‏ Job 27

* Job protests his sincerity. (1-6) The hypocrite is without

hope. (7-10) The miserable end of the wicked. (11-23)

1-6 Job's friends now suffered him to speak, and he proceeded

in a grave and useful manner. Job had confidence in the goodness

both of his cause and of his God; and cheerfully committed his

cause to him. But Job had not due reverence when he spake of God

as taking away his judgment, and vexing his soul. To resolve

that our hearts shall not reproach us, while we hold fast our

integrity, baffles the designs of the evil spirit. 7-10 Job looked upon the condition of a hypocrite and a wicked

man, to be most miserable. If they gained through life by their

profession, and kept up their presumptuous hope till death, what

would that avail when God required their souls? The more comfort

we find in our religion, the more closely we shall cleave to it.

Those who have no delight in God, are easily drawn away by the

pleasures, and easily overcome by the crosses of this life. 11-23 Job's friends, on the same subject, spoke of the misery

of wicked men before death as proportioned to their crimes; Job

considered that if it were not so, still the consequences of

their death would be dreadful. Job undertook to set this matter

in a true light. Death to a godly man, is like a fair gale of

wind to convey him to the heavenly country; but, to a wicked

man, it is like a storm, that hurries him away to destruction.

While he lived, he had the benefit of sparing mercy; but now the

day of God's patience is over, and he will pour out upon him his

wrath. When God casts down a man, there is no flying from, nor

bearing up under his anger. Those who will not now flee to the

arms of Divine grace, which are stretched out to receive them,

will not be able to flee from the arms of Divine wrath, which

will shortly be stretched out to destroy them. And what is a man

profited if he gain the whole world, and thus lose his own soul?