Chap. 42. anExpolinon upon the Book of J o B. Verf. 8 no more for a finof ignorance in aPrief} ; and if the whole con- gregation were guilty of a fin of ignorance, their offering was no more (ver. 53, 54.)and if a Ruler had committed a fin of igno- rance, the law required only a kid of the goats, a male without blemijh (ver. 23.) and if any one of the common people com- mitted a fin of ignorance they were to bring a kid of the goat, a female (ver. 28.) So that whereas the law required but one bul- lock for the fin of ignorance in a Priefi, and but one bullock for the whole congregation ; and for a Ruler, but akidof the goats, a male; and for anycommon perfon, but a kid of the goats, a fe- male : Here ph friends were commanded by the Lord to offer up feven bullocks, and feven rams for the expiation of their fin, which doubtlefs was only a fin of ignorance. This plainlyfigni- fled, that the Lord was highly difpleafed with them for their harfh judgment,and uncharitable cenfures of his fervant yob.; and to lec them know, that their doing fo, could not be excufed by their good intentions,,and zeal for God. Thus we feerwhat the facrifice was, both for kind and number. The next words tell us, what they muff dowith their factifice. Go to lay fervant Job (faithGod) Why ro 3ob ? feveral reafons may be given, why theyfhould go to job ; I (hall same five or fix. Firfi, Becaufe they had wronged job,_ and therefore they murk bereconciled tohim.. Secondly, Becaufe God would have them underhand, that himfelf, notwithfianding theirill opinion of yob,approved him as agoodman, yea, as a man far exceeding them in godlines, though they had judged him an hypocrite, or anungodly man. Thus the Lord lent them to .yob, that they might eat their words, and receive a full coevi&ion of their error. Thirdly, God would have themgo to his fervant 3i06, tomake them fenfible, that the favour he intended them, was very much for jobs fake, and that they muff,, in part, be beholding to job for it. Fourthly, The Lord fent them to Sob, that he might give a high evidence of hs grace, efpecially, of his charity in forgetting injuries, and requi itg good or vii. His friends had reproached him ten times, and petted his fpinit very much, yet he mutt filerw ffi79
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=