INTERESTING FACTS : Roger Sherman, SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; "MASTER BUILDER OF THE CONSTITUTION"; JUDGE; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; U. S. SENATOR

 

"I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him. . . . That He made man at first perfectly holy; that the first man sinned, and as he was the public head of his posterity, they all became sinners in consequence of his first transgression, are wholly indisposed to that which is good and inclined to evil, and on account of sin are liable to all the miseries of this life, to death, and to the pains of hell forever. I believe that God . . . did send His own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners, and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind, so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the Gospel offer. . . . I believe a visible church to be a congregation of those who make a credible profession of their faith in Christ, and obedience to Him, joined by the bond of the covenant. . . . I believe that the sacraments of the New Testament are baptism and the Lord's Supper. . . . I believe that the souls of believers are at their death made perfectly holy, and immediately taken to glory: that at the end of this world there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a final judgment of all mankind, when the righteous shall be publicly acquitted by Christ the Judge and admitted to everlasting life and glory, and the wicked be sentenced to everlasting punishment."

 

DAILY READING : JOB 21 - 23

 

TEXT : Job 22:21  Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.; Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

 

THEME : TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS

 

There is a continued insistence that Job sinned against God. This is the understanding of Eliphaz in chapter 22. It is also the conclusion of  all Job's friends. However, Job maintains that he has done nothing wrong and continues to desire to interrogate God. While it is true that sin brings consequences such as Job's friend's state, the main theme of the Book of Job is that bad things do happen to good people. Sometimes, we wish to have our theology so black and white that we cannot see the righteous do suffer. Yet, the righteous never suffer like the wicked. In other words, when God permits or ordains a trial to come on His own people there is a [higher] purpose involved. Still, when we go through God's trials with the appropriate patience and anticipation of good, we triumph - every time. [2Co_2:14  Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.]

 

"Acquaint now thyself with him - Margin, that is, "with God." Eliphaz takes it for granted now, that Job was a sinner wholly unreconciled to God, and unacquainted with him. This fact, he supposes, was the source of all his calamities. As long as he remained thus unreconciled to God, he must be miserable. He proceeds, therefore, in a most beautiful manner, to exhort him to be at peace with God, and portrays the benefits which would result from such a reconciliation. There are few passages in the Bible of more exquisite beauty than this, and nothing could be sounder advice, on the supposition that Job was, as he supposed, a stranger to God. In this beautiful exhortation, be shows:

 

(1) what he means by becoming acquainted with God Job_22:21-23; and then

 

(2) what would be the happy results of such reconciliation, Job_22:24-30. [ALBERT BARNES]

 

We all know what it means to "get acquainted." It means to know  get to know someone we are [as yet] unfamiliar with. This is the presupposition of Eliphaz. That is, Job does not know God. Further, though his advice is as correct as any counsel offered to Man, he is mistaken that Job is a stranger to God. Thus, we meet again the theme of the purpose of suffering for the Christian. In all things we are to be made like our Savior. Therefore  if we are to be like Him - that is, Jesus - must we not suffer with Him? In other words, Jesus not only knew intimate acquaintance with the the Father in love, joy, and peace; but He also knew rejection, pain, betrayal, and so forth. Those who would be close to Christ must likewise be prepared to suffer as Jesus did. Jesus obviously knew what it is to be misunderstood as Job now knows. In our minds, good people have good things happen to them. Bad people have bad things happen to them. If only life were this simple. However, there is a middle ground that is hard to understand at times. That is, bad things happen to good people, and kindness and mercy is shown to the wicked. [Job 21:7  Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Job 21:8  Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Job 21:9  Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Job 21:10  Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. Job 21:11  They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.]

 

Still, the righteous become more and more acquainted with God throughout their life, and as they do, peace and good increase inside them.

 

"The word rendered "acquaint thyself" הסכן  hasâkan - from סכן  sâkan means, properly, "to dwell," to be familiar with anyone, to associate with one - from the idea of dwelling in the same tent or house; and in the Hiphil, the form used here, to become familiar with anyone, to be on terms of friendship. The meaning here is, "Secure the friendship of God. Become truly acquainted with him. Be reconciled to him. You are now estranged. You have no just views of him. You murmur and complain, and you are suffering under his displeasure as a sinner. But it is not too late to repent, and to return to him; and in so doing you will find peace." An acquaintance with God, in the sense of this passage, implies:

 

(1) a correct knowledge of his true character, and

 

(2) reconciliation with him." [ALBERT BARNES]

 

As the Christian grows in knowledge given by God through trials as well as principles, he or she knows more of the character of God. The Christian knows life is not all sunshine and primrose paths. The roses in God's garden have thorns. Many times we are pricked painfully. Yet, in the end, the scent of Christ well compensates for the injury. God is a good Father. Even in His discipline He is faithful and just. We are the better for all God gives us - good and bad. Job knew this at the beginning of His trials. That is, we must accept good and bad from the same Hand that caresses us and cares for us.  [Job_2:10  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.]

 

"There are two great difficulties among people in regard to God. The first is, that they have no just views of his real character. They think him harsh, stern, tyrannical. They regard his law as severe, and its penalty as unjust. They think his government to be arbitrary, and himself to be unworthy of confidence. This erroneous view must be corrected before people can be reconciled to him - for how can they be brought to lay aside their opposition to him while they regard him as unjust and severe? Secondly, even when the character of God is explained, and his true character is set before people, they are opposed to it. They are opposed to him because he is so holy. Loving sin, they cannot love one who has no sin, and who frowns on evil; and this opposition to the real character of God must be removed before they can be reconciled to him. This requires a change of heart - a change from sin to holiness; and this is the work performed in regeneration. And be at peace - There can be no peace while you maintain a warfare with God. It is a war against your Maker, where he has control over your conscience, your intellect, your body, and all which can affect your welfare; and while this is maintained, there can be no peace. If the mind is reconciled to him, there will be peace. Peace of mind always follows reconciliation where there has been a variance, and nowhere is the peace so entire and full of joy as when man feels that he is reconciled to God. Eliphaz here has stated a doctrine which has been confirmed by all the subsequent revelations in the Bible, and by the experience of all those who have become reconciled to God; compare the notes at Rom_5:1 : It is peace, as opposed to the agitation and conflict of the mind before; peace resulting from acquiescence in the claims of God; peace in the belief that he is wholly right, and worthy of confidence; and peace in the assurances of his friendship and favor forever. This doctrine, it seems, was thus understood in the early ages of the world, and, indeed, must have been known as early as religion existed after the fall. Man became alienated from God by the apostasy; peace was to be found again only by returning to God, and in reconciliation to him." [ALBERT BARNES]

 

Thereby good shall come unto thee - The benefits which he supposed would result from such reconciliation, he proceeds to state in the following verses. They relate chiefly to temporal prosperity, or to proofs of the divine favor in this life. This was in accordance with the views which then prevailed, and especially with their limited and obscure conceptions of the future state. They saw a part - "we" see more; and yet we by no means see all. The "good" which results from reconciliation with God consists in:

 

(1) pardon of sin;

 

(2) peace of conscience;

 

(3) the assurance that we shall have all that is needful in this life;

 

(4) support in trial;

 

(5) peace and triumph in death;

 

(6) a part in the resurrection of the just; and

 

(7) a crown incorruptible and undefiled in heaven.

 

No man was ever "injured" by becoming reconciled to God; no one is reconciled to him who is not made a better and a happier man in this life, and who will not be crowned with immortal glory hereafter. [ALBERT BARNES]

 

Job is able to realize that no matter how severely he is tried by God, in the end, he will come forth as gold does once it is purged of all impurities. Our spirit and soul is like gold. Due to sin it is thoroughly tainted with impurities of all kinds. Therefore, the fires of trials and tribulations - when given by God, will purge us of our innate selfishness, sin, corruption, uncleanness, pollution, and contamination. Trials are, as we say - a necessary evil. However, when evil comes from the Hand of God it is no evil. It is a kindness disguised as affliction. In the end, we are grateful for the experience, for through it we come to know something few people ever know - the character and nature of God. We also exclaim by the knowledge imparted to us - "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." [Job_19:25]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "GOD TRIES HIS PEOPLE AND CAUSES THEM TO TRIUMPH!"

 

Therefore, we ultimately triumph is all our trials as the Apostle states. Though we are confused, we are not without hope. [2Co 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 2Co 4:9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 2Co 4:10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.]

 

Job knew that the Lord was every where present; but his mind was in such confusion, that he could get no fixed view of God's merciful presence, so as to find comfort by spreading his case before him. His views were all gloomy. God seemed to stand at a distance, and frown upon him. Yet Job expressed his assurance that he should be brought forth, tried, and approved, for he had obeyed the precepts of God. He had relished and delighted in the truths and commandments of God. Here we should notice that Job justified himself rather than God, or in opposition to him, Job_32:2. Job might feel that he was clear from the charges of his friends, but boldly to assert that, though visited by the hand of God, it was not a chastisement of sin, was his error. And he is guilty of a second, when he denies that there are dealings of Providence with men in this present life, wherein the injured find redress, and the evil are visited for their sins. [MATTHEW HENRY]

 

God knows the way we take. Nothing is hidden from Him. Therefore, we must be certain to walk right - in the light and in the dark The mistake some make is that they forget God can see in the dark. He can see where no man sees - in the thoughts of the heart. It is for this reason we should be confident as Job is and  say He knows the way I take. David had this same confidence. In fact, all the patriarchs of the Bible did. Therefore, we should as well so when the time of testing comes our confidence will be like Job's. That is, we shall come forth like gold. We use the expression - "smelling like a rose" to describe our confidence that a certain trouble will not affect us adversely. Be sure of this, if we have confidence before God, we will have our prayers answered and become stronger by our trials. [1Jn 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1Jn 3:19  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 1Jn 3:20  For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 1Jn 3:21  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 1Jn 3:22  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.]

 

But he knoweth the way that I take,.... This he seems to say in a way of solace to himself, comforting and contenting himself, that though he could not find God, nor knew where he was, or what way he took, nor the reasons of his ways and dispensations with the children of men, and with himself, yet God knew where he was, and what way he took; by which he means either the way he took, being directed to it for his acceptance with God, his justification before him, and eternal salvation; which was his living Redeemer, he looked unto by faith for righteousness and eternal life: or rather the way and manner of life he took to, the course of his conversation, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, in the paths of piety and truth, of righteousness and holiness; and this God knew not barely by his omniscience, as he knows all the ways of men, good and bad; his eyes are upon them, lie compasses them, and is thoroughly acquainted with them; but by way of approbation, he approved of it, and was well pleased with it, it being so agreeable to his revealed will, so pure and holy; thus the Lord knows the way of the righteous, Psa_1:6; [MATTHEW HENRY]

 

Our faith is designed to be as pure as gold. [1Pe 1:6  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:] Hence, we submit to the trials of God even through heaviness of heart, knowing that at Christ's appearing, we shall be like Him!

 

"When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold; as pure as gold, as free from dross as that, appear quite innocent of the charges brought against him, and shine in his integrity. He was as valuable and precious as gold, as all God's people are in his esteem, however reckoned of by others; they are precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold; not that they have any intrinsic, worth in themselves, they are in no wise the better than others by nature; but through the grace of God bestowed on them, which is as gold tried in the fire; and through the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, which is gold of Ophir, and clothing of wrought gold; and, on account of both, they are like a mass of gold, and are the chosen of God, and precious: this gold he tries, the Lord trieth the righteous; and which he does by afflictive providences; he puts them into the furnace of affliction, which is the fiery trial to try them; and hereby their graces are tried, their faith, hope, love, patience, &c. their principles and doctrines they embrace, whether they are gold, silver, and precious stones, or whether wood, hay, and stubble; the fire tries every man's work, of what sort it is, and whether they will abide by them and their profession also, whether they will adhere to it; and by this means he purges away their dross and tin, and they come out of the furnace as pure gold in great lustre and brightness, as those in Rev_7:13; now Job was in this furnace and trying; and he was confident that, as he should come out of it, he should appear to great advantage, pure and spotless; though it may be he may have respect to his trial at the bar of justice, where he desired to be tried, and be brought under the strictest examination; and doubted not but he should be acquitted, and shine as bright as gold; nay, these words may be given as a reason why God would not be found by him as his Judge to try his cause, because he knew his uprightness and integrity, and that he must go from him acquitted and discharged; and therefore, for reasons unknown to him, declined the judging of him; to this purpose Jarchi interprets the words, which may be rendered, "for he knoweth the way that I take" (a); and therefore will not be seen by me, nor appear to judge me: "he hath tried me"; again and again, and has seen the integrity of my heart, as Sephorno interprets it, and well knows my innocence; see Psa_17:3; and if he would try me again, "I shall come forth as gold"; quite clear of all charges and imputations; I am able to stand the strictest scrutiny: this he said as conscious of his uprightness, and of his strict regard to the ways and word of God, as follows; but this was a bold saying, and an unbecoming expression of his to God; and of which he afterwards was ashamed and repented, when God appeared and spoke to him out of the whirlwind.  [JOHN GILL]

 

We must make sure God approves of our conduct. Likewise, we must be sure God approves of our thoughts, for - "thought is the parent of the deed." [Thomas Carlyle] When our ways please God, we shall be at peace. Also, the more we cooperate with God, the less need for trials, for we live by faith. Therefore, we must build our faith by reading and studying the Word, and by prayer by which we obtain grace to help us grow, trust, and obey. 

 

But he knoweth the way that I take - He approves of my conduct; my ways please him. He tries me: but, like gold, I shall lose nothing in the fire; I shall come forth more pure and luminous. If that which is reputed to be gold is exposed to the action of a strong fire, if it be genuine, it will lose nothing of its quality, nor of its weight. If it went into the fire gold, it will come out gold; the strongest fire will neither alter nor destroy it. So Job: he went into this furnace of affliction an innocent, righteous man; he came out the same. His character lost nothing of its value, nothing of its lustre. [ADAM CLARKE]

 

When you are tried, consider this - God's reputation is at stake to help you, rescue you, supply you with all you need, and a host of others considerations. Again, it is God's reputation at stake when we live by the Word, not ours. For the true servant of God, it is God's character on the line when he ordains trial for us. He is the One who would suffer if He were untrue to His promises and principles[Read - if He could be untrue. He cannot.] We must remember - God will always cause His people to triumph!