how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm!" Sermons
I. THE INCOMPARABLE HOLINESS OF GOD. This is a thought that cannot be described in human language. When conscience is aroused, some thrill of the awe of it may open our minds to its sublime meaning. We start from the conception of the absolute sinlessness of God. Not a spot of evil can be found on all he is or does. But holiness is more than negative freedom from sin. It is a real excellence, and on its positive side it expands into infinity. We do not know how far goodness may go. It is like light. No one can conceive how intense this may be; after a short time it becomes too brilliant for our eyes, and we are only blinded when we look at it; but it is conceivable that its intensity may be increased a thousandfold beyond the highest degree that we are capable of perceiving. There may be a brilliancy of light compared with which the glare of a tropical noon is as dull and gloomy as an English November. So there may be a holiness which in its positive character rises above all we can conceive or imagine of goodness into infinite regions of perfection. We can see no limit to the strength and depth of love. Human love may be strong as death. Yet compared to God's love it is but as a feeble, flickering flame lost in the full sunlight. No one can conceive how full and rich God's love is. All the attributes of the Divine holiness expand into infinity. Their greatness is immeasurable and inconceivable. II. ITS OVERAWING INFLUENCE. It is as though the moon cannot shine before such a Divine light. Even that silver shield seems to be tarnished when set by the side of the brightness of God's holiness. The stars, which are far above the filth and corruption of earth, and move in heavenly spheres, do not seem to be pure in the light of God. This impression is natural, though of Course it is thrown into the form of poetic imagery. It leads to the humiliation of all human pride. If what is brightest looks dark in comparison with the splendour of God's holiness, what must man be in his sight? Now, it is possible to abuse these conceptions, as Bildad was doing. God does not make men out to be worse than they are. He does not blame his creatures for not being equal to himself. He does not judge them by his own perfection, but only by their capacities. There is also a foolish way of depreciating humanity. There may be much pride in the heart of a man who calls himself "a worm." Such language is only natural and right when it is wrung out of the soul by a deep consciousness of sin, and by an overwhelming perception of God's holiness. On the other hand, when this is the case, there is no ground for despair. The last stronghold of pride being abandoned, there is room for the mercy of God to come in. God's holiness is just the perfection of his love. The error has been in the separation of the two attributes. In the present day a shallow conception of holiness is tempting men to think lightly of sin, for it is the awe of God's holiness that impresses on us the feeling of our own guilt. Out of the humiliation thus produced springs our only hope - the hope of free pardon and gracious renewal. Then the holiness of God becomes our inspiration; we are called to be perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect. - W.F.A.
Man, that is a worm. 1. With peculiar emphasis we may say of the worm, it is "of the earth earthy." Springing out of it, boring into it, and feeding on it, or on that which grows upon it, — it is a singular image of man, who was formed out of the dust of the ground, and is destined to return to it, and who, alas! feeds on it. All men may not be equally represented by that which belongs to the extremely gross in character.2. In the naturally repulsive character of a worm we have an illustration of sin. The only thing that repels God from man is sin. To man's weakness, ignorance, poverty, and sorrow, the Creator can and does graciously draw near; but from man's sin He recoils. What sin is to God, it should be to us — a repulsive thing — that which we should hate and flee from. 3. The carrion-worm and canker-worm afford us an illustration of the injurious character of man as a sinner. What are the ravages of war but the dread results of human carrion-worms revelling in human blood? What are the restless activities, passions, and pursuits of men, but the ceaseless gnawing of pride, envy, ambition, lust, anger, malice, deceit, and suchlike things — the canker-worms of the soul, and the carrion-worms of the body? 4. Learn a lesson of humility from the different classes and pursuits of worms. Some are great and some small; some attractive and some unsightly. 5. Worms are not without their use in the world, and some — such as silkworms — are of great value. (Anon.). But Job answered and said. Homilist. I. God appears incomprehensibly great in THAT PORTION OF THE UNIVERSE THAT IS BROUGHT UNDER HUMAN OBSERVATION.1. In connection with the world of disembodied spirits. "Dead things are formed from under the waters and the inhabitants thereof. Hell is naked before Him, and destruction hath no covering." 2. In connection with this terraqueous globe. "He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing." "It is evident that the true figure of the earth had early engaged the attention of men, and that occasionally the truth on this subject was before their minds, though it was neither brought into a system nor sustained there by sufficient evidence to make it an article of established belief." 3. In connection with the starry universe. "By His Spirit He hath garnished the heavens." W. Herschell observed one hundred and sixteen thousand stars pass the feeblest telescope in one quarter of an hour. But what are they? Only a few drops to the ocean. II. INSIGNIFICANT COMPARED WITH THOSE PARTS THAT ARE UNDISCOVERED IN IMMENSITY. "Lo, these are parts of His ways; but how little a portion is heard of Him? but the thunder of His power who can understand?" Conclusion — 1. God's greatness is not inconsistent with His attention to little things. 2. God's greatness is a vital subject for human thought. No subject is so soul quickening. No subject is so humbling. (Homilist.) People Bildad, JobPlaces UzTopics Grub, Insect, Less, Maggot, WormOutline 1. Bildad shows that man cannot be justified before GodDictionary of Bible Themes Job 25:6 2221 Christ, Son of Man Library Whether There Can be Strife or Discord among the Angels?Objection 1: It would seem that there can be strife or discord among the angels. For it is written (Job 25:2): "Who maketh peace in His high places." But strife is opposed to peace. Therefore among the high angels there is no strife. Objection 2: Further, where there is perfect charity and just authority there can be no strife. But all this exists among the angels. Therefore there is no strife among the angels. Objection 3: Further, if we say that angels strive for those whom they guard, one angel … Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Matter of Christ's Body Should have Been Taken from a Woman? God Incomprehensible and Sovereign. What Now Shall I Say Concerning the Very Carefulness and Watchfulness against Sin? "Who... Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies Pertaining to Holy Things? Whether all the Angels who are Sent, Assist? Its Problem The Doctrine of Angels. "All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. " Job Links Job 25:6 NIVJob 25:6 NLT Job 25:6 ESV Job 25:6 NASB Job 25:6 KJV Job 25:6 Bible Apps Job 25:6 Parallel Job 25:6 Biblia Paralela Job 25:6 Chinese Bible Job 25:6 French Bible Job 25:6 German Bible Job 25:6 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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