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The summing up and practical application of Elihu's defence of Job's character, and vindication of God's dealings with him. Turning from Job to the entire race he says; "Lo, all these" —

I. THE SUBJECT OF THE DIVINE OPERATIONS. "Man."

1. An intelligent being. God can work with him and expend upon him the resources of His wisdom, love, and power (Job 32:8).

2. Fallen and depraved. Man needs the Divine operations and without them he must perish (Genesis 1:16; Genesis 6:5; Romans 8:7).

3. Redeemed. God works for man's recovery through Christ (John 5:17), but does not supersede the necessity of human effort (Philippians 2:12, 13).

II. THE MEANS OF THE DIVINE OPERATIONS. "Lo, all these" —

1. Dreams and visions of the night (ver. 15). The effects of some dreams prove that the soul has listened to the voice of God.

2. The secret and silent inspirations of the spirit (ver. 16). The dream leads to alarm and enquiry, then the spirit opens the avenues of the soul, pours in the light, and a permanent impression is produced

3. Afflictions (vers. 19-22). A mournful picture, correction to prevent destruction (2 Chronicles 33:12, 13; Psalm 119:67).

4. Efforts of friends (vers. 23, 24). The parent, minister, friend, who as the God-sent "interpreter" leads the afflicted to God's favour is esteemed as "one of a thousand."

5. The frequency of the Divine operations. "Oftentimes." When one means fails God employs another.

III. THE DESIGN OF THE DIVINE OPERATIONS (ver. 30).

1. To save "from the pit." Metaphors teach truth. Hell is a dreadful reality. The unsaved are on their way to it. God looked into Himself and "found a ransom" that man might not "go down into the pit"; and all the means His love can devise are adopted to secure this purpose.

2. To make life bright and happy. "Enlightened with the light of the living," read from ver. 25.

(Samuel Wesley.)

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KJV: Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

WEB: "Behold, God works all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,