p. 350 | LESSON III.-SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 1893

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 3, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 22.

LESSON III.—SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 1893.

JOB'S APPEAL TO GOD.

[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 to 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.]

Lesson Scripture, Job 23:1-10.

Then Job answered and said,
Even to-day is my complaint rebellious; my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!
I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.
There the upright might reason with him; so should I be delivered forever from my judge.
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him;
On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Golden Text.—"What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter." John 13: 7.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

What did Job say of his complaint? Verse 1. Note 1.
What did he desire? Verse 2.
What boldness had his suffering brought? Verses 3, 4.
What did he declare he would know? Verse 5.
By what did he show faith in God's love and condescension? Verse 6.
What would his judge then become? Verse 7. Note 2.
But how did Job's efforts to find God seem to be rewarded? Verses 8, 9.
In what assurance did Job rest? Verse 10, first part.
What did he declare of his own integrity? Verse 10, last part.
How had he regarded God's ways? Verse 11.
How had he esteemed God's word? Verse 12.
When God seems far off what may we know?

"That they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." Acts 17:27. "The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith, which we preach." Rom. 10: 8. 13. When we cannot understand our afflictions what should we do? "For 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.

By what are we to walk? Ans.—By faith. 2 Cor. 5:7.
If we hold fast by faith, of what may we be assured? Golden text.
What may we know?

"And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose." Rom. 8: 28.

NOTES.

1. Rebellious.—See margin, "bitter," or "counted rebellious." So he was by his friends. At first Job was utterly overwhelmed and bewildered. He knew that God was not punishing him for sin; his friends thought they knew that God was punishing him for sins which were hidden from them. Job rebelled against their presentations of God, and they counted it as rebellion against God. Job at last turns to God and appeals to him. His great suffering paralyzes all fear.

2. Delivered forever from my Judge.—Job seems to believe that if he could come into God's very presence God would help him, would make it all plain, in fact, would become his advocate. See Rom. 8:33, 34. He who justifies will not charge us with guilt, nor he who intercedes for us condemn us.