displease Him, and substitute ourselves as the creators of destiny, the regulators of events. Have you not often found yourselves mistaken where you thought yourselves most sure? Have you not frequently erred in judging yourselves, and generally erred in judging others? And hove can we decide on the means which the Supreme Being employs, while we are ignorant of the reasons which move Him, and the plan which He holds in view? III. THE DESIRE IS CRIMINAL. The sources are bad. 1. It argues ingratitude. It is infinite condescension in God to be "mindful of us." For all this He surely deserves our thankful acknowledgments, and we insult Him with murmuring complaints. 2. It springs from discontent. It shows that we are dissatisfied with His dealings, for if we were not dissatisfied why do we desire a change? 3. It betrays earthly-mindedness. The soul feels it when "cleaving to the dust." According to our attachments will be, all through life, our afflictions and our perplexities. More attached are we to our fleshy interests than to our spiritual concerns. 4. It is the produce of impatience. This will suffer no delay, and bear no denial. 5. It is the offspring of pride and independence. It is a presumptuous invasion of the authority and prerogative of God. Your place is the footstool, not the throne. Maintain your distance here, and do not encroach on the Divine rights. IV. THE DESIRE IS DANGEROUS. If it were accomplished, all parties would suffer, — God, our fellow creatures, and ourselves. In a word, you would be too ignorant to choose well. In order to determine what will promote our happiness, it is necessary for us to know the things themselves from among which we are to make our choice. Nor is it less needful to understand ourselves, For a man must be adapted to his condition, or he will never be happy in it. Here another difficulty occurs. It is impossible for us to judge of ourselves in untried circumstances and connections. We are not only liable to err on the side of our hopes, but also of our fears. V. THE DESIRE IS IMPRACTICABLE. 1. The desires of mankind are often opposite to each other; hence they cannot all be accomplished. 2. The plan of Divine government is already fixed. Learn — (1) Not to think ourselves guilty of the disposition to censure, when we only indulge allowed desire. (2) The subject preaches submission. (3) It inspires with consolation. (Willlam Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest. |
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