(22) In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
See what a seal God the Holy Ghost hath put to the faith of Jobadiah Oh! who would not with Job rejoice in tribulations, if the issue of every trial had this blessed earnest of the Spirit?
REFLECTIONS
BEHOLD, Reader! that a reverse of circumstances the relation of one short period, in the life of Job, hath produced! how quick the transition from the house of feasting, to the house of mourning. And what, but a well-grounded interest in Jesus, can prepare the heart for such changes, which an hour may induce? Depend upon it, faith in Jesus is the only adequate resource under every situation of trial. For this cause (saith Paul) we faint not. This is the cause and the only cause. While we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen. As long as we eye Jesus directing all things, ordering all things, and directing and ordering them for our sure welfare; while this is beheld, and believed, and depended upon, the soul will never faint. Then the whole world of losses, and bereaving providences, are still seen by the believer, as working out some certain, however at present it may be an hidden, good. The humble follower of Jesus like Job, will then be able to bless a taking God, as well as a giving God. The Lord hath only recalled what was lent it was his own while given: it was still his whenever he to take it away. And convinced at the same time, that the Lord's love is not lessened, the soul can and will rejoice, under the heaviest afflictions. And Reader! mark this down as exemplified in Job's instance, and as it is equally so in the instance of all the Lord's people. Whatever the Lord recalls, he never can or will take away his Christ. This once given is given forever. The charter of grace so runs, that his righteousness shall be forever, and his salvation that which shall not be abolished. Here Job found an hiding place from the storm. And here every faithful soul, may take confidence also.
While I pray God the Holy Ghost to impress upon the mind, both of the Writer and Reader, these and all other suitable reflections of a practical nature, which arise out of the view of Job's strong faith, and confidence in Jesus; I wish, if possible, yet more particularly to interest the Reader's attention with my own, in the view of Jesus in his High Priest's office, in the presentation of himself for his people, which Job so sweetly typified, when sanctifying his children and household, in the daily burnt-offerings. Who but God himself, could have brought this man of Uz, acquainted with the knowledge of sacrifices? And what but divine teaching could have led the patriarch to the belief, that there was efficacy in them, when offered with an eye to Jesus? Oh! for the lively actings of faith, upon the person, work, and salvation of the Lord Jesus, when we behold the grand sacrifice, thus uniformly shadowed forth through so many generations! Dearest Jesus! give me to rest with full confidence on thee, and thy finished redemption, and most cordially and heartily to believe the record, which God hath given of his dear Son. May it be my earnest desire to have my own soul, and all my household sanctified, with the precious offering of thy body once for all, by which thou hast forever perfected redemption; and hast fully manifested, that thou art the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.