Job 38:31 Can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? The Pleiades are a constellation, or group of seven stars, seen in the astronomical sign Taurus, making their appearance in the spring, and thence called spring signs, or tokens. The Hebrew term is expressive of beauty. In the text, the word translated "bind" signifies to compel or constrain. "Canst thou compel the sweet influences of the Pleiades, or loosen the bands of Orion?" (winter). Canst thou force forward the spring, and abruptly break up the rigidity of winter? I. HOW ABSOLUTE IS THE RULE OF THE MOST HIGH IN THE NATURAL WORLD. Can man alter the Divine dispensations, or so much as either hasten or delay them? Let us mark our absolute dependence, and humble ourselves before the Almighty Ruler. II. HE WHO RULES IN THE KINGDOM OF NATURE RULES ALSO IN THAT OF PROVIDENCE. The events of life are no less under His control than are the stars in their courses. Canst thou compel or retain the sweet influences of prosperity; or canst thou loosen the bands of adversity? All our comfort and satisfaction, whether of a bodily or mental kind, is received from Him; and, when He pleases, is in a moment wrested from us. Joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, come and go at His command. It is true that men themselves, being free and intelligent creatures, do by their character and conduct modify and influence their fate and fortune; but this they do only in accordance with the laws of providence, How important it is that we should be earnest and faithful in improving the varying dispensations of providence which are successively appointed for our trial. III. HE WHO RULES IN NATURE AND PROVIDENCE RULES ALSO IN THE KINGDOM OF GRACE. If we look within, we shall find new proofs of our ignorance and weakness, and absolute dependence on the Author of our being. Can you loose the bands of guilt, or compel the sweet influences of pardoning mercy? God only can remit our offences; and the means He has employed for this end, in the incarnation, sufferings, and death of His own dear Son, afford the clearest demonstration of the foolishness of human wisdom, and the impotence of human power in this high concern. (H. Grey, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?WEB: "Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loosen the cords of Orion? |
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