Job 23

So when God's Spirit joins himself with this chariot of the Word, then it becomes effectual. Be exhorted to prize the Word written (Job 23:12). David valued the Word more precious than gold.

He that has once tasted Christ in a promise is ravished with delight, and how would he scorn a motion to sin! Job said, the Word was his appointed food (Job 23:12). No wonder then he made a covenant with his eyes.

Hence faith is such a wonder-working grace, and enables a Christian to persevere. 3. If you would hold out to the Kingdom, set before your eyes the examples of those noble, heroic saints who have persevered to the Kingdom; Vivitur Exemplis, examples have more influence upon us t…

Lastly, afflictions serve to make manifest the graces of GOD in his children. The Lord (says Job) knows my way and tries me; Job 23:10. Deuteronomy 8:2, Remember all the way (says Moses to the Israelites) which the Lord your GOD led you, this forty years, for to prove you and to…

This is to be righteous to be faithful to the death, and not suffer the breastplate of holiness to be shot through. My foot has held his steps: his way have I kept, and not declined (Job 23:11). And whoever is thus divinely qualified, is entitled to this privilege in the text, h…

As these seasons cannot be changed by man, so neither can this course and way of his providences be changed. Job 23:13: He is of one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desires, that he does. Indeed, while his pleasure and purpose are unknown to us, there is room for f…

Only he would (to say so) have your consent to, and your approbation of what he does for the greater peace and tranquility of your own minds. Surely therefore it is meet, meekly and submissively to be said to God, whenever and however he chastises, I have borne chastisement, I w…

Farewell, and profit more and more in the study of God's word, never giving the Lord rest day nor night, till in the truth of your heart, you can in some good measure profess with these three Worthies following, that you likewise have made the same your chief repast, delight and…

That God does give men secret hints and intimations of his Will by his Providence, cannot be doubted; but yet Providences in themselves, are no stable rule of duty, nor sufficient discovery of the Will of God. We may say of them, as it is, Job 23. 8, 9. Behold, I go forward, but…

It's a presumptuous invading of Gods Prerogative, to dictate to his Providence, and prescribe to his wisdom. (2.) There is a great deal of vanity in it: all the thoughtfulness in the world will not make one hair white or black: all our discontents will not prevail with God to ca…

We may break our peace, and waste our Spirits, but not alter the Case. We cannot turn God out of his way, Job 23:13 He is in one mind. We may by strugling against God increase, but not avoid or lighten our troubles.

Thus he tempted Abraham by the offering of his sonne, Gen. 22. 1, 2. and the Israelites, by sending false Prophets among them, Deut. 13. 3. And in this sense afflictions are called temptations, Iam. 1. 2. because God tris man by affliction, as gold is tried in the fire: and all…

Now gold (as often has been said) signifies preciousness and solidity, so all of them are settled and fixed on a good and precious ground, which cannot fail, and therefore they cannot shake, slide, nor slip, but prosper he must in his ways, and nothing can mar his design, for he…

He means not only recreations or superstitious usages, but even God's own ordinances, says an Expositor, the mere verbal perfunctory use thereof will not advantage the soul: but godliness is profitable to all things, the right spiritual worship of God brings along with it abunda…

Upon this account bread is called a staff (Psalm 105:16), because what a staff is to an aged or feeble man, that bread is to the faint and feeble spirits, which even so do lean upon it. And look what bread is to the natural spirits, that, and more than that, the word is to graci…

It teaches us to follow God with an implicit faith, as Abraham did when he went out not knowing where he went, but knowing very well whom he followed (Hebrews 11:8), and quiets us with this, that though what he does, we know not now, yet we shall know hereafter (John 13:7). When…

In such a time be vigilant and circumspect, or you will be surprised. Job says that in his affliction God made his heart soft (Job 23:16): there is a hardness, an insensible want of spiritual sense, gathered in prosperity, that if not watched against will expose the heart to the…

But this is our comfort, that as it does discover sin; so it conduces to mortify sin. Therefore says Job (Job 23:10): When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold; that is, purified and refined, and having the drossy part eaten out. 8. God permits us to be tempted of Satan a…

He does what he pleaseth in the Armies of Heaven and earth, Daniel 9:35. His Power is as large as his will, Job 23 13. What his Soul desireth, even that he does. The Ephori had Power over the King of Sparta; the Tribunes over the Roman consuls; much more has God a Soveraign Powe…

Bread of life, we cannot live without it. (Job 23:12) I have esteemed the words of your mouth more than my necessary food. Food is that which keeps us in life, and enables us to action and work.

6. Because of their love to God, they have a value for every thing which comes from God, and leads to him. Common mercies point to their Author, and their main end is to draw our affections to him, and enable us in his service; but these are apt to be a snare, and are used as an…

Sometimes it is put for turning aside to the right hand or to the left: as (Deuteronomy 17:11): You shall not decline from the way which they shall show to you, to the right hand or to the left. Sometimes for turning back (Job 23:11): My feet have held his steps, his way have I…

Alas, we have much idle time on our hands; if we would give that to God it were well. 4. The value of godly exercises above our natural refreshings: the word is sweeter than appointed food (Job 23:12). "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food."

The soul comes easily to give way to the authority of the truth, that would take any sinful lust away. To the like purpose is that of Job (Job 23:16) when the armies of God's indignation had encamped against him, and the terrors of the Lord had drunk up his spirit; says he, God…

Many shall be tried: persecution is the touchstone of sincerity; it discovers true saints from hypocrites; unsound hearts pretend fair in prosperity, but in a time of persecution fall away (Matthew 13:20-21). Hypocrites cannot sail in stormy weather; they will follow Christ to M…

Hence 1. there is no conflict between mercy and justice (as Arminius says) nor any natural desire in God to have all Angels and men saved, which is hindered by justice. Job says truly (Job 23:13), He is of one mind, and who can turn him? (from this end which he intends, as if he…

"When he hides his face, who then can behold him?" As Job speaks, so may we: "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him; on the left hand, where he works, but I cannot behold him; he hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him"…

Then our minds fall into clouds and darkness; faith is at a loss, we cannot behold his glory; indeed, we may seek him but cannot find him. So Job complains as we observed before: "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him; on the left han…

6. He shows his love to the Word by preferring it above things most precious. 1. Above food, Job 23. 12. I have esteemed the words of his mouth, above my necessary food. 2. Above riches, Psalm 119. 72. The Law of thy mouth is better unto me, than thousands of gold and silver.

Sometimes he tries the strength and ability of his servants' graces, and thus he tried Abraham (Hebrews 11:17); and sometimes he tries the soundness and sincerity of our grace; so the Ephesian angel was tried, and found dross (Revelation 2:2). And so Job was tried and found true…

When therefore a Christian is to come before God in prayer, he considers what matter he has stored up against such a time, that he may rear up a building for the most High to dwell in. And he not only prepares fit matter, but likewise observes what order is best to dispose these…