Job 29:18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand. If we examine the world, we shall everywhere discover variety, changeableness, and succession. Our bodies, our relations, our conditions and circumstances are perpetually changing. But this diversity constitutes the beauty and the glory of providence. It displays the Divine perfections, by rendering their interposition necessary and obvious. It furnishes means by which the dispositions of men are tried, and their characters formed. It lays hold of their hope and fear, joy and sorrow; and exercises every principle of their nature, in their education for eternity. Providence is God in motion; God fulfilling, explaining, enforcing His own word. I. IN THESE WORDS WE SEE SOMETHING GOOD. Even in his greatest prosperity, Job thought of dying. Death is always an irksome consideration to the man of the world. He strives to banish it from his thoughts. But the believer keeps up a familiar acquaintance with it. It is far more difficult to maintain a right state of mind in pleasing and prosperous circumstances, than in trying and distressing scenes. II. WE SEE SOMETHING DESIRABLE. Who does not wish to have his possessions and enjoyments continued; to escape painful revolutions in his circumstances? We talk of the benefit of affliction — but affliction, simply considered, is not eligible. We decry the passions, — but we are required to regulate the passions, rather than expel them. Temporal things are good in themselves and needful. Our error in desiring them consists in two things. 1. In desiring them unconditionally. In praying for temporal blessings, we are always to keep a reserve upon our wishes, including submission to the will of God, and a reference to our real welfare. 2. When we desire them supremely. For whatever be their utility, they are not to be compared with spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Things are to be valued and pursued according to their importance. III. WE FIND SOMETHING VERY COMMON. It is affluence and ease cherishing confidence and presumption. It is a supposition that we shall have no changes because we feel none. The consequence is natural, and it is easily explained. Present things most powerfully impress the mind. IV. SOMETHING VERY FALSE AND VAIN. "Then I said, I shall die in my nest." Oh, Job! "Boast not thyself of tomorrow." So ignorant are we of futurity, so erroneous are we in our calculations; so liable are we to mortifying vicissitudes. Whatever engages our affection may become a source of sorrow; whatever excites our hope may prove the means of disappointment. Such is the hard condition upon which we take all our earthly comforts. Are we secure from disappointment with regard to life; or health; or children; or friendship; or property? Observe, however, that we do not recommend you to cherish everlasting apprehension and gloom. It is displeasing to God when we pour the mercies He gives us to enjoy by mistrust. We may avoid solicitude, and not be guilty of the worldly confidence which we have condemned. It does require you — 1. To be moderate in your attachments, and sober in your expectations. The way to escape disappointment is to keep your hopes humble. 2. It calls upon you to seek a better ground of confidence, and to make the Lord your trust. 3. It calls upon you to seek after a preparation for all the changing scenes of life. 4. It calls upon you to look beyond this vain and mutable world to a state of solid and unchangeable happiness. (William Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.WEB: Then I said, 'I shall die in my own house, I shall number my days as the sand. |
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