HOMILETICAL AND PRACTICAL.

In the homiletic treatment of the epilogue, special attention should be devoted to the thought last emphasized, to wit, the character of Job's suffering, as intended both for probation, and also for chastisement or purification. The most suitable opportunity for presenting this thought will be in connection with the rebuke of the friends, which Jehovah proceeds to administer immediately after that true and complete repentance has been wrought in Job (vers. 7-10). For it is at this point that Job's comparative innocence is definitely declared on the one hand, at the same time that it is only where Job has been humbled in sincere heartfelt penitence, that he is solemnly pronounced righteous by God,-nay more-that it is only when in fervent brotherly love he intercedes for his opponents that his bodily suffering is removed (see on verse 10), wherein it is most clearly intimated that sin is to be included as one cause of his suffering. It is to this description of Job's justification, which furnishes occasion for a concise recapitulation of the fundamental ideas of the whole dialogue, (especially of the discourses of Elihu and of God), that the practical expositor should most of all give his attention, while what is said concerning the restitution and doubling of Job's external possessions need occupy only a secondary place.

Particular Passages.

Ver. 7 seq. BRENTIUS: The three friends spoke ill, Job well; while at the same time Job argued ill, the friends well. For the friends thought wickedly, when from the affliction they decided that God was angry, and Job wicked, although they discourse excellently concerning the omnipotence and wisdom of God. Job on the other hand speaks well when he continually affirms that afflictions had befallen him not because he had deserved them, and that they were not evidences of his wickedness, and of an angry God. But he speaks ill when he impugns God's decree, and blasphemes God. Now since Job has a good cause as against the friends, although

his cause, the Lord pronounces sentence for Job against the friends; for He had previously rebuked his blasphemies.-V. GERLACH: Inasmuch as Job, although guilty of speaking foolishly, nevertheless gave utterance to his sense of the contradiction which tortured him, in that he retained the consciousness of his fellowship with God in the midst of his feeling of God's wrath, he was nearer the solution of the enigma than the friends.

Ver. 10 seq. BRENTIUS: You now see by the fact itself what is the issue of trial; for God inflicts nothing on any one in order that He may destroy him, but that He may restore much more; "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord," etc. (James v. 11).-STARKE: God causes the temptation of His saints to work a good end (1 Cor. x. 13); He lays a burden on us, but He helps us again, (Ps. lxvi. 10 seq.; lxviii. 20). After the trial comes the revival; after the cry of distress the gracious hearing; after the sowing in tears the reaping in joy (Ps. cxxvi.; Tob. iii. 22) . . . . (on ver. 11): As the swallows depart before the winter, but return again with the summer, so is it with the friendship of men. When tribulation has been endured to the end, and when days of prosperity and abundance of riches return, friends immediately make their appearance (Sir. vi. 8; xii. 8 seq.).—V. GERLACH: It was necessary that Job should be purified inwardly from a mercenary spirit, from self-righteousness, and selfishness in its more refined forms. This having been accomplished, he now appears in possession of honor and riches, a conspicuous memorial of God's recompensing love, recognizing all that he receives and enjoys as from God, and honoring Him far above His gifts. His life accordingly ends, having received its full completion; there remains in it nothing more that is obscure or inexplicable; it is full of promise for all God's struggling ones under the Old Dispensation; it is a type of the Perfectly Holy One, who humbled Himself to the death of the Cross, who, although a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which He suffered, and who has therefore received a name which is above every name-that Jesus Christ may be Lord to the glory of God the Father.

AMEN.