Homilist Job 42:7-9 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you… These words suggest the following reflections. I. GOD IS AN AUDITOR TO ALL THE DISCUSSIONS OF MANKIND. If men realised this, all frivolous, vain, ill-natured, deceitful, profane, irreverent, and untruthful speech will be hushed. II. THE PROFESSED ADVOCATES OF RELIGION MAY COMMIT SIN IN THEIR ADVOCACY. These three men were engaged in an endeavour to vindicate the ways of God. They considered Job a great heretic; and they took on themselves to stand up for God and truth. Notwithstanding this, they had not spoken of Him the thing that was right. There are professed advocates of religion who speak not "the thing that is right" concerning God. III. A PRACTICAL CONFESSION OF SIN IS THE DUTY OF ALL SINNERS. "Take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering," etc. IV. INTERCESSION OF ONE MAN FOR ANOTHER IS A DIVINE LAW. "Go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you; for him will I accept." 1. Intercessory prayer is an instinct of the soul. Nothing is more natural than to cry to heaven on behalf of those in whom we feel a vital interest. 2. Intercessory prayer is a blessing to the soul. V. THE LIFE OF A GOOD MAN IS A BLESSING TO A COMMUNITY. "My servant Job shall pray for you; for him will I accept; lest I deal with you after your folly." For Job's sake these men were forgiven and blessed. God educates, saves, and ennobles man by man. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. |
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