Homilist Job 23:10 But he knows the way that I take: when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. I. THAT THE GREAT GOD WAS FULLY COGNISANT OF HIS INDIVIDUAL TRIAL. "He knoweth the way that I take." Wherever I am, at home or abroad, in solitude or society, "He knoweth," etc. He knows the way I take — the way my thoughts take, my feelings take, my purposes take. But what support is there in the knowledge of this fact? 1. God's knowledge of the individual sufferer is associated with the profoundest love. "As a father pitieth his children," etc. 2. His knowledge is associated with an almighty capacity to help. The other sustaining fact of which he was conscious was — II. THAT THE GREAT GOD WAS MERCIFULLY USING HIS TRIALS AS DISCIPLINE. "When He hath tried me." Why does He try by affliction? 1. Not that He has any pleasure in our suffering. "He doth not afflict willingly," etc. Nor — 2. That He may discover what is in our hearts. He knows all about us.But He does it — 1. In order to humble us on account of our sins. 2. In order that we may feel our dependence on Him. 3. In order that we may commit ourselves entirely into His keeping. III. THAT THE GREAT GOD WOULD TURN HIS PAINFUL DISCIPLINE TO HIS ADVANTAGE. "I shall come forth as gold," etc. "Tribulation worketh patience," etc. But how does affliction benefit? 1. It serves to raise our appreciation of the Bible. 2. It serves to develop the powers of the mind. David's afflictions brought out some of the most brilliant of his psalms. 3. It serves to develop the spiritual life. 4. It serves to detach us from the world. It gradually breaks down the materialism in which the soul is caged, and lets it flee into the open air and light of spiritual realms. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.WEB: But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth like gold. |
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