The Sheep Slain BY SIR JOHN GILBERT, R. A., PRESIDENT OF THE + "The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them." -Job, 1, 16. J OB still possessed his huge flock of sheep, seven thousand in number, and his enormously valuable herd of camels, three thousand of them, the chief item of his wealth. But even as the exhausted herdsman told of the tragic death of his comrades, another disaster had befallen from the hand of Satan. Lightning had blasted the entire mass of sheep, consuming them in one huge flame. Worse, the blaze had enwrapped the shepherds, and they also were destroyed. Again as before, but a single one escaped. This shepherd hastened to Job as the herdsman had done, dazed and terrified by the prodigious thunder storm, from which he alone was spared. Then, before the shepherd could finish his awful tale, came a third servant crying of a third disaster. The "Chaldeans," that is the men of ancient Babylon, several hundred miles away, had come foraging from afar, and had discovered Job's three thousand camels. These were well guarded; but, dividing into three bands, the Chaldeans attacked the keepers of the camels, defeated and slew them, and carried off the spoil. This one servant had alone escaped. PSALM XCIV-OF VENGEANCE 1013 4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. 5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever. Psalm 94 1 The prophet, calling for justice, complaineth of tyranny and impiety. 8 He teacheth God's providence. 12 He sheweth the blessedness of affliction. 16 God is the defender of the appicted. LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. 2 Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. 3 LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? 4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? 5 They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. 7 Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. 8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? 9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? 10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? 11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. 12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; 13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. 14 For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. 15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it. up 16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand for me against the workers of iniquity? 17 Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. 18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. 19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. 20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law? 21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood. 1014 PSALM XCV—"LET US SING" 22 But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. 23 And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off. Psalm 95 1 An exhortation to praise God, 3 for his greatness, and for his goodness, 8 and not to tempt him. COME, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. 5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For he is our God: and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To-day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. Psalm 96 1 An exhortation to praise God, 4 for his greatness, 8 for his kingdom, 11 for his general judgment. SING unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. 4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 8 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. |