Acknowledgments L
iving Logos was the heart-work of Bro Dale Starks and Sis Josephine Starks, missionaries to Singapore in the early 1980s. As the original authors of this devotionals, the Starks meant for these self-study materials to help new converts (and matured saints alike) get a hold of an understanding of God’s written Word. Since Sis Stark’s passing in 2013, the couple had graciously entrusted Tabernacle of Joy with its copyright. Therefore, with every print run, we would like to honour their life work and sacrifice in bringing the gospel to Singapore. This copy is an updated and revised version. Be blessed as you immerse yourself in the Word and allow God to transform you into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
1
Spiritual Growth 1
SPIRITUAL GROWTH 1
Lesson
Twenty-Five
THE MAKING OF A MAN OF GOD II THE TRIALS OF JOB In the last lesson, we learned that God wants us to become mature Christians, perfected and completed. The five-fold ministry was given for this purpose. Our ministry to one another, in building up one another, is also very important. However, just as important to our spiritual maturity are life’s experiences, which include, persecutions, tribulations, temptations, and testings. In this lesson, we will clearly see this in the life of Job. 1. The Character of Job: There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who reverently feared God and abstained from and shunned evil JoB 1:1, amPlIfIed BIBle
2. The Wealth of Job: 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 men of the east JoB 1:3
3. Job’s Family: And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters JoB 1:2
Because Job was such a good man, he had developed a somewhat self-righteous attitude. He was not aware of the great gulf that existed between his righteousness and the
163
righteousness of God. He needed to learn how great God was. Only this would bring him to a place of true humility. 4. Job’s trials: a. He lost his wealth (Job 1:14-17). b. He lost his children (Job 1:18-19). c. He lost his health (Job 2:7-8). d. His wife told him to curse God and die (Job 2:8-9). e. The greatest of all trials was that he lost his awareness of God’s presence: Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him JoB 23:8-9
Yet he recognized that which he was going through as a trial allowed by God, and he was determined to be faithful to God, regardless of the trials and testings he experienced: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold JoB 23:10
f. His friends made long speeches, trying to convince Job that he must have sin in his life, or God would not allow him to suffer so much. Nevertheless, the testimony of Job was: My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food JoB 23:11-12
The Bible does not record any actual sins that Job committed. However, he did need a revelation of the greatness of God that would humble and soften him. In fact, it was in the midst of the trial that he wrote, “For God maketh my heart soft...” (verse 16).
164
Isaiah had seen a vision of the holiness of God, and what he saw and experienced forever changed him. In Job, Chapters 38 through 41, we read that God revealed His greatness to Job. Job listened as God described the greatness of His power, and majesty. Then he spoke: Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further JoB 40:4-5
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 JoB 42:5-6
It was after Job spoke these words that God told him to pray for his friends, because they had not spoken the thing that was right. And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before JoB 42:10
God not only gave Job ten more children, but he also received twice as many sheep, camels, oxen and donkey as before. The trials of Job brought blessings to him spiritually and materially. Job’s trials, and revelation of the greatness of God helped to make his heart soft, and also rid him of his selfrighteousness. Not all things that happen to us are good, but “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” romans 8:28
VOCABULARY abhor
—
hate
vile
—
evil, wicked, repulsive, disgusting
165
Lesson Twenty-Five Test Spirtual Growth 1
1
God wants us to become ________________ Christians.
2
Tell about the character of Job.
3
Tell of his wealth.
4
How many children did he have?
5
What fault did he seem to have?
6
Job first lost his __________________________.
7
Then he lost his __________________________.
8
Thirdly, he lost his _______________________.
9
His wife told him to _________________________________________ ______________.
10
Read Job, Chapter 2, and give Job’s reply to this:
11
Did his friends try to comfort him?
12
What was the greatest of all his trials?
13
Job said, “... when he hath tried me, _____________________________ ________________.”
14
Job said, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth __________________ ________________.”
15
After Job listened to God as He described His greatness and power (Job, Chapters 38-41), Job said:
16
The LORD turned the captivity of Job, when ______________________ ______________________________________________for his friends.
17
God gave Job ten more _______________________________.
166
18
He also received twice as many ___________, ___________, ___________, and ___________ as before.
19
Not all things that happen to us are good, but all things work together for _____________________.
20
What was of special interest to you in this lesson?
167
205 Henderson Road, #07-01 Henderson Industrial Park, S159549 Tel: 63344022 Email: contactus@tabjoy.org Website: www.tabjoy.org