Job, Pain and Healing

                                                                       Order
                                                                         from
                                                                   your local
                                                                    Adventist
                                                                Book Center
                                                             or ABC Mailing
                        For a limited time,                Service, P.O. Box
                 as a special offer during this              37485, Omaha,
          General Conference session year,               Nebraska 68137. In you can purchase the SDA Bible Commentary                     Canada, Box 398, set or individual volumes at 1978 prices. Regularly        Oshawa, Ontario L1H $179.75 per set and $19.75 per volume, these                 7L5. Please include books are on sale now for only $149.95 per set and         State sales tax where
                                                        necessary, and add $16.95 per volume. If you've been putting off             10 percent for mailing purchasing a set of these fine reference and study books or buying individual books in the set to complete your partial set at home, now is the time to act. These books will never be this low again!                                 rh
                                                                   review Patk.11.

                THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
                            148 FOX VALLEY ROAD, WAHROONGA, N.S.W. 2076 • PHONE: 48 1061
                                              • CABLES: "ADVENTIST" SYDNEY • TELEX: 22064 OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

                                        L..
                   1            yI

                           Brought to you by Pacific Press

                          Contn[s 1.   A Man God Trusted                                  8.   Getting Acquainted With God 2.   When Disaster Struck                               9.   A Happy Ending 3.   The First Dialogue                                10.   The Problem of Pain 4.   The Second Dialogue                               11.   God the Healer 5.   The Third Dialogue                                12.   Why Some Are Not Healed 6.   True Wisdom                                       13.   The Sufferings of Jesus 7.   Suffering as Discipline

      Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20012

                            Lesson Author: Norval F. Pease
                               Editor: W. Richard Lesher
                       Editorial Secretary: Florence L. Wetmore
                        Circulation Manager: Arthur R. Mazat
                             Art and Design: Pacific Press

                       Braille lessons available. See page 112.

              Copyright 1980 by Pacific Press Publishing Association

                                                                                   7

         Part 1     How was Job regarded by the people of his day?
         A MAN
     RESPECTED      "The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged
                  arose and stood up. The princes refrained talking, and laid
                  their hand on their mouth. The nobles held their peace, and
                  their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. When the ear
                  heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it
                  gave witness to me" (Job 29:8-11).

                    Job not only had wealth; he also had influence as a result of
                  his honest, loving wife. Referring to this passage, Ellen White
                  says: "God has given in His Word a picture of a prosperous
                  man—one whose life was in the truest sense a success, a man
                  whom both heaven and earth delighted to honor."—Edudation,
                  p. 142. Too many people seek to substitute power and posses-
                  sions for the influence of a holy life.

                    What are some of the characteristics of Job that gained for
                  him the respect of neighbors and friends? Job 29:12-16.

                     If a man has a right relation with God, he will have a right
                  relationship with his fellowmen. A man who is right with God
                  has accepted God's principles of righteousness, and he applies
                  them in his daily life. Right thinking people will honor and
                  respect him even though they may not follow in his footsteps.
                     A God-fearing man may not be popular in society; his com-
                  pany may not be sought on every occasion; but his advice, when
                  sought, is generally well-regarded. And in times of calamity or
                  crisis it is to him that people will go for leadership and direction.
                     As a young minister, I once pastored a church in which there
                  was a very unusual church elder. This man was a businessman
                  who had lived in the community for many years. He had won
                  such respect in the area that it was not unusual for unchurched
                  people to call upon him to preside at funerals. He was known for
                  miles around as a Christian layman of integrity. His concern for
                  people had won the hearts of hundreds of his acquaintances.

                     "The accounts of every business, the details of every transac-
                  tion, pass the scrutiny of unseen auditors, agents of Him who
                  never compromises with injustice, never overlooks evil, never
                  palliates wrong."—Education, p. 144.
                     Job 29:20-25 describes the reputation every Christian should
                  enjoy. Read it in a modern-language translation.

 FURTHER STUDY      Job 29; S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, pp. 573-575.

                  Chapter 31 is Job's protestation of his innocence of the
                charges that had been brought against him by his friends. In this
                chapter he outlines the principles that regulated his private
                conduct. Thus we have a comprehensive summary of the ethics
                of Job. The form is poetic. There is a dramatic flavor. Job calls
                down curse after curse upon himself if he has falied to live up to
                the ideals he is stating.

                  In what ways does Job claim to be innocent? The answers
                are throughout chapter 31.

                  In this passage the words "vanity" and "deceit" are parallel.
                The word translated "vanity" means "what is morally empty and
                unreal, insincerity and falsehood."—Victor E. Reichert, Job
                (Hindead, Surrey: The Soncino Press, 1946), p. 157. How eager
                we should be that God makes us honest and guileless.
                  What could be more basic than honesty? This is a virtue that
                makes the difference between real character and hollow pre-
                tense. Note that Job's code of ethics deals with motives.
                   "In this same thirty-first chapter of Job appears the spirit and
                even many of the specific precepts of Christ's Sermon on the
                Mount. This ancient Old Testament discourse offers that same
                mountaintop perspective of spiritual matters by emphasizing
                impulse of heart over grasp of hand. ' "If ... my heart has gone
                after my eyes—" ' (31:7), Job sighs. It is for his heart, not his
                eyes, that he is concerned."—Paul T. Gibbs, Job and the Mys-
                teries of Wisdom (Nashville, Tenn.: Southern Publishing As-
                sociation, 1967), p. 117.

                  "Principle, right, honesty should be ever cherished. Honesty
                will not tarry where policy is harbored. They will never agree;
                one is of Baal, the other of God. The Master requires His ser-
                vants to be honorable in motive and action. All greed and av-
                arice must be overcome. Those who choose honesty as their
                companion will embody it in all their acts. To a large class, these
                men are not pleasing, but to God they are beautiful."—
                Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 607.

                     The seventh commandment of the Decalogue says "Thou
                   shalt not commit adultery" (Ex. 20:14). The Sermon on the
                   Mount says, "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her
                   hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt.
                   5:28). Job anticipated both of these pronouncements.

                     What is Job's evaluation of the act of adultery? Job 31:11,
                   12. Compare Lev. 20:10.

                      Job recognizes that adultery is a sin against God because
                    God has laid down the relationships that ought to obtain
                    between men and women. (See Joseph's experience in Genesis
                   39:9.) It is always the better part of wisdom to follow in God's
                   precepts. (See Job 28:28.) But adultery is also a social sin, and
                   judges are expected to apply the law. A society that does not
                   uphold the highest standards of moral relationships will soon
                   disintegrate, and there will be a lack of respect for persons and
                   personal rights.
                      Adultery ends in personal loss'. Job speaks of a "fire that con-
                   sumeth to destruction" (Job 31:12). It means the loss of home,
                   peace and happiness—three things invaluable to men.
                      Job was a family man, and he took his responsibilities seri-
                   ously. He valued faithfulness to his wife, and he was concerned
                   that he deserve the respect of his children and his friends.
                      Job's abhorrence of adultery extended to banishment of sex-
                   ual thoughts about another than his wife. He says, "I have made
                   a solemn promise never to look with lust at a girl" (Job 31:1,
                   TEV).
                      "Job understood that mere avoidance of the overt act of
                   adultery was not sufficient. In order to meet God's standard the
                   thinking as well as the actions must be pure. Job met the prob-
                   lem by entering into an agreement with himself that he would
                   not allow his mind to be responsive to the enticements of lust. In
                   the figurative language of the text, a covenant [KJV] was made
                   between the conscience and the eyes—an agreement that im-
                   posed a definite obligation on the eyes not to gaze upon that
                   which would suggest impure thoughts."—S.D.A. Bible Com-
                   mentary, vol. 3, p. 580.

 FURTHER STUDY       Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, "The Spirituality of the
                   Law" (Matt. 5:28), pp. 59, 60. 12

                   Job was a very wealthy man, and it is not uncommon for
                people of wealth to be considered insensitive to the needs of the
                poor. Sometimes the accusation is justified, sometimes not.
                Eliphaz accused Job of mistreating the poor (Job 22:1-7). Job
                denied this claim (29:12-16).
                   The Scriptures have a great deal to say about the responsibil-
                ity of the favored to the less favored. The fatherless and the
                widowed are singled out for special mention (Ex. 22:22; James
                1:27). In both the Old Testament and the New, obligations are
                laid on believers to the needs of the poor.

                  What did Jesus say of His own earthly presence in contrast
                with the presence of the poor? Matt. 26:11.

                  There will never be a time on this earth when there are no
                poor. Calamities can wipe out riches in a day. Injustices and
                oppression are characteristics of a sinful society. Famines and
                lack of adequate distribution of food supplies can lead to
                hunger and starvation. These things we know obtain in the
                world today.

                  "The blessings of salvation, temporal as well as spiritual, are
                for all mankind. There are many who complain of God because
                the world is so full of want and suffering; but God never meant
                that this misery should exist. He never meant that one man
                should have an abundance of the luxuries of life, while the
                children of others cry for bread. The Lord is a God of benevo-
                lence. He has made ample provision for the wants of all, and
                through His representatives, to whom He has entrusted His
                goods, He designs that the needs of all His creatures shall be
                supplied."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 273.
                   "It is God's purpose that the rich and the poor shall be closely
                bound together by the ties of sympathy and helpfulness. He bids
                us interest ourselves in every case of suffering and need that
                shall come to our knowledge."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 279.

                    How serious a mistake did Job consider trust in wealth to
                  be? Verse 28.

                     In this passage Job expresses a prominent biblical theme.
                  The Decalogue says to mankind, "Thou shalt not covet" (Ex.
                  20:17). The Sermon on the Mount says, "Lay not up for your-
                  selves treasures upon earth . . . : but lay up for yourselves
                  treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
                  and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where
                  your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:19-21).
                  The parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) tells of a man who
                  made gold his hope, and "God said unto him, Thou fool, this
                  night thy soul shall be required of thee" (verse 20). Paul warns
                  against trusting in "uncertain riches" (1 Tim. 6:17). And Jesus
                  exclaimed, "How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter
                  into the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:24).

                     "It is God who gives men power to get wealth, and He has
                  bestowed this ability, not as a means of gratifying self, but as a
                  means of returning to God His own. With this object it is not a sin
                  to acquire means. Money is to be earned by labor. Every youth
                  should be trained to habits of industry. The Bible condemns no
                  man for being rich if he has acquired his riches honestly. It is the
                  selfish love of money wrongfully employed that is the root of all
                  evil. Wealth will prove a blessing if we regard it as the Lord's, to
                  be received with thankfulness and with thankfulness returned
                  to the Giver.
                     "Of what value is untold wealth if it is hoarded in expensive
                  mansions or in bank stock? What do these weigh in comparison
                  with the salvation of one soul for whom the Son of the infinite
                  God has died?"—Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 452, 453.
                     "All the treasures which you possess, be they ever so valu-
                  able, would not be rich enough to buy you peace and hope,
                  which would be infinite gain, if it cost you all you have and the
                  toils and sufferings of a lifetime. A strong, clear sense of eternal
                  things, and a heart willing to yield all to Christ, are blessings of
                  more value than all the riches and pleasures and glories of this
                  world."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 576.

 FURTHER STUDY      Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 258-263. 14

                  Job not only tolerated his enemies, he didn't rejoice in their
               misfortunes. His words remind us of the exhortation of Jesus to
               His disciples in Matthew 5:43-48. An analysis of this passage
               uncovers the following message:
                 Your Father in heaven:
                    makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good.
                    sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
                  You:
                    love only those who love you.
                     salute only your brethren.
                  Be like your Father in heaven:
                     Love your enemies; bless those who curse you.
                     Pray for those who persecute you.
                  This is what it means to be "perfect." This is Christian matur-
               ity at its best. This is godlikeness at its highest level.
                  Romans 12 has been called "Paul's Sermon on the Mount."
               Here the idea of self-sacrificing love is expressed as follows:
                  "Let love be without dissimulation" (verse 9).
                  "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
                     in honour preferring one another" (verse 10).
                  "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not"
                        (verse 14).
                  "Recompense to no man evil for evil" (verse 17).
                  "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him
                     drink" (verse 20).

                 "It is not earthly rank, nor birth, nor nationality, nor religious
               privilege, which proves that we are members of the family of
               God; it is love, a love that embraces all humanity. Even sinners
               whose hearts are not utterly closed to God's Spirit, will respond
               to kindness; while they may give hate for hate, they will also give
               love for love. But it is only the Spirit of God that gives love for
               hatred. To be kind to the unthankful and to the evil, to do good
               hoping for nothing again, is the insignia of the royalty of
               heaven."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 75.

                                                                                15

   e2TB [I:Ammo-12r arg.11Ek   "I was born with nothing, and I will      natural causes, others because of lie with nothing. The Lord gave, and        sickness and accident, and perhaps low he has taken away. May his name         others—God forbid—because of war. )e praised!" (Job 1:21, TEV).               No doubt some who study these   "When God sends us something              lessons will know how Job felt when ;ood, we welcome it. How can we             disaster struck for him. May God grant complain when he sends us trouble?"         that Job's experience may help to Job 2:10, TEV).                             rebuild broken lives.
                                           "Job does not set out to answer the   On the twenty-fourth day of               problem of suffering, but instead December 1974 life was as usual in the      shows that even a righteous man can Australian city of Darwin. People were      utilize such an experience as that doing their Christmas shopping,             through which the hero passed to wrapping gifts, preparing for loved         attain to new heights of emotional and ones, decorating their homes.               spiritual maturity. Quite obviously Warnings came of an impending               nobody can be exempt from suffering, cyclone, but the citizens of the city had   for where there are men there will seen high winds before and were not         always be emotional and mental greatly alarmed. Then the winds             conflicts, with corresponding adverse struck-160 milesper hour in velocity.       effects. The supreme exemplar of the Ninety percent of the city was              righteous sufferer was Jesus Christ, destroyed. Thousands were                   who neither explained nor dismissed homeless. A reported 45 persons lost        suffering, but instead absorbed it into their lives, and many more were             His own spiritual experience, and injured. One television report showed       through His fellowship with God a man in a hospital bed. He and his         achieved what Rowley has happily family had crouched in their yard           styled 'the wresting of profit from the while their house was completely            suffering,' which has been of destroyed. The wife and mother was          incalculable value to subsequent killed. For this family, disaster struck    humanity."—R. K. Harrison, tragically all in a day.                    Introduction to the Old Testament    Since then more and perhaps               (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. greater calamities have taken place in      Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1969), p. this world. For millions of people          1046. disaster will strike—sometimes from
                                        DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
                                        1. Before the Storm
                                           (Job 1:2, 3)
                                        2. Trouble Brewing
                                           (Job 1:9-11)
                                        3. Tragedy Strikes
                                           (Job 1:18, 19)
                                        4. Initial Responses
                                           (Job 1:20-22)
                                        5. Three "Friends"
                                           (Job 2:11, 12)
                                        6. A Light Grows Dim
                                           (Job 3:2-7)

                      "In the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula, east of the
                   Jordan River and the Dead Sea, in the land of Edom lives this
                   man of Uz. With an immense retinue of servants who bear
                   burdens in time of peace and weapons in time of war, with seven
                   thousand sheep to provide wool and meat and milk, with three
                   thousand camels for carrying merchandise to world markets,
                   with five hundred yoke of oxen for plowing broad acres at the
                   edge of the desert, where even to this day hover farms and
                   cities—in such affluence Job has reared his family of seven sons
                   and three daughters. Until disaster strikes, Job's is an idyllic
                   existence. . . .
                      "Job's life has been a success in the truest sense. Before
                   disaster overtook him, God's approval shed light and warmth
                   into his life. Those were days of rejoicing.... In harmony with his
                   good life and traditional beliefs, he anticipated a restful old age
                   and peaceful demise."—Paul T. Gibbs, Job and the Mysteries of
                   Wisdom, pp. 12, 13.

                     How did Job show that he recognized that life has its dan-
                   gers and people their weaknesses? Job 1:4, 5.

                      Job seemed to be able to handle prosperity himself, but he
                   was concerned about his children. Their affluence made possi-
                   ble a level of social gaiety that endangered their religious ex-
                   perience.'As a wise, concerned father, Job prayed to God about
                   the problem. "Amid the festivities of his sons and daughters, he
                   trembled lest his children should displease God. As a faithful
                   priest of the household, he offered sacrifices for them individu-
                   ally. He knew the offensive character of sin, and the thought that
                   his children might forget the divine claims, led him to God as an
                   intercessor in their behalf."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A.
                   Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1140.
                      It still happens that children of wealthy and pious parents may
                   inherit their parents' wealth and not their piety. Piety is not
                   inherited; it comes from personal relationship with God.

 FURTHER STUDY       Job 1 through 3; S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, pp. 493-508.

                  "Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an
                hedge about him, and about his house, and about all he hath
                on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and
                his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand
                now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy
                face" (Job 1:9-11).

                   After Job proves his ability to accept loss without losing his
                faith in God, Satan challenges God to "touch his bone and his
                flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face" (Job 2:5).
                    "Satan insinuated that Job served God from selfish motives.
                . .. He attempted to deny that true religion springs from love and
                an intelligent appreciation of God's character, that true wor-
                shipers love religion for its own sake—not for reward; that they
                serve God because such service is right in itself, and not merely
                because heaven is full of glory; and that they love God because
                He is worthy of their affections and confidence, and not merely
                because He blesses them."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3,
                p. 500.

                  What other Bible character was true to God in spite of many
                calamities? What was the secret of his steadfastness? 2 Cor.
                11:23-27; Rom. 8:36-39;

                  "The powers of evil try in two ways to destroy men—either
                they work through wealth, power, and position to influence him
                to compromise and forget God, or they engulf him with suffer-
                ing, misfortune, and discouragement in an endeavor to break
                his faith and morale. It seems that the average man can endure
                only so much prosperity or so much adversity without buckling
                under the strain."—Norval F. Pease, Think on These Things
                (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association,
                1969), p. 165.

                   "Job had stood the test of prosperity ... (Job 1:1). Now he was
                to be subjected to the test of adversity. The devil was saying to
                God with a sneer, 'Every man has his price. Job will fold under
                adversity.' God was about to demonstrate to the world that there
                are men who can be destroyed neither by prosperity nor
                adversity."—Norval F. Pease, Think on These Things, p. 165.

                  It is not easy to bear financial loss, but it is even harder to
                suffer the loss of loved ones. Children can be a source of
                comfort and courage, and what a tragedy when they are gone!

                   What further calamity was visited on Job? Job 2:7.

                   Boils are very painful. They are also very disfiguring. In utter
                misery Job leaves his home and goes outside the city where the
                refuse is usually dumped and burned. There he sits in the ashes,
                using the pieces of broken pottery that are lying around to
                scrape his body when it itches, and to take away the pus from his
                boils. (See verse 8.) What a contrast is presented here! Job, who
                used to sit in affluence and luxury, now sits in the midst of
                discarded rubbish. Perhaps he feels that his life is as useless as
                the articles around him. His wife only adds insult to injury as she
                suggests that he might as well give up his faith in God and die!
                (See verse 9.)

                   Job could not see any reason for his tragedies. But for us who
                can read the story of Job the curtain of mystery is drawn aside,
                and we can see that some tragedies are not the result of our
                doings; rather, they are the machinations of an enemy who
                wants to see all of us lose our faith in God.
                   "He [God] permitted affliction to come upon Job, but He did
                not forsake him.... God permits trials to assail His people, that
                by their constancy and obedience they themselves may be
                spiritually enriched, and that their example may be a source of
                strength to others. . . .
                   "God has always tried His people in the furnace of affliction. It
                is in the heat of the furnace that the dross is separated from the
                true gold of the Christian character."—Patriarchs and
                Prophets, p. 129.
                   But for the protecting providence of God, there would be no
                security against Satan's assaults. Only in the hereafter will we
                understand the extent to which we have been shielded from
                "the flaming darts of the evil one" (Eph. 6:16, RSV).

       Part 4     How did Job respond to the loss of his goods and children?
      INITIAL
  RESPONSES       "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head,
                and fell down upon the ground, and worhipped, and said,
                Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I
                return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;
                blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor
                charged God foolishly" (Job 1:20-22).

                  The rending of his cloak was a symbol of deep mourning.
                Shaving the head indicated that he was no longer interested in
                personal appearance. Yet Job fell to the ground and worshiped.
                His relation to God was still whole, and in his agony he came to
                God to express a faith and confidence that would not let go. In
                this regard Job leads the way in telling us how we should
                respond when experiences come our way that hurt us deeply
                and that we cannot understand. Apparently it did not as yet
                occur to Job to blame God for his situation.

                  How did Job's wife respond to her husband's affliction, and
                how did Job answer? Job 2:9, 10.

                  Job's wife cannot take the calamities that have fallen as much
                upon her as upon her husband. Her faith in God is shattered.
                She suggests that her husband might as well "curse God," even
                though she knows that this can only lead to death. What a
                contrast to her husband's attitude! Furthermore, it means that
                Job has lost another possible pillar of spiritual support.
                  It is noteworthy that never again in the story of Job is Satan
                mentioned. He had been proved wrong. Here was a man who
                maintained his loyalty to God in face of the most severe trouble.
                And he knew nothing of the dialogue between the Lord and
                Satan that precipitated his trouble. God still cares for His own.
                  "Satan is busy every moment, going to and fro, walking up
                and down in the earth, seeking whom he may devour. But the
                earnest prayer of faith will baffle his strongest efforts."—
                Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 294.

                   "Christ is our Guide and Comforter, who comforts us in all our
                tribulations. When He gives us a bitter draught to drink, He also
                holds a cup of blessing to our lips. He fills the heart with submis-
                sion, with joy and peace in believing, and enables us to say
                submissively, Not my will, but Thy will, 0 Lord, be done. 'The
                Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name
                of the Lord' (Job 1:21). With this submission hope is resur-
                rected, and the hand of faith lays hold upon the hand of infinite
                power."—Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 270.

                   "The circumstances here mentioned suggest the lapse of
                considerable time since the calamities had overtaken Job. . . .
                This passage of time helps to explain Job's change of attitude
                from the calm resignation of ch. 2:10 to the deep discourage-
                ment of ch. 3. The initial blows of tragedy appeared not to be as
                damaging to Job's morale as were the weeks of constant suffer-
                ing of body and distress of mind that followed."—S.D.A. Bible
                Commentary, vol. 3, p. 504.

                  How did the three friends relate to Job? Job 2:13.

                   At this point in the narrative the basic issue begins to emerge.
                The three friends of Job—and Job himself—had been nurtured
                in the philosophy that misfortune is an evidence of specific sin.
                One can understand the silence of the three men in the
                presence of Job. They would find it very difficult to accuse their
                friend of wrongdoing.
                   "What these men find when they see Job is worse than they
                expected. At the sight of this social pariah their esteem is turned
                to loathing; they are struck dumb. Casual comment is inappro-
                priate in the presence of monumental grief. Besides, they dare
                not bless whom God has cursed. And they believe that a situa-
                tion so obviously marked by the curse of God is dangerous even
                to innocent bystanders. . . .
                   " 'And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven
                nights, and no one spoke a word to him.' (2:13.) This lengthen-
                ing silence is ominous, but Job understands. He has grown up
                with his friends in the same traditions. He knows that the men
                dare not speak in his behalf because of their conviction that he
                is evil. So these friends who come to comfort Job become yet
                another affliction, possibly the greatest of them all."—Paul T.
                Gibbs, Job and the Mysteries of Wisdom, pp. 15, 16.

                  Job breaks into poetry as he calls a curse on the day he was
               born. The rest of the book of Job is in poetic form except for the
               conclusion, chapter 42.
                  "The poetry of Job is the unrhymed, unmetered parallelism of
               all Hebrew poetry—Psalms, Proverbs, parts of Isaiah, and
               elsewhere. It is a parallelism of sense, not of sound. Hebrew
               poetry scorns the tinkle of modern rhyme. It disdains the count-
               ing of syllables. Instead, it measures cadences in those natural
               stresses required by interpretation."—Paul T. Gibbs, Job and
               the Mysteries of Wisdom, p. 56.
                  In Hebrew poetry, the second line of the couplet either (1)
               repeats in different words, (2) explains, or (3) completes the
               thought of the first line of the couplet. It has been compared to a
                voice and its echo. For example see Job 3:9, TEV:
                  "Keep the morning star from shining;
                     give that night no hope of dawn."
                This is an example of repeating a thought in different words.
                The first line is the "voice." The second line is the "echo."

                 "It must not be concluded that Job's statements of ch. 3
               represent a laudable reaction to calamity. This poem contains
               much of complaint and bitterness that, under the cir-
               cumstances, may be forgiven but not approved. The fact that
               Job did complain of his lot makes him seem closer to humanity
               than if he had been unperturbed by his misfortunes. Job was
               spiritually great, not because he was never discouraged, but
               because he eventually found his way out of discouragement. If
               we wish to see a perfect example of fortitude under suffering,
               we must look at Jesus, not at Job. Job, in his suffering, cursed
               the day of his birth; Jesus said, 'For this cause came I unto this
               hour' (John 12:27)."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 508.

                                                                               23

                                      DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
                                      1. A Wrong Answer
                                         (Job 4:7-9)
                                      2. False Friends
                                         (Job 6:15-21)
                                      3. Job Challenges God
                                         (Job 7:19-21)-
                                      4. Ancient Tradition Defended
                                         (Job 8:11-13)
                                      5. God's Power and Job's Weakness
                                         (Job 9:19, 20)
                                      6. Repentance Urged
                                         (Job 11:13, 14)

                  With what appeal does Eliphaz close his speech? Job 5:27.

                   Eliphaz, along with the other friends of Job, was a
                philosopher. He had looked at life and had concluded that God
                invariably rewarded goodness with prosperity and sin with
                affliction. This was part of his "wisdom," his system of thought.
                From whence had this philosophy come?
                   "Satan, the author of sin and all its results, had led men to
                look upon disease and death as proceeding from God,—as
                punishment arbitrarily inflicted on account of sin. Hence one
                upon whom some great affliction or calamity had fallen had the
                additional burden of being regarded as a great sinner.
                  "Thus the way was prepared for the Jews to reject Jesus. He
                who 'hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows' was looked
                upon by the Jews as 'stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted;'
                and they hid their faces from Him. Isa. 53:4, 3.
                  "God had given a lesson designed to prevent this. The history
                of Job had shown that suffering is inflicted by Satan, and is
                overruled by God for purposes of mercy. But Israel did not
                understand the lesson. The same error for which God had re-
                proved the friends of Job was repeated by the Jews in their
                rejection of Christ."—The Desire of Ages, p. 471.

                  Eliphaz was steeped in a mistaken philosophy of suffering, as
                were his friends; but this did not mean that they were wicked.
                They loved Job enough to come to his side. They were genuinely
                concerned. And Eliphaz gave some very good counsel. (See Job
                5:8-11, 17, 18.)
                  There are people who have mistaken ideas about God, but
                who love God and their fellowmen. Christians must be able to
                distinguish between a wrong head and a wrong heart. Of
                course, the ideal is that both head and heart be right.

                    "Job compares his friends to a stream which is swollen and
                 turbulent in winter, when its waters are not so sorely needed,
                 but which dries up and disappears in the heat of summer. These
                 streams, known as wad is, are common in the Eastern countries.
                 The fullness, strength, and noise of these temporary streams in
                 winter are compared to the attitude of Job's friends toward him
                 in the days of his prosperity. The drying up of the waters at the
                 approach of summer is compared to the failure of these friends
                 in time of affliction."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 515.

                   By contrast, how did Jesus describe the one who believes in
                 Him? John 7:38.

                    Those who do not understand God's ways can give a kind of
                 consolation that fails to meet its objective. But the one who
                 believes in Christ and His truth will be a source of refreshing and
                 counsel and strength to those who associate with him. Only
                 God can give us a right perspective and enable us to see life as it
                 is.
                    Later in the chapter Job challenges his friends:
                    "All right, teach me; tell me my faults,
                      I will be quiet and listen to you.
                    Honest words are convincing,
                      but you are talking nonsense. . . .
                    Look me in the face. I won't lie. . . .
                      Don't condemn me. I'm in the right.
                     But you think I am lying—
                      you think I can't tell right from wrong" (Job 6:24-30, TEV).

                    The "dry brooks" disappoint when they are needed most. Just
                 as Job had a right to expect understanding and help from his
                 friends, so the world has a right to expect Christians to be
                 "rivers of living water." This means that the Christian will be
                 absolutely honest, scrupulously pure, genuinely kind, consis-
                 tently dependable. If any of these characteristics are lacking, we
                 are like dry rivers that disappoint the needy world.

                                                                                 27

                  What was Job's condition at this time? Job 7:4, 5, 13, 16.

                  Job's speech is a cry of despair. It illustrates certain perils that
               beset humanity:
                  "(1) The danger of too much emphasis on the vanity of life.
               Men should remember their great value in the sight of God. (2)
               The danger of unrestrained expression of emotion. When Job
               removed his inhibitions, he complained in bitterness, ques-
               tioned with irreverence, accused with rashness, and begged
               with impatience. (3) The tendency of the human heart, when
               blinded by grief or agitated by passion, to misconstrue God's
               dealings. (4) The certainty that good men may have much of the
               old unrenewed nature in them lying unsuspected until occasion
               calls it forth. One would hardly have anticipated Job's outburst
               of passion."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 519.
                  We can almost see the anguish of his face and hear the
               bitterness in his voice when he exclaims, "No! I can't be quiet! I
               am angry and bitter. I have to speak" (Job 7:11, TEV).
                  "Into the experience of all there come times of keen disap-
               pointment and utter discouragement—days when sorrow is the
               portion, and it is hard to believe that God is still the kind bene-
               factor of His earthborn children; days when troubles harass the
               soul, till death seems preferable to life. It is then that many lose
               their hold on God and are brought into the slavery of doubt, the
               bondage of unbelief. Could we at such times discern with
               spiritual insight the meaning of God's providences we should
               see angels seeking to save us from ourselves, striving to plant
               our feet upon a foundation more firm than the everlasting hills,
               and new faith, new life, would spring into being."—Prophets
               and Kings, p. 162.
                  Some may ask, "Did not Job do the very thing Satan said he
               would do? How can we interpret these petulant speeches?" Job
               was like a little child with tears streaming down his cheeks,
               shouting "Why?" to a parent whom he dearly loves but cannot
               understand. Job's wails are not cries of hostility but of pain.

                 Job could not have missed the unkind thrust in Bildad's
               speech. Earlier in the speech he said, "Your children must have
               sinned against God, and so he punished them as they deserved"
               (verse 4, TEV). Nothing could have hurt Job more than this.
               Bildad considered Job as suffering for his sins. He closed his
               speech observing that God does not abandon the faithful. Bil-
               dad was a good man with a mistaken notion. His better self
               yearned to comfort Job, but his tradition got in the way.

                 What was Jesus' teaching about the relationship between
               calamity and personal sinfulness? Luke 13:1-5.

                 "It is very natural for human beings to think that great
               calamities are a sure index of great crimes and enormous sins;
               but men often make a mistake in thus measuring character. We
               are not living in the time of retributive judgment. Good and evil
               are mingled, and calamities come upon all. Sometimes men do
               pass the boundary line beyond God's protecting care, and then
               Satan exercises his power upon them, and God does not inter-
               pose. Job was sorely afflicted, and his friends sought to make
               him acknowledge that his suffering was the result of sin, and
               cause him to feel under condemnation. They represented his
               case as that of a great sinner; but the Lord rebuked them for
               their judgment of His faithful servant."—Ellen G. White Com-
               ments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1140.

                  An acquaintance falls victim to cancer, heart trouble, or some
               other ailment. Do we immediately begin to conjecture as to how
               he might have avoided this illness had he lived differently? Do
               we assume that his misfortune may have been a judgment from
               God because of his careless manner of life? Just as Job's
               friends did not know why Job was allowed to suffer, we also do
               not know the reasons for sickness and misfortune. Our conjec-
               tures, like those of Job's friends, may merely increase the suffer-
               ing. Instead of concerning ourselves with the question "Why?"
               let us say, "How can I help?"

                  Out of this contrast between his own weakness and God's
                power comes a feeling of hopelessness and bewilderment. He
                seems to feel trapped with no way of escape. He says:
                  "For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him,
                    that we should come to trial together.
                  There is no umpire between us,
                    who might lay his hand upon us both" (Job 9:32, 33, RSV).
                  (The word "daysman" in the King James Version means "um-
                pire.")

                  In what way does Jesus fill the need that Job felt? Heb. 2:17,
                18; 1 Tim. 2:5.

                   "In his argument with God, Job feels that there is no one to
                whom he can look as an arbiter. On one of two conditions only,
                he thinks, could the contest be more even between himself and
                God: (1) If God, divesting Himself of all His divine attributes,
                became man, and (2) if some umpire, or arbiter, could be found
                to decide the contest. However, Job thought that neither condi-
                tion was possible. The gospel provides a fulfillment of both
                conditions, 'The I AM is the Daysman between God and human-
                ity, laying His hand upon both' (DA 25). Not that we need to
                conceive of Jesus as settling an argument between man and
                God, but He is the One who represents God to man, the One
                through whom man can understand and approach God. See
                Heb. 2:17, 18."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 525.

                  Job's peevishness (see chap. 10:14, 15) must have hurt the
                heart of God. Likewise, our complaints are sometimes unworthy
                of our profession as Christians. Ellen White once wrote to a
                family as follows:
                  "If there was a cloud in sight, you seemed to forget that the
                sun ever shone; and clouds and darkness were ever about you.
                God sent you affliction; He removed your treasure from you that
                you might discern between prosperity and real sorrow. But you
                did not subdue your hearts before Him and repent of the great
                sin of ingratitude which had separated you from His love. Like
                Job, you felt that you had cause for grief, and would not be
                comforted. Was this reasonable?"—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 313.

                 What did Zophar say would be the results if Job would
               repent? Job 11:15-20,

                  "Now Zophar speaks. His speech adds little that is new to the
               ideas expressed by his friends. He reveals a lack of sympathy,
               gentleness, and refinement perhaps surpassing that of either of
               the other speakers. Zophar's violent outburst is provoked by
               Job's denial of his guilt and his accusations against God.
               Zophar's speech may be divided into three parts: (1) the expres-
               sion of a desire for such a declaration from God as would
               convince Job of his guilt (vs. 2-6); (2) a description intended to
               warn Job of God's exalted knowledge, by virtue of which he
               charges against every man his sins (vs. 7-12); and (3) a stress on
               the necessity of repentance as the only condition of recovering
               his former prosperity (vs. 13-20)."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
                vol. 3, p. 528.
                  "There is wickedness in our world, but all the suffering is not
               the result of a perverted course of life. Job is brought distinctly
                before us as a man whom the Lord allowed Satan to afflict....
                His friends came to comfort him, but they tried to make him see
                that he was responsible, by his sinful course, for his afflictions.
                But he defended himself, and denied the charge, declaring,
                Miserable comforters are ye all. By seeking to make him guilty
                before God, and deserving of His punishment, they brought a
                grievous test upon him, and represented God in a false light; but
                Job did not swerve from his loyalty, and God rewarded His
                faithful servant."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible
               Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1140.

                 There are times when it is essential to call people to repen-
               tance. When necessary, this should be done fearlessly but in
               love. There are other times when comfort is what is needed.
                 "A consecrated Christian life is ever shedding light and com-
               fort and peace. It is characterized by purity, tact, simplicity, and
               usefulness. It is controlled by that unselfish love that sanctifies
               the influence. It is full of Christ, and leaves a track of light
               wherever its possessor may go."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p.
               667.

                                                                                 31

  MC2 52Ennufl III riEgin [LIS   "For I know that my Redeemer lives,        early discouragement or of his
and at last he will stand upon the       repeated accusations against God.
  earth;                                 The Lord evaluated Job during those   and after my skin has been thus            trying months of anguish, not on the
  destroyed,                             basis of his questions and complaints,
then from my flesh I shall see           but on the basis of what he would be
  God,                                   when he ultimately emerged from his   whom I shall see on my side,               dark night. God sees His people, not
and my eyes shall behold, and not        as they are, but as they will be. He is
  another" (Job 19:25-27, RSV).          like the parent who sees in the
                                         immature child the eventual mature    This lesson covers Job 12 through         man or woman—only God's 20. It seems proper to skip lightly over     foreknowledge is accurate and these chapters, because so much that         complete. is said by the three friends is repetition      The S.D.A. Bible Commentary of what th6y have already said in the        organizes the second dialogue, or first dialogue. Someone has compared         cycle, as follows (see vol. 3, p. 496): the speeches of Job's friends to a              1. Job's first speech: he maintains series of wheels rotating on the same              his integrity, 12:1 to 14:22. axle. There is little progress, only            2. Eliphaz's speech: he reproves restatement of the erroneous                       Job for impiety, 15:1-35. traditions of their time.                       3. Job's second speech:, he accuses    Job's speeches are different. "From             his friends of being unmerciful, the depths of discouragement and                   16:1 to 17:16. despondency Job rose to the heights             4. Bildad's speech: he insists that of implicit trust in the mercy and the             calamity overtakes the wicked, saving power of God."—Prophets and                 18:1-21. Kings, p. 163. This spiritual progress          5. Job's third speech: he expresses was slow and painful, but it can be                his belief in the resurrection,  seen in the successive speeches of                19:1-29.  Job. This lesson will pick up some of          6. Zophar's speech: he describes  these evidences of dawn in the dark               the present and future  night of Job's sorrow.                            punishment of the wicked,    It must be borne in mind that Job did           20:1-29.  not have the slightest inkling of the  reasons for his suffering. He knew          DAILY HIGHLIGHTS  nothing of the dialogue between the         1. The Sovereignty of God  Lord and Satan. He did not know that           (Job 12:12-14, 17-21)  he was a test case before the universe      2. The Problem of Death  as to whether anyone really served             (Job 14:10-13)  God out of pure loyalty and faith.          3. Trust in Tradition
It also must be remembered that Job         (Job 15:7-10)  must not be judged on the basis of his      4. Words Versus Warmth
                                            (Job 16:1-6)
                                         5. An Intercessor
                                            (Job 16:19; 19:25)
                                         6. A Cry of Anguish
                                            (Job 19:13-22)

                    Job 12 contrasts the tradition of men, which his friends value
                  so highly, with the wisdom and power of God. In the previous
                  chapter, Zophar has asked, "Canst thou by searching find out
                  God?" (Job 11:7). Job 12 is, in a sense, an answer to this
                  question. Job recognizes God as Monarch and Master of all.

                    How fully did Job come to trust God? Job 13:15.

                      There are variant translations of the text, but if the King James
                  translation is correct, this seems to be the "first rung in the
                  ladder by which Job emerged from the abyss of despair."—
                  S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 534.
                      Job's recognition of the power of God was commendable. He
                  had yet, however, to sense fully the love of God.
                      "It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is en-
                  shrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His
                  character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At
                  this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message
                  illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His charac-
                  ter is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be
                  shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and
                  truth."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 415.

                     "Many limit divine Providence and divorce mercy and love
                  from His character. They urge that the greatness and majesty of
                  God would forbid His interesting Himself in the concerns of the
                  weakest of His creatures."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 522.

 FURTHER STUDY      Job 12 and 13; S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, pp. 530-535. 34

       Part 2     Because of his great misery, what does Job consider will
THE PROBLEM     bring him relief?
    OF DEATH
                   "Man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the
                ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and
                the flood decayeth and drieth up: so man lieth down, and
                riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake,
                nor be raised out of their sleep. 0 that thou wouldest hide me
                in the grave" (Job 14:10-13).

                   On a number of occasions, Job refers to what seemed to him
                the certainty of impending death. For example: "The end of my
                life is near. I can hardly breathe; there is nothing left for me but
                the grave" (17:1, TEV). "My only hope is the world of the dead,
                where I will lie down to sleep in the dark" (17:13, TEV). His
                intense suffering made the prospect of death attractive. He
                explores the meaning of death as one would read a travel guide
                of a country he was planning to visit.

                  What hope did Job have if he should die? Job 14:13-15.

                   Critics have claimed that the Old Testament has no message
                of resurrection or eternal life. While it is true that the life beyond
                is not stressed in the Old Testament as in the New, it is also true
                that there are glimpses of eternity that shine through man's
                uncertainty regarding the future. Job 14 is one of those
                "knotholes" in the high fence that obscures our view of eternity.
                Job doesn't say much, but he says enough so we can know he
                understood.
                   "The doctrine of the resurrection is latent in the Old Testa-
                ment and clearly revealed in the New Testament teaching. Old
                Testament references include Ps 16.10, 49.15, Isa 26.19, Dan
                12.2, and Hos 13.14."—Harold Lindsell, ed., Harper Study Bible,
                 RSV (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1965),
                 p. 740 (footnote).

                  "By bearing the penalty of sin, by going down into the grave,
                Christ has brightened the tomb for all who die in faith. God in
                human form has brought life and immortality to light through
                the gospel. In dying, Christ secured eternal life for all who
                believe in Him. In dying, He condemned the originator of sin and
                disloyalty to suffer the penalty of sin—eternal death."—
                Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 230, 231.
                  Job lived long before the cross. He could only catch a glimpse
                of the hope beyond. What an experience it will be for him and all
                the other Old Testament saints when, in the life beyond, they see
                the reality of that for which they hoped!

                   "At this point we must discontinue speaking of Job's three
                'friends.' They have become his opponents instead. They are
                not enemies, however, for they purpose still to help their former
                friend. But Job faces the three across a thorny controversy.
                   "Informed about the Palestinian east wind and the ancients'
                impression of it, we are better prepared to evaluate the taunt of
                Eliphaz against Job. He says, 'Should a wise man ... fill himself
                with the east wind?' (15:2). This sarcastic thrust indicates more
                than noise and emptiness. It implies the presence of heat, of hot
                air made abrasive by the presence of dust and sand. Eliphaz
                accuses Job of designing his argument to excuse his sin.... He
                believes it is because Job 'has stretched forth his hand against
                God' and has bid 'defiance to the Almighty' (15:25), that he will
                writhe 'in pain all his days' (15:20). Job has a conviction of
                innocence; his friends maintain a suspicion of guilt."—Paul T.
                Gibbs, Job and the Mysteries of Wisdom, p. 98.

                How does Job react to his friends' "comfort"? Job 16:2, 3.

                    "Job's professed friends were miserable comforters, making
                his case more bitter and unbearable, and Job was not guilty as
                they supposed.... The intense agony of the soul that has been
                overcome by Satan and is feeling worsted and helpless—how
                little is it comprehended by those who should meet the erring
                one with tender compassion!"—Testimonies to Ministers, p.
                350.

                  The friends of Job were ded icated to the defense of a position.
                Job was intent on defending his integrity. The result was harsh-
                ness, vindictiveness, sarcasm on both sides. Later, when God
                appeared, He didn't attempt to settle the argument—He merely
                revealed Himself, and the argument lost its significance. Some-
                times our religious life descends to the level of argument—
                defending positions, doctrines, and personal ego. This kind of a
                religious experience does not prepare people for the kingdom.

      Part 4     What does Job say his friends have given him in contrast to   WORDS VERSUS      what he needs?
   WARMTH
                  "I have heard words like that before;
                     the comfort you give is only torment.
                  Are you going to keep on talking forever?
                     Do you always have to have the last word?
                  If you were in my place and I in yours,
                     I could say everything you are saying.
                  I could shake my head wisely
                     and drown you with a flood of words.
                  I could strengthen you with advice
                     and keep talking to comfort you.
                  But nothing I say helps,
                     and being silent does not calm my pain" (Job 16:1-6, TEV).

                  Job has listened for weeks to a torrent of words, but the real
                needs of his body and soul have not been met. He is still in pain.
                We, likewise, live under a barrage of words. Modern communi-
                cation media carry the spoken word to the ends of the earth.
                Words batter our eardrums every waking hour.

                  What kind of words are effective for men's salvation? John
                17:17; Eph. 4:15.

                   There is one ingredient that is missing in most of the words we
                hear—love. This missing factor is pointed out in a letter written
                by Ellen White and published in Testimonies, volume 2, pages
                436 through 439:
                   "In your family you have met with opposition and a manifest
                disrelish of the truth, but you have failed to meet these trials in
                the best manner. You have talked too much and been too posi-
                tive. You have mingled too little love and tenderness with your
                efforts for your family, especially for your husband.... Wherever
                you can yield your judgment and not sacrifice the principles of
                truth, it is best for you to do so, even if you think you are right....
                You need love, tender pity, and affection."—Pages 436, 437.

                  "You must seek for peace. You can do this and not sacrifice
                one principle of truth. You have stormed and fought your way
                through, and now you need to soften your influence, to
                sweeten, to soothe, instead of stirring up opposition."—
                Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 438.

                                                                                     37

                   These statements mark one of the most significant rungs in
                the ladder from hopelessness to hope.
                   "This [verse 25] is one of the most frequently quoted texts in
                the book. It represents a significant advance in Job's progress
                from despair to confidence and hope. 'From the depths of
                discouragement and despondency Job rose to the heights of
                implicit trust in the mercy and the saving power of God' (PK
                163). The Hebrew word translated 'redeemer,'go'el, is rendered
                'avenger,' or 'revenger' (Num. 35:12, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27), and
                kinsman or near kinsmen (Ruth 2:20; 3:9, 12; 4:1, 3, 6, 8, 14 ... ).
                God is frequently called go'el in the sense that He vindicates the
                rights of men and ransoms those who have come under the
                dominion of another (Isa. 41:14; 43:14; 44:24; 47:4; etc.).
                   "Job has already expressed his desire to have an 'umpire'
                between him and God (ch. 9:32-35). In ch. 16:19 he has declared
                his conviction that his 'witness is in heaven.' In v. 21 of the same
                chapter he longs to have an advocate to plead his cause with
                God. In ch. 17:3 he calls upon God to be surety for him. Having
                recognized God as 'umpire,' witness, advocate, surety, it is
                perfectly logical that he should arrive at the recognition of God
                as his redeemer. This text represents one of the OT revelations
                of God as man's redeemer, a profound truth that was fully
                revealed to men in the person and mission of Jesus Christ."—
                S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 549.

                  When did Job expect to see his Redeemer? Job 19:25-27.

                  Job made a giant step upward when he came to realize that
                there was Someone in heaven who was looking out for him, and
                whom he could look forward to seeing at the last day. He didn't
                know the full meaning of the gospel, but he caught a glimpse of
                One who would see him through death.

                  "The cross lifts you up from the lowlands of earth, and brings
                you into sweetest communion with God. Through bearing the
                cross your experience may be such that you can say, ' "I know
                that my Redeemer liveth," and because He lives, I shall live also.'
                What an assurance is this!"—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A.
                Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1095.

       Part 6     The last part of the second dialogue includes (1) Bildad's
    A CRY OF    second speech (ch. 18) in which he describes the misery and
    ANGUISH     ruin of the wicked; (2) Job's second reply to Bildad (ch. 19) in
                which he describes anew his suffering, pleads for pity, and
                declares his confidence in a Redeemer; and (3) Zophar's sec-
                ond discourse (ch. 20) in which he recounts the miseries and
                ruin which await the wicked. Notice Job's problems.

                  What persons forsook Job?

                  "God has made my brothers forsake me;
                    I am a stranger to those who knew me;
                   my relatives and friends are gone.
                  Those who were guests in my house have forgotten me;
                    my servant girls treat me like a stranger and a foreigner.
                  When I call a servant, he doesn't answer—
                    even when I beg him to help me.
                  My wife can't stand the smell of my breath,
                    and my own brothers won't come near me.
                  Children despise me and laugh when they see me.
                  My closest friends look at me with disgust;
                    those I loved most have turned against me.
                  My skin hangs loose on my bones;
                    I have barely escaped with my life" (Job 19:13-20, TEV).

                  What does Job want from his friends?

                  "You are my friends! Take pity on me!
                   The hand of God has struck me down.
                  Why must you persecute me the way God does?
                   Haven't you tormented me enough?" (Job 19:21,22, TEV).

                  This poignant appeal for pity was entirely ignored by the next
                speaker, Zophar (ch. 20). In fact, none of Job's friends have a
                word of compassion for the sufferer. Why? Pity had been slain
                by false theology. Pity, more often spoken of as compassion, is
                one of the chief attributes of God and of His true followers.
                  "God wants us to love one another as brethren. He wants us to
                be pitiful and courteous."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 193.

                   "Although the customs of the world are no criterion for us, yet
                 I have been shown that the pitying sympathy and the benevo-
                 lence of the world for the unfortunate in many cases shame the
                 professed followers of Christ."—Testmonies, vol. 3, p. 524.

                                                                               39

      ihe2 Thrird 1115milam                                          [1112   "The wicked tell God to leave them         reconstruction of these chapters.
  alone;                                 Some begin in third cycle with chapter
they don't want to know his will         22. Some assume that Job 24:18-25
  for their lives.                       should be attributed to Zophar;   They think there is no need to serve       chapter 26:5-14 to Bildad; and chapter
  God                                    27:13-23 to Zophar. Some of these
nor any advantage in praying to          questions cannot be answered with
  him.                                   complete certainty, but the message   They claim they succeed by their           of the book is not seriously affected by
  own strength,                          these technical considerations. This
but their way of thinking I can't        lesson follows the outline in the
  accept" (Job 21:14-16, TEV).           S.D.A. Bible Commentary.
                                            The text that has been chosen to
The third dialogue or cycle, as          introduce this lesson (Job 21:14-16) ,understood by the author of these           paints an accurate picture of  lessons, includes Job 21 through 31.        humanism in every age. The secularist  These chapters cover the following          may acknowledge the possibility that  items:                                      God exists, but he wants to live as if
"1. Job's first speech: he maintains     there were no God. He is like the little
     that the wicked sometimes           girl who prayed, "God, I wish You
     prosper, 21:1-34.                   would quit following me around." He
 2. Eliphaz's speech: he urges Job       does not seek to be guided by God. He
     to repent, 22:1-30.                 sees nothing in prayer. He feels all
 3. Job's second speech: he              sufficient. Job identified himself with
     expresses his longing for an        the faithful of all ages when he said,
     opportunity to appear before        "Their way of thinking I can't accept"
   , God, 23:1 to 24:25.                 (verse 16, TEV).
 4. Bildad's speech: he asserts that        This passage also verified Job's basic
     man cannot be justified before      reliance upon God. In his
      God, 25:1-6.                       discouragement, he may have
 5. Job's third and longest speech:      complained and questioned, but his
     he reviews his experience and       basic loyalty was unimpaired. It is
      maintains his innocence, 26:1 to   important to distinguish in any life
     31:40."—S.D.A. Bible                between the varying moods created by
     Commentary, vol. 3, pp. 496,        changing circumstances and the
     497.                                 underlying commitments that are
The present lesson touches certain       unaffected by the fortunes of life.   high points in chapters 21 through 27.   (Lesson 6 deals with chapter 28.           DAILY HIGHLIGHTS   Lesson 1 has summarized chapters 29        1. "Please Listen!"   through 31.)                                  (Job 21:1-3)
It should be pointed out that            2. Why Do Wicked Prosper?   expositors differ on their                    (Job 21:7-13)
                                         3. Wasted Advice
                                            (Job 22:21-26)
                                         4. Reawakening of Confidence
                                            (Job 23:10)
                                         5. What Is Man Worth?
                                            (Job 25:6)
                                         6. A Clear Conscience
                                            (Job 27:1-6)

                    Another translation of this text is:
                    "Listen to me, do but listen,
                    and let that be the comfort you offer me.
                    Bear with me while I have my say;
                    when I have finished, you may mock" (NEB).
                    This is the cry of millions of distraught souls—"Please listen!"
                 they beg. Most of us are adept at talking. We have answers, solu-
                 tions, and suggestions aplenty. But we have never learned the
                 art of listening. Now as in Job's time distressed people crave the
                 sympathizing attention of a friend. Words are not the only an-
                 swer—understanding sympathy is sometimes better expressed
                 by the listening ear than the wagging tongue.
                    "Many long intensely for friendly sympathy. God has given
                each of us an identity of our own, which cannot be merged in
                that of another; but our individual characteristics will be much
                 less prominent if we are indeed Christ's and His will is ours. Our
                lives should be consecrated to the good and happiness of
                 others, as was our Saviour's. We should be self-forgetful, ever
                 looking out for opportunities, even in little things, to show
                gratitude for the favors we have received of others, and watch-
                ing for opportunities to cheer others and lighten and relieve
                their sorrows and burdens by acts of tender kindness and little
                deeds of love. These thoughtful courtesies, that, commencing
                in our families, extend outside the family circle, help make up
                the sum of life's happiness; and the neglect of these little things
                makes up the sum of life's bitterness and sorrow."—
                Testimonies, vol. 3, pp. 539, 540.
                    "If you work for souls with humble, trustful dependence upon
                God, if the radiance of His Spirit is reflected from you in a
                Christlike character, if sympathy, kindness, forbearance, and
                love are abiding principles in your life, you will be a blessing to
                all around you. You will not criticize others or manifest a harsh,
                denunciatory spirit toward them; you will not feel that their
                ideas must be made to meet your standard; but the love of Jesus
                and the peaceable fruits of righteousness will be revealed in
                you."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 650.

                    Job's observations regarding the prosperity of the wicked are
                  out of harmony with the philosophy of his friends. They have
                  pictured prosperity as the mark of acceptance with God. Job's
                  experience has convinced him that the wicked often enjoy tem-
                  poral prosperity.

                    What problem does the psalmist observe as he looks at the
                  wicked? Ps. 73:2-12, 16.

                    The psalmist recognized God's gifts to His people, but he also
                  recognized the obvious truth that prosperity wasn't limited to
                  the good. He resolved the problem only after he had entered the
                  temple and realized the final end of the wicked. (See Ps. 73:17-
                  20, 27.)
                    The psalmist sees not only the apparent prosperity of the
                  wicked, but he also sees their inner unhappiness and their
                  ultimate fate.

                     The reaction of the servant of God to adversity and prosperity
                  is described in Habakkuk. In the opening of his book this prophet
                  had expressed his concern over the fact that the wicked did not
                  seem to be restrained in their wickedness and the righteous
                  were suffering. He complained to God, and God told him that
                  "the just shall live by his faith" (Hab. 2:4). Finally Habakkuk
                  understood the solution to his concern:
                     "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be
                  in the vines; the labour 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 !will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy
                  in the God of my salvation" (Hab. 3:17, 18).

                                                                                        43

                    "This verse [Job 22:21] begins Eliphaz' appeal to Job to mend
                  his ways. Eliphaz takes it for granted that Job is a sinner, wholly
                  unreconciled to God and unacquainted with Him. The appeal is
                  beautiful but incorrectly applied."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
                  vol. 3, p. 559.
                    How much advice is misdirected! Like Eliphaz, we think we
                  understand another's problem, when actually we do not know
                  the motives and the backgrounds that cause his behavior.

                    With what spirit should the Christian approach another as
                  he counsels? Gal. 6:1.

                     Ellen White wrote the following counsel to an individual:
                     "There are many who need our sympathy and advice, but not
                  that advice which implies superiority in the giver and inferiority
                  in the receiver. K needs the softening, melting love of God in her
                  heart. The looks and tones of the voice should be modulated by
                  thoughtful consideration and tender, respectful love. Every
                  look and every tone of voice that implies, 'I am superior,' chills
                  the atmosphere of her presence and is more like an icicle than a
                  ray of light that gives warmth.... Assertions and advice which
                  savor of a dictatorial spirit are not good fruit. You need the
                  softening, melting love of Christ in your heart, which will be
                  reflected in all your acts toward your family and to all who are
                  brought under your influence."—Testimonies, vol. 3, pp. 534,
                  535.

                      Samuel T. Coleridge has said, "Advice is like snow; the softer
                  it falls, the longer it dwells upon and the deeper it sinks into the
                  mind."—Quoted by Jacob M. Braude, Speaker's Encyclopedia
                  of Stories, Quotations, and Anecdotes (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.:
                  Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1955), p. 19.
                      To advise a good person not to be bad may be discouraging
                  and destructive. Often the best counsel we can give is to put
                  people in touch with God, the everlasting Counselor.

 FURTHER STUDY      Job 22; S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, pp. 556-559. 44

                   "This is one of the key verses of the book. Although Job could
                not seem to find God, he believed that God was aware of his
                ways and purposeful in His dealings with him. Job was begin-
                ning to understand that he was being tried. He still did not know
                of Satan's challenge regarding him. One of the rungs of the
                ladder by which Job climbed from despair to faith was the
                recognition on his part that he was not being punished or
                unjustly treated, but rather was being tested that he might
                emerge as pure gold from a furnace."—S.D.A. Bible Commen-
                tary, vol. 3, p. 561.
                   "Job is now confident that when God has tried him he will
                come forth as gold.... The suffering man holds to the idea that
                his trouble comes from God. All along he has not perceived
                Satan's share in it. Therefore his faith is the more remarkable.
                He is right to some extent, because his trouble is only what God
                permits. God may not be the direct agent of a person's affliction.
                This may come from the cruelty of men or from other unde-
                tected causes. Yet it is all within the restraint of God. . . . Job
                perceives that he is being tried by God. This is the first time that
                he has given evidence of holding such an idea. Hitherto he has
                been simply dismayed and distressed at the problem of suffer-
                ing. He has had no theory to oppose to his friends' orthodox
                notion that it is the merited punishment of sin. That that notion
                was wrong, experience and observation have made him see
                quite clearly. But hitherto he has not been able to supply an
                alternative idea. Now there dawns on him a perception of the
                disciplinary purpose of suffering.... God tries his servant, not to
                 punish him, but because he values him.... The end aimed at will
                 be attained. The assurance of this lies in the previous thought of
                 God's knowledge. He does not need to assay the soul in order to
                discover for himself whether it is of true gold. He knows the
                 worth of his servants. He adapts their discipline to their re-
                 quirements. It seems disproportionate, but it is suitable; for God
                 knows the way of his people; therefore he will bring them forth
                as gold."—The Pulpit Commentary, Job (New York: Funk and
                 Wagnalls Company), pp. 404, 405.

                  What does Peter say is the purpose of trial in the Christian's
                experience? 1 Peter 1:6, 7.

                                                                                 45

                     This is the final statement in Bildad's brief speech as trans-
                  lated in the TEV. Bildad infers that man is worth very little. The
                  context of his question is the greatness of God. Job is one of the
                  major biblical books in proclaiming the insignificance of man.
                  (See Job 4:18, 19; 15:14; 22:2.)

                    What are some of the aspects of man that seem to make him
                  of little value to God? Ps. 144:3, 4; Rom. 3:10-12.

                    It seems unreasonable that the great God of the universe
                  should pay much attention to a creature whose span of life is
                  comparatively brief, or who has decided to pursue his sinful
                  ways and ignore God. But the fact is that God in His infinite love
                  and mercy does not ignore anyone, not even the simplest of His
                  creatures. Sparrows may be cheap in the marketplace, but God
                  notices their fall. (See Matt. 10:29.) Man was created in the
                  image of God and therefore has intrinsic value that must not be
                  underestimated.
                    There are texts that acclaim man's worth: "Thou hast made
                  him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with
                  glory and honour" (Ps. 8:5).

                    "As John beholds the height, the depth, and the breadth of
                  the Father's love toward our perishing race, he is filled with
                  admiration and reverence. He cannot find suitable language to
                  express this love, but he calls upon the world to behold it:
                  'Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon
                  us, that we should be called the sons of God.' What a value this
                  places upon man! Through transgression the sons of men be-
                  came subjects of Satan. Through the infinite sacrifice of Christ,
                  and faith in His name, the sons of Adam become the sons of
                  God. By assuming human nature, Christ elevates humanity.
                  Fallen men are granted another trial and are placed where,
                  through connection with Christ, they may educate, improve,
                  and elevate themselves, that they may indeed become worthy of
                  the name 'sons of God.' "—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 563.
                    Man's worth is determined by his relationship to God. Without
                  God, he is of little value. With God he is of infinite worth.

 FURTHER STUDY      Job 24 and 25; S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, pp. 561-565.

                 "This is the only place where Job resorts to an oath. Under the
              solemn circumstance of the occasion, in making his last appeal
              to his friends, Job thinks it appropriate to preface his remarks
              with an appeal to God as his witness."—S.D.A. Bible Commen-
              tary, vol. 3, p. 568.

                How shall a Christian have a clean conscience? Heb. 9:14.

                 "In this age of the world, when vice and fashion control men
              and women, Christians should possess virtuous characters and
              a large share of good common sense. If this were the case,
              countenances which are now clouded, bearing the marks of
              disease and depravity, would be hopeful and cheerful, lighted
              up by true goodness and a clear conscience."—Testimonies,
              vol. 2, p. 535.
                 "Such is Job's confidence in his own sincerity that he feels
              free to appeal to the God who, it has appeared, has been treat-
              ing him as if he were guilty. . .
                 "Job's friends have tried to extort a confession of guilt from
              him. Job not only stands firm in the consciousness of his great
              integrity, but makes a definite commitment as to his future
              loyalty. Regardless of pressure and tradition, Job is determined
              to be honest. . . .
                 "Some men under duress will admit wrongdoing of which
              they are not guilty. This Job refused steadfastly to do."—S.D.A.
              Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 568.
                 "Conscience is the voice of God, heard amid the conflict of
              human passions."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 120.
                 Conscience must be educated. People with misdirected con-
              sciences have been responsible for some of the greatest crimes
              of history. But a conscience directed by the Spirit of God can
              sort out the evil from the good, can direct the decision-making
              process, can bring a sense of security and meaning.

                                                                             47

                                       DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
                                       1. The Source of Wisdom
                                          (Job 12:13)
                                       2. The Fear of the Lord
                                          (Job 28:28; Prov. 9:10)
                                       3. Departing From Evil
                                          (Job 28:28; Prov. 3:7)
                                       4. Results of Wisdom
                                          (Prov. 2:3-5)
                                       5. The Poor Wise Man
                                          (Eccl. 9:14-16)
                                       6. The Ultimate Reward
                                          (Dan. 12:1-3)

                   Read Proverbs 8:1-3, 22-31, in a modern language translation.
                   In the above verse Job acknowledges that God has wisdom,
                that is, He knows the right thing to do at the right time in the
                right way and in the right place. But Job still has a problem with
                the goodness of God. How can God be good and apparently
                arbitrary? (See verses 14-22.)
                   There is no question that God can perform what He is about to
                do, but can we always understand what He does and why He
                does it? There is the rub! We cannot always understand why God
                seems to overturn what men have thought to be wise and proper.
                There is no power that can overthrow God or resist His action.
                Hence God has His way in matters He undertakes. But why are
                things so contrary to what we would consider right?
                   Job is searching for understanding, and although he may
                have many questions in his mind, at least he knows where he
                can find the right answers.

                  How can the Christian become wise and have understand-
                ing? James 1:5.

                   It is no fault to raise questions and wonder about our situa-
                tion. The danger is that we go to the wrong sources of informa-
                tion (e.g., to the so-called scholar who has no faith in God) or
                resort to divining and witchcraft.
                   The wise man personifies wisdom and declares that wisdom
                is seeking to be known and heard. (See Prov. 8:1-3.) Wisdom
                has always existed as an attribute of God (verses 22-31). Further-
                more, wisdom is always available to the one who asks God for it,
                and therefore there is really no excuse for being constantly in
                the dark about God's plans and actions.

                   "In answer to earnest prayer He will give wisdom to those who
                 strive to do their duty conscientiously and intelligently."—
                Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 61.
                   "It is not the strength of human instruments, but the power
                and wisdom of Him who employs them and works with them that
                makes men successful in doing the work that is necessary to be
                done."—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 57.
                   "To all who are engaged in His service, the Lord gives
                wisdom."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commen-
                tary, vol. 3, p. 1129.

                   What is meant by "the fear of the Lord"? "A number of
                occurrences [in the Bible] of the word 'fear' involve the reveren-
                tial awe that man should feel for the majesty, power, and posi-
                tion of his divine Maker. In this sense the term would include any
                of the varying degrees of emotional response comprehended in
                our words 'reverence,' respect,"awe; and 'fear'; and it may
                occasionally signify even the more extreme reaction of awe
                mingled with terror that a mortal man would naturally feel when
                in the immediate presence of God (Heb 12:21; Jgs 6:22, 23) or of
                angels (Lk 1:12, 13). This type of fear is, of course, not to be
                included in the harmful emotion that is disparaged in 1 Jn 4:18,
                but is rather commended in the Scriptures (Rev.14:7; Job 28:28;
                Ps 2:11; 111:10; etc.)."—S.D.A. Bible Dictionary, art. "Fear."
                   This "fear of the Lord" that is so highly commended, that is
                called "wisdom" and "the beginning of wisdom" is basically
                reverence for God. It is the kind of reverence that causes us to
                have a deep respect for Him, His Word, His house, His day. This
                reverence is so important that "when men cast off the fear of
                God they are not long in departing from honor and
                integrity."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 557.

                  What special significance does "the fear of the Lord" have
                in the last days? Rev. 14:7.

                  "By the first angel, men are called upon to 'fear God, and give
                glory to Him' and to worship Him as the Creator of the heavens
                and the earth. In order to do this, they must obey His law. . . .
                Without obedience to His commandments no worship can be
                pleasing to God. . . .
                  "The duty to worship God is based upon the fact that He is the
                Creator and that to Him all other beings owe their existence.
                And wherever, in the Bible, His claim to reverence and worship,
                above the gods of the heathen, is presented, there is cited the
                evidence of His creative power."—The Great Controversy, pp.
                436, 437.

                  "Unless correct ideas of true worship and true reverence are
                impressed upon the people, there will be a growing tendency to
                place the sacred and eternal on a level with common things, and
                those professing the truth will be an offense to God and a
                disgrace to religion."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 500.

                     The poor man in Ecclesiastes 9:14-16 did not deliver the city
                   for recognition. He acted as he did because he was wise.
                   Likewise, the humble but wise Christian can exert an influence
                   far out of proportion to his wealth and social position. Wisdom,
                   motivated by compassion, can be a powerful force for good.

 FURTHER STUDY      S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1096.

      Part 6      What is the reward promised to those who are wise?    THE ULTIMATE
    REWARD        "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the
               firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the
               stars for ever and ever" (Dan. 12:3).

                   Another meaning of the expression translated "they that be
                wise" is those "who impart wisdom" (NIV, footnote). Thus the
                wise are not only the ones who have acquired wisdom, but they
                have passed their wisdom on to others. Wisdom is not a charac-
                teristic that one keeps to oneself; it has to be shared, and in the
                sharing many are helped.
                   The context of this passage points us forward to the Chris-
                tian's hope—the second coming of our Lord. That will be the
                time when God's faithful, living and dead, will receive their
                inheritance.
                   "What is done through the co-operation of men with God is a
                work that shall never perish, but endure through the eternal
                ages. He that makes God his wisdom, that grows up into the full
                stature of a man in Christ Jesus, will stand before kings, before
                the so-called great men of the world, and show forth the praises
                of Him who hath called him out of darkness into His marvelous
                light. Science and literature cannot bring into the darkened
                mind of men the light which the glorious gospel of the Son of
                God can bring. The Son of God alone can do the great work of
                illuminating the soul."—Fundamentals of Christian Education,
                pp. 199, 200.

                  What was God's response to Solomon when he asked for
                wisdom and understanding? 1 Kings 3:11-14.

                  Wisdom brings other blessings in its train. Therefore one
                should seek wisdom first, just as one could seek first the king-
                dom of God and His righteousness. (See Matt. 6:33.)
                  In Job's day mining operations represented the greatest ac-
                complishment of man's inventive genius. Yet this was not true
                wisdom. In our day we have seen a tremendous explosion of
                knowledge, especially in scientific areas. This, likewise, is not
                the highest expression of wisdom.

                  It took great genius to unlock the mysteries of the atom. Does
                man have the wisdom to use that knowledge constructively?
                  In the final judgment, will that which we consider "wisdom"
                stand up under the scrutiny of God? Fortunately, the wisdom
                that God will reward is within the reach of all.

                                                                                55

                                 DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
                                 1. The Voice of Youth
                                    (Job 32:6-10)
                                 2. The Confidence of Youth
                                    (job 32:18-20)
                                 3. When Youth Is Right
                                    (Job 36:15)
                                 4. Suffering as Discipline
                                    (1 Peter 5:10)
                                 5. Paul's Suffering
                                    (2 Cor. 4:8-10)
                                 6. Obedience Through Suffering
                                     (Heb. 5:8, 9)

                  Elihu's idea was correct. God does teach through suffering.
                He was wrong; however, in applying this principle to Job, be-
                cause he didn't understand the circumstances behind Job's
                misfortunes. This situation illustrates the importance of Jesus'
                counsel, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." We, like Elihu, may
                have a Correct understanding of principles; but we may err in
                applying these principles to the lives of others because we lack
                insight into backgrounds and motives.

                  What characteristic of Jesus as the Messiah can give us all
                courage? Isa. 11:3, 4.

                  It is only too easy to judge another by what we see on the
                outside or by what we hear from others. Such judgment is
                always suspect. We are assured that we ourselves will not be
                judged this way at the judgment bar of God.

                  What example from the Old Testament shows that suffering
                may be the lot of the righteous, but through it all there are
                lessons to learn? Gen. 37:18-36.

                  Joseph did not deserve what he got, but the experience did
                him good rather than harm.
                  "In the providence of God, even this experience was to be a
                blessing to him. He had learned in a few hours that which years
                might not otherwise have taught him... .
                  "Then his thoughts turned to his father's God. . . . Joseph
                believed that the God of his fathers would be his God. He then
                and there gave himself fully to the Lord, and he prayed that the
                Keeper of Israel would be with him in the land of his exile.
                  "His soul thrilled with the high resolve to prove himself true to
                God—under all circumstances to act as became a subject of the
                King of heaven. He would serve the Lord with undivided heart;
                he would meet the trials of his lot with fortitude and perform
                every duty with fidelity. One day's experience had been the
                turning point in Joseph's life. Its terrible calamity had trans-
                formed him from a petted child to a man, thoughtful, coura-
                geous, and self-possessed."—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp.
                213, 214.

                  What else does Peter say about suffering as a discipline?
                1 Peter 4:1, 2, 12, 13.

                  Peter had himself experienced the discipline of suffering.
                  "There had been a time in Peter's experience when he was
                unwilling to see the cross in the work of Christ. When the
                Saviour made known to the disciples His impending sufferings
                and death, Peter exclaimed, 'Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall
                not be unto Thee.' Matthew 16:22. Self-pity, which shrank from
                fellowship with Christ in suffering, prompted Peter's remon-
                strance. It was to the disciple a bitter lesson, and one which he
                learned but slowly, that the path of Christ on earth lay through
                agony and humiliation. But in the heat of the furnace fire he was
                to learn its lesson."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 525.

                  What figure of speech is used of the Lord in His purification
                of the Levites? Mal. 3:3, 4.

                   "This is the process, the refining, purifying process, which is
                to be carried on by the Lord of hosts. The work is most trying to
                the soul, but it is only through this process that the rubbish and
                defiling impurities can be removed. Our trials are all necessary
                to bring us close to our heavenly Father, in obedience to His will,
                that we may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness."—
                Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 541.

                  When Peter became a disciple of Christ, he fell far short of
                Christ's standard of discipleship. He was rough, impetuous, and
                self-confident. He learned much from observing and listening to
                his Lord. But some lessons he could only learn through suffer-
                ing. In like manner our characters are refined through pain.
                  "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our con-
                science, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a
                deaf world."—C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: The
                Macmillan Company, 1948), p. 81.

                                                                                 61

                     This is the testimony of a Christian disciplined by much suffer-
                  ing. He had learned how to relate to all kinds of affliction "that
                  the life also of Jesus might be made manifest" (verse 10). Phil-
                  lips translates it this way: "Every day we experience something
                  of the death of Jesus, so that we may also show the power of the
                  life of Jesus in these bodies of ours."

                    How did Christ teach Paul the disciplinary value of suffer-
                  ing? 2 Cor. 12:7-10.

                     "Through trials and persecution, the glory—character—of
                  God is revealed in His chosen ones. The church of God, hated
                  and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in
                  the school of Christ."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
                  p. 31.

                    What was the secret of Paul's ability to live above his cir-
                  cumstances? Phil. 4:11-13.

                     "While the Lord has not promised His people exemption from
                  trials, He has promised that which is far better. He has said, 'As
                  thy days, so shall thy strength be.' My grace is sufficient for
                  thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'
                  Deuteronomy 33:25; 2 Corinthians 12:9. If you are called to go
                  through the fiery furnace for His sake, Jesus will be by your side
                  even as He was with the faithful three in Babylon."—Thoughts
                  From the Mount of Blessing, p. 30.

                     "If we were delivered miraculously from all sickness, how
                  could we sympathize with the sufferer? Only when we have felt
                  the scourge of pain can we fully understand what another per-
                  son is experiencing. The person who has looked death in the
                  face may learn something about life that he can learn in no other
                  way. The person who has had to give up cherished ambitions
                  because of physical limitations is much less likely to be critical
                  of the other man who is meeting a similar problem."—Norval
                  Pease, Heal the Sick (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub-
                  lishing Association, 1972), pp. 57, 58.

 FURTHER STUDY      The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 296, 297.

                 "Sometimes the question is raised how it could be said that
               Christ, who is perfect and at every moment has been perfect,
               needed to learn obedience. Two observations may help to an-
               swer this query: (1) As far as His earthly life is concerned Christ
               developed like other human beings. He 'increased in wisdom
               and stature, and in favour with God and man.' ... He learned by
               observation and experience as do others. (2) Though as God
               prior to the incarnation Christ was omniscient, yet He did not
               know by experience the problems confronting men as they seek
               to render obedience to God. By becoming man and by facing
               the temptations of life as a man, Christ gained this knowledge.
               He thus met one of the essential qualifications for the high
               priesthood, namely that the appointee belong to the human
               family."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 430.
                 In this truth lies one of the great mysteries of the gospel. Jesus
               Himself accepted suffering and death, the common lot of man-
               kind. Only by humbling Himself in this way could He be truly
               human. Only thus could He identify Himself with humanity. In
               view of this, should we expect to be excused from suffering?

                What did Jesus teach about the discipline of suffering?
               Matt. 16:24, 25.

                 This statement of Jesus emphasizes a great truth: Those who
               accept the discipline of self-denial, of suffering, of risk for Christ
               will "find" their lives. Multitudes are looking for meaning in life.
               Here is the answer.

                 "They [His chosen ones] walk the narrow paths on earth; they
               are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ
               through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and experience
               bitter disappointments; but their painful experience teaches
               them the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhor-
               rence. Being partakers of Christ's sufferings, they are destined
               to be partakers of His glory."—Thoughts From the Mount of
               Blessing, p. 31.

                                                                                  63

    Ge an
   it                Emil   "Acquaint now thyself with him, and      "This section [Job 38:1 to 42:6] be at peace" (Job 22:21).               reaches dazzling heights of poetic   "Behold, God is great, and we know    splendour. Job's passionate cry that he him not" (Job 36:26).                   might confront God is now granted.
                                    He had asked to know the reason for
                                    his suffering and sought to discover
                                    God's charges against him. Above all,
                                    he sought to have God vindicate his
                                    innocence and his spiritual integrity.
                                    This, as xl11.7f [ch. 42] shows, Job
                                    achieves. The friends are rebuked and
                                    Job's rectitude acknowledged. Before
                                    Job and his companions, God unfolds
                                    the vast panorama of creation. . . .
                                       "Moreprofoundly than ever, Job is
                                    nowfilledwith an overpowering sense
                                    of the immensity of the Divine
                                    grandeur and mystery. He is humbled
                                    into more vivid awareness of how
                                    futile it is for man to think he can ever
                                    penetrate the insuperable mysteries of
                                    God's moral government of the
                                    universe. His tormenting questions
                                    have not been answered. But he has
                                    found peace. Out of sorrow and
                                    suffering he has come to know God,
                                    not only in His blazing majesty but int"
                                    His boundless love. Job's pride has
                                    vanished and in the vision of God,
                                    affirming his integrity, he attains
                                     spiritual victory and triumphant
                                     faith."—V. E. Reichert, Job, p. 195.

                                    DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
                                    1. The Voice From the Storm
                                       (Job 38:1)
                                    2. The Creator of the World
                                       (Job 38:4-7)
                                    3. The Lord of the Universe
                                       (Job 38:31-33)
                                    4. The Lord of Life
                                       (Job 38:39-41)
                                    5. The Source of Strength
                                       (Job 40:9)
                                    6. Job Responds to God
                                       (Job 42:1-6)

                    When God communicates directly with man, He sometimes
                 chooses to reveal Himself in some kind of phenomenon beyond
                 man's control. For example, at Sinai the mountain "was al-
                 together on a smoke ... : and the smoke thereof ascended as the
                 smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly" (Ex.
                 19:18). In Job's case, the storm is described in the final speech
                 of Elihu. Read Job 37:1-4.
                    There are thunder and lightning, snow and rain (verse 6).
                 These phenomena cause men to pause in their work and marvel
                 at the greatness of God. Men know that they are helpless before
                 the forces of nature. How much more puny are they before the
                 power of the God who created all nature!
                    Elihu paints a glorious picture of earth and sky before and
                 after a thunderstorm (Job 37:21), and then he goes on to refer to
                 the God who reigns above all nature. To Him all men should turn
                 in reverence and awe (verses 22-24).

                   What rebuke did Jesus give to the weather forecasters of
                 His day? Matt. 16:1-4. '

                   It is always amazing how leaders, even religious leaders, can
                 be sensitive to physical phenomena and blind to spiritual is-
                 sues. They know how to maneuver themselves into favorable
                 positions by watching political trends or sociological move-
                 ments, and yet they are unaware of their responsibilities under
                 God. They can help people materially but not spiritually.

                    "God is speaking to us in these last days. We hear His voice in
                 the storm, in the rolling thunder. We hear of the calamities He
                 permits in the earthquakes, the breaking forth of waters, and the
                 destructive elements sweeping all before them. We hear of
                 ships going down in the tempestuous ocean; God speaks to
                 families who have refused to recognize Him, sometimes in the
                 whirlwind and storm, sometimes face to face as He talked with
                 Moses."—Selected Messages, bk. 2, pp. 315, 316.
                    God's voice doesn't always come out of the whirlwind.
                    "Again He whispers His love to the little trusting child and to
                 the gray-haired sire. . . .
                    "When the still small voice which succeeds the whirlwind ...
                 is heard, let all cover their face, for God is very near."—Selected
                 Messages, bk. 2, p. 316.

 FURTHER STUDY     Job 38:1 to 42:6; S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, pp. 597-
                 610. 66

                  In describing the creation of the world, God used metaphors
               that would be understood in Job's day. Thus reference is made
               to a "foundation" being laid, the use of measuring rods and
               lines, the underpinning of foundation stones and cornerstones,*
               This does not mean that the earth has a foundation except in the
               sense that it is as firmly positioned as any building on earth that
               has a firm foundation. Metaphors must not be used to limit
               one's understanding and set up a false view of the universe.
                  "As the earth came forth from the hand of its Maker, it was
               exceedingly beautiful. Its surface was diversified with moun-
               tains, hills, and plains, interspersed with noble rivers and lovely
               lakes.... Graceful shrubs and delicate flowers greeted the eye
               at every turn. The heights were crowned with trees more majes-
               tic than any that now exist. The air, untainted by foul miasma,
               was clear and healthful. The entire landscape outvied in beauty
               the decorated grounds of the proudest palace. The angelic host
               viewed the scene with delight, and rejoiced at the wonderful
               works of God."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 44.

                 Before God spoke, what truth did Job already know? Job
               9:8-10. Why do you think God revealed Himself to Job as He
               did?

                 Job, in his suffering, had become acutely aware of his pain-
               racked body, of the garbage dump which was his temporary
               home, of the accusations of his friends, of the losses of those
               things that had made life pleasant for him in the past. It was
               necessary for him to lift his eyes above and beyond his sordid
               surroundings to God and His creation. A glimpse of the great-
               ness of God changed his perspective. He ceased complaining.
               He accepted his lot before he understood the reasons for his
               misfortunes.
                 We need to look beyond the follies of men of cl Satan who
               pollute our world and get a new vision of Him who created our
               world.

                   The questions do not only point out how small man is; they
                 indicate the greatness of God. God is above and beyond the
                 universe, and He holds it all together.
                   "Nothing can happen in any part of the universe without the
                 knowledge of Him who is omnipresent."—Ellen G. White Com-
                 ments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1141.
                   "Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds,
                 He rules over all the affairs of the universe."—Steps to Christ; p.
                 100.
                   "God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe."—
                 Steps to Christ, p. 77.

                   For what two attributes does the psalmist extol God in
                 Psalm 145:3-8?

                    William Beebe, a naturalist, tells the following story about
                 Theodore Roosevelt:
                    "After an evening talk, perhaps about the fringes of knowl-
                 edge, or some new possibility of climbing into the minds or
                 senses of animals, we would go out on the lawn where we took
                 turns in an amusing little astronomical rite. We searched until
                 we found, with or without our glasses, the faint heavenly spot of
                 light-mist beyond the lower left-hand corner of the great square
                 of Pegasus, when one or the other of us would recite:
                    " 'That is the Spiral Galaxy of Andromeda.
                    It is as large as our Milky Way.
                    It is one of a hundred million galaxies.
                    It is seven hundred and fifty-thousand light years away.
                    It consists of one hundred billion suns, each one larger than
                 our sun.
                    "After an interval, Colonel Roosevelt would grin at me and
                 say, 'Now I think we are small enough! Let's go to bed!"--Wil-
                 liam Beebe, ed., The Book of Naturalists, p. 234. Quoted from
                 Charles E. Weniger, Before Honor (Mountain View, Calif.:
                 Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1953), pp. 18, 19.

 FURTHER STUDY     Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 337.

                  God's conversation with Job not only touches the areas of
               astronomy, geology, and physics—He also presents Himself as
               the great Zoologist. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, much
               is said about nature, including the habits and characteristics of
               animal life. God establishes His position as the Creator and
               Maintainer of the life that inhabits the world and the universe.
               He talks to Job about lions, ravens, mountain goats, donkeys,
               ostriches, horses, hawks, and eagles. in all of this Job is led to
               see the power, the knowledge, and the concern of the God
               whose love he had been tempted to doubt.
                  This concept was not new to Job. He had said:
                  "Even birds and animals have much they could teach you;
                     ask the creatures of earth and sea for their wisdom.
                  All of them know that the Lord's hand made them.
                  It is God who directs the lives of his creatures;
                     every man's life is in his power" (Job 12:7-10, TEV).
                  God was endeavoring to remind Job of the lesson that ap-
               pears in the last stanza of William Cullen Bryant's familiar poem,
               "To a Waterfowl":
                      "He who, from zone to zone,
                  Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight,
                  In the long way that I must tread alone,
                      Will lead my steps aright."

                 "When we take into our hands the management of things with
               which we have to do, and depend upon our own wisdom for
               success, we are taking a burden which God has not given us,
               and are trying to bear it without His aid.... BLit when we really
               believe that God loves us and means to do us good we shall
               cease to worry about the future. We shall trust God as a child
               trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will
               disappear, for our will is swallowed up in the will of God."—
               Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 100.

                                                                              69

                  The security of man is dependent on the strength of God. This
               Job needed to recognize in order that he might endure his
               suffering without descending into despair.
                  "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I beseech the people
               of God to depend upon the Lord for strength. Beware how you
               place men where God should be. We are not safe in taking men
               as our authority or our guide, for they will surely disappoint us.
               Individually, we are to work out our own salvation with fear and
               trembling, 'for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to
               do of His good pleasure.' We have a high calling in Christ Jesus;
               we are carrying forward a vast and holy work, and God calls
               upon each one to uplift His standard in the sight of this world
               and of the universe of heaven, by the power of the Lord Jehovah,
               in whom is 'everlasting strength.' "—Testimonies to Ministers,
               p. 386.

                 What does the Bible tell us about depending on God's
               strength? Ps. 46:1-3; Jer. 16:19; Ex. 15:2; 1 Chron. 16:11; Eph.
               3:14-16.
                  We need never fear the elements around us because God is
               greater than any hurricane or earthquake or flood of water.
               Nothing can harm us unless God permits.
                  Jeremiah says that he can always go to God for protection and
               find all the help that he needs.
                  After the destruction of the Egyptian armies, Moses and the
               children of Israel sang a song of victory in which they attributed
               their salvation to God.
                  David exhorts the people to find their strength in God be-
               cause God is the only source of real strength.
                  Paul prays for the church members in Ephesus to be
               strengthened where they need strength most, in their spiritual
               lives and in their inner beings.

                  "Christ knows the strength of your temptations and the strength
               of your power to resist. His hand is always stretched out in pity-
               ing tenderness to every suffering child. To the tempted, discour-
               aged one he says, Child for whom I suffered and died, cannot
               you trust Me? 'As thy days, so shall thy strength be.' "—Mes-
               sages to Young People, p. 98.

                                                                             71

                                      DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
                                      1. God's Displeasure
                                         (Job 42:7)
                                      2. Intercessory Prayer
                                         (Job 42:8)
                                      3. The Love of Family and Friends
                                         (Job 42:11)-
                                      4. The God Who Restores
                                         (Job 42:10) •
                                      5. Job's Best Years
                                         (Job 42:12)
                                      6. "So Job Died"
                                         (Job 42:16, 17)

                    "This verse begins the closing prose portion of the book. God
                 turns His attention to the three friends of Job, addressing
                 Eliphaz apparently as the leader of the trio. God had rebuked
                 Job for his lack of understanding, but He indicates anger at the
                 friends for their failure to speak that which was 'right.' This
                 raises the interesting question of the difference between the
                 errors of Job and the errors of his friends. An analysis discloses
                 that Job erred because of suffering, pressure, discouragement,
                 and despair. He was the victim of a distressing situation that he
                 could not understand. His statements were sometimes petulant,
                 sometimes almost sacrilegious. However, all the way through
                 he maintained a basic trust in God. The friends were not suffer-
                 ing as Job was. Their wrong words were the expression of a
                 false philosophy. They allowed tradition to overshadow sym-
                 pathy. They felt that they were justified in harshness because
                 their conception of God seemed to demand such an
                 attitude."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 611.

                    What reason does Paul give for his warning against decep-
                 tion? Eph. 5:6; Col. 2:8.

                  False doctrine leads to a false concept of God and the real
                 world that we are in, and it leads to destruction. God does not
                 want anyone destroyed, and He has poured out all heaven for
                 man's salvation. Therefore He can only hate all deception.

                    Perhaps our mistakes, like those of Job's friends, are based
                 on traditions that, though deeply rooted, are not in harmony
                 with truth. Perhaps our mistakes are results of incorrect in-
                 terpretation of inspired writings. Possibly we have failed to
                 sense the real meaning of God's messages. Possibly we have
                 taken them out of context and have arrived at unsound conclu-
                 sions. In so doing, we, like Job's friends, may be more
                 blameworthy than others who may crumple under temptation
                 and trial.
                    Never should we fail to be gentle to those who suffer. Job's
                 friends failed on this point. God's gentleness toward Job, as
                 reflected in this chapter, is an example for all of us to follow.
                 (See James 3:17.)

                  Job's prayer of intercession for his friends followed a burnt
               offering of confession offered by those friends. At God's direc-
               tion, the friends confessed, sealing their confession with an
               offering. Also at God's direction, Job prayed for his friends'
               forgiveness. Only when the friends reached the point in their
               experience when they could confess, could God forgive; and
               only when Job reached the point where he could with love and
               sincerity pray for his friends could God turn his captivity and
               make him prosperous again.

                 What kind of persons must we be to offer effective prayers?
               James 5:16.

                 This passage in James must be understood in the context of
               James's instruction regarding praying for the sick. Such prayer,
               to be effective, must presuppose that both the sick person and
               those praying for him should seek forgiveness from one another
               as well as from God.
                 "Great character is essential to great praying. A man with a
               small, mean, self-indulgent life cannot genuinely offer a noble
               prayer. This is the meaning of the saying that it is easy to commit
               the Lord's Prayer to memory, but difficult to learn it by heart. In
               any man's entreaty, no matter how great the words, only that
               much is real which is the expression of his character, the inward
               quality and habitual desire of his life."—Harry Emerson Fos-
               dick, The Meaning of Prayer (New York: Association Press,
               1972), p. 132.

                  "We go through the form of praying for our friends. It seems
               the right thing to do, and it gives us at least a momentary glow of
               unselfishness. But the prayer does not so rise from a controlling
               desire for our friends' good, that we can be counted on all that
               day to be thoughtful about their needs, sensitive to their feel-
               ings, generous to their faults, glad of their success, and helpful
               to our utmost in their service. We often do not really care
               enough about our friends, so that our supplication for them has
               vital meaning for us and, therefore, for God."—Harry Emerson
               Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, pp. 136, 137.

                                                                               75

                     This passage deserves more attention than it has ordinarily
                  received. It reveals to us how the presence of family and friends
                  contributed to the rebuilding of Job's life.
                     "Job 42:11 presents a peace feast in Job's behalf. In harmony
                  with Middle Eastern custom friends and relatives have held
                  aloof during his trials, fearing to befriend one under divine
                  curse lest they share in the curse. Now, convinced of God's
                  goodwill toward Job, they gather in his house to eat bread with
                  him, to sympathize, and to extend financial aid."—Paul T.
                  Gibbs, Job and the Mysteries of Wisdom, p. 159.
                    The most acute suffering that Job endured was not the loss of
                  his wealth or even his health, but the loss of his children. When
                  the family circle was broken, Job's heart was also broken. The
                  support of his brothers and sisters and acquaintances was a
                  real turning point in his restoration. The later birth of sons and
                  daughters helped even more to heal the deep wounds that
                  adversity had inflicted upon him.

                    "Our sphere of influence may seem narrow, our ability small,
                 our opportunities few, our acquirements limited; yet wonderful
                 possibilities are ours through a faithful use of the opportunities
                 of our own homes. If we will open our hearts and homes to the
                 divine principles of life, we shall become channels for currents
                 of life-giving power. From our homes will flow streams of heal-
                 ing, bringing life, and beauty, and fruitfulness where now are
                 barrenness and dearth."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 355.
                    There are many confused, discouraged people in our world
                 whose lives would be different if they had the support of a loving
                 and concerned family. When Paul wrote to the Colossians and
                 the Ephesians, he specifically addressed wives, husbands, chil-
                 dren, and servants. The state of the church is dependent upon
                 the state of the home. The effectiveness of the Christian witness
                 is determined by the integrity of the Christian home.

 FURTHER STUDY      Col. 3:18-21; Eph. 5:22 to 6:9.

                  The restoration of Job not only brought happiness to Job, it
               also brought happiness to God. It is noteworthy that God not
               only restored what Job had lost, He doubled Job's blessings.
               This is the kind of God that Christ reveals.
                  "The Scriptures reveal many facets of God's character, but
               nothing can take the place of a life that demonstrates it. It was
               for this purpose that the Son of God came to this earth. When
               friends were in sorrow over the loss of a loved one, 'Jesus wept'
               (John 11:35). He wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41).
               (Here the word klaid is used, which indicates a loud expression
               of grief, especially in mourning for the dead.) This was God:
               moved with sympathy for the mourners and silently shedding
               tears, and a few weeks later broken up within because
               Jerusalem had rejected Him, and weeping as one mourning for
               the dead.
                  "When the adulterous woman was brought before Him, He
               said compassionately, 'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin
               no more' (John 8:11). This too was God. He spoke to the Samari-
               tan woman at the well, and converted her and numerous other
               Samaritans—with whom the Jews would have no dealings. This
               is God's way. He had compassion on the multitude when they
               were hungry (Matt. 15:32), because they fainted and were scat-
               tered abroad as sheep without a shepherd (Matt. 9:35, 36;
               14:14). Thus was the heart of God revealed.
                  "He was the fearless defender of right. When the Pharisees
               sought to frighten Him into precipitous flight by warning Him
                that Herod would kill Him, 'He said unto them, Go ye, and tell
                that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to
                morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected' (Luke 13:32).
                When greedy priests and hucksters were defiling the Temple He
                made a scourge of cords, overturned the tables of the
                moneychangers, and drove them all out (Matt. 21:12, 13; Mark
                11:15-17; John 2:14-17). This also was God."—Otto H. Christen-
                sen, Getting Acquainted With God (Washington, D.C.: Review
                and Herald Publishing Association, 1970), pp. 64, 65.

                 "The character of God, whose likeness we are to receive, is
               benevolence and love."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 595.

                                                                              77

                     How could Job's last years have been the best when he had
                   lost so much and suffered so much?

                      1. He had laid a sound character foundation in his earlier
                   years. He had been faithful to God, to his family, and to his
                   fellowmen. His last years did not have to be filled with regrets.
                      2. He had survived a great ordeal. The book of Job is a story of
                   spiritual survival. The struggle wasn't easy, but with God's help
                   the victory was won.
                      3. He had come to know God better. In fact, the story turns on
                   the growing maturity of Job's acquaintance with God. His
                   knowledge of God was not a mere emotional reaction. It was a
                   deep, profound understanding of God as his Creator, Friend,
                   and Redeemer.
                      4. He had enjoyed the great experience of being forgiven.
                   Many of his statements were expressions of despair rather than
                   hope. Many of his accusations against God revealed lack of
                   understanding. But God never rejected Job despite his discour-
                   agement.
                      5. Job had been vindicated. No doubt he often repeated his
                   story to his seven sons and his three beautiful daughters. It may
                   have been these children that helped preserve Job's story until
                   it could eventually be written for posterity. It is of passing inter-
                   est that the only names preserved in the book besides those of
                   the main actors are the names of Job's daughters.

                     Perfection is the process by which a great and loving God
                   calls people to follow Him, forgives their sins, helps them to
                   overcome their shortcomings, supplies them with divine grace,
                   and finally bestows upon them eternal life.
                     "As we walk day by day in the light He sends us, in willing
                   obedience to all His requirements, our experience grows and
                   broadens until we reach the full stature of men and women in
                   Christ Jesus."—Messages to Young People, pp. 15, 16.

 FURTHER STUDY        Eph. 4:11-15; Phil. 3:12-16; 1 John 2:1; 1 Peter 5:10; The Acts
                   of the Apostles, pp. 560-562.

                  "The man who was so sure that the grave was just ahead of
               him continued to live for nearly another century and a half! The
               life that had seemed blasted, bloomed again in greater bril-
               liance than before. The blessings.that had seemed to be gone
               forever, returned, more wonderful than ever. Property, family,
               friends, reputation, were his again. But even greater than these
               blessings was the memory of an experience in which he had
               come face to face with God, and had learned lessons more
               valuable than material possessions. These lessons, God in His
               providence saw fit to share with all humanity, and so the book of
               Job was preserved as one of the great spiritual heritages from a
               far-distant past. It is our privilege today to learn from the experi-
               ence of Job lessons of trust and confidence in God."—S.D.A.
               Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 612.

                Although death is humanity's lot, what is God's purpose for
               man? John 11:25, 26.

                  Regarding almost every person, good or bad, who has lived
               upon this earth, the final line could read like that of Job, "So he
               died." But God is not the author of death. God's eternal purpose
               is that all who believe will not perish but have everlasting life.
               Job saw a glimmer of light beyond the grave. We may anticipate
               the future in the full light of the gospel.
                  "In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. 'He that
               hath the Son hath life.' 1 John 5:12. The divinity of Christ is the
               believer's assurance of eternal life. 'He that believeth in Me,'
               said Jesus, 'though he were dead, yet shall he live: and
               whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest
               thou this?' Christ here looks forward to the time of His second
               coming. Then the righteous dead shall be raised incorruptible,
               and the living righteous shall be translated to heaven without
               seeing death. The miracle which Christ was about to perform, in
               raising Lazarus from the dead, would represent the resurrection
               of all the righteous dead. By His word and His works He declared
               Himself the Author of the resurrection. He who Himself was
               soon to die upon the cross stood with the keys of death, a
               conqueror of the grave, and asserted His right and power to give
               eternal life."—The Desire of Ages, p. 530.

                                                                                 79

                                          Berra-n   "We know that in everything God           pain-producing factors. works for good with those who love             From Job we can learn of God's love him" (Rom. 8:28, RSV).                      for and patience with the sufferer. We
                                        can learn how "God works for good   The book of Job does not provide a        with those who love him." But in many complete answer to the problem of           respects Job's experience was not pain. Job's experience shows why and        typical of everyday human life. The how one man suffered, and how God           purpose of this lesson is to stress the eventually revealed Himself to the          truth that the same God who helped sufferer and reversed his fortunes. It      Job resolve his problems will help us cannot be concluded that every              "in everything." God is concerned person who suffers is an actor in a         about all kinds of pain, physical and divine drama as was Job.                    mental. He looks with compassion on   Most of our headaches and                 the father, worried about how to pay heartaches result from the normal           the bills, and the mother, concerned hazards of life in this world. We bring     about the bringing up of her children. disease on ourselves by not paying          He feels the pain of the cancer patient attention to the laws of life and health.   and the heartache of the bereaved. He We are all potential victims of             does not promise to exempt us from accident, viruses, disappointments,         all these hazards as long as we are in losses, and many other                      the world. We must accept our lot as
                                        fellow sufferers with all mankind. But
                                        we must never forget that "in
                                        everything God works for good with
                                        those who love him."
                                           "Whatever may be your
                                        circumstances, however dark and
                                        mysterious may be the ways of
                                        Providence, though the path may be
                                        through the deep waters, and trials
                                        and bereavements may afflict again
                                        and again, the assurance still comes,
                                        'All things work together for good to
                                        them that love God.' (Rom. 8:28)."—
                                        Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 261.

                                        DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
                                        1. God Feels Our Pain
                                           (Isa. 63:9)
                                        2. God's Presence
                                           (Isa. 43:2, 3)
                                        3. God Helps and Delivers
                                           (Ps. 33:18-22)
                                        4. Helping One Another
                                           (1 Cor. 12:26)
                                        5. Pain With Courage
                                           (2 Cor. 4:8, 9; 1 Cor. 4:11-13)
                                        6. Pain Will End
                                           (Rev. 21:4)

      Part 1     How did God respond to the afflictions of Israel?
  GOD FEELS
   OUR PAIN      "In all their affliction he was afflicted" (I sa. 63:9).

                   Isaiah pictures a God who is in close touch with His people,
                responding to their needs in various ways, sometimes judging
                them, but always loving them and seeking their best interests
                (verses 11-14).
                   "As a kind, loving parent suffers when suffering comes upon
                his children, so does God. The Lord saw the affliction of His
                people in Egypt (Ex. 3:16) and saved them when they cried to
                Him in their oppression. Today He is our great high priest, who
                is 'touched with the feeling of our infirmities' (Neb. 4:15)."—
               S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 324.
                   "Jesus Himself never purchased peace by compromise. His
               heart overflowed with love for the whole human race, but He
                was never indulgent to their sins. He was too much their friend
                to remain silent while they were pursuing a course that would
                ruin their souls. . . .
                   " ... Not a sigh is breathed, not a pain felt, not a grief pierces
               the soul, but the throb vibrates to the Father's heart. . . .
                   " . . . God is bending from His throne to hear the cry of the
                oppressed. To every sincere prayer He answers, 'Here am I.' He
               uplifts the distressed and downtrodden. In all our afflictions He
               is afflicted. In every temptation and every trial the angel of His
                presence is near to deliver."—The Desire of Ages, p. 356. (Em-
                phasis supplied.)

                 How did God respond to Israel's bondage in Egypt? Ex.
               2:23-25.

                  "The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that,
               from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God.
               Every departure from the right, every deed of cruelty, every
               failure of humanity to reach His ideal, brings grief to Him. When
               there came upon Israel the calamities that were the sure result
               of separation from God,—subjugation by their enemies, cruelty,
               and death,—it is said that 'His soul was grieved for the misery of
               Israel.' In all their affliction He was afflicted: . . . and He bare
               them, and carried them all the days of old.' Judges 10:16; Isaiah
               63:9."—Education, p. 263.
                  One of the great blessings of the Christian faith is the knowl-
               edge that the Christian serves a sympathizing, caring God. It is
               comforting to know that there is not a pang of pain on earth that
               is not shared in heaven. God suffers with His earthbound chil-
               dren.

                  The companionship of God is one of the themes of the Scrip-
               tures. While God's servant enjoys his Master's companionship
               during life's sunny days, the sense of God's nearness is espe-
               cially appreciated when things go hard.
                  The psalmist said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of
               the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (Ps.
               23:4).
                  Paul said his God was "not far from every one of us: for in him
               we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:27, 28).
                  One of the names given to Jesus was Immanuel, which means
               "God with us."
                  The doctrine of the Holy Spirit teaches us of the companion-
               ship of God under all circumstances and in all conditions.
                  The letter to the Hebrews quotes God as saying, "I will never
               leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5). Therefore, the Chris-
               tian may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear
               what man shall do unto me" (verse 6).

                 What was the meaning to the Israelites of the pillar of fire?
               Ex. 13:21, 22.

                  During every day of 40 difficult years there was a pillar of
               cloud over the camp of Israel, and during the night a pillar of
               fire. Under all sorts of stresses, conflicts, apostasies, and disap-
               poi ntments, He was there. During these weary years God proved
               Himself a God who was interested in people—immature people,
               repulsive people, helpless people, people who didn't appreciate
               Him. He provided for these people, supplying their necessities
               and protecting them from their enemies.

                  Christians have often found the richest experience of their
               lives in times of great pain and perplexity because they have
               come to sense the nearness of God.
                       "I rest beneath Thy kindly shade;
                          My griefs expire, my-troubles cease;
                      Thou, Lord, on whom my soul is stayed,
                          Wilt keep me still in perfect peace."
                            —Charles Wesley,
                            The Church Hymnal, no. 83.

        Part 3     How were God's chosen people protected?
   GOD HELPS
 AND DELIVERS      "Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him,
                 upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from
                 death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for
                 the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall
                 rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let
                 thy mercy, 0 Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee"
                 (Ps. 33:18-22).

                   "Our God has heaven and earth at His command, and He
                 knows just what we need. We can see only a little way before us;
                 'but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with
                 whom we have to do.' Hebrews 4:13. Above the distractions of
                 the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine
                 survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that
                 which His providence sees best."—Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 272,
                 273.

                   What assurance did Peter give to suffering Christians?
                 1 Peter 3:12-14.

                   Pain and suffering sometimes result from the hostility of
                 those who hate God and His people. This was especially obvi-
                 ous in Peter's time, but Peter recognized the keeping power of
                 God in times of stress and persecution.

                   Why may we approach God with confidence in time of need?
                 Heb. 4:14-16.

                   "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with
                 what you have; for he has said, 'I will never fail you nor forsake
                 you.' Hence we can confidently say,
                        'The Lord is my helper,
                        I will not be afraid;
                        what can man do to me?' " (Heb. 13:5, 6, RSV).

                   "Because God's love is so great and so unfailing, the sick
                 should be encouraged to trust in Him and be cheerful. To be
                 anxious about themselves tends to cause weakness and dis-
                 ease. If they will rise above depression and gloom, their pros-
                 pect of recovery will be better."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 229.

                 "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is
               honored, all rejoice together" (1 Cor. 12:26, RSV).

                 There are at least three phases in the mission of the church:
               (1) to carry the gospel to the world; (2) to provide for the worship
               of God, and (3) to provide Christian fellowship. This fellowship
               involves more than seeing each other on Sabbath mornings; it
               also includes such a complete identification of one church
               member with another that "if one member suffers, all suffer
               together."
                 It is comforting to know that if some accident or illness should
               befall me, my brothers and sisters in the church would be
               concerned. If some great crisis should occur in my life, my
               church would have words of comfort. God has ordained this
               caring function of the church.

                 What is James's definition of true religion? James 1:27.

                  "God has placed among us the poor, the unfortunate, the
               sick, and the suffering. They are Christ's legacy to His church,
               and they are to be cared for as He would care for them. In this
               way God takes away the dross and purifies the gold, giving us
               that culture of heart and character which we need. . . .
                  "In placing among us the poor and the suffering, the Lord is
               testing us to reveal to us what is in our hearts. We cannot with
               safety swerve from principle, we cannot violate justice, we can-
               not neglect mercy. When we see a brother falling into decay we
               are not to pass him by on the other side, but are to make decided
               and immediate efforts to fulfil the word of God by helping him....
                  "It should be written upoli the conscience as with a pen of
               iron upon a rock, that he who disregards mercy, compassion,
               and righteousness, he who neglects the poor, who ignores the
               needs of suffering humanity, who is not kind and courteous, is
               so conducting himself that God cannot co-operate with him in
               the development of character."—Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 261,
               262.
                  In Romans 12:15 Paul said, "Rejoice with them that do re-
               joice, and weep with them that weep." God has given us a part in
               solving the problem of pain. The encouraging word, the sooth-
               ing touch, the unselfish ministry—these are God's appointed
               means of lightening the burdens of life.

                                                                                85

                   The Christian understands the reason for pain and suffering.
                He knows there will be an ultimate solution.
                   Through pain—His own, His Son's, His people's—it became
                clear that "God with man was working out the world's redemp-
                tion, and that there was no other way; that, in a sense, the
                endless moan of man's pain was the song of a world being
                redeemed, a sad song as yet, but still music, working toward
                some worthy and wondrous climax beyond all human capability
                of thought."—Leslie D. Weatherhead, Why Do Men Suffer?
                (New York: The Abingdon Press, 1936), p. 12.

                  Why does the Christian face pain with courage? 2 Cor. 2:14.

                  Further, the Christian understands that "evil must be permit-
                ted to come to maturity. For the good of the entire universe
                through ceaseless ages Satan must more fully develop his prin-
                ciples, that his charges against the divine government might be
                seen in their true light by all created beings, that the justice and
                mercy of God and the immutability of His law might forever be
                placed beyond all question."—The Great Controversy, p. 499.

                   "God's chosen servants should meet with courage and pa-
                tience the trials and sufferings that befall them ... , ever remem-
                bering that the prophets of old and the Saviour of mankind and
                His apostles also endured abuse and persecution for the Word's
                sake."—Prophets and Kings, p. 437.
                   "Christian life is more than many take it to be. It does not
                consist wholly in gentleness, patience, meekness, and kindli-
                ness. These graces are essential; but there is need also of
                courage, force, energy, and perseverance. The path that Christ
                marks out is a narrow, self-denying path. To enter that path and
                press on through difficulties and discouragements requires
                men who are more than weaklings."—The Ministry of Healing,
                p. 497.

                 "Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven. There will be
               no more tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning. . . .
               'The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell
               therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.' .. . Isaiah 33:24."—The
               Great Controversy, p. 676.
                 "From India, from Africa, from China, from the islands of the
               sea, from the downtrodden millions of so-called Christian
               lands, the cry of human woe is ascending to God. That cry will
               not long be unanswered."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 179.

                 What did Paul conclude from a comparison of life in the
               present and that in the kingdom? Rom. 8:18-21.

                  Phillips translates verse 19 thus: "The whole creation is on
               tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into
               their own."
                  "In all ages Satan has persecuted the people of God. He has
               tortured them and put them to death, but in dying they become
               conquerors. They bore witness to the power of One mightier
               than Satan. Wicked men may torture and kill the body, but they
               cannot touch the life that is hid with Christ in God. They can
               incarcerate men and women in prison walls, but they cannot
               bind the spirit."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 576.
                  "All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the
               world to come be made plain.... We shall know that infinite love
               ordered the experiences that seemed most trying. As we realize
               the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for
               our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of
               glory."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 286.

                  There are many in our world who consider life hopeless,
               meaningless, absurd. As a result, they live only for the present
               moment. The theology of the Bible is a theology of hope, and
               that hope is not limited to the present life. Unending freedom
               from pain is one of the rewards of the redeemed.
                  Regardless of the pain, suffering, or misfortune that may dog
               our footsteps, we can with assurance say, "This, too, will pass."
               And throughout all the checkered experience of life "we know
               that in everything God works for good with those who love him"
               (Rom. 8:28, RSV).

    E                 ith2 0-02E[lear   "Is any sick among you? let him call        And again, ' At night my bones all for the elders of the church; and let      ache; the pain that gnaws me never them pray over him, anointing him          stops" (Job 30:17, TEV). with oil in the name of the Lord: and         Job was one of millions who have the prayer of faith shall save the sick,   suffered physical pain. The alleviation and the Lord shall raise him up; and if    of human suffering has become a he have committed sins, they shall be      gigantic enterprise. Yet suffering forgiven him. Confess your faults one      continues to make life hard for the to another, and pray one for another,      human race. that ye may be healed. The effectual          The ministry of Jesus brought hope fervent prayer of a righteous man          for the sufferer. One of His main availeth much" (James 5:14-16).            activities was the healing of the sick.
                                       "Whithersoever he entered, into   One of Job's major problems was          villages, or cities, or country, they laid physical illness. The record says,         the sick in the streets, and besought "Satan left the Lord's presence and        him that they might touch if it were but made sores break out all over Job's        the border of his garment: and as body" (Job 2:7, TEV). Job refers to his    many as touched him were made physical suffering in chapter 7, verses    whole" (Mark 6:56). 3 through 5:                                  The apostles of Jesus received   "Month after month I have nothing        power to continue this healing
     to live for;                      ministry, and it became an important
 night after night brings me grief.    function of the early church. It is listed   When I lie down to sleep, the hours      as one of the gifts of the Spirit.
     drag;                                In our present day, much is said
 I toss all night and long for dawn.   about "faith healing." Popular books   My body is full of worms;                by faith healers recount story after
 it is covered with scabs;             story of successful healings. Other
 pus runs out of my sores" (TEV).      observersjpoint to a much larger
                                       number of attempted but
                                       unsuccessful "cures."
                                          The purpose of this lesson is to
                                       survey the concept of divine
                                       healing—or faith healing as it is often
                                       called—and to endeavor to come to an
                                       understanding of this subject that will
                                       be useful to Christians in our day.


                                       DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
                                       1. God's Investment in Man
                                          (Gen. 1:26; 2:7)
                                       2. God's Desire to Heal
                                          (1 Cor. 12:28)
                                       3. Faith and Healing
                                          (James 5:15)
                                       4. Love and Healing
                                          (Matt. 20:30-34)
                                       5. Goodness and Healing
                                          (James 5:16)
                                       6. A Gift of the Spirit
                                          (1 Cor. 12:4, 8, 9)

                  "The entire question of God's activity in healing man's body
               rests on the great truth that God made man's body. If a person is
               only an accident resulting from the interplay of impersonal
               forces on this planet, the health of his body may likewise be
               assumed to depend on purely physical factors. But if God was
               the designer, it would be logical to believe that He might have a
               continuing concern for the mechanism He perfected."—Norval
               Pease, Heal the Sick, p. 4.
                  What provisions has God made for man's health?
                  1. He equipped the body with effective defenses against dis-
               ease and injury. Germs and viruses are destroyed; wounds heal;
               broken bones grow together again. Defenses of all sorts are
               built into the organism to ensure its survival.
                  2. He gave men wisdom and skill in order that man's life
               might be lengthened and that his suffering might be lessened.
               Highly trained physicians and surgeons, sophisticated equip-
               ment and efficient hospitals have brought a new security to
               millions of people. In all this progress man has merely been
               discovering and utilizing the resources placed in the world by
               its Creator to protect His investment in man.
                  3. God created an environment that provided the elements
               necessary for survival and health. And man was given the intel-
               ligence to know how to relate to his environment.
                  4. God gave man good reasons to desire to live. One of these
               reasons was the family. Another was the sense of community
               among people. The greatest was the revelation of Himself.

                  God has made His healing power available to men of faith to
               meet needs that could not be met by natural resources. His
               provision might be compared to a man who would invent a
               complicated machine. After providing satisfactory housing,
               adequate power source, and skilled operators, he might say, "If
               it breaks down, let me know. Perhaps I can be of help."
                  God has made a tremendous investment in man. He is inter-
               ested in the whole man, including his body. He says, "If it breaks
               down, let me know. I can help."

                  Is God reluctant to heal? Sometimes it seems to us that this is
                the case. But there is abundant evidence that God is really
                anxious to heal. For example, God's concern for the health of
                Israel indicates His desire that His people shall be free from
                disease. Also, the large part that healing played in the ministry
                of Jesus reinforces the same conclusion. Likewise, placing
                "gifts of healings" in the list of gifts of the Spirit indicates that
                a healthy body is one of God's priorities for His church.

                  What two actions of God does the psalmist mention to-
                gether? Ps. 103:3.

                    The psalmist repeats what he knows from the writings of
                Moses. (See Ex. 15:26.) God had promised the children of Israel
                that if they kept His commandments He would preserve them
                from the diseases that had fallen on the Egyptians'
                    It is interesting to note that God not only heals physical ail-
                ments; He will heal the broken heart, the one whose love life has
                gone awry. (See Ps. 147:3; compare the work of Jesus in Luke
                4:18.)
                    We need to sense God's closeness to man. This closeness is
                described in the Bible by some very expressive figures of
                speech. "One such figure is the word 'shepherd.' ... [See Psalm
                23.] How could language express more simply and more beauti-
                fully the ideal relationship between man and God? And how
                could the loving care of God be more forcefully described? If
                God feels that way about us, surely He is concerned about the
                things that concern us; and health is one of the most important
                of those things.
                     "Again and again in the New Testament, God is referred to as
                'Father.' Seventeen times in 'The Sermon of the Mount' and
                twenty-eight times in John 14 this term is used. We cannot help
                but understand how God feels about us. He must be concerned
                about our physical illnesses. Any good father is concerned
                 when one of his children is ill. Surely God is no exception. God
                 has said, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' [Heb. 13:5.]
                This message brings encouragement in all kinds of cir-
                 cumstances. It should mean much to those who struggle with
                 illness."—Norval Pease, Heal the Sick, pp. 11, 12.

                      The healing ministry of Jesus illustrates the place of faith. The
                   healing miracles of Jesus might aptly be called "lessons in
                   faith," for in almost every case faith is mentioned in connection
                   with the miracle of healing. "According to your faith, be it unto
                   you" reflects the criterion Jesus used in imparting His gift of
                   health to mankind.
                      "Christ is the same compassionate physician now that He was
                   during His earthly ministry. In Him there is healing balm for
                   every disease, restoring power for every infirmity. His disciples
                   in this time are to pray for the sick as verily as the disciples of old
                   prayed. And recoveries will follow; for 'the prayer of faith shall
                   save the sick.' We have the Holy Spirit's power, the calm assur-
                   ance of faith, that can claim God's promises. The Lord's prom-
                   ise, 'They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover'
                   (Mark 16:18), is just as trustworthy now as in the days of the
                   apostles. It presents the privilege of God's children, and our
                   faith should lay hold of all that it embraces. Christ's servants are
                   the channel of His working, and through them He desires to
                   exercise His healing power. It is our work to present the sick and
                   suffering to God in the arms of our faith. We should teach them
                   to believe in the Great Healer."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 226.

                    What important gift did Jesus give His disciples? Matt. 10:1;
                   Mark 6:13; Luke 9:1.

                       "Some have compared faith to putting money in a bank,
                   trusting that it will be available when needed; to trusting the
                   pilot of an airplane to fly and land his plane safely; or to trusting
                   a surgeon with one's life. Actually, these examples describe
                   reasoning based on evidence. We have observed that bankers,
                   pilots, and surgeons are generally trustworthy, so we feel jus-
                   tified in placing our confidence in them. . . .
                       "But faith is more. . . . Faith is the upraised hand by which we
                   receive the gifts of God. These gifts are varied. They may in-
                   clude forgiveness, strength, insight, salvation, happiness, eter-
                   nal life. The Bible also makes it very clear that one of these gifts,
                   received by faith, is healing."—Norval Pease, Heal the Sick, pp.
                   23, 24.

 FURTHER STUDY       Mark 2:1-12; 5:22-43; 9:14-20; Luke 7:1-10; John 4:43-54;
                   5:1-15; 9:1-41.

                   Jesus healed people because He loved them. His heart was
               filled with pity and sympathy which found expression in acts of
               mercy and healing. Note four occasions of compassionate re-
               sponse: (1) people mourning (Luke 7:13), (2) a man afflicted by
               leprosy (Mark 1:41), (3) people wandering around like sheep
               without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36), and (4) hungry people (Matt.
               15:32).
                   "The power of love was in all Christ's healing, and only by
               partaking of that love, through faith, can we be instruments for
               His work."—The Desire of Ages, p. 825.

                 How should Christians react in their contact with other
               people? Zech. 7:9; Rom. 12:15; 1 Peter 3:8.

                  "Can it be that we ought to change our questions regarding
               healing? Rather than asking, 'Do I have faith enough?'—which
               is a good question—perhaps we should ask, 'Do I have love
               enough?' which may be a better question.
                  "In this context we can see an inherent weakness in public
               'faith healing' meetings. The 'healer' does not know the line of
               people who, one by one, are coming to the platform to be
               healed. Those who seek healing do not personally know the
               'healer.' ... Any genuine, effective love is hard to imagine under
               these circumstances. . . .
                  "Whatever the circumstance, the 'elders of the congregation'
               are more likely to pray with the 'power of love' than would a
               stranger. God knew what He was doing when He suggested the
               manner of prayer for the sick. He was concerned that love
               should be the motivation of prayers for healing."—Norval
               Pease, Heal the Sick, pp. 20, 21.

                  Love opens the channels for healing. Love urges that some-
               thing be done. It is God who heals, not love. But love explores
               every channel that can bring healing and saving health.

                                                                              93

                    "Before engaging in prayer there should be the closest self-
                  examination to discover if there are not sins which need to be
                  repented of, confessed, and forsaken. Deep humility of soul
                  before God is necessary, and firm, humble reliance upon the
                  merits of the blood of Christ alone. Fasting and prayer will
                  accomplish nothing while the heart is estranged from God by a
                 wrong course of action."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 146.
                    "Great character is essential to great praying. A man with a
                 small, mean, self-indulgent life cannot genuinely offer a noble
                 prayer._ In any man's entreaty, no matter how great the words,
                 only that much is real which is the expression of his character,
                 the inward quality and habitual desire of his life."—Harry Emer-
                 son Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 138.
                    What does this tell us about our prayers for the sick?
                    "Some close heart-searching is appropriate before we com-
                 ply with the Biblical command to pray for the sick. Does our
                 conscience tell us that we have personal problems that must be
                 solved before we can presume to ask God to work a miracle? Do
                 we have a sufficiently vital concern about the person who needs
                 healing so that we can pray with real feeling? Do we have the
                 dedication necessary so that God can work through us to ac-
                 complish important things without our seeking the credit for
                 what God does? How deeply is our ego involved in it all? Are we
                 willing to venture in faith, and do we know how to relate to
                 unanswered prayer?
                    "The small amount of healing among Christians may suggest,
                 in part, that we are not yet mature enough to know how to
                 handle such a responsibility. Better people will pray more
                 powerful and effective prayers, and more sick people will be
                 healed."—Norval Pease, Heal the Sick, p. 31.

                   Matthew 17 records the experience of nine of Jesus' disciples
                 when they were unable to heal a demon-possessed boy at the
                 foot of the Mount of Transfiguration. Their faith was weak be-
                 cause they were harboring jealousy, discouragement, and per-
                 sonal grievances. The devil was too much for them because of
                 their own deficiencies. "In order to succeed in such a conflict
                 they must come to work in a different spirit.. . . They must be
                 emptied of self, and be filled with the Spirit and power of
                 God."—The Desire of Ages, p. 431.

 FURTHER STUDY     Matt. 17:9-21.

                  How does the Holy Spirit work? The Holy Spirit, as described
                and defined in Scripture, is God the Counselor, Comforter, and
                Helper of every Christian. God the Father is the Creator and
                Sustainer; God the Son is the Saviour and Redeemer; God the
                Holy Spirit is God standing by the side of people.
                  When the Holy Spirit appeared at Pentecost, cloven tongues
                as of fire sat upon "each of them" (Acts 2:3). This was the
                beginning of a broader ministry of the Holy Spirit.
                  The work of the Holy Spirit resulted in "love, joy, peace,
                longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temper- .
                ance" (Gal. 5:22, 23). In addition to giving character, the Holy
                Spirit gave mission. This mission is outlined in the gifts of the
                Spirit, one of which is healing. This ability to restore health is a
                gift bestowed by the same Holy Spirit who gave other people
                wisdom, ability to communicate, faith, miraculous powers, and
                the gift of prophecy.

                  How may the gift of healing be performed? The New Testament
                permits us to conclude that this gift of healing was expressed in
                more than one way. There was Luke, the physician, who ac-
                companied Paul. Who is to say that he did not possess the gift of
                healing as well as Peter and John who commanded a lame man
                to walk? James directed that the elders of the church should
                pray for the sick man, "anointing him with oil in the name of the
                Lord." Here is a picture of a common remedy in New Testament
                times, "oil" being applied by representatives of the church,
                made effective by "the prayer of faith."
                  The New Testament world had few facilities for the care and
                healing of the sick. But the "Comforter," who came in harmony
                with Jesus' promise, was concerned about those who were
                suffering. There weren't enough physicians like Luke to meet
                the need, so the Spirit enabled people who were not physicians
                to perform the healing ministry. The objective was to do away
                with suffering.
                   What application does this have today? The Spirit still works
                through natural means to restore health. But the same Spirit
                may also work through the earnest prayers of Christians to
                invoke God's healing power.

                                                                                95

                                      DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
                                      1. Universality of Death
                                         (Heb. 9:27)
                                      2. God Knows Best
                                         (Isa. 55:8, 9)
                                      3. God's Unexpected Ways
                                         (Phil. 4:19)
                                      4. Acting Rationally
                                         (James 1:5)
                                      5. Learning From Suffering
                                         (2 Cor. 1:3, 4)
                                      6. Persisting in Prayer
                                         (Rom. 12:12)

                    We must never forget that as long as we are in this world we
                 must accept the hazards that are a part of life in this world. The
                 Christian is subject to accident, disease, and death. With a very
                 few exceptions in history, every person born into this world has
                 died; and most of the inhabitants of this world have known
                 illness to a greater or lesser extent. While the prayers of faith
                 may, at times, result in healing sickness and delaying death, the
                 grim reaper finally takes his toll. God's plan for eternal health
                 and life is dependent on the resurrection into a new life, not on
                 the indefinite continuation of this present life.
                    So far as we know, all the people whom Jesus and the apos-
                 tles raised to life or healed eventually died. Lazarus retraced the
                 pathway to the tomb. Dorcas finally laid down her burdens.
                 Blind Bartimaeus eventually closed his eyes in death.
                    Why are not Christians exempt from sickness and death?
                 When Jesus came to this world to redeem man, He became
                 subject to death. He identified Himself with all of mankind. His
                 followers, likewise, must incur the same limitations of mortality
                 as the rest of mankind; otherwise they could neither properly
                 sympathize or effectively witness. Jesus not only suffered for
                 man; He suffered with man. Christians suffer with the rest of the
                 world, but their suffering is tempered by hope.
                    Think of the millions of "rice Christians- who would storm the
                 gates of the church if Christianity were a guaranteed means of
                 curing all disease and delaying imminent death. It is not God's
                 intention that His kingdom should be advanced in this way.
                 Christians will continue to suffer and die until their Lord comes,
                 but with comfort and hope.

                     "A local preacher was addressing an open-air meeting in
                 Bristol. He was trying to make the point that Christ is the answer
                 to all our problems, and the solution of all our troubles.... Then
                 a great fellow at the back began to heckle, and shouted out. '
                 Go and talk to the unemployed like that, and see what they say.'
                 There was no answer, until a man very near the front stood out
                 and said, '     I am unemployed, and I am very poor, and I have a
                 wife and three children, but if you take Jesus Christ out of my
                 life, I have nothing left. He is greater than my poverty, and I love
                 him.' "—Leslie D. Weatherhead, Why Do Men Suffer? (New
                 York: The Abingdon Press, 1936), p. 21.


 FURTHER STUDY     Counsels on Health, p. 376. 98

                  "We all desire immediate and direct answers to our prayers,
               and are tempted to become discouraged when the answer is
               delayed or comes in an unlooked-for form. But God is too wise
               and good to answer our prayers always at just the time and in
               just the manner we desire. He will do more and better for us than
               to accomplish all our wishes. And because we can trust His
               wisdom and love, we should not ask Him to concede to our will,
               but should seek to enter into and accomplish His purpose. Our
               desires and interests should be lost in His will. These experi-
               ences that test faith are for our benefit. By them it is made
               manifest whether our faith is true and sincere, resting on the
               word of God alone, or whether depending on circumstances, it
               is uncertain and changeable. . . .
                  "Not all understand these principles. Many who seek the
               Lord's healing mercy think that they must have a direct and
               immediate answer to their prayers or their faith is defective. For
               this reason, those who are weakened by disease need to be
               counseled wisely, that they may act with discretion. They should
               not disregard their duty to the friends who may survive them, or
               neglect to employ nature's agencies for the restoration of
               health."—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 230, 231.

                 What should be the prayer of the Christian? Matt. 6:10.

                 How did Jesus set the example of asking that God's will be
               done? Matt. 26:42.

                  "The consistent course is to commit our desires to our all-
               wise heavenly Father, and then, in perfect confidence, trust all
               to Him. We know that God hears us if we ask according to His
               will. But to press our petitions without a submissive spirit is not
               right; our prayers must take the form, not of command, but of
               intercession."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 230.

                                                                               99

                   God does nth answer our prayers according to our wants, but
                according to our real needs. This means that He sometimes
                answers our prayers in ways we could not anticipate.
                   "St. Augustine pictures his mother, Monica, praying all one
                night, in a sea-side chapel on the north African coast, that God
                would not let her son sail for Italy. She wanted Augustine to be a
                Christian. She could not endure losing him from her influence.
                If under her care, he was still far from being Christ's, what would
                he be in Italy, home of licentiousness and splendor, of manifold
                and alluring temptations? And even while she prayed there
                passionately for her son's retention at home, he sailed, by the
                grace of God, for Italy, where, persuaded by Ambrose, he be-
                came a Christian in the very place from which his mother's
                prayers would have kept him. The form of her petition was
                denied; the substance of her desire was granted. As St. Augus-
                tine himself puts it: 'Thou, in the depth of thy counsels, hearing
                the main point of her desire, regardest not what she then asked,
                that thou mightest make me what she ever desired.' It would be
                a sorry world for all of us, if our unwise petitions did not often
                have 'No' for their answer."—Harry Emerson Fosdick, The
                Meaning of Prayer, pp. 119, 120.

                 Why should we be careful not to insist on having our own
                way? Rom. 8:26, 27.

                   In our weakness we do not know what to ask for. We do not
                know God's will in every circumstance, and therefore we must
                trust God to take our prayers and interpret them for the good of
                all. How fortunate we are that our God does not always grant our
                requests but performs for us that which we cannot do for our-
                selves. And He transforms our petitions into prayers that are in
                harmony with His will.

                      "Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
                        The clouds ye so much dread
                      Are big with mercy, and shall break
                        In blessings on your head.

                      "Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
                        But trust Him for His grace;
                      Behind a frowning providence
                        He hides a smiling face."
                            —William Cowper
                      The Church Hymnal, no. 84. 100

                   Sometimes when we pray for health, what we really need is
               wisdom so we will know how to preserve our health.
                   "He [God] is the Author of laws that when violated bring
               trouble and pain. These bodies of ours are very obedient to the
               laws of CAUSE AND EFFECT. . . .
                   "How can I distinguish between true and false healing? ...
                   "Does the healer tell those who come to be healed that their
               illness may be the result of their own disregard of nature's laws?
               Does he teach them how to cooperate with these laws in the
               future?
                   "Does the healer tell his people about the healing power of
               sunlight as it is allowed to shower its radiant energy over body
               and soul?
                   "Does he tell them of the healing potential of ordinary
               water—skillfully, scientifically, generously used, inside and
               out?
                   "Does he tell men and women how to take a tip from their
               heart and rest between the beats?
                   "Does he tell them about pure, fresh air, God's air-
               conditioning system for body and mind? Air means oxygen, and
               oxygen means life.
                   "Does the healer explain what happens to someone when he
               neglects exercise? Does he explain that we must keep our
               nerves in balance—that unless we balance mental activity with
               physical exercise, sooner or later the mainspring will snap? A
               brisk walk each day is cheaper and far more interesting than a
               nervous breakdown.
                   "And does the healer say a word about diet—those fruits,
               grains, nuts, and vegetables that the Creator chose for the
               human race?"—George Vandeman, "What Faith Healers Don't
               Tell You," Signs of the Times, December 1971.

                 "The human agent should have faith and should co-operate
               with the divine power, using every facility, taking advantage of
               everything that, according to his intelligence, is beneficial,
               working in harmony with natural laws; and in doing this he
               neither denies nor hinders faith."—Counsels on Health, p. 382.

                                                                             101

      Part 5     What may be a benefit of passing through times of trouble?
   LEARNING
      FROM       "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
  SUFFERING    the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who com-
               forteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort
               them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we
               ourselves are comforted of God" (2 Cor. 1:3, 4).

                  How often we remark that affliction has "mellowed" some
               friend or acquaintance! Abrasive, objectionable traits of charac-
               ter have disappeared in the fires of sorrow and suffering.

                 "I asked the Lord that I might grow,
                    In faith, and love and ev'ry grace,
                 Might more of his salvation know,
                    And seek more earnestly his face.

                 "Twas he who taught me thus to pray,
                   And he I know has answered prayer,
                 But it has been in such a way
                   As almost drove me to despair."
                        —Olney Hymns
                        Quoted by Harry Emerson Fosdick,
                        The Meaning of Prayer, p. 112.

                  What benefits does James say we can gain from facing
               trials? James 1:2, 4.
                 Facing trials successfully matures a person. It teaches us to
               hate sin, and to help others overcome their trials.
                 If we were delivered miraculously from all sickness, how
               could we sympathize with the sufferer? Only when we have felt
               the scourge of pain can we understand what another person is
               experiencing. The person who looks death in the face may
               learn something about life that he could learn in no other way.

                  "Often prayer is solicited for the afflicted, the sorrowful, the
               discouraged; and this is right. We should pray that God will
               shed light into the darkened mind and comfort the sorrowful
               heart. But God answers prayer for those who place themselves
               in the channel of His blessings. While we offer prayer for these
               sorrowful ones, we should encourage them to try to help those
               more needy than themselves. The darkness will be dispelled
               from their own hearts as they try to help others. As we seek to
               comfort others with the comfort wherewith we are comforted,
               the blessing comes back to us."—The Ministry of Healing, p.
               256.

                  Suppose a Christian becomes seriously ill. And suppose the
               biblical instruction is followed—the elders of the church are
               called in, the sick person is anointed, and earnest prayers are
               offered for his recovery. But nothing happens. The illness con-
               tinues and worsens. Should prayers cease? The leaders of the
               church, his friends, his family should keep on praying. They
               should pray that God will help him in his trouble, and that his
               faith may not fail. As long as life lasts, the possibility remains
               that God may see best to intervene in his behalf; and if death
               comes, those who have prayed should not feel that their prayers
               have been in vain.

                 What explanation did Jesus give when the disciples were
               unable to cast a devil out? Matt. 17:19-21.

                 Prayer is more than a repetition of a formula. Prayer involves
               the whole soul in a whole relationship with God, one of absolute
               trust and confidence. Prayer does not insist on one solution to
               the problem, the one we would like, but the one that would bring
               honor and glory to God. True prayer is always consistent with
               God's will.
                  Sometimes we neglect prayer because we become preoc-
               cupied with other duties and activities. We need to reorder our
               priorities.
                  Sometimes we neglect prayer because we lose our sense of
               the presence of God. We have prayed and prayed and nothing
               has seemed to happen. We need then to remember that God still
               loves us, and also those for whom we pray.

                 "The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to
               pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to
               sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges
               that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer.
               Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray,
               when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's
               storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of
               Omnipotence?"—Steps to Christ, pp. 94, 95.
                 Our afflicted friends never need our prayers more than during
               long days, weeks, months, and perhaps years while disease and
               pain are ravaging their lives.

     -171-n2 51.aff2Erfing5
    .112m.115 "Consider him who endured from             of Christ.... Job is a mediator; Christ iners such hostility against himself,      is the Mediator.  that you may not grow weary or               "Job's willingness to pray for his int-hearted. In your struggle against      opponents climaxes his iyou have not yet resisted to the          demonstration of loyalty to God. The )int of shedding your blood" (Heb.         accusations of these men have been :3, 4, RSV).                               salt in his wounds. At the close of the
                                       ordeal his prayer in their behalf In a very real sense, Job was a type of    foreshadows the Saviour's prayer from e suffering Saviour, and his               the cross, 'Father, forgive them; for  perience was an example of the            they know not what they do.' Luke introversy between Christ and              23:34. Thus Job prays for his  tan.                                      persecutors ."—Pau IT. Gibbs,Job and "Very early in the history of the          the Mysteries of Wisdom, pp. 138-140. Drld is given the life record of one          In our lesson this week we look at )b] over whom this controversy of          Jesus to see the suffering He passed  tan's was waged."—Education, p.           through while achieving our salvation. 5.                                         He left heaven and came down to this  It is altogether appropriate, at the      earth to become a man and to live as a 3se of this series of lessons, to take a   man. ok at the great Sufferer of whom Job          He came to His own creation, to His is a type.                                 own chosen people; yet He was  "Christ's situation and Job's are         rejected and despised. And in uch alike. Job on his ash heap, Christ     Gethsemane He suffered the    His cross. Job bears the pain and       separation from His Father.  e public reproach of black leprosy,          On the cross we have the supreme Irist of crucifixion. Each is               example of sacrifice. When we  rrounded by a jeering, irresponsible      recognize that Jesus did all this so that  bble. . . .                               you and I can be saved, our hearts melt  "Christ suffers the same unjust           in love. The suffering that Jesus  sapproval of the mob, 'His                 endured for us is called to mind by the  pearance was . . . marred.' Isaiah        feet-washing service and the bread  :14. So each man, Job and the              and wine of the Lord's Supper.  aster, is accused of evil on the basis  at his physical condition testifies to    DAILY HIGHLIGHTS  raven's condemnation. . . . -             1. God's Son Became Man  "Like the mob which followed                 (Gal. 4:4, 5)  Irist to His trial and to His             2. God's Son Lived As Man  ucifixion, the people about Job exult        (Heb. 2:16, 17)   the opportunity to mistreat a            3. God's Son Suffered and  perior. . . .                                Died As Man
 . . When Job intervenes for his          (John 1:11)  ree friends, who have augmented           4. Symbol of Humiliation
sorrow as we sinners grieve our           (John 13:12)   ediator, his action becomes a high       5. Symbol of a Body  Duntain of evidence that he is a type        (Luke 22:19)
                                       6. Symbol of Blood
                                          (Luke 22:20)

                   God made a sacrifice in sending His Son. The Son made a
                 sacrifice in becoming man and submitting to the indignities of
                 those who should have known better.
                    "This was a voluntary sacrifice. Jesus might have remained at
                 the Father's side. He might have retained the glory of heaven,
                 and the homage of the angels. But He chose to give back the scep-
                 ter into the Father's hands, and to step down from the throne of
                 the universe, that He might bring light to the benighted, and life
                 to the perishing."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 22, 23.
                    "In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to hu-
                 manity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal
                 ages He is linked with us. 'God so loved the world, that He gave
                 His only-begotten Son.' John 3:16. He gave Him not only to bear
                 our sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He gave Him to the fallen
                 race. To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave
                 His only-begotten Son to become one of the human family,
                 forever to retain His human nature."—The Desire of Ages, p. 25.

                   As Paul describes what Jesus was willing to do for us, what
                 does he say our attitude should be? Phil. 2:3-8.

                    "Oh, if the human mind were only to comprehend—in such
                 measure as the plan of salvation can be comprehended by finite
                 minds—the work of Jesus in taking upon Himself human nature,
                 and what is to be accomplished for us by this marvelous con-
                 descension, the hearts of men would be melted with gratitude
                 for God's great love, and in humility they would adore the divine
                 wisdom that devised the mystery of grace!"—Testimonies, vol.
                 5, p. 749.

                   "Paul was convinced that if they [the Corinthians and others
                 who should read his epistle] could be brought to comprehend
                 the amazing sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven, all self-
                 ishness would be banished from their lives."—The Acts of the
                 Apostles, p. 333.

                  It is significant that Jesus did not come to the earth at the
                beginning of passion week and go back to heaven at its close.
                He spent more than 30 years on earth so that He might taste life
                as well as death.
                  "Mark the humble life of the Son of God. He was 'a man of
                sorrows, and acquainted with grief.' Behold His ignominy, His
                agony in Gethsemane, and learn what self-denial is. Are we
                suffering want? so was Christ, the Majesty of heaven. But His
                poverty was for our sakes. Are we ranked among the rich? so
                was He. But He consented for our sakes to become poor, that we
                through His poverty might be made rich. In Christ we have
                self-denial exemplified. His sacrifice consisted not merely in
                leaving the royal courts of heaven, in being tried by wicked men
                as a criminal and pronounced guilty, and in being delivered up
                to die as a malefactor, but in bearing the weight of the sins of the
                world. The life of Christ rebukes our indifference and coldness."
                —Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 407.

                  What characteristic of Jesus enables us to approach Him
                with confidence? Heb. 4:15.

                   "As one of us He was to give an example of obedience. For
                this He took upon Himself our nature, and passed through our
                experiences. 'In all things it behooved Him to be made like unto
                His brethren.' Heb. 2:17. If we had to bear anything which Jesus
                did not endure, then upon this point Satan would represent the
                power of God as insufficient for us. Therefore Jesus was 'in all
                points tempted like as we are.' Heb. 4:15. He endured every trial
                to which we are subject. And He exercised in His own behalf no
                power that is not freely offered to us. As man, He met tempta-
                tion, and overcame in the strength given Him from God."—The
                Desire of Ages, p. 24.

                  "We cannot equal the pattern; but we shall not be approved of
                God if we do not copy it and, according to the ability which God
                has given, resemble it."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 549.

                                                                                107

                   The word "home" in the RSV has been supplied, but it has
                been put there to bring out the difference that appears in the
                Greek between the "his own" that He came to and the "his own"
                who rejected Him. He came to the thing He had created, to that
                over which He was Lord and by right had dominion. Yet the
                people of His day whom He had created and chosen to be His
                own were the ones who treated Him as a stranger and who
                would not accept His works or testimony. Can you think of any
                experience that would bring greater pain, disappointment, and
                frustration? This rejection extended even to a disciple, Judas,
                who betrayed Him.

                 What request did Jesus make as He knelt in the Garden of
                Gethsemane? Matt. 26:39.

                  The fact that Jesus could offer this prayer is an indication that
                He realized how hard it would be for Him to bear the cross. To
                three of His disciples He said: "My soul is very sorrowful, even to
                death" (verse 38, RSV).

                  What expression of mental anguish did Jesus utter on the
                cross? Matt. 27:46.

                   "The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour
                in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow
                that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this
                agony that His physical pain was hardly felt. . . .
                      . . . Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when
                mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. . .
                   " ... No eye could pierce the gloom that surrounded the cross,
                and none could penetrate the deeper gloom that enshrouded
                the suffering soul of Christ."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 753, 754.

                  With what words of resignation did Jesus breathe His last?
                Luke 23:46.

                  Jesus really suffered. Job was a great sufferer, but Jesus was
                the great sufferer. We tend to forget how real and how intense
                His sufferings were. And He suffered voluntarily. He chose to
                suffer for you and me. It is this suffering that we memorialize as
                we celebrate the Communion service.

      Part 4  "So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his gar-
  SYMBOL OF ments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye
 HUMILIATION what I have done to you?" (John 13:12).

                  What do you understand to be the meaning of Jesus' wash-
                ing the disciples' feet?

                   There was no servant to perform the task of foot washing.
                Each disciple waited for another to render this service.
                   "How was Christ to bring these poor souls where Satan would
                not gain over them a decided victory? How could He show that a
                mere profession of discipleship did not make them disciples, or
                insure them a place in His kingdom? How could He show that it
                is loving service, true humility, which constitutes real great-
                ness? How was He to kindle love in their hearts, and enable
                them to comprehend what He longed to tell them?
                   "The disciples made no move toward serving one another.
                Jesus waited for a time to see what they would do. Then He, the
                divine Teacher, rose from the table. Laying aside the outer
                garment that would have impeded His movements, He took a
                towel, and girded Himself. With surprised interest the disciples
                looked on, and in silence waited to see what was to follow. 'After
                that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the
                disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He
                was girded.' This action opened the eyes of the disciples. Bitter
                shame and humiliation filled their hearts. They understood the
                 unspoken rebuke, and saw themselves in altogether a new light.
                   "So Christ expressed His love for His disciples. Their selfish
                 spirit filled Him with sorrow, but He entered into no controversy
                 with them regarding their difficulty. Instead He gave them an
                 example they would never forget. His love for them was not
                 easily disturbed or quenched. He knew that the Father had
                 given all things into His hands, and that He came from God, and
                 went to God. He had a full consciousness of His divinity; but He
                 had laid aside His royal crown and kingly robes, and had taken
                 the form of a servant. One of the last acts of His life on earth was
                 to gird Himself as a servant, and perform a servant's part."—The
                 Desire of Ages, pp. 644, 645.

                  "This ordinance is Christ's appointed preparation for the
                sacramental service. While pride, variance, and strife for
                supremacy are cherished, the heart cannot enter into fellowship
                with Christ. We are not prepared to receive the communion of
                His body and His blood. Therefore it was that Jesus appointed
                the memorial of His humiliation to be first observed."—The
                Desire of Ages, p. 650. (Emphasis supplied.)

                                                                                 109

                  It is so easy to forget! The things of the world clamor for our
               undivided attention. The great reality of Christ and His cross
               recedes into the background. The Lord's Supper should bring
               these truths back into focus, and should cause us to rededicate
               ourselves to our Lord and Master.
                  "The administration of the Sacrament was to keep before the
               disciples the infinite sacrifice made for each of them individu-
               ally as a part of the great whole of fallen humanity."—The Desire
               of Ages, p. 659.
                  "The ordinances that point to our Lord's humiliation and
               suffering are regarded too much as a form."—The Desire of
               Ages, p. 660.
                  "As faith contemplates our Lord's great sacrifice, the soul
               assimilates the spiritual life of Christ. . . .
                  "As we receive the bread and wine symbolizing Christ's bro-
               ken body and spilled blood, we in imagination join in the scene
               of Communion in the upper chamber. We seem to be passing
               through the garden consecrated by the agony of Him who bore
               the sins of the world. We witness the struggle by which our
               reconciliation with God was obtained. Christ is set forth
               crucified among us.
                  "Looking upon the crucified Redeemer, we more fully com-
               prehend the magnitude and meaning of the sacrifice made by
               the Majesty of heaven."—The Desire of Ages, p. 661.

                 Why is bread a fitting symbol of Christ? John 6:27, 32-35.

                 How does the bread represent suffering? 1 Cor. 11:24.

                  "The life of Christ that gives life to the world is in His word. It
               was by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons;
               by His word He stilled the sea, and raised the dead; and the
               people bore witness that His word was with power. He spoke the
               word of God, as He had spoken through all the prophets and
               teachers of the Old Testament. The whole Bible is a manifesta-
               tion of Christ, and the Saviour desired to fix the faith of His
               followers on the word. When His visible presence should be
               withdrawn, the word must be their source of power. Like their
               Master, they were to live 'by every word that proceedeth out of
               the mouth of God.' Matt. 4:4."—The Desire of Ages, p. 390.

                   "That blood alone is efficacious. It alone can make propitia-
                tion for our sins. It is the blood of the only-begotten Son of God
                that is of value for us that we may draw nigh unto God, His blood
                alone that taketh 'away the sin of the world.' "—Ellen G. White
                Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 971.

                  What symbols did Jesus use to point out the only way to
                eternal life? John 6:53-57. What did He mean? Verse 63.

                  "To eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ is to receive
                Him as a personal Saviour, believing that He forgives our sins,
                and that we are complete in Him. It is by beholding His love, by
                dwelling upon it, by drinking it in, that we are to become partak-
                ers of His nature. What food is to the body, Christ must be to the
                soul. Food cannot benefit us unless we eat it, unless it becomes
                a part of our being. So Christ is of no value to us if we do not
                know Him as a personal Saviour. A theoretical knowledge will
                do us no good. We must feed upon Him, receive Him into the
                heart, so that His life becomes our life. His love, His grace, must
                be assimilated."—The Desire of Ages, p. 389.
                  "To the holy Communion this scripture [John 6:54-57] in a
                special sense applies. As faith contemplates our Lord's great
                sacrifice, the soul assimilates the spiritual life of Christ. That
                soul will receive spiritual strength from every Communion. The
                service forms a living connection by which the believer is bound
                up with Christ, and thus bound up with the Father. In a special
                sense it forms a connection between dependent human beings
                and God."—The Desire of Ages, p. 661.
                       "Were the whole realm of nature mine,
                          That were a tribute far too small;
                       Love so amazing, so divine,
                          Demands my life, my soul, my all."
                              —Isaac Watts
                              The Church Hymnal, no. 118.

                  "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin"
                (1 John 1:7). Read also Rom. 5:9.

                                                                               111

                        First Lesson
   THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Memory Text, James 2:5.
    1. How to Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1)
      2. Recognizing Our Responsibility (Matt. 5:17-20)
       3. The Kingdom of God Is Here (Luke 17:20, 21)
        4. Dimensions of the Kingdom-1 (John 1:11)
        5. Dimensions of the Kingdom-2 (Matt. 13:33)
          6. Two Sermons on the Mount (Ex. 20:19)




                   Second Lesson
        THE POOR IN SPIRIT. Memory Text, Matt. 5:3.
           1. Object of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-11)
        2. Blessed Are the Poor (Luke 6:20; Matt. 5:3)
          3. Good News to the Poor (Luke 4:18, 19)
          4. Those Invited to the Feast (Luke 14:21)
              5. Jesus, Our Example (2 Cor. 8:9)
    6. The Promise of the Kingdom (Matt. 5:3; James 2:5)




             Lessons in Braille The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in Braille and 162/3 rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth, cannot hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.

                INSIGHT
                "I think the articles and editorials in INSIGF
                contain important ideas for young people
                are faced with making decisions on currer
                often controversial, issues, and adopting r
                principles by which to live.
                "I appreciate INSIGHT's occasional journey!
                into Adventist history, and reprints of Elle
                White's articles from the YOUTH'S INSTRUC
                We should be aware of our past and learn a
                can from it.
                "For me, INSIGHT is well worth the cost."
                Jocelyn Fay
                Assistant Editor
                ADVENTIST REVIEW

                   eZY)                           TUVALU' •
                    ,         SOLOMON              ISLANDS •
                    I —ZIP -761SLANDS
            •       1
                aro' I
                                                                           SAMOA ISLANDS
                                  NEW HEBRIDES                                 op •
                                        si)


                                                        FIJI 'co ISLANDS
                                                                                                      COOK .„ ISLANDS
                                                                         •.e
                                                                    TONGA4,
                                                                          tt ISLANDS
                                                                                                             •
                               N. NEW 6ALEDONIA


                                                                           UNION MISSIONS
                                                                             of the
                                                    j
                                                                      AUSTRALASIAN DIVISION
                                                                                                            Church 8.8.
                                                                      unions              Population Chunlys Mont, Momb.
                                                                      Central Pacific U.M. 1.003.859 120 13,836 18,503
                                                                      ParmaNawOulneaU.M. 2,539.660 387 64,113 68,391
                                                                      Western Pacific U.M.  477.200 153 15,651 20,731
                                                NEW
                                              ZEALAND