Homilist Job 36:18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take you away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver you. The language of the text may be spoken to every impenitent and unbelieving sinner of the human race. I. THE ACTUAL. "There is wrath." 1. This wrath is Divine. By virtue of God's perfection He is in the possession of an emotional nature, He has the attribute of wrath. Instead of this property being inconsistent with the other attributes of God, it is absolutely necessary to constitute Him morally perfect. This wrath is undoubtedly a great reality. 2. This wrath is merited. Sin merits wrath. Sin is the wrong act of a moral substance, a substance in the possession of free-will. In this act there are rebellion, robbery, and ingratitude. Hence sin merits the Divine indignation. Hence, wherever there is sin there is also suffering. 3. This wrath is impartial. It has been revealed from heaven against angels and against men, without respect of person. It has been revealed against every sinful act of every sinful being. II. THE PROBABLE. There may be destruction. "Beware lest He take thee away with His stroke." 1. He hath power to do it. 2. He has threatened to do so. 3. Some who were as near saved as you have been lost. III. THE IMPOSSIBLE. There cannot be deliverance. "Then a great ransom cannot deliver thee," literally, "cannot turn thee aside." Deliverance is impossible — 1. By a great ransom of material wealth. Though we could give mines of gems, oceans of pearls, worlds of gold and silver, yet such a ransom price could not deliver us. 2. By a great ransom of animal life. 3. By the ransom of the Highest, Christ Jesus. "Christ gave Himself a sacrifice for us." (Homilist.) Parallel Verses 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. |
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