Friday, October 22, 2010

Commentary: Jonathan and the fifth commandment

Jonathan and the Fifth Commandment

 

One day the scribes and Pharisees approached Jesus about an alleged bad habit the disciples had.  They asked Him, "Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread" (Matthew 15:2).  Context is needed to understand the question.  The Pharisees and Scribes had a ceremonial washing of hands.  This custom, although derived from scripture, was not scriptural.  It was something the Jewish Rabbi's had established. 

 

The fact that Jesus did not answer their question does not say that washing of hands is not needed.  Jesus made a point that the Jews put more stock on the doctrines of men, than the Word of God (Matthew 15:9).  To make the point Jesus told them that there practice of Corban was unbiblical.  What is Corban?  Jesus elaborated in Matthew 15: 3 – 6,

 

Mat15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Mat15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Mat15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

Mat15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

 

The Jews were basically saying to their parents "What you have done for me was a gift, I owe you nothing."  This implied that if the Jews came into some money they felt no obligation to give any to their parents.  They felt they were freed from caring for their parents.  Christ was very critical of this practice.  He said to the Jews,

 

Matthew 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 

Jonathan stands in a great contrast to this practice.  Jonathan found a way to be loyal to both his dear friend David and his father: even, when Jonathan's father, Saul, hated David to death, literally.  Jonathan was not oblivious to his father's sinful ways.  Jonathan seemed to have followed how we interpret Paul's advice to the Romans about the government, "as long as they do not go against the law of God, submit to them."  When Saul insisted in wanting to kill David, Jonathan tried to appease his father.  The scripture records one such moment in 1 Samuel 19,

 

1 Samuel 19:4 And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:

1 Samuel 19:5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

1 Samuel 19:6 And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

 

Jonathan could have chosen to leave his father the King and go with David; but he did not.  Jonathan could have disrespected his father by raising his voice and speaking badly to him.  Jonathan was respectful and loving toward Saul.  He is an example to this generation of Christ likeness.  Jonathan is an example that in Christ we can overcome cultivated and inherited tendencies.  Ellen White says of Joshua,

 

"On the record of those who through self-abnegation have entered into the fellowship of Christ's sufferings, stand[s] … Jonathan … [He], by birth heir to the throne, yet knowing himself set aside by the divine decree; to his rival the most tender and faithful of friends, shielding David's life at the peril of his own; steadfast at his father's side through the dark days of his declining power, and at his side falling at the last—the name of Jonathan is treasured in heaven, and it stands on earth a witness to the existence and the power of unselfish love…" Ellen G. White, Education, pp. 156, 157.

 

I pray we heed Jonathan's example. 

 

 

 

 




--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

Friday, October 15, 2010

A Reason for Infertility

A Reason for Infertility

 Larry was a struggling colporteur who had too many books for sale and not enough customers.  One day, a friend of Larry's, Mr. Andrew, called asking if Larry had books on parenting for sale.  Apparently Mr. Andrew was friends with the Harold's, a married couple who were planning to adopt, and were looking to purchase some Christian parenting books. 

Remembering that he did indeed have some parenting books, Larry got the number from Mr. Andrew, and asked the Harold's to come by to view them.  Later that evening, the Harold's, having been thoroughly satisfied with their perusal of the books, ordered all of them.  Excited about the books along with their upcoming adoption plans, the couple told their story.  It seems that the Harold's had tried unsuccessfully for several years to have children, and now were days away from having their dream realized, through adoption.  They would finally be parents of a 3 day old baby boy.  Thrilled as only new parents-to-be can be, they promised to update Larry.

Six months later they called. "Larry, not only were the parenting books helpful, but we got our little boy, and -- we're now pregnant!"  It became apparent during the conversation that Mrs. Harold suspected that she might be pregnant when she met Larry to buy the books, but had decided not to entertain the idea, less she be disappointed once again.

How could Mrs. Harold be pregnant after all those years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive?  Larry's theory was that when Mr. and Mrs. Harold finally decided to adopt, the stress of trying to conceive was lifted, enabling Mrs. Harold to get pregnant.  Although Larry didn't know of any scientific evidence supporting his theory, he was sure his explanation was logical.

 Today, there is sufficient scientific evidence to prove that emotional and psychological stress can affect the body adversely.  Stress affects the brain by causing an influx of stress related hormones to flood the various systems of the body.  This includes the reproductive systems of both men and women.  These hormones often affect menstrual cycles and can affect the body's ability to transport a mature egg through the fallopian tubes, thus hindering fertilization.   

Naturally, one of the best solutions for successful reproduction is living a relatively stress free life, one of rest and quietude.  This is because rest causes the brain to release hormones that frequently enable reproduction. 

 Christ told the disciples that they could exchange the heavy burdens they carried for rest in Him.  In other words, He was their best source of rest.  Let us read a text in Matthew 11.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

This is what Hannah did.  We read in 1 Samuel 1:10 that "she was in bitterness of soul…" and that it was after eating that she arose and went to the temple, "… and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore."  In verse 13 we read of her agony of soul as: "she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard."  Verse 16 demonstrates the depth of the burden she carried as she states, "for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto."  She came to Christ heavy laden, and in unburdening herself by taking His yoke, she found rest for her soul.

  Speaking through Eli the priest, the Lord encouraged Hannah.  Verse 18 says that Hannah "went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad."  In other words, Hannah was relieved and content.

We do know that the scripture says that God "shut up her womb" thereby causing her infertility.  We have also seen that it was reversed after she came to the end of herself, just as truly as was Sarah's.  Each woman's complete trust in and dependence on God led to her rest. 

  How is it with you today, have you come to your rest? 


--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Hannah: Learning to Be Someone

Lesson 3: Hannah: Learning to Be Someone - 10/16/2010

For all who believe “the most precious message” is the beginning of the Elijah message, Hannah’s story is a great encouragement of how God will gloriously display His character to the world. It’s a quiet little secret in the Bible, but women play a pivotal role in the vindication of God in the great controversy. When Satan is accusing God and His people most vigorously, saying that there is no one on earth who reflects back to God His self-sacrificing agape, that they are all into God for the “goodies” He dishes out, God points to some poor soul who is a witness for Him.

Hannah is just such a woman. The state of the church in her day was pathetic. The priests Eli and his sons were corrupt. It was so bad that women were molested at the temple.

The books of Samuel depict a time of transition between the judges and the monarchy. Samuel was the last divinely ordained prophet-priest-judge leader of Israel before the succession of kings ruled. Just how Samuel came to prominence during a time of vacuum in leadership among God’s people is the story of Hannah.

Elkanah was a priest-in-waiting who resided in Ramah, about fifteen miles from Shiloh. Bigamy is a departure from God’s original plan for marriage. It is the source of conflict in Elkanah’s family (vs. 2). Hannah is barren. Elkanah wants children. He takes Peninnah for the express purpose of continuing the family name.

The annual holy seasons were similar to campmeetings. They provided times of family unity in the worship of God. They were to be expressly times of refreshment and joy. There was feasting and drinking (vs. 4).

A high quality portion of meat was apportioned to Hannah, demonstrating his favoritism toward her (vs. 5). Hannah is faced with “the other woman” and her children. She shares a feast with a God who has persistently denied her children of her own. Here is a barren woman who is loved and a fertile woman who is not (vs. 6). Penninah “taunts” (“provoked”, “fret,” vs. 7 “provoked”) Hannah with the reproach that God has caused her barrenness.

Hagar similarly treated Sarah in her barrenness. She persecuted the free woman who was promised the seed (Gal. 4:22-31). The old covenant generates a spirit of persecution within family systems and, yes, even in the church. Since faith has an egocentric motivation in the old covenant, it tends to ridicule, marginalize, and satirize new covenant faith, which is motivated by God’s self-sacrificing agape.

Instead of venting her feelings on Penniah, Hannah turns inward and becomes silent. She hides herself in grief (vs. 8). Hannah experiences the pain of persistent childlessness. Elkanah knows the cause of her pain. Yet his crass insensitivity comes across as a reproach to her for not recognizing that he can fulfill Hannah’s void tenfold. Elkanah may love her but his arrogance reveals he thinks he is the center of her world.

Unable to get any help or sympathy from her husband she turns to the only one who can surely understand, and who can give her children (vs. 10). Hannah turns to God. She is the only woman, in the entire Bible to utter a formal prayer and have it recorded in the sacred text.

Hannah’s vow breaks her silence. She will now be given a “voice” throughout the rest of her story. Her prayer request is very specific in requesting a son; yet it is an extremely self-sacrificing vow. It reveals that she understands the very heart of God who “gave His only begotten Son” for the world. She most desires a son, not for herself but for the vindication of God. She will give the son to God forever (vs. 11).

Hannah’s prayer forever defines the genuine nature of a new covenant vow. She appreciates what it takes for God’s promise-covenant of salvation to be given forever to the world. It cost the life of God’s own darling Son. She offers her son to God as a mirror image of God giving His Son for her. She may or may not realize it, but she is a singular witness in a time of apostasy, when Satan is accusing God that there is no one among His people who serves God because they appreciate His character of agape.

God is silent. He was silent when His Son cried out, “Why hast thou forsaken me?” The rules of the great controversy do not permit God to jump right in and give lavish assurances to His faithful ones in the midst of trials (vs. 12). But Eli “answers” her vow in a manner far removed from the answer she wants.

Eli is seated on his chair at the entrance to the temple. He sees her lips moving as she prays silently. He thinks she is drunk (vs. 13). Pilgrims to ancient Israel’s feasts often drank to excess. Eli observes this woman’s distress, but displays no kindness at all (vs. 14). Eli takes more seriously the apparent drunkenness of a woman than the heinous crimes of his own sons.

Her protest is that she is not “a worthless woman” like Eli’s “scoundrels” (1 Sam. 2:12, “worthless men”) (vs. 16). This is a stinging rebuke to Eli, yet done most politely, in dissociating herself from the behavior of his sons. His moral authority is completely undermined.

Eli is so obtuse he doesn’t pick up on it. He doesn’t even know what she has prayed (vs. 17). But he blesses her in the blind. She will eventually place her little “cuckoo” in Eli’s nest, who will receive an epiphany in the night pronouncing the end of Eli’s family. This fool mistakes her distress for inebriation, fails to spot her veiled accusation, and unwittingly contributes to the blessing of her vow, which will contribute to his downfall.

Eli has demonstrated no genuine compassion. However, his blessing has broken her isolation, setting in motion her going back to family, assuaging her grief, restoring her appetite, setting up her restoration (vs. 18). With the brush of a wisp of hair, she departs saying, “May I find favor in your sight.” Hannah’s lowest ebb will now curve upward from this point on.

The deeper appreciation of God’s love has now paved the way for both Elkanah and Hannah to understand what it means to be “one flesh.” Something was missing in their love before. Now the Inspired writer portrays them as “one” worshipping the Lord and returning home (vs. 19). Because of “Elkanah’s choice” of Penninah his marriage is wounded. God comes in to bring healing. Now Hannah enjoys a greater intimacy with her husband. Her womb is healed with the words “the Lord remembered her”—the curing of Hannah’s barrenness. Genuine faith in God’s everlasting covenant does that. Here is God’s response to her vow in two words—“remembered her.” The course of church history could not be changed with a description of fewer words than that. It’s entirely appropriate then that Hannah should name her son because she knows that he is God’s answer to her prayer. Samuel means “asked of God.”

After weaning Samuel she comes to Shiloh with a bull that is sacrificed, representing God’s own Son “who should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9). And now she offers her son to God forever. This is Hannah’s pilgrimage to Shiloh. It is unprecedented in all the Bible for a woman to make such an offering. It is comparable to Abraham offering up Isaac to God. It’s hard to respond adequately to Hannah’s sacrifice.

Hannah is a type of all those poor, weak, ridiculed voices calling for revival and reformation in the midst of an ease-loving people who are steadily growing in favor with worldlings (vs. 27). God apparently is silent to the prayers of His people who are longing for the return of the Elijah message. However, prayers that are tuned into what God wants never fall on deaf ears. God may need you to stand “alone” in order to win His great controversy with Satan.

Did God “lend” His Son to the world or did He “give” His Son to the world? If God only “lent” His Son for a few short years, then we have no Saviour now. Rather, God has given His Son as a permanent gift, the divine-human High Priest who administers the benefits of the ever-present cross to us from the heavenly sanctuary. The ultimate meaning of the cross is the atonement. He is illuminating the cross in order to draw alienated hearts by His love revealed there so we might experience being at-one-with God’s heart.

Hannah’s word “lent” indicates that Samuel was a living sacrifice for her all the days of her life (vs. 28). She felt keenly the separation from her darling son; albeit, she could go up and visit him anytime she wished, being only fifteen miles away. But this should not diminish the value of “Hannah’s sacrifice.” She and Samuel are a type of the sacrifice given by the Father and the Son. In this her message speaks eloquently as no other woman in the Old Testament to the self-denial of God.

—Paul E. Penno

Friday, October 08, 2010

Fwd: The ignored miracle.doc

The Ignored Miracle

 

I was driving with a friend down a country road with very little street lights.  To add to our challenge we were surrounded by a very dense fog.  My vehicle had no fog lights.  The fog was so dense I could barely see beyond the hood of my car.  Of course, trying to be cautious we were driving very slowly.  After a few minutes of struggling, we figure we were better off returning and doing the trip when it was clearer.  The fog prevented us from going further.  This event reminded me of what happened to the Egyptians on their way to kill the Israelites.  But, let's review the history before making the point. 

 

By saying that Caleb knew what slavery was like, our lesson introduces by putting him in Egypt at the time of the Exodus.  So, he witnessed God's power with the plagues.  He also witnessed God's power in sparing the Israelites first born sons.  He had been there when the Lord had led his people out of Egypt with a mighty hand. He had seen the sea open before Israel and swallow the Egyptian chariots and army.

 

These were mighty events that are often remembered when we talk about how God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians.  These are the examples we use when talking about what the Israelites forgot when they refused to conquer the land of Canaan.  A choice that forced them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until all that rebellious generation died.  But, often forgotten is how God stalled the Egyptians with a dense cloud.  An event I remember when I think how the fog prevented my friend and I from driving down that country road. 

 

If we recall the people of Israel had reached the Red Sea; which meant they could not travel any further.  Now behind them they could see the Egyptian army gaining on them.  From a human point of view it seemed like a trap.  At that moment the Israelites felt they had two options.  Both about which death to choose: drowning in the sea or pierced by a sword.  The people were sore afraid.  The Biblical record shows,

 

Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

Exodus 14:11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

Exodus 14:12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

 

The Lord knew what He was doing.  He told Moses what to do,

 

Exodus 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

 

And, the Lord prevented the Egyptians from getting close to the Israelites.  We read in Exodus 14: 19 – 20 how,

 

Exodus 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

Exodus 14:20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

 

The dense cloud stalled the Egyptians from pursuing the Israelites (while at the same time giving light to the Israelites).  Imagine the relief of the people who thought that in a few moments they would die in the hand of those pursuing them.  And, the Lord kept the Egyptians in this cloud until it was certain the Israelites would cross the parted sea safely.   

 

So, in the end it was a trap, but not for the Israelites, but for the Egyptians.  The Lord fulfilled His Words to Moses in Exodus 14: 17 – 18,

 

Exodus 14:17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

Exodus 14:18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

 

God's name was glorified that day.  He is merciful.  How soon they forgot.  Are we forgetting too ?




--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

The Ignored Miracle

The Ignored Miracle

I was driving with a friend down a country road with very little street lights.  To add to our challenge we were surrounded by a very dense fog.  My vehicle had no fog lights.  The fog was so dense I could barely see beyond the hood of my car.  Of course, trying to be cautious we were driving very slowly.  After a few minutes of struggling, we figure we were better off returning and doing the trip when it was clearer.  The fog prevented us from going further.  This event reminded me of what happened to the Egyptians on their way to kill the Israelites.  But, let’s review the history before making the point. 

By saying that Caleb knew what slavery was like, our lesson introduces by putting him in Egypt at the time of the Exodus.  So, he witnessed God’s power with the plagues.  He also witnessed God’s power in sparing the Israelites first born sons.  He had been there when the Lord had led his people out of Egypt with a mighty hand. He had seen the sea open before Israel and swallow the Egyptian chariots and army.

These were mighty events that are often remembered when we talk about how God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians.  These are the examples we use when talking about what the Israelites forgot when they refused to conquer the land of Canaan.  A choice that forced them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until all that rebellious generation died.  But, often forgotten is how God stalled the Egyptians with a dense cloud.  An event I remember when I think how the fog prevented my friend and I from driving down that country road. 

If we recall the people of Israel had reached the Red Sea; which meant they could not travel any further.  Now behind them they could see the Egyptian army gaining on them.  From a human point of view it seemed like a trap.  At that moment the Israelites felt they had two options.  Both about which death to choose: drowning in the sea or pierced by a sword.  The people were sore afraid.  The Biblical record shows,

Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
Exodus 14:11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
Exodus 14:12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

The Lord knew what He was doing.  He told Moses what to do,

Exodus 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

And, the Lord prevented the Egyptians from getting close to the Israelites.  We read in Exodus 14: 19 – 20 how,

Exodus 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
Exodus 14:20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

The dense cloud stalled the Egyptians from pursuing the Israelites (while at the same time giving light to the Israelites).  Imagine the relief of the people who thought that in a few moments they would die in the hand of those pursuing them.  And, the Lord kept the Egyptians in this cloud until it was certain the Israelites would cross the parted sea safely.   

So, in the end it was a trap, but not for the Israelites, but for the Egyptians.  The Lord fulfilled His Words to Moses in Exodus 14: 17 – 18,

Exodus 14:17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
Exodus 14:18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

God’s name was glorified that day.  He is merciful.  How soon they forgot.  Are we  forgetting too?

Friday, October 01, 2010

Fwd: The importance of context.doc

The importance of context

 

A man dressed as a pilot and sporting dark sunglasses is seen leaving the airplane into the tarmac with a dog walking by his side.   Someone inside the terminal waiting to get on the same airplane sees this man with what seems to be a guiding dog and frantically yells out, "The Pilot is blind!"  In an instant most of the crowd, also waiting for the same airplane went to the window, where they saw the man dressed as a pilot sporting dark sunglasses with a guide dog by his side.  Suddenly the eyes of the awaiting crowd turned from the window to the airline employee. Fearing for her safety she calls her superior, who immediately dispatches security and launches a frantic investigation. 

 

Security struggled to calm down the crowd, but it succeeded with minor difficulties.  As soon as the crowd was calm an airline employee showed up with the news.  "The man you saw is our pilot.  He is not blind.  The dog is not his.  The dog belongs to a blind passenger in our plane.  Our pilot offered to take the dog for a walk." 

 

When we do not have the complete and or correct information we can reach the wrong conclusions which can lead to bad choices leading to bad consequences.  The same thing happens when we have incorrect and or incomplete information about God.

 

Let us use the story of Job as an example.  Job is introduced in verses 1 through 5 of the first chapter,

 

 Job 1: 1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

 Job 1: 2And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

 Job 1: 3His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

Job 1: 4And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

 Job 1: 5And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

 

Job was a fortunate man and he seemed to credit God for it.  He also constantly interceded with God for others.  Starting on verse 6 there is a switch in scenes where we are made privy to background information that neither Job nor anyone else in the story has.  The Devil attacks Job while God permits it and seemingly observes and waits.  The rest of the story shows us how this moment in Heaven plays out on earth, specifically in Job and his acquaintances. 

 

With out the context we have, Job struggled to understand why God would do this to him.  Job's friends, also lacking this context, reached the wrong conclusions about Job and accused Job of suffering the consequences of his own iniquity.  Job defended himself, while pleading to God for an answer.   But, in the end of the story we find that because of this experience Job knew God better and trusted Him more. 

 

It would behoove us to remember this story and what we learn from it when we go through our own struggles in life.  This is perhaps the meaning of our memory text for this week's lesson,

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (American Standard Version)*

2 Timothy 3:16 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

 

We are to learn from Job's experience.  There is a great controversy in the universe, and it is being played out in our very own lives.  God held Job through this trial and He will hold us also.

 

--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

*The author used this version it is the closest the original language.