LESSON II.—SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1893.
By Editor
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] - Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.
- For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
- He shall deliver thee in six troubles; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
- In famine he shall redeem thee from death; and in war from the power of the sword.
- Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue; neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
- At destruction and dearth thou shalt laugh; neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
- For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field; and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
- And thou shalt know that thy tent is in peace; and thou shalt visit thy fold, and shalt miss nothing.
- Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.
- Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in its season.
- Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.
Golden Text. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." Heb. 12:6. - What can you say of the book of Job? See note 1.
- What statement does Eliphaz make concerning the man whom God corrects? Verse 17. Note 2.
- If for our good, what should we not do? Verse 17.
- What did he say the Lord would do to his own? Verse 18.
- What assurance is given of deliverance in trouble? Verse 19.
- What assurances of protection from various evils are given? Verses 20-26. Note 3.
- What authority does Eliphaz give for these statements? Verse 27. Note 4.
- Of what is the chastening of the Lord a sign?
"And ye have forgotten the exhortation, which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art reproved of him; for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Heb. 12:5, 6.
9. Of what is no chastening a proof?
"But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." Verse 8.
10. What comparison is made between the chastisement of earthly parents and that of God?
"Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness." Verses 9, 10.
11. How does all chastening at the present seem?
"All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous, but grievous." Verse 11, first part.
12. What will it do for us if rightly received?
"Yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness." Verse 11, last part.
13. How should we receive such chastening? and for what purpose?
"And not only so, but let us also rejoice in our tribulations; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, probation; and probation, hope; and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost which was given unto us." Rom. 5:3-5.
14. In view of this what should all discouraged ones do?
"Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the palsied knees; and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed." Heb. 12:12, 13.The Book of Job.—The book of Job is admitted to be, from a literary standpoint, one of the sublimest religious poems in the literature of the world. The opening narrative and the closing statement are in prose; all the rest is poetry. It has been thought by some that Moses wrote the book, and there seems to be as much evidence in proof of his authorship as there is that Paul wrote the Hebrews. Compare the book of Job with Exodus 15, Deuteronomy 32, and Psalm 90. The evidence, both external and internal, goes to show that it was written before the Exodus. It has received much criticism from those who have sat in judgment on the word of God, but those who believe that word will accept the simple narrative of the book as facts, Job as a real character, and will endeavor to profit by its wonderful lesson. See Eze. 14:14; James 5:11. There are really five parts to the book, as follows: (1) The narrative of Job, his uprightness, his trial, and his patience (chaps. 1, 2); (2) the arguments or colloquies between Job and his three friends on the cause and object of human suffering, argued over ever since that time (chaps. 3-31); (3) the argument of Elihu and reproof to Job (chaps. 32-37); (4) the address of God, with Job's confession and penitence; (5) the close of the narrative (chap. 42:7-17).
The Revised Version is said to be a much better translation than the Common Version. The book must be studied as a whole, and it is too bad to mutilate it by taking out of it only the three lessons of this series. 2. Happy is the man.—The fact that the book of Job is inspired does not necessarily mean that all that is said by every person in that book is true. It is true that they spoke the words, but what they said may be false. Certainly Satan spoke falsely. What Job's friends said was generally true but misapplied in Job's case. Evil is ultimately punished; good is ultimately rewarded; but it does not follow that because adversity, affliction, or suffering comes upon a man he is under the displeasure of God, or that he need to be discouraged. "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." Jesus, the Son of God, was the prince of sufferers. We glorify him by our sufferings for his sake. But what is for God's glory is for our best good if we will but trust God. Therefore say with the prophet, "Though the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Hab. 3:17, 18. 3. In promise he shall redeem thee, etc.—The teacher will be able to frame the necessary questions as he passes over the lesson scriptures. The assurances are most blessed, and many times proved true by the people of God in the past. They are most precious indeed, and show God's wonderful ultimate care. The best commentary on this lesson, a better lesson basis, is found in Heb. 12:3-17. 4. We have searched it, so it is.—It was their own wisdom and observation which Job's friends presented, and they had never known a thoroughly good man to be so afflicted. Job, judging to some extent from the same standpoint, yet knowing his integrity, could not understand God's dealings with him, though he did not charge God foolishly. But God saw the end from the beginning, and was working out that which would glorify himself forever after, being comfort and hope in thousands of suffering ones, and prove a blessing to Job. All this God has revealed in his word.