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Whether these words were suited to the ease of Job or not, they are certainly applicable to all impenitent sinners, and contain —

I. AN IMPORTANT ASSERTION. "Because there is wrath." From this declaration it is evident that it has been known from the earliest ages that God is displeased with sin, and has often revealed His anger against the ungodliness of men.

1. This assertion must be explained. The anger, hatred, and wrath of God are not impure passions in Him, as they are in man. All who violate the precepts of His law become obnoxious to its awful penalties, and justly incur the punitive wrath of the Divine Lawgiver (Romans 2:3-9).

2. This assertion must be confirmed. This is evident from the Scriptures, which assure us that the Lord is "angry with the wicked."

II. AN AFFECTIONATE ADMONITION.

1. The exercise of caution. "Beware!" Deeply consider your state and character before God — remember your awful responsibility, and the intimate connection which subsists between a state of mortal probation and eternal retribution (Galatians 6:7, 8); be wise, and know the day of your visitation.

2. The pursuit of salvation. An apprehension of Divine wrath should induce a diligent use of the means appointed for our deliverance; this is the only way of being rescued from sin and ruin.

III. AN IMPRESSIVE ARGUMENT; "Lest He take thee away," etc.

1. The sinner's punishment is inevitable. "Lest He take thee away with His stroke." Incorrigible impenitence leads to unavoidable ruin (Romans 6:21); sin will surely find us out, "for the wicked shall not go unpunished." His stroke signifies a sudden calamity or awful judgment. Such was the deluge — the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah — the punishment of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram — the death of Herod, Ananias, and Sapphira, etc. (Genesis 7 and Genesis 19:27-29; Numbers 16:31-33; Acts 5:1-10 and Acts 12:20-23).

2. The sinner's punishment is irremediable. "Then a great ransom cannot deliver thee." To ransom is to deliver, either by price or by power. The present life is the only day of salvation. There is no Redeemer for the finally lost. They have nothing to offer for their ransom, nor can any possible price purchase, or power rescue them from interminable perdition. What, then, is our present state?

(Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)

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KJV: Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.

WEB: Don't let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.