Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-04-07
sUNDAY-sCHooL LESSON.

Prosperity Restored.-Job. AZ: lilo.
There are many things about the book
of Job that make it of unusual interest
to the reader. 1t is the oldest book in
the world, and was probably written
more than thirty-six centuries ago. It
is poem, and as writer has aptly said,
in simplicity, grandeur, beauty. richness
of illustration, poetic conception, and
mastery handling Of the most difficult
of themes, it is unsurpassed and proba-
bly, unequalled." The book is not the
work of Jewish authors, but was COM
posed by man who was well acquainted
with the dealings of God with men, and
who had unbounded faith in Him as the
author of goodness and justice. In his
early life he was blessed with great pros,
perity, but the Lord suffered him to be
tempted of Satan, that he might show
that remarkable patience and faith which
will make his name famous to the end
of time. This lesson records a part of
Jobs conversation with the Lord, after
he had spoken to him ''out of the whirl-
wind"
l. Then Job answered the Lord, and said
2. know that thou canst do every thing, and that
no thought can be withholden from thee.
Job not only recognized the omnipo-
tence, but omniscence of God, and he show
ed wonderful knowledge of these attri-
butes. He doubtless felt that the ways
of Providence, though inscrutable. were
right and that in some then unknown
way, they would result in good to him.
3. Who is he that counsel without knowl-
odso therefore have uttered that understood not;
things too wonderful for me, which knew not.
Job acknowledges in this verse his
ignorance of Gods ways, and makes an
implied confession. He had heretofore
failed to understand how, out of all his
suffering and humiliation, good could
come. He acknowledged his misconcep-
tion of the Almighty.
4. Hear. beseech thee and will speak; 1 will
demand of thee and declare thou unto me-
He asks the Lord to listen while he
makes further acknowledgement of his
littleness and want of knowledge. The
verse probably shows that Job intended
to ask for greater wisdom.
5. have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear;
but now mine eye seeth thee:
6. Wherefore 1 abhor myself and repent in dust
and ashes
Heretofore Job had heard of the Lord
through others, or by tradition, now be
has clearer vision, he sees eye to eye.
He had revelation of Him, and COM
prehends more fully His majesty and
His goodness. Having become in a
measure able to comprehend some of his
attributes he rejects his former views
and accepts the view that God is just
and wise, though man may not always
be able to see it. His repentance is
deep and he humbles himself in the dust
I. And It was SO. that after the Lord had spoken
these words unto Job. the Lord said unto Ephaz The
| Temante, My wrath is kindled against thee, ant
against thy two friends for We have not spoken of ms
the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
With the preceding verse the argu
ment of the book which is poetical ends
and in this verse prose is used. 1t seems
that after the reconciliation described il
the former verses, the Lord healed job
malady, and then turns to the three
friends and addresses them, His wratf
having been kindled against them. The,
had in their feebleness of understanding
supposed that Job had been guilty o
some sin, and they had chided him 70
it +; there might have been some hypocri
sy in their souls, and the Lord accuse
them of speaking things that were no
right of his servant. The Lord com
mends the wisdom and course of 10
and condemns their course.
8. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks an
seven rams, and go TO my servant job and offer u
for yourselves a burnt-ofering; and my servant 10
shall pray for you for him will accept: lest de-
with you after your folly, in that We have not spoke
of me the thing which is right like my servant Job.
g. So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Sbuh
and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did accoTdiu
as the Lord commanded them the Lord also accepte
Job.
These three friends of Job have CON
mitted sin, and the Lord demande
that they should make suitable sacrifice
, by burnt offerings, which, through tn
prayer intercessions of Job, should b
, accepted as a Precipitation for their sin
They did as commanded and the 'Lor
, accepted job" or their sacrifice throug
the prayer of righteous man.
TO- And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, VIII,
he prayed for his friends also the Lord gave Job twi
E as much as he had before
In the above verse captivity" doubt
j.. less, means affection. Jobs affiictior
6 ended and his prosperity commenced.
the first chapter of the book of 10
this remarkable man was said to hay
been possessed Of much wealth, and h
condition was one of great prosperit
now having endured the greatest TEN
tations and Affections, he comes out
!, the crucible unscathed, and the Lol
gives him twice as much as he h;
BEFORE" and his latter days were fill
with blessings.