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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them
to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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August 3, 2014
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Contents:
1) The Book of Job (Mark Mayberry)
2) Why Hymn Books but Not Pianos? (Steve Fontenot)
2) News & Notes
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-1-
The Book of Job
by Mark Mayberry
"God washes the eye by tears until they can behold the invisible
land where tears shall come no more" (Henry Ward Beecher).
We cannot know for a certainty when Job lived, but there is
compelling evidence to believe that his name should be included
among the ancient patriarchs. He could easily predate the time of
Abraham. His home was in the land of Uz, which was probably in the
northern Arabian desert in a territory that came to be known as Edom
or Idumea.
Job was blessed with great abundance and a large family. Most
importantly, Job was a righteous man, respected by his peers and
servants alike. However, calamity struck Job: all his flocks, herds,
and possessions were swept away through a succession of disasters.
Even worse, the children whom he adored were all killed. Finally Job
himself was beset with a terrible and painful disease. Although he
questioned why such calamity should befall him, Job still maintained
his faith in God. In the end, his wealth was restored to twice its
original value, more children were born unto him, and he died a
happy man.
Job struggled with the problem of suffering. Every person will
eventually wrestle with the same questions that he faced. We all
must come to grips with the problem of suffering and sorrow, pain
and agony, disease and death. Thus, the Book of Job is a cherished
treasure; its message is timeless. Little did this humble man know
that the story of his personal adversity would become a source of
comfort to countless millions who, down through the centuries, have
faced tragedy themselves. This fact alone might well have been why
Job was called upon to endure adversity. Humankind has been taught a
valuable lesson from his example.
Summary of the Book
The Book of Job takes the form of a historical poem. The first scene
opens with a picture of Job's great prosperity, and then quickly
turns to a discussion between God and Satan. God proudly points to
Job as an example of a righteous man. However, Satan challenges God
by suggesting that Job is faithful only because of the cornucopia of
blessings he has received. The Lord permits Satan to test his theory
by removing Job's abundance, but this honorable man's faith remains
intact. Next, Satan suggests that physical suffering will cause man
to curse God. Yet when Job is tried again, Satan is disappointed.
In the second scene, Job still does not curse God, but he does put
some hard questions to the Lord. Bewildered and confused, he asks,
"Why must I suffer such loss? What have I done to cause God to
punish me so severely? What sins have brought on this calamity? Why
is God so inconsistent in his punishment of the wicked? Why do the
righteous suffer while the wicked prosper? Is there justice with
God?" Thus Job challenges God, demanding to know why he has
experienced such misfortune.
While Job presents this case to God, three of his friends --
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar -- argue against him. Their approach is
based on a simple syllogism: God always punishes sin; suffering is
the result of sin; therefore Job is more of a sinner than he is
willing to admit. They demand that Job confess his misdeeds. Yet,
throughout it all, Job maintains his innocence. His faith has not
been a put-on; his fidelity has not been a sham. There must be some
other answer.
The third scene introduces a young man named Elihu who claims that
neither Job nor his friends are correct. God does not act
capriciously, as Job claims. Neither is suffering necessarily the
result of sin, as his friends claim. Rather Elihu argues that
suffering is often used by God to teach man certain lessons and to
strengthen a person's character.
In the final scene, it is God's turn to speak. The Master of the
Universe challenges Job: "What right do you have to accuse God? What
power do you have? What understanding? What control? What authority?
What wisdom?" The Lord God demands a response, but Job is
dumbfounded. God continues to confront Job. He points out the paltry
dominion of man. If man fears the large animals of the field, how
much more should he manifest awe and respect for the Creator of all
things? Through example after example, Jehovah sets forth the
overwhelming difference between man and God. Finally, the Lord turns
to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Job's three friends are rebuked for
having spoken falsehood. "My wrath is kindled against thee," said
God, "for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right" (Job
42:7).
Conclusion
Job learned his lesson. In the end, he confessed the greatness and
majesty of God; he repented in deep humility (Job 42:16). Job's
humble response demonstrates the depth of his righteous character.
This indeed was a man of faith. The book closes with a picture of
Job's restored prosperity.
"Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do
every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is
he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered
that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew
not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee,
and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the
ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and
repent in dust and ashes" (42:1-6).
Still we are left with the quandary, "Why does man suffer?" Even
this masterpiece of literature does not answer all of our questions.
Job was never given a direct answer as to why he suffered adversity.
However, that itself is part of the lesson. True faith does not
require an immediate or complete understanding of the workings of
God. We cannot know all of God's wisdom. In some respects we are not
even in a position to ask "Why?"
However, the Scriptures do make several matters clear. First, we are
reminded that all men, righteous and wicked, will one day stand
before God in judgment. Evil men may prosper in this life, but their
crimes will be exposed on that final day and they will be swept away
like a flood. Secondly, we learn the fallacy of believing that
suffering is always the result of sin. Job was a righteous man; he
was not being punished for his wrong doings. Finally, it becomes
obvious that man is in no position to accuse God of injustice. Man
must learn not to blame God for all human suffering. We cannot plumb
the ways of God; instead, "the just shall live by faith." When all
was said and done, Job gained an understanding of the overwhelming
might and majesty of Jehovah.
An awareness of these truths will not stop the tears of one who is
suffering heartache or facing calamity. But they do challenge us to
recognize the sovereignty of God. We must trust in his wisdom and
understand that he has a time and purpose for all things, including
adversity and suffering. It may not be apparent, but God works
providentially in life to bring his people into a closer
relationship with him, and thereby into greater harmony within
themselves and with each other. Through faith, we can triumph over
difficulties, even though we may not fathom all the circumstances of
suffering (by Mark Mayberry. Adapted from The Narrated Bible by F.
LaGard Smith [Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1984], p.
22,1155-1209).
-- Via Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 14, pp. 424-425, July 20, 1989
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-2-
Why Hymn Books but Not Pianos?
by Steve Fontenot
Some may wonder how one could object to a piano in worship to God
and yet have hymn books. Neither is specifically mentioned in the
New Testament.
Let's illustrate with Noah and the ark. When God told Noah to build
an ark out of "gopher wood" (Gen. 6:14), that did NOT authorize Noah
to use pine, fir, or cedar, for these are ANOTHER KIND of wood. To
use another kind of wood WITHOUT AUTHORITY would have been
presumption. However, that command DID authorize tools to build
with, and red, white, or yellow gopher wood (if there be such), even
though not specifically mentioned.
Likewise, when God said, "sing" (Eph. 5:19), that did NOT authorize
pianos, guitars, and organs, for these are ANOTHER KIND of music. To
offer God another kind of music WITHOUT AUTHORITY is presumption.
But, the command to sing DID authorize hymn books, a leader, lights,
and harmony, though not specifically mentioned.
-- Via The Beacon, March 6, 2012
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-3-
News & Notes
Let those of us who are Christians be remembering the following
people in prayer:
Due to intense pain in the pancreatic area and nausea, Myrna
Jordan was taken to the local Mayo Hospital in Waycross,
Georgia, August 5. But from there, she was then transferred by
ambulance to the Memorial Hospital in Savannah, where she'll be
having an endoscopic ultrasound to help determine the
cause. In the meanwhile, medication has been giving her some
relief and enabling her to rest.
Danielle Howard's surgery on her parathyroids, August 5,
went well. A normal parathyroid is said to be between 30 to 50
mg. Danielle had one that was 3000 mg and another at over 150
mg. They were both removed. As a result, the calcium
that had been building up, due to the wrong signal of the
parathyroid, is expected to reduce rapidly. Prior, it had
greatly depleted the calcium in her bones by redistributing it.
Jim Lively had a second sleep study on July 30, in which that
time it involved the use of an oxygen mask. His sleep apnea
had caused him to stop breathing 36 times in one hour. On
August 1, he also had another kind of breathing test; and the
results indicate that Jim also has acute asthma, as he was informed
by his pulmonary doctor. Therefore, before his heart surgery,
they will be working with his lungs for the next couple
months.
Even with the new treatment, Virginia Fontenot's cancer
markers have tripled to 168. Her daughter also informs me that
her mother's "breathing is not good and becomes labored with any
exertion."
Let us also continue to remember the others, too, on our prayer
list: Ronnie Davis, Rex and Frankie Hadley, Jewel Wilson, Mary
Vandevander, Deborah Medlock, Shirley Davis, Sue Wooten, A.J. and
Pat Joyner, and Colleen Henson.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom.
10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John
3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts
8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins
(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet.
3:21)
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation can
be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 5 PM (worship)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go
(Gospel Observer website)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)