THE LORD ANSWERED JOB OUT OF THE WHIRLWIND.
Job was an Edomite Arab, an Emir, a powerful prince, and the most noted man in the land of Uz, if not in all the region of Idumea. He lived some 2,200 years B.C., 818 after the deluge, 194 before the birth of Abraham, and more than 600 before the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt, and over 700 years before Heroclitus, the oldest Greek historian, and Homer, styled "the Father of History." The book which bears his name is doubtless the oldest book extant in the world to-day. In this book we have delineated the principles of Gentile theology, primitive piety, Oriental philosophy, the most exalted patience, and the clear retributions of divine Providence. And here, too, is one of the most remarkable instances of the extreme vicissitudes of human life, recorded. From most affluent circumstances of family, wealth, honor, and influence, Job was suddenly plunged into the deepest abyss of misfortune and personal affliction. And so deep and unusual was his afflictions, that the most distinguished of the neighboring princes came to comfort him. And as Abraham with his angel guests sat under a tree at Mamre, so did Job and his friends, under the spreading branches of some friendly tree, maintain the most remarkable colloquy ever recalled by man. After seven days and seven nights were passed in utter silence, Job breaks the silence and pours forth the bitter tide of his anguished heart, into the ears of his friends. Then commenced a war of words in which were blended, illustrated, and applied, the most brilliant philosophy of the East, with the most profound religious wisdom which the world has ever seen in a similar portrayal. And now Elihu closes the debate by summing up the arguments on both sides, showing their weakness and their strength, and condemning both parties in debate. Then "the Lord speaks to Job out of the whirlwind." Elihu had noted a whirlwind in the thirty-seventh chapter. Ezekiel's vision was prefaced with a whirlwind. And God is said to have his way in the whirlwind. Here then from out of the rolling and revolving cloud, God, in most majestic and commanding voice, addresses his servant Job, and nothing in the whole compass of language can equal the inimitable grandeur and sublimity of this divine address, as Jehovah's voice was heard in the dark and rolling cloud. He convicts Job of temerity of expression, and ignorance of thoughts, in not being able to comprehend the works of creation, the nature and structure of the earth, the sea, the light, and the animal kingdom, as displayed all around him. He then proceeds to demonstrate Job's weakness and folly, and challenges him to observe and emulate the least display of the divine energy as seen in nature and providence. He cites him further to some of the brute creation, with which he is unable to contend by reason of their great strength—behemoth and leviathan, monsters of land and sea, and of such prodigious strength that no human power can equal them. But the sublimest part of this catechetical argument is when the Lord challenges Job to tell where is the way of the light, and the dwelling-place of darkness. And how is the light parted from the darkness? Then higher yet, O Job, thou mortal man, "Canst thou bind the sweet influence of the Pleiades or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his seasons, or canst thou guide Arcturus and his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven, and canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Gird thyself now and tell me if thou canst? And if not, then know thy creature place." These and like categorical interrogations so impressed and oppressed Job that he cried out in confusion and humiliation, "Behold I am vile; what shall I, what can I, answer thee. I will lay my hand upon my mouth; I will proceed no further." It was man's extremity and God's opportunity. For who can answer to God for one of a thousand? And if from the whirling cloud God's voice is so terrible, and overwhelming his language, who can answer him face to face? who stand in his presence? who measure strength with him? or who may oppose his wisdom to that of the Almighty?772 But the Lord graciously loosed the bands of Job's captivity, and made him an intercessor for his friends. Here was the reward of patience and integrity, under the most trying circumstances! Job had restored to him all, and more than his former possessions. Here are then things to be considered of profit to us. 1. The trial of Job's integrity for all the world to see. 2. Man's utter weakness in comparison with God's Omnipotence and Omniscience. 3. The abounding mercy of our covenant God towards his own children.—Herald of Truth.