Job xxxviii. "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
"Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?"

In consideration of the day in which Job lived, it is quite probable that the four constellations mentioned in the text are those which grace the heavens with a line of glory, commencing with Pleiades and ending with Sirius and his surrounding lesser lights; however, be Mazzaroth the same with the signs of the zodiac instead of Taurus, and be the Arcturus of Job the same with the Arcturus of today, the indications remain that, inasmuch as the times and orbits of these constellations cannot be changed, influenced, or bound, they are under the absolute government of a mighty Power that is infinitely supreme; hence by the order of their march the inanimate bear witness of their Maker and Governor, not conqueror; while at the same time free agency is established in the animate and intelligent that the qualities of both good and evil may be proved, and also that the fitness or unfitness of the creature as a self-governing intelligence worthy of life may be fully demonstrated. Free agency under the Law was also established that the offence might abound and judgment be rendered against all evil-doers, irrespective of host, so that eventually evil could be wholly blotted out never to return.

Job xxxviii. "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

"Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
"Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner-stone thereof;
"When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy."

Here it is stated that all the sons of God shouted for joy. Are these identical with those mentioned in the first chapter of this book? It seems scarcely probable that they are the same, for they existed when the cornerstone of the earth was laid; and if so, they must have had knowledge to that effect. If they possessed this knowledge, and were the same as those which presented themselves before the Lord in Job's day, why should not Job be able to answer the Lord's question: for who was wiser than Job? Satan had been going to and fro in the earth, and walking up and down in it, and he came with the sons of God when they presented themselves before the Lord; therefore the natural inference is that the sons of God were on the earth also; and if so, Job must have been among them; in all probability he was one of them, and as such was possessed of equal knowledge with them. But Job was not able to answer the Lord; therefore it follows that the sons of God which shouted for joy when the morning stars sang together are not the same as the sons of God which presented themselves before the Lord, and which are spoken of in the first chapter of this book. The sons of God referred to in the vi. chapter of Genesis seem, beyond all doubt or question, different from those which shouted for joy when the corner-stone of the earth was laid: for they were of the earth; they were flesh and blood; and their traditions and history were handed down, which marked them as being giants. These huge beings were re-developed after the flood as giants, and possessed distinctive characteristics, which clearly stamped them as belonging to a great and independent creation of men. The sons of God which shouted for joy are a portion of the heavenly ghost that rejoiced when the corner-stone of the earth was laid; which event took place long before man was created, long before Job's day and the day of the sons of God who were contemporary with Job. Why did the sons of God shout for joy? It was because of a great work inaugurated. Much of this work is hidden under the vail, but the wisdom of the vail will shine forth with increased brilliancy when it is taken away: for in the plan of redemption none were permitted to read the mind of the Master which guided the work; and at no time can anything be read except it be revealed: for the secret things belong to God, as Moses has declared. But the great beauty and glory of redemption will at some time be clearly revealed, and then it will belong to man forever. The character of Satan, as shown in the book of Job, is one of cruelty and oppression. He afflicted Job without any cause, and without hesitation attacked the just and upright, thus making aggression upon a kingdom which was not his own. With this revelation of the character of the Adversary, the afflictions accompanying the plan of redemption can be more clearly traced to their source.

Job xxxiv. Was Satan satisfied with the trials of Job, as far as they are recorded? No: for it is said by Elihu, "My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men." Who was Elihu? He was one of evil nature according to his own desire: for he had no pity for Job in his sufferings, but wished him to be tried still further. None appeared to reply to his remarks; but the Lord said, "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?" Elihu seems to represent the great power of evil, and now he demands the life of the just and upright; he demands his blood. This, however, was not granted him in the person of Job. The trial was made in a later day, and one did come, and suffer, and die; but, as typified by the death of Samson, his enemies died with him. They fell into their own snare; the proud one was made low and poor, even as Lamech, the seventh from Adam, who exclaimed, "I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt."

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