SSLS 2016-11-28

2016 4th Quarter

Lesson 10, November 26-December 2, The Wrath of Elihu

Monday, November 28

After relating a litany of life choices that should have reflected upon his outstanding reputation, Job pronounces the curse that he should suffer if he had borne false testimony of righteous deeds. Notice, Job has a knowledge of the story of creation and Adam’s fall.

“If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom…. If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley.” KJV, Job 31: 33, 39, 40.

We should here pause to think on Job’s knowledge of the plan of salvation. If he knew of Adam and Eve, then he would know about the plan of salvation as passed down from Adam generation by generation of patriarchs. Furthermore, he would understand this precious principle as written by Ellen White: “It is a shame to sin, but always an honor to confess sin.” (Vol. 2, Testimonies, 300.)

When Job pronounced the curse of harvesting thistles instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley, he understood that the harvest is as sure as type of seed planted. “Angels of God have kept a faithful record of every act, however secret you may have thought you were in its committal. God discerns the purposes of man and all his works. Every man will be rewarded according as his works have been, whether good or evil. That which a man sows will he also reap. There will be no failure in the crop. The harvest is sure and plentiful.” (Ibid., 300, 301.)

Yet, as Elihu listens to Job’s response, he senses that Job is doing wrong. His time has now come to speak, for Job and his three friends have exhausted their conversation.