SSLS 2016-12-07

2016 4th Quarter

Lesson 11, December 3-9, Out of the Whirlwind

Wednesday, December 7

As we contemplate God’s questions to Job today, let us not fall into the trap that we know so much more than the ancients of Bible times. We are so much further from the Tree of Life from which Adam derived much length of days. Job, being closer to Adam than we, would have had a knowledge of creation, and of the entrance of sin, and of the flood. So, it is a mistake to conclude that Job’s knowledge of science would be darkened to the superstitions of the middle ages when Roman Catholicism had reduced the populace to the superstitions of paganism.

When we reread the words of Job, we see that he had the hope of the resurrection. So, he believed in the power of God to save from the ruin of sin. The challenge he faced in his loss of family, servants, flocks, herds, and health, is the lack of faith on the part of his three friends to encourage Job. Job’s faith was weakened by his doubts regarding the justice of God in allowing his suffering. Just think how much better things might have been for Job if his three friends had demonstrated faith when his faith was weakened.

Job confronted his friends on this very point! “Job was not understood by his friends. He flings back upon them their reproaches. He shows them that if they are defending God by avowing their faith in Him and their consciousness of sin, he has a more deep and thorough knowledge of it than they ever had. ‘Miserable comforters are ye all,’ is the answer he makes to their criticisms and censures. ‘I also,’ says Job, ‘could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.’ But he declares that he would not do this. ‘I,’ he says, ‘would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief.'” (Ellen White, Vol. 3, Testimonies, 508.)

Now we see God asking Job these questions, and for what purpose? God is doing for Job what his three friends ought to have done. He is leading Job to an understanding that God is in control even when things appear to be utter chaos. He places Job’s faith on a higher plain than ever before. What comes next? Healing and restoration for Job. Salvation and a more perfect understanding of God’s will for his three friends.