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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
June, 1940
the earth, and he, Job, would then be vindicated (cf. .v. 25, R.V. marg.). Whether Job had a full understanding of the import of what he said may be open to question. But we, with the light of the New Testament upon this passage, can surely see that Job’s declaration was fully warranted. Job knew his body was destined for the grave, and that there it would pass into corruption. But he felt that he himself was something more than a body of mere clay, and that the day would come when he would, in his flesh, see God. He had come to an experience of faith in a resurrection of the dead. He saw that, even though his body should die; be buried, and be eaten by worms, yet there would come a day when the dust would be revived and flesh would once more clothe him—and in that body of flesh he would behold the living God. Job then rebuked his three friends for condemning him. He warned them that the sword of which they spoke— the one which they said was aimed at Job—was aimed at all of them. Job asserted that they were saying, “How we will persecute him!” (v. 28, R.V.). In reality, they were persecuting God, in whose hands are all the changing expe riences of human life. Points and Problems 1. To understand the Old Testament doctrine of the state after death, the student must know the meaning of the Hebrew word “ Sheol” and also the places where this important term oc curs in the Old Testament. Unfortun ately, the translators of the King James Version used three different English words to translate “Sheol,” and .thus confused the reader. This Hebrew word occurs 65 times, and is rendered “ grave” 31 times, “hell” 31 times, and “pit” 3 times. Every one of these English words misrepresents the real meaning. In the Old Testament, the word “Sheol” refers to the realm of human spirits after death. At death the body went to the grave, and the spirit went to Sheol. Be fore the resurrection o f Christ, this was true, of both the righteous and the un righteous. Even the soul of our Lord went to Sheol when He died (Psa. 16:10 —“ Sheol,” R.V.). We should understand, however, that in Sheol there were two distinct regions, one a place of comfort, the other of suffering (cf. Lk. 16:19-31). 2. Now this word “ Sheol” occurs three times in the first two passages of the lesson. In Job 14:13 the word “ grave” should be changed to “Sheol.” The same change should be made in 17:13. And in 17:16 the word "pit” should be changed to “ Sheol.” Once this is done, remembering the meaning of Sheol, the reader is ready to study these passages intelligently. 3. “ Oh that thou wouldest- hide me in Sheol , until thy wrath be past”
JULY 14, 1940 JOB’S STRUGGLE TO FAITH IN LIFE AFTER DEATH J o b , C h a p t e r s 3 t o 19
However, as he considered this, he was convinced that his steps were num bered and that his transgressions were ever before God. His iniquities were sealed up, to be brought forth at an ap pointed time. Hence the possibility of a future life was not a thing of unalloyed delight in which he would rejoice, be cause it would bring to light all the transgressions of his life. This realiza tion left poor Job in a quandry, with' a desire for that future life, but with a dread of that life. n . J o b ’ s O u t l o o k (17:13-16) The future seemed to hold a hopeless outlook for Job. If his hope were the grave, if he lay down in darkness, .if the pit were his father and the worm his -mother, then where would be his hope ? His hope would be nothing more than final corruption brought about in the grave, and like himself, this hope would perish. This, of course, is noth ing more than the reasoning of the nat ural mind. We sometimes forget the fact that in the Fall our reasoning pow ers as well as our affections were ruined. . Utter depravity and corruption already mark fallen nature, and there is no hope for man in himself. This truth was not yet recognized by Job, and thus he was in mental darkness whichever way he turned. But, as Job viewed the matter, even though there was to be complete dis solution, in that very outcome a gleam of hope shone forth, because when death came, it would bring rest at last, the rest of complete insensibility. This is the only hope the natural man can of fer, the hope of Nirvana of the pagans. How dismal is( this prospect! m . J o b ’ s C o n v ic t io n (19:23-29) Job gradually progressed along the path which led from the darkness into the light. So great was the truth which dawned upon him that he desired’ his words describing it to live. He wished that they might be written in the rock with a pen of iron and thus be pre served forever (cf. vs. 23, 24). He then declared what he knew, that his “Redeemer liveth,” and that He would stand up at the last day upon BLACKBOARD LESSON
Job 14:13 Oh that thou wouldest hide m » in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy. wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14 If a man die, shall he live again ? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. 15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands. 16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? 17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity. 17:13 If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the dur ness. 14 I have said to corruption, viioà art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. 15 And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see It? 16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust. 19:23 Oh that my words were now writ ten! oh that they were printed in a book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! 25 For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And (hough after my skin worms destroy this body, yet. in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. 28 But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? 29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of-, the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment. LESSON TEXT : Job 14:13-17; 17:13-16; 19:23-29. GOLDEN TEXT : «For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:25). DEVOTIONAL READING: John 14:1-9. Outline and Exposition L J o b ’ s L a m e n t (14:13-17) J OB had been deploring the brevity for a tree, when it was cut down, that it would sprout again (v.7), but that there was not hope for a man when once he was cut down, or died; that was the end of the man—he “lieth down, and riseth not’’ (v. 12). In the light of this conclusion, Job sought to know what was the profit in continuing in life when there could be nothing expected except disease and pain and,darkness, ending, only in the grave. Better far to be in the grave at once where all sen sation of evil would be absent (v. 13)! But, Job reasoned, if perchance there was life aftei death, he would gladly wait all the days of his warfare until his release should come (eft vs. 14, 15, R.V.),. He felt he could stand the ter rible experiences through which he was passing if he could look forward to com ing into a life where the sorrows ol earth were past.
and pain of human life, which, to him, seemed to render life without hope. He reasoned that there was hope
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