Job Recognising God's Hand
Job 1:21
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away…


I. THE WORDS SPOKEN IMPLY A CONVICTION OF THE DOCTRINE OF A PARTICULAR PROVIDENCE. Many there are who, although they aver that God will not utterly leave an abandoned world, still deny the existence of a particular providence. Job saw the hand of God in all the afflictive dispensations under which he lay.

II. ALTHOUGH JOB PRAISES GOD FOR THE GIVING OF HIS MERCIES, STILL HE RECOGNISES HIS HAND IN THE TAKING OF THEM AWAY. Tell one who is healthy of the mercy of God in giving him his strength, and this he may readily acknowledge. But on the withdrawment of these mercies, how does he receive it?

III. THESE WORDS FLOW FROM THE CONVICTION OF ONE WHO SAW THE DIVINE JUSTICE SHINING IN ALL HIS ACTS. The real Christian is widely distinguished from the man of the world. The latter charges God foolishly as acting foolishly, but the former sees plainly that God is just and holy in all He does.

IV. JOB RECOGNISED THE DIVINE WISDOM WHICH SUPERINTENDED AND CONTROLLED HIS SUFFERINGS, FOR A GOOD END. These words, as well as recognising God's dealings as wisest and best, whether in gain or in bereavement, are an answer to the voice of lying and temptation. Satan had been exceedingly busy, and wished to overwhelm the holy man with despair. He continually threw in gloomy thoughts and doubts of the care, and goodness, and wisdom of God. But Job was not to be moved by such words.

(T. Judkin, A. M.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

WEB: He said, "Naked I came out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be the name of Yahweh."




Infancy and After Life
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