THE KING’S BUSINESS
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eh speaketh. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil?” In all this j did not Job sin with his lips. Then again' in the midst of his suffering he cried out, “Though He slay me yet will I trust Him.” After Bildad had finished his second discourse, attempt ing to prove Job’s guilt by oriental prov erbs, Job replies by citing his many miseries and suddenly closing his speech with these sublime words of faith: “For I know that my Redeemer liveth and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God.” 4. The Convictions of Elihu. (Ch. 32-37.) “So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. “Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled because he justified himself rather than God. “Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. “Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.” Elihu’s discourse shows a much higher conception of God than the others, and because of his idea, God does not class him with the three friends. (42:7). Elihu is quite self-assertive and brings many charges against Job, but fails to solve Job’s ' problem. His speech is ended and Job’s Jehovah Himself answers instead of Job but speaking directly to him. The discus sion has been about God and Divine gov ernment and now God speaks. Can Job explain, the phenomena of Nature?, How then can he understand the principles of Gpd’s government? If Job cannot explain sufferings are unaccounted for. IV. The Crisis. (38:1; 4 2 :7 ).
the mysteries of creation can he govern it better than the Creator? Submission to God’s ways and not worry is man’s part. Job was overwhelmed by God’s speeches and made very conscious of his presence: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ea r: but now mine eyes seeth thee. “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” ■ • Job gets a glimpse of God, forgets his self-defense and righteous life. He catches sight of God and his heart breaks. One good look at God was enough to bring him to self-judgment and self-abhorance. Christian men and women everywhere need a new and clear vision of God. Such a view would have a wonderfully blessed effect in the church of Christ today. One of the purposes of suffering is that we might be brought to self-judgment. V. The Consummation. (4 2 :7 -1 7 ). How well it all.ended. God’s model man made good. God’s champion won. God’s honor and perfection were vindicated and Satan vanquished. What a glorious vic tory it was for God. And a man was allowed to win i t ! What an honor to act as God’s champion as Job did! How completely God vindicated Job and how richly He rewarded him! Could God trust us to the extent He trusted Job? What a dignity and glory this puts on suffering! This is truly suffering for His sake. Summary. The Champion—Job an upright man. The Challenge—Satan’s charges concern in g the motive of Job’s godliness and the insult to God Himself. The Contest—The challenge accepted. The calamities sent upon Job. The charges of his three friends and his replies. The convictions of Elihu. The Crisis—The speeches and the pres ence of God brings self-judgment. The Consummation—Victory.
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