Job 33:27-28 He looks on men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;… The text — I. PRESENTS TO US THE EXTENT OF THE DIVINE INSPECTION. "He looketh upon men." God's omniscience ought to make us adore and tremble. He watches over men's actions, and there is no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves from His eye. He looks upon men universally. He sees them all at one glance, in one view. II. UNFOLDS THE LANGUAGE OF UNFEIGNED REPENTANCE. Here God fixes His eyes upon one who says, "I have sinned." The man who makes a confession like this is far better in the sight of God than he who says he has no sin, and deceives himself. Here is — 1. A confession of having by sin offended against God. Wherever the Spirit of God has begun to work upon the soul, there will be this sense of unworthiness, this conviction of sin. 2. A confession of having abused the best of blessings. "I have perverted that which was right." That is, Thy holy providence gave me many and peculiar favours, which I employed to a bad purpose, or entirely neglected. 3. A confession of having experienced disappointment in the ways of sin. "I have done all this, and it profiteth me not." Every penitent can testify that the way of transgressors is hard. III. DISCOVERS THE TRIUMPH OF RETAKING GRACE. This humble penitent who looks to the Redeemer, obtains grace in His sight; for the Lord — 1. prevents his soul from enduring eternal perdition. 2. Raises him to the everlasting enjoyment of Divine illumination. Learn — (1) The richness of God's pardoning mercy, extending even to sins of perverseness. (2) The madness of impenitent sinners; they must be banished to the pit, never to see the light. (3) The importance of imploring daily a penitential spirit. We sin daily; therefore beg always for mercy. (T. Spencer.) Parallel Verses KJV: He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; |
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