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These words exhibit a pattern of the frame of spirit habitually felt, in a good degree, by every child of God, while he is in the posture of seeking for the presence of God, and for intimate communion with Him.

I. THE DIFFERENT SPIRITUAL SENTIMENTS IMPLIED IN THIS HOLY EXCLAMATION. Here is —

1. A solemn appeal from the unjust censures of men, to the knowledge, love, and faithfulness of God, the supreme Judge. Apostasy from God hath rendered mankind very foolish and erroneous judges in spiritual matters. The more of God there is in any man's character and exercises, the more is that man exposed to the malignant censures, not only of the world at large, but even of Christians of an inferior class. For the weakest Christians are most forward to go beyond their depths, in judging confidently of things above their knowledge. Against assaults of this kind the children of the Most High have a strong refuge. The shield of faith quenches the fiery and envenomed darts of calumny, misrepresentation, and malice.

2. An intended bold expostulation with God, in respect of the strangeness and intricacy of His dealings with His afflicted servant. It is one of the hardest conflicts in the spiritual life, when God Himself appears as a party contending with His own children. Job could discover no special reason for God's severity against him. His faith naturally vents itself in the way of humble, yet bold expostulation.

3. A perplexing sense of distance from God. Renewed souls have such perceptions of God as are mysterious to themselves and incredible to others. When God seems to hide His face, an awful consternation, confusion, dejection, and anguish are the consequence. This situation is the more perplexing when, as was Job's case, there is felt a very great need for the presence of God, and when all endeavours to recover it seem to be vain. Then the conclusion is sometimes rashly drawn by the people of God, "My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God." But in all these afflictions of His people, the Lord Himself is afflicted.

4. Job's exclamation expresses most vehement desires after the spiritual presence of God.

5. What is particularly to be attended to is the nature of the access to God which Job desired. He was in pursuit of the most near and intimate communion with God.

II. BRING HOME THE WHOLE OF THESE SENTIMENTS.

1. Such instances of deep and sober spiritual exercise furnish a convincing proof of the reality of religion, and of the certainty of the great truths with which the power of religion is so closely connected.

2. The things which have been treated of give us a view of the nature as well as of the reality of religion.

3. Such characters as that of Job carry in them the condemnation of various classes of people.

4. This subject may be applied for the encouragement of the upright.

(J. Love, D. D.)

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KJV: Then Job answered and said,

WEB: Then Job answered,