Homilist Job 21:22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judges those that are high. The mental independency of God involves two things — uninstructibleness and irresponsibleness. The former in man is either a calamity or a crime. But that which in any finite intelligence would be either a misfortune or a sin, is a glorious perfection in God. It is the glory of God that He cannot be instructed — that no one can teach Him knowledge. He knows all things, actual and possible. But whilst the former ought not to exist in any intelligent creature, the latter irresponsibility does not exist. No being is authorised to use his knowledge in any way he may think fit. All rational creatures are accountable for the use of their knowledge. Not so with God. He can use His infinite knowledge in any way He pleases. He is answerable to none: all are responsible to Him. I. THAT ALL HIS OPERATIONS MUST EMANATE FROM PURE SOVEREIGNTY. All that exists must be traced to the counsel of His own will. He received neither the plan nor motive for any act. Creation — redemption — conversion — every part of each — every Divine movement in connection with each — rises out of benevolent spontaneity. II. THAT ALL HIS LAWS MUST BE THE TRANSCRIPT OF HIS OWN MIND. It is seldom just to regard human laws as a correct reflection of the mind of the sovereign, for a human sovereign, in most cases, receives counsels and suggestions from others; but as God has had no "counsellor," His laws are the expression of Himself. What they are, He is. The history of His government is the history of Himself. Irresponsible power in a creature would be despotism, but in God it has, from the beginning, been mercy. III. THAT ALL HIS DISPENSATIONS SHOULD BE CORDIALLY ACQUIESCED IN. 1. Rectitude dictates this. The Absolute Mind has a right to do what He does. 2. Expediency dictates this. Opposition is useless. No being can give Him a new idea or motive, and, therefore, no one can turn Him from His course. IV. THAT ALL HIS REVELATIONS SHOULD BE PROPERLY STUDIED. A book from a Mind absolutely independent should be studied — 1. With an expectation of difficulties. 2. With the profoundest reverence. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.WEB: "Shall any teach God knowledge, since he judges those who are high? |
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