Job, his old friends and his new friend, also a study of what the book of Job means to all mankind

Front matter

Class bSi^l S"

Book Jl^

Copgtol^" \'\\%

Preface

Let me not be presumptuous. Let me not depend only upon opinions formed within my own human thought. Let me not be governed by selfishness, nor a willingness to disregard the opinions of others whose beliefs are expressed in earnestness and sincerity. Neither let me insist on my own correctness. Rather do I pray for guidance from a source higher than human understanding. While desiring to be considerate to all who have sought and are seeking a true understanding of the Bible, I am unable always to agree with them ; therefore it becomes my duty to reply: *'Let us choose to us judgment; let us know among ourselves what is good." (Job 34:4.) I have listened to them and will be thankful if they will listen to me while I do my best to explain a concept of the meaning of one of the books of the Bible which differs somewhat from theirs.

A philosopher writes of philosophy, though never claiming to fully understand his subject. An electrician speaks of electricity, while realizing he knows only the rudiments of its force. A chemist observes certain effects, but can only partially explain them. So also a student of the Bible, or one of its grand books, must confess that he comprehends but a part of its meaning. However, there always may be value in honest deductions. No man can claim perfection, but improvement is open to all.

Those who read the book of Job, and even those who desire to study it, are apt to look for its grandest lessons in the arguments and sayings of the subject and his three

S PREFACE

old companions, in which there is so much to engage attention; so much of reasoning, so many comparisons, so many aphorisms and so large an amount of good advice withal. Absorbed with thoughts of these and perhaps a little wearied with them, they are inclined to hurry through what is said by the young man Elihu, and are thoughtlessly impressed with the idea that he merely continues the reproving sayings of the older men.

Such readers or students fail perhaps to comprehend this ancient forerunner, who was sent to speak "in God's stead" (Chap. 33:6). So far as I know, this affirmation of Elihu is either denied or ignored by practically all sectarians. Those who so deny or ignore, have a right to their opinions, but the writer can neither agree with them nor admit their value, for from such careful study as is possible for him, comes the belief that the grandest words of instruction in the book of Job are found in the words of Elihu and in those which followed from the voice out of the whirlwind. There also comes to him the further belief that the book of Job allegorically illustrates and exemplifies the coming of the Christ to man and mankind, in all ages; the forever Christ who was **before Abraham" and "before the world was".

Furthermore, I believe the book typifies the regeneration and final redemption of all of Adam's mistaken and sinning race, through the discernment and realization of the ever-present influence of that power which comes to man from God (Good), through the Christ — the Saviour — who said, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world". This influence, to human eyes unseen and by human understanding scarcely recognized, is only developed through a spiritual awakening such as came to Job from the wonderful speech of Elihu, whose inspired words were far in advance of those who had preceded

PREFACE 9

him. This culminating speech enabled Job to discern the voice of Truth. But Jesus said, "Elias truly shall first come".

Perhaps even those who have tried to read and study the Bible with closest care may incline to pass lightly over the speech of Elihu, because he begins in a manner so boyish and unpresuming. He expresses modesty, sympathy and kindness, which gracefully change to steadiness and firmness, as he answers the four older men, with ''knowledge from afar", which soon engages their amazed and attentive interest. And as he proceeds this interest increases. And so, even in this age, those who will read and carefully study the chapters of the book of Job from the 32nd to the 37th, inclusive, may indeed find a forerunner of the understanding of Spiritual Truth, a gleam of dawn, which precedes and portends the coming of day. Even as this dawning came to Job thousands of years ago, so it may come in every age to the sincerely earnest seeker for spiritual light, which "shineth in darkness ; and the darkness comprehended it not".

In publishing this little book, it is right to say that any man who has encountered and survived suffering, pain, discouragement and despair, "so that his life abhorreth bread", and "which long for death, but it cometh not", should be better prepared to study and comprehend Job than those who have not passed through such conditions. The school of experience closes not its doors. My reason for this undertaking is to bring out an understanding of the book, which is built upon and sustained by experience, even more than by study, and grander far than experience is revelation.

It is said that there is a certain amount of selfishness in every human act. I will not deny the assertion nor waste time in considering its truth or untruth. But this

10 PREFACE

I am happy to realize, namely : if selfishness has anything to do with my motive, it is only in minimum proportion. For, to all human appearance, I am an old man, well past the "three score and ten". Most of my old friends, and all of my cousins (of whom there were about fifty) have passed beyond this stage of existence and I am left standing alone, like an old tree — though with still a few green leaves. I have little or no ambition for personal advancement, neither does "poverty or riches" disturb or influence me (Prov. 30:8). I am better off than the great bankers and capitalists of Europe or America, for I have enough, while they have too much. Pity these poor men!

So far as I can understand, the motive for publishing this book is unselfish and springs purely and happily from a desire to benefit my fellow men. With such resources of language as are herein embodied, I have endeavored to do my duty. I appreciate theology, the churches, schools and colleges in that which is practical and useful, to the end that "all things be done decently and in order". Nevertheless, the needs of humanity are not fully met by pulpit oratory or literary pride, which not infrequently draw their votaries away from obedience to the first commandment.

But if a man shall speak or write solely from sincere desire to do that which may be useful, I believe he will not only do his best but he will be aided through ideas that come from the infinite source of all good. His earnest and unselfish desire for betterment to all is a constant prayer. And more and more, as he proceeds, will he depend upon and be aided by this steadfast desire.

Just what influence has impelled me to work in this field, I cannot describe; but I am conscious of support

PREFACE 11

from an honest endeavor to labor for the right. The work has been done mostly in the early hours of the morning, and has been a pleasant experience.

Criticism, always looking for defects, will, of course, find them. But hoping and trusting in the Divine Power, I also hope and trust that those readers who are looking for the good and true, will not be entirely disappointed. Let us all try to get on the right side of things.

The Author.

The book divides itself into four parts :

First, the story of human troubles.

Second, the story of human reasoning.

Third, the dawning of Spiritual light.

Fourth, the unfolding of Spiritual understanding with its Divine, unerring and unmistakable proof of the vast superiority of that which is Spiritual, over that which is obtained through or by human reason.

This is the grand lesson of regenerated Job to mankind !

T

Chapter 1

HERE 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.

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

3 His 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.

4 And 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.

5 And 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.

6 ^ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou ? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said. From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered

my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a

perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and

escheweth evil?

9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought ?

10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side! thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power ; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

13 ^ And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them :

15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them 'dwsLj; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said. The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

18 While he ivas yet speaking, there came also another, and said. Thy sons and thy daughters tuere eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother 's house :

19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21 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.

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Chapter 2

AGAIN there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.

2 And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou ? And Satan answered the Lord, and said. From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

3 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an unright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

6 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand ; but save his life.

7 ^ So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal ; and he sat down among the ashes.

9 If Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What ? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil ? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

11 If Now when Job 's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite : for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.

12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.

13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Chapter 3

AFTER this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. 2 And Job spake, and said,

3 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said. There is a man child conceived.

4 Let that day be darkness ; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.

5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it ; let the blackness of the day terrify it.

6 As for that night, let darkness seize upon it ; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.

7 Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.

8 Let them curse it that curse the day, who are readyto raise up their mourning.

9 Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none ; neither let it see the dawning of the day :

10 Because it shut not up the doors of my mother ^s womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.

11 Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly ?

12 Why did the knees prevent me ? or why the breasts that I should suck?

13 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept : then had I been at rest,

14 With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves ;

15 Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:

16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infaiifcs which never saw light.

17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.

18 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.

19 The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.

20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

21 Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

22 Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave ?

23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?

24 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.

25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

Chapter 4

THEN Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, 2 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking.

3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest ; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.

6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?

7 Remember, I pray thee who ever perished, being innocent ? or where were the righteous cut off ?

8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.

10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.

11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.

12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.

13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men.

14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:

16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,

17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:

19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?

20 They are destroyed from morning to evening : they perish for ever without any regarding it.

21 Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.

Chapter 5

CALL now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn ?

2 For wrath MUeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

3 I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.

4 His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.

5 Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.

6 Although affiction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground:

7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

8 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

10 Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields :

11 To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

12 He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.

15 But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.

16 So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.

17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty :

18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up : he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.

21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue : neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field : and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.

24 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall he in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.

25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall he great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.

26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.

Chapter 6

BUT Job answered and said, 2 Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together !

3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea : therefore my words are swallowed up.

4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an eggi

7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off !

10 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should hope ? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

12 75 my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

13 Is not my help in me ? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

14 To him that is afflicted pity should he shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid :

17 What time they wax warm, they vanish : when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

21 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

22 Did I say. Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or. Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it :

30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

Chapter 7

18 there not an appointed time to man upon earth ? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?

2 As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reivard of his work :

3 So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.

4 When I lie down, I say. When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.

5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.

6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

7 remember that my life is wind : mine eye shall no more see good.

8 The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more : thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.

9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.

10 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

12 Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?

13 When I say. My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;

14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions :

15 So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.

16 I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.

17 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

18 And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?

19 How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?

20 I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

21 And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity ? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not he.

Chapter 8

THEN answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth he like a strong wind?

3 Doth God prevert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

4 If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;

5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.

7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

8 For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

9 (For we are hut of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)

10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?

12 Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.

13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:

14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall he a spider's web.

15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand : he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.

16 He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.

17 His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.

18 If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.