A new trial moved for.
I. THE OLD OCCASION RETURNED.
1. The gathering of the sons of God. The recurrence of this celestial scene reminds us of:
2. The reappearance of the adversary. If, on the former occasion, the entrance of Satan amongst God's celestial sons might permissibly be regarded as an impertinent intrusion, in the present instance his return must be held as having taken place in accordance with a tacit understanding that, in due course, he should appear to report the result of his experiment with the patriarch, which, perhaps, may explain the introduction of the words, "to present himself before the Lord," omitted from the account of the first assembly.
II. THE OLD CONTROVERSY RESUMED.
1. The patriarch's enemy interrogated. "From whence comest thou?" Note
2. The patriarch's piety commended. "Hast thou considered my servant Job?" (see homiletics on Job 1:1, Job 1:8). Whether or not containing "a covert sneer at the baffled adversary," the question reminds us of:
3. The patriarch's sincerity attested.
III. THE OLD CALUMNY REVIVED. Job's victory in the previous conflict is by the devil:
1. Tacitly admitted. Satan finds it impossible to repel the statements advanced by Jehovah concerning his servant. Saints should study to live so that their piety cannot be contradicted, however much it may be aspersed by Satan and wicked men, and that God, when he speaks in commendation of their integrity, may be justified.
2. Reasonably explained. On the ground that the trial was not severe enough. "Skin for skin," etc.—a proverb, which, however explained (see Exposition), practically charges the patriarch with unnatural barbarity in disregarding the loss of his children since his own skin was saved, as well as with intense and revolting selfishness in making the supreme consideration, in all his thoughts and calculations, the preservation of his own life.
3. Wholly undervalued. As in his (the devil's) estimation, proving nothing and contributing nothing to the solution of the grand problem in debate. Hence he does not hesitate to suggest that the matter should a second time be submitted to the ordeal of trial.
IV. THE OLD PROPOSITION REPEATED. "But put forth thine hand now;" which demand was certainly:
1. Presumptuous; considering by whom it was made, Satan, and to whom it was addressed, Jehovah; thus showing the illimitable pride of the devil (Isaiah 14:12, Isaiah 14:13, Isaiah 14:14).
2. Unnecessary; remembering the person against whom it was directed, and the issue of the preceding trial to which he had been subjected.
3. Cruel; seeing that Job had already been afflicted by the double stroke of bankruptcy and bereavement, and this was a request that God would aggravate his misery by laying his hand upon his person. But who would ever look for humane and tender feelings in a devil?
4. Malignant; when regard is had to its object and motive—the latter being hostility to God and hatred of piety; the former the overthrow of Job's religion and the damnation of Job's person.
V. THE OLD PERMISSION RENEWED. "Behold, he is in thine hand." The patriarch was again delivered up into the power of the adversary.
1. Sovereignly; God having a perfect right to dispose of the persons of his people, no less than their properties.
2. Really; to be tried in whatever manner his Satanic ingenuity might devise, always, of course, within the prescribed limits.
3. Immediately; from this time forward being rendered accessible to the hostile assaults of the adversary. Yet:
4. Reservedly; with certain restrictions as to his life, which was not to be taken from him. And also, one cannot help thinking:
5. Confidently; without the slightest apprehension of an unfavourable issue to the trial, so high was the estimation in which God held his servant.
Learn:
1. Concerning the devil. That he is seldom satisfied with only one attempt against the virtue of a saint; that he is exceedingly unwilling to admit himself defeated on the field of spiritual conflict; and that he ever plants his fiercest batteries against the citadel of a saint's integrity.
2. Concerning the saint. That he need hardly anticipate a long period of exemption from either trials or temptations; that whatever calamities befall him, he should labour to discern God's providential hand in their occurrence; and that he, may confidently trust God will not give him over completely to the devil.
3. Concerning God. That though he may suffer his saints to be tried, he does not cease to love them; that though he may lengthen Satan's chain, he doesn't loosen it; and that, though he may sometimes listen to Satan's charges against the saints, he never believes them.