The patriarch's second trial.
I. THE TWOFOLD ASSAULT UPON THE PATRIARCH.
1. The infliction of a loathsome disease.
(a) by wearing out his strength, and so rendering him more accessible to the entrance of diabolic temptations;
(b) by making him an object of abhorrence to mankind, and so in a manner cutting him off from human sympathy; and
(c) by leading him to regard his malady as a special visitation from Heaven, and so tempting him to entertain harsh thoughts of Jehovah.
2. The injection of a vehement temptation.
II. THE TWOFOLD VICTORY OF THE PATRIARCH.
1. The inroad of physical disease he met with patient submission. "He took a potsherd and scraped himself withal." Indulging in no complaints against Providence for afflicting him, and, when the malady had so far developed that his presence became offensive to his friends and neighbours, quietly retiring to the ash-heap. Admirable meekness! Exquisite patience! Incomparable submission! "In all this Job sinned not with his lips."
2. The entrance of wifely temptation he encountered with:
Learn:
1. That God's saints in this world have sometimes to endure trial upon trial
2. That periods of protracted suffering are spiritually more dangerous than sharp and sudden strokes of greater severity.
3. That the fiercest trials often arise at unexpected moments, and from least anticipated quarters.
4. That the most painful temptation a good man can experience is the temptation to renounce his religion.
5. That Satan's mercies (e.g. in sparing Job's wife) have always somewhat of cruelty in them.
6. That the greatest outward blessings may sometimes prove a snare—Job's wife, and Adam's.
7. That it is perilous for good men or women to give way to passion.
8. That in times of violent emotion a strong guard should be set upon the door of the lips.
9. That good people may sometimes give very bad advice.
10. That the devil's prime aim in tempting men is to make them renounce God, and die.
11. That God's people should on no account let go their integrity.
12. That those who have been recipients of God's mercies should not repine when for their good he changes the dispensation.
Job and his wife.
I. A FOOLISH WOMAN.
II. A FAITHFUL HUSBAND.
III. A THANKFUL SAINT.
IV. A SUBMISSIVE SUFFERER.
Four voices.
I. THE VOICE OF FOLLY. "Curse God, and die."
II. THE VOICE OF REBUKE. "Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh."
III. THE VOICE OF GRATITUDE. "We receive good at the hand of the Lord."
IV. THE VOICE OF SUBMISSION. "Shall we not receive evil?"
(along with Genesis 3:1-6).
Job and Adam: a parallel and a contrast.
I. A PARALLEL.
1. Both were tempted.
2. By Satan.
3. Through their wives.
4. To renounce their allegiance to God.
II. A CONTRAST.
1. In the times of their temptation. Adam when at the summit of felicity; Job when in the depth of misery.
2. In the modes of their temptation. Adam, assailed by the thought that God had unjustly deprived him of good; Job, by the suggestion that God had unrighteously afflicted him with evil.
3. In the results of their temptation. Adam fell; Job stood. See