For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant. Sermons
I. TEMPTATIONS TO FLATTERY. 1. To win favour. This is the lowest motive with which to flatter; it is without any valid I excuse; its character is wholly selfish. 2. To avoid harm. This is also a selfish motive; but it may be urged by fear and encouraged by weakness. The flattery of a tyrant is not creditable to anybody concerned; but it is one of the certain effects of tyranny on weak natures. 3. To give pleasure. Without any deep design of gain, agreeable people wish to please those with whom they are associated. A certain foolish kindness may help the flattery. 4. To express humility. Very humble people are tempted to ascribe good qualities to others in contrast with their own unworthiness. II. THE SIN OF FLATTERY. Elihu justly repudiates the idea of flattering any one, though he does so with a needless ostentation of independence. Flattery is bad in many ways, and involves many evil things. 1. Falsehood. This is the very first element of flattery. You praise a man to his face beyond your true thoughts of him. 2. Cowardice. If the flattery is indulged in in order to propitiate a powerful tyrant, the flatterer humiliates himself, and appears in the miserable character of a cringing coward 3. Godlessness. Flattery of man tends to a disregard of the law and will of God. If the dignity and rank of a person is made too much of, he is really becoming to us almost a god; we are in danger of giving to him the deference which should only be offered to our Maker. III. THE EVIL CONSEQUENCES OF FLATTERY. 1. The overthrow of justice. If a man "accepts persons" he will neglect justice. Instead of considering what is right and fair, the flatterer considers what is pleasant. Thus right and equity are set aside. 2. The destruction of confidence. Flattery is sure to be discovered, and the habit of flattering will be soon recognized. Then words of admiration cease to have any meaning. It becomes impossible to give true honour to a person, because this cannot be distinguished from the false honours which the sycophant heaps on his patron. It is no longer possible to know whether approval, support, and loyalty are maintained or not. Traitors hide under the cloak of flattery. 3. The anger of God. Elihu talks somewhat brusquely about his Maker taking him away. It is a trait of his self-confidence to be quite at home in speaking of God. Yet there is a truth in his words. God cannot endure falsehood and injustice. His favour is not won by flattery; the flattery of men is sure to be detected by God, and therefore the flatterer must lie under the disfavour of Heaven, even while he enjoys the favour of his earthly patron. - W.F.A.
For I am full of matter. Sainte-Beuve remarks that the great art in speech, as in military service, is to gather, maintain, and bring to bear at once the greatest number of forces. Some generals can manage but few men and some speakers can handle but one or two ideas. "There are writers who resemble Marshal Soubise: when he had all his troops gathered at his disposal he knew not what to do with them, and he dispersed them again that he might fight to better advantage. So I know of writers who, before writing, dismiss half their ideas because they can express them only one by one: it is pitiful. It shows that one is embarrassed by his very resources.".People Barachel, Elihu, JobPlaces UzTopics Able, Flatter, Flattering, Flattery, Honour, Maker, Names, Quickly, Skilled, TitlesOutline 1. Elihu is angry with Job and his three friends6. Because wisdom comes not from age, he excuses the boldness of his youth 11. He reproves them for not satisfying Job 16. His zeal to speak Dictionary of Bible Themes Job 32:22Library "For they that are after the Flesh do Mind,"Rom. viii. s 5, 6.--"For they that are after the flesh do mind," &c. "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." There are many differences among men in this world, that, as to outward appearance, are great and wide, and indeed they are so eagerly pursued, and seriously minded by men, as if they were great and momentous. You see what a strife and contention there is among men, how to be extracted out of the dregs of the multitude, and set a little higher … Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Whether Prophecy Pertains to Knowledge? The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted. Its Meaning Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C. Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men Job Links Job 32:22 NIVJob 32:22 NLT Job 32:22 ESV Job 32:22 NASB Job 32:22 KJV Job 32:22 Bible Apps Job 32:22 Parallel Job 32:22 Biblia Paralela Job 32:22 Chinese Bible Job 32:22 French Bible Job 32:22 German Bible Job 32:22 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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