General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7

Bible Study Hour - “THY GOD REIGHNETH!”

R. C. PORTER

June 3, 8:30 A. M.

I wish this morning to continue a little further the line of thought followed by Elder Butler yesterday morning. GCB June 4, 1913, page 257.1

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Isaiah 52:7, 8. GCB June 4, 1913, page 257.2

This is a most comforting promise, assuring us that before the Lord finishes his work, he will have a perfectly united people. The watchmen will see eye to eye; the people also will be united fully. That blessed day is coming soon. GCB June 4, 1913, page 257.3

PHOTO-Island mission representatives—Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Hawaii.

I wish to spend just a few moments this morning in a study of certain fundamental principles underlying unity in the church of Christ. Unity does not come by accusation or condemnation of others even when they do wrong. It comes rather through observance of a principle fundamental in the experience of those who should be united, as expressed in Christ’s mission to this earth: “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” He came not to condemn men, bad though they might be, but to save them. To condemn is not to save. There is one who has ever been the accuser of the brethren; his mission is to dishearten and destroy. GCB June 4, 1913, page 257.4

I read from “Mount of Blessing,” an extract stating the principle plainly. It is in the chapter “Not Judging, but Doing:” “No one has ever been reclaimed from a wrong position by censure and reproach.” If no one has ever been led that way, should we continue to do that thing? “But many have been driven from Christ and led to steel their hearts against conviction.” Censure and reproach drive from Christ. “A tender spirit, a gentle, winning deportment may save the erring and hide a multitude of sins.” GCB June 4, 1913, page 257.5

These are fundamental principles underlying Christian unity. Some seem to think that those who are erring need to be censured, in order that they may be made humble. On this point I read from the spirit of prophecy: “He who looks higher than himself will be humble; yet he will possess a dignity that is not abashed or disconcerted by outward display or human greatness. It is not by arbitrary law or rule that the graces of character are developed. It is by dwelling in the atmosphere of the pure, the noble, the true. And wherever there is purity of heart and nobleness of character, it will be revealed in purity and nobleness of action and of speech.”—Christian Education, 237. GCB June 4, 1913, page 257.6

The principle I wish to impress is this: If you would have men become humble, you are to point them to One that is higher than themselves. When Isaiah, the prophet, was given one glimpse of the throne of God, he cried out in the depths of humility: “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5. One glimpse of the One who was “higher than the highest,” humbled the prophet. One glimpse of the Saviour and his life of unselfish humility, in contrast with ourselves, will humble us. And when we see individuals that need to be humble, let us point them to the Man of Calvary, that they may see the contrast between their lives and his. GCB June 4, 1913, page 257.7

What was the result of Isaiah’s vision of his Lord? When the question was raised, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” the prophet responded at once, “Here am I; send me.” Verse 8. He was willing to go anywhere. And we shall be as willing as he was, if we have our eyes fixed upon Him who is “higher than the highest.” GCB June 4, 1913, page 257.8

This principle is illustrated in the case of Job. The Lord directs us to study Job when we come down near the close of time. Why?—There is something in Job’s life that should be a lesson to us, and if we get the lesson out of it that we should, it will save us a good deal of Job’s experience. In the beginning he had his eye fixed upon One higher than himself. In the first chapter, we read: “There 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.” This was God’s testimony of him. GCB June 4, 1913, page 257.9

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 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. 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? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? ... But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.1

There is something about this scripture that I have always been glad of. You know the Bible speaks of the Lord’s promise that his angels shall encamp round about those who fear him; and here we find that when Satan came to Job, he found him so completely hedged about on every side that he could not get at him. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.2

[In developing his study of the experiences of Job, the speaker traced the record given in the first two chapters and called special attention to Job’s faithfulness. “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” But a change in his attitude toward God and toward his brethren, is recorded in the third chapter and in chapters that follow. Many of the experiences through which he passed, were commented on. From these a few representative ones have been chosen for publication, as given in the paragraphs that follow.] GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.3

In my study of the experience of Job, it has seemed very plain to me that the first great mistake he made in his days of affliction, was in turning his eyes from God to man. It seems to me that the three friends who came to comfort him, and yet had not said a word to him for seven days, had failed to do their duty. There is where Job missed his way. If he had continued to look to God, he would have been all right, but in chapter three there is recorded a different experience; and from that point in the story, on to nearly the close of the book you find no testimony of commendation from the Lord. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.4

Now turn to the third chapter. “After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.” Does this record lead us to trust in God? Job had been diverted from the right pathway, and had gone in another direction. Read the eleventh verse: “Why died I not from the womb?” Is this the way he talked in the first and second chapters?—No. This is the conversation of a man who has taken his eyes off God. It is the conversation of a man who thinks he must work out these great questions that confront him without the help of God. There is a difference in looking to ourselves, and in looking to the great Head of the church as the One who must work out all these great problems for us. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.5

Read now the fourth chapter, beginning with the first verse: “Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking? Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.... Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?” This was not a very comforting message to a man in such deep trouble. “You are reaping what you have sown, Job.” But it was the best that these men could do. They were trying to do their very best to comfort Job. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.6

Turn to chapter 6, verse 26, and read Job’s answer: “Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?” This is Job’s retaliation. The strain running through this sixth chapter is quite different from that which runs through chapters one and two. Job has taken his mind off from God. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.7

In the seventh chapter we read, “I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” Is he blessing God now?—No; he is complaining. He is looking to man, instead of to that Hand that bears all nature up, and that directs all man’s steps to victory through every changing experience. His mind is fixed upon others like himself. Does this course bring strength and unity?—No; it brings weakness and disunity. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.8

Notice again, in the thirteenth verse: “When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint.” Were the trials recorded in the first two chapters as severe as were those that came later? [Voice: Yes.] Why his change of attitude toward trials?—O, at first he had fully trusted God; afterward he looked at the brethren, and forgot the mighty God, who could work out every problem aright. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.9

In the tenth chapter and first verse Job continues: “My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.” With this read the first four verses of the eleventh chapter, “Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?” This is the way these good brethren were trying to help a man in trial. “For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.” Job answers this, in the second verse of the twelfth chapter: “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.” No man is a perfect man in the church when he talks to a brother in a sarcastic manner like that. It is an evidence of imperfection. Notice what Job further says, in the third verse, “But I have understanding as well as you.” I am not inferior to you. I think I know quite as much as you. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.10

Now this is the experience of a man who has lost sight of the mighty God. Whenever we see a man passing through such an experience, we may rest assured that that man has his eyes off God. He is looking to the brethren, in the place of saying, “God reigneth.” GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.11

Job says, “I am as one mocked of his neighbor, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.” Is God saying this now? [Voices: No.] No, it is Job who is making this statement. Whenever a man talks like this, God does not say of him, as he said of Job during the beginning of his affliction, “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” He had his eyes too low, and looked upon the brethren, and found complaints concerning them, and became sharp and critical as he looked upon them, in the place of manifesting the gentle and tender spirit of the Master. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.12

I turn now to a passage in the sixteenth chapter: “Then Job answered and said, I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.” That is the kind of conversation they were carrying on. Some of us know what it is to hear such conversation. We know how a man acts when he speaks thus. But it is more blessed to speak kindly, patiently, to the glory of God. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.13

Now I read the twelfth verse: “I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.” Job now begins to look up and see God. In the midst of all his trouble, he looks heavenward, and says, God hath “taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces.” You remember the Lord has said he would purify us, make us white, and then try us. Job is undergoing his trial; and now for a little time he gets his eye upon God’s dealings with him. He begins now to have confidence as of old. And he says, in verse 23-27 of the nineteenth chapter, “O that my words were now written! O that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.14

Job is given a glimpse of the One who will bring everything out all right, and of the time when he would stand in the latter day, triumphant, ever afterward to behold his Redeemer’s face in blessedness and peace forever. But he has not yet fully recovered. In the twenty-first chapter we read, “Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.” Let me talk once more, and then you may go right on mocking. This is the experience of a man who has not yet gained a complete victory over sin. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.15

Now turn to the twenty-third chapter. We read: “Then Job answered and said, Even today is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. O that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.” Job is passing through deep trial. He continues: “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: but he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.16

Job is now beginning to return to God, and, as he looks heavenward, his trials lessen. Yet his comforters cease not to harass him. They draw a contrast between his former experience, and what he is passing through now. Until his recent affliction, everybody had treated him with the greatest respect. Princes and nobles had honored him; whereas now, as recorded in the thirtieth chapter, we find the worst of men making light of him. He himself tells us what an experience he has been passing through, in contrast with his former experience. When the Lord undertakes to let a man be tried, do you suppose he will be tried? And every one of us will be tried where we need trial the most. No trial will come to any of us that we do not need. The sooner we learn to look up to God and take with sweetness every trial that comes, in the way that Job did, the better it will be for us. GCB June 4, 1913, page 258.17

In the thirty-second chapter we read: “So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu, ... because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.” GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.1

This spirit of condemnation never helps a man out of trouble. No one has ever been saved from a wrong position by accusation and condemnation. These men condemned and accused when they came to help a man out of trouble, but they made a failure of it; and they were reproved, when Elihu spoke, because of taking that attitude when a man was in trial and trouble. They had not found the better way. In the thirty-fourth chapter, verse 23, we read, “He will not lay upon man more than right.” What are we liable to think when passing through trials?—O, that something more than is right is being placed upon us! But Elihu testifies that God will never lay upon man more than is right. Then you can trust God, and look up to him, and believe that, under every condition and circumstance he places you, he will bring you through safely, and not permit anything to come to you but that which is proper and right, in order that you may be purified, made white, tried, and that you may stand triumphant, ready, waiting for the coming of Christ. GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.2

“The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” In the church of Christ the government is upon the shoulders of the Prince of Peace, and he is working out his plans through defective men such as we are here. He himself is shaping policies. He himself is placing in position the men leading in the work. He himself is giving to every man his work. I have not a doubt as to this, and so when I hear my brethren talk this way and that way about matters which may or may not meet my ideas, I look up to God and say, “O God, you are the One who has the government upon your shoulders. I believe that you reign, and that you will shape things according to your pleasure.” GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.3

Let us return to our consideration of the experiences of Job: “The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” God now solemnly charges him: “Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner-stone thereof.” Job 38:1-6. GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.4

“Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?” Job had been complaining of the brethren. What does the Lord say about it?”—“Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?” When we contend with the brethren, we are contending with the Almighty; for it is the Almighty that has the brethren in hand, and us in hand, and we should humbly sit at his feet, and ask him to direct us aright. GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.5

Further: “Then Job answered the Lord, and said, Behold, I am vile.” Did the brethren humble him?—No, they could not do it by accusing and condemning him, but when he again beheld the Almighty, one glance made him lay his hand on his mouth and say, “I am vile; what shall I answer thee?” GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.6

O my brethren, I wish we could learn the lessons that Job learned. I wish that in place of condemning and accusing, when we see things going wrong, we might help our associates to catch a glimpse of their Lord and Master! Then all would be right. GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.7

“Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?” “Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.” Verses 6-8, 14. GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.8

Forty-second chapter: “Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” Verses 1, 2. In the forty-second chapter Job begins once more to speak in the same spirit as in the first two chapters. “I know that thou canst do everything,” he acknowledges. No longer do we find him complaining. He declares, God lives; God reigns; God has charge of his work; God can take care of the brethren; God can work out all these problems. I cannot, but I can leave them in his hand. When a man takes such a view of God’s overruling providence there comes into his life a spirit altogether different from that actuating those who put their trust in men. GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.9

“Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understand not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.” His eye is now upon God. “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Verses 3, 6. What brought him to humility?—O, he beheld his Redeemer, and, beholding, was transformed! Brethren, is it not time that we all looked in that direction? Is it not time that, in place of looking at our brethren, and finding fault with them, and complaining when difficulties arise, we shall all look upward? Then the work of God in the earth will go forward triumphantly, and we shall see the close of this message. GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.10

We read further: “It was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servants Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.” GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.11

Some one may inquire, Why did not the Lord tell Job and his three friends sooner, when Job was in the midst of his trial, that they were not as near right as was Job? Ah, God had a wise purpose in it all! In his mercy he permitted Job to be tested in every way; and now he permits the three friends to pass through severe trial. If they had complained when the Lord reproved them and told them what to do, they would have had a long time of trial. But they accepted the reproof; they went to Job, just as the Lord told them to do. “So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord commanded them: the Lord also accepted Job. And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends.” Verses 9, 10. Job had had occasion to regard them as his enemies; now God says they were his friends, trying to help him all the while, but not knowing how. Brethren and sisters, let us remember that sometimes those who cause us severe trial, are our friends. GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.12

After this, everything was favorable, and Job had “twice as much as he had before.” “So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.” “After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days.” Verses 12, 16, 17. In two short verses is given the record of a victorious Christian life, of one hundred forty years of service by a man having his eye fixed upon God; and saying “I know that my Redeemer liveth!” The language of his heart was, “Thy God reigneth!” GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.13

We shall have to be purified and made white, and then tried. Will any of us ever be placed in the kingdom of God until we can stand the test without falling? Then need we be afraid of trial? Shall we not rather welcome it? “Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3-5. GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.14

When we learn the lessons God is desirous of teaching us in the school of trying experience, we shall unite in assuring one another, and a perishing world, “Thy God reigneth!” All the watchmen will see eye to eye. Like a well-organized army, ministers and people, with unbroken ranks, will steadily move forward in exact order, conquering and to conquer, pressing their way right through to the promised land. May God grant it speedily, is my prayer. Amen. GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.15

“Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” James 5:7-10. GCB June 4, 1913, page 259.16