Lesson - 14 December 31, 2016 SOME LESSONS FROM JOB

The mystery of… The invisible. Evil. Grace. Hope. Jesus and Job. “We have no reason to doubt God’s word because we cannot understand the mysteries of His providence. In the natural world we are constantly surrounded with wonders beyond our comprehension. Should we then be surprised to find in the spiritual world also mysteries that we cannot fathom? The difficulty lies solely in the weakness and narrowness of the human mind.” E.G.W. (Education, pg. 170) The mystery of… The invisible. Evil. Grace. Hope. Jesus and Job.

“while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18) THE INVISIBLE The book of Job introduces the reality of a spiritual world that we can’t see with our eyes. We shouldn’t be surprised, since we are surrounded by an invisible realm that we use every day: Radio waves, satellite communications, cell phones, Wi-Fi, gravity… Why shouldn’t we accept that there are “spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)? That intangible realm help us to live a humble life, since we are aware of our ignorance and we accept and acknowledge that we depend on God who care about us.

“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” (Job 1:12) EVIL Job was attacked by the “spiritual hosts of wickedness” in a strong way. He suffered more than most of us did. Satan attacked Job in two different ways. And he attacks us in these similar ways too. Physical evil. Disasters, accidents… Moral evil. Temptations, doubts, people’s words and actions… The book of Job clearly states who creates all sin in this world. Satan, our enemy, is responsible for all the evil around us in this world.

GRACE “I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all!” (Job 16:2) Job’s friends came to comfort him but they finally accused him of a serious sin. Let’s compare their attitude to Jesus’ towards the adulterous woman (John 8:1-11): The woman was accused of a serious sin. Her sin was real unlike Job’s. The woman wasn’t condemned. Job was. What was the difference? Why wasn’t that woman condemned? God’s two precious gifts given to us is the answer: forgiveness and grace. Shouldn’t we show forgiveness and grace to those who suffer without ever judging if they sinned or not?

HOPE “for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10) Job experienced the reality of evil in a strong way. Nevertheless, as he was sitting on the ashes of desperation he declared, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” (Job 19:25 NIV) Job teaches that God is there in the middle of the injustice and the heartaches of this life. He knows and He has promised that not everything is useless. The Plan of Redemption has guided God’s children from Eden to our days. We are walking “to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” (Hebrews 12:22)

JESUS AND JOB JESUS JOB He was righteous (1Jn 2:1) He was tempted by Satan (Mt 4:1-10) He was defamed (Jn 18:30) He didn’t sin when tested (Heb 4:15) He was rewarded (Mt 4:11) JOB He was righteous (Job 1:1) He was tempted by Satan (Job 1:12) He was defamed (Job 22:5) He didn’t sin when tested (Job 1:22) He was rewarded (Job 42:10) Of course Jesus and Job weren’t the same. Nevertheless, we can see how Job–who was a sinner like us– followed the steps of Jesus and remained faithful to God. “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3)

“It is the will of God that each professing Christian shall perfect a character after the divine similitude. By studying the character of Christ revealed in the Bible, by practicing His virtues, the believer will be changed into the same likeness of goodness and mercy. Christ’s work of self-denial and sacrifice brought into the daily life will develop the faith that works by love and purifies the soul.” E.G.W. (Lift Him up, June 6)