The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-07-11
JOBS STRUGGLE TO FAITH
IN LIFE AFTER DEATH

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= LESSON Il IS TExT-Job 4:1s17; 17:1s-l6;
GOLDEN TExT-For I know that my re-
deemer liveth.-Job 1925.
If life ends at the grave, it has
comparatively little meaning and its
struggles and sorrows are hardly
worth bearing. Job, living in all
probability about 1880 years before
Christ, did not have our knowledge
of the resurrection of Christ and the
assurance that He is but the "first
fruits OF. them that slept" and that
we too shall rise (see / Cor. 1922,
23). But in the midst of suffering,
Encouragement and spiritual con-
f1ict, he looked with the eye of faith
all the way beyond the grave.
The background of our lesson is
found in Jobs experience with his
three protested comforters, who
speak thus:
"Eliphaz: But who ever perish
being innocent (4:7)? Be glad that
you are being corrected (4:17l. Job:
Answer my question and I will
keep still. Show me where am
wrong. What does your proof
prove 1924, 25)? +
"Biddad: Do you think God per-
verts justice (8:3)? Ask the wise
men of the ages. Consider what our
fathers taught (8:8). Job: 1t is all
the same; God destroys the right
eous with the wicked (9:22).
''Zophar: Do you expect to un-
derstand God? Put evil away
(11:7, 14). Job: I know as much as
you do (13:2). Your burning re-
marks are cold ashes (13:12). I
would like to reason it out with God
(l3:S). I have stated my case; I
am righteous 13:8).
"The three friends have not helped
him, but Job struggles on alone with
the problem. DIR. Carl S. Knopf.
1. Uncertainty-''If a man die,
shall he live again?" Q4:13-1D.
Job, while maintaining that he
was righteous, felt that his sufferings
must indicate that God was dis
pleased with him. He thought he
might best seek refuge in Sheol
Or. V. in place of 'grave" in V. 13),
the abode of the dead. But sudden
ly he turned again to the hope which
was dear to his heart; namely,
that somehow there must be
blessed future life with God.
He asked the question, eff a man
die, shall he live again." The fact
that he quickly lapsed into despair
indicates that he was not certain
that the answer to his question was
yes" How blessed it is that we
know, for have we not heard the
voice of the One who, standing be-
fore grave in Bethany, said, 81 am
the resurrection and the life: he that
believeth in me, though he were
dead, yet shall he live" John IL:
25)?
II. Hope-"Where, then, is my
hope?" Cob 17:13-16).
Eliphaz had again sought to set
Job right by accusing him of vanity,
Impotence and pride (chap. 49,.
Job answered (chaps. 16 and I'D that
his friends were worse than useless
as comforters, being so sanctimoni-
Gus in their assurance of his wick
edness, when in fact he was only
man who was on the verge of de-
spair, but still holding to his faith
in God.
Job cried out, "Where, then, is my
hope?"-undoubtedly thus express
ing his bewilderment, bordering on
complete despair. Yet do we not even
in the question see that he still had
hope? The man who has given up
says, "There is no hope; but Job
continued to hope against hope, cry
ing out, "Where is my hope?" know
ing full well that his only hope was
in God.
There is a lesson here that we do
well to learn. Whatever our situa-
ton may be we shall find that God
is there and that we may trust Him.
"Does all the world seem against you
And you in the battle alone?
Remember, at Wits End Corner
Is where Gods power is shown"
III. Fafth-'1 know that my re-
deemer 1iveth" COB 19:23-29).
What blessed vision and what
glorious faith! Job lived in the time
of Moses or before. He had no New,
Testament-no old Testament-but
he did have God, and by faith he
believed that God was to make Him.
self known to man here on earth as
living Redeemer.
We say that we know because we
have the record of His coming; of
the Son of God incarnate; of His
bearing our sins on Calvary; of His
death and resurrection again; of His
ascension to be with the Father, and
His coming again in glory and
power. Job, however, had to reach
through doubt and darkness to faith
in life after death. How much rich |
er should be our faith, infinitely
more precious, stirring us to loving
obedience and service for Christ our
Redeemer. IL
l. .