Job 36:9 Then he shows them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. I. GENERAL REMARKS ON THE TEXT. 1. Sin is properly attributable to man. It is "their work." If God suffers moral evil to exist, He is not the author of it. Satan may tempt, but cannot constrain to the commission of sin. The whole guilt of it lies upon the offender. It first exists as simple apprehension, is then approved, and, being conceived in the heart, it brings forth actual transgression, until it is finished in death. 2. It is the prerogative of God effectually to convince men of sin; or, "to show unto them their work." No man ever saw his sinfulness in a proper light until it was thus discovered to him. 3. The Lord frequently imparts this knowledge in a season of affliction: "then" it shows unto men their work. It was in deep adversity that Job was made to possess the iniquities of his youth, to recollect what had been long forgotten, and to feel the burden of his guilt. 4. The knowledge of our sinfulness is necessary to true repentance, and to our believing in Christ for eternal life. Sorrow for sin, confessing and forsaking it, will be the immediate effect. An irreconcilable hatred to sin, and an earnest desire to have it mortified and subdued, will be the necessary consequence of a true conviction of its evil nature. II. IN WHAT RESPECTS THE LORD MAY BE SAID TO "SHOW UNTO MEN THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS." 1. He makes known to them the fact that they are sinners, and that their transgressions are their own. 2. The Lord convinces them not only of the fact, but also of the evil of sin, and causes them to repent of that, as well as of its consequences. 3. When persons are truly convinced Of sin, the Lord not only shows them their work end their transgression, but also" that they have exceeded." They are made to see that they have sinned with a high hand. God employs various means, and accompanies them with various effects. God often renews the discovery of sin in our later experience. (B. Beddom,, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.WEB: then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. |
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