Job 22:23-30 If you return to the Almighty, you shall be built up, you shall put away iniquity far from your tabernacles.… "Thou shalt have plenty of silver." But, first, the religion such a motive would produce would be worth little. Religion is not, in its nature, external. And the desire of the silver could only bring to an external conformity to the Divine commands. And, second, the motive cannot be urged. The statement of Eliphaz was grounded in a mistaken view of Divine Providence. Gold and silver are given and withheld as the sovereign Lord sees fit; and their distribution follows not the rules of holy obedience. I. THE HORTATORY PORTIONS OR THE TEXT. 1. The belief of Eliphaz was, that Job was a great sinner; and he therefore urges the necessity of returning to God. He was mistaken in his particular views of Job. 2. Returning to God, we shall "acquaint ourselves with Him, and be at peace." The expression implies knowledge and intimacy. 3. Thus standing right with God, a two-fold duty devolves on us. (1) Due preparation for practice. "Receive the law from His mouth." Acknowledge Him as supreme Lord. (2) Practice itself. "Put away iniquity," — have nothing to do with it personally: "from thy tabernacles," — allow it not in the circle which thou governest. II. BLESSINGS SHALL COME FROM THIS BETTER THAN GOLD AND SILVER. 1. "Good shall come unto thee." God's favour, the light of His countenance, — all that makes the true eternal good of the soul. 2. "The Almighty shall be thy defence": against all real danger. A complete oversight and protection shall be granted thee. 3. "Thou shalt delight in the Almighty": in the thought of what He is in Himself, and to thee; and in His consciously possessed favour. 4. Thou "shalt lift up thy face unto God." Thou shalt not now be ashamed. Thou shalt have a holy, humble, but firm and joyful confidence. Sin makes the man afraid. 5. "Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He will hear thee." There is permission to enjoy this highest privilege. Pray, — be heard. 6. Thy path shall be truly happy. "The light shall shine on thy ways." Even providential obscurity shall make spiritual light more visible. (G. Cubitt.) Parallel Verses KJV: If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. |
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