The Sins of Youth
T. Horton, D.D. Job 20:11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust. I. THE STATE OR CONDITION OF A WICKED MAN. "His bones are full of the sin of his youth." 1. The sin. "Youthful pranks." By youthful sins we may understand either kinds of sin, or the time of sin. Corrupt nature, though it cleave to all conditions of life, does not put forth itself alike in all. There are lusts that youth is more especially subject unto. Such as vanity both of spirit and conversation. Flexibility to evil. Easily wrought upon, and drawn away and enticed to that which is evil. Unteachableness. Wax to temptation and flint to admonition. Impetuousness; intemperance; uncleanness. 2. The punishment of sin. "His bones are full of them." The Spirit of God would hereby signify to us the sad and miserable condition of an obdurate and impenitent sinner that has lived for a long time in a course of sin. The word "bones" may be taken either in a corporal or in a spiritual sense. There are many in old age who feel the sins of their youth in their body, their "bones." There are diseases which attend on vicious courses, and hasten bodily destruction. Some kinds of sin God punishes even in this present life. But by "bones" we may understand the spirit, and more particularly the conscience. There is the remembrance of sin in the soul. Sin will stick in the conscience for a long while after the commission of it. God charges the guilt of the sins of youth upon men's souls when the things themselves are past and gone. He rubs up their memories and brings their sins to remembrance. He convinces the judgment as to the nature of the sins themselves. He afflicts them also for them. This is all as true of secret as of open sins. The reasons why God proceeds against sins of youth are these:(1) Because He will maintain His own right and interest in the world. (2) Because sins of youth are commonly acted with greater violence and vehemency of spirit. 3. The sins of youth are a foundation of more sin. Various improvements of the subject. To those who are young, that from hence they would be so much the more careful and watchful of themselves. We should all study to consecrate and devote our best time to God and to His service. Those who have the care of youth should have a more watchful eye upon them. The aged may well pray with the Psalmist, "Remember not the sins of my youth." Take up a general lamentation of the great exorbitancies and irregularities of youth, especially in these days. Notice the extent or amplification of the condition in these words, "Which shall lie down with him in the dust." This denotes the continuance of a wicked man's sin. It begins with him betimes, for it is the sin of his youth, and it lasts with him a long while; for it follows him even into another world. Two ways in which sin is said to "lie down in the dust." First, in regard to the stain of it, and then with regard to the guilt of it. There are two things in Christ which are great arguments for closing with Him. There is holiness answerable to pollution, and there is pardon answerable to guilt. (T. Horton, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust. WEB: His bones are full of his youth, but youth shall lie down with him in the dust.