6

Is There Not a Good Reason for the

Date
Easy Reading Edition

October 29November 4

Curse?

SABBATHOCTOBER 29
READ FOR THIS WEEKS LESSON: Psalm 119:6572;
Job 2:1113; Job 4:121; Romans 3:19, 20; 1 Corinthians
3:19; Hebrews 12:5; Matthew 7:1, 2.

MEMORY VERSE: Can a human being [person] be

more right than God? Can a mere man be more pure
than the One who made him? (Job 4:17, NIrV).
LAST WEEK WE DISCUSSED THE IMPORTANCE of putting ourselves in the position of Job as much as we possibly
could. It should not have been that hard. Why? Because we
have all been there. We have all found ourselves involved
in suffering that so often seems to make no sense. And
certainly it does not seem fair.
As we study this weeks lesson, we should keep these
facts in mind. But we also need to understand the thinking
of the other people in the story. They are the men who
come to mourn and grieve with Job.
And understanding these men should not be so hard either.
Who among us has not seen the suffering of others? Who has
not tried to comfort others in their pain and loss? Who does
not know what it is like to search for the right words to speak
to those whose grief cuts at our own hearts too?
In fact, much of the book of Job really is taken up with
the conversation between Job and these men. Each of
them tries to make sense of what so often seems to make
no sense. It is the endless series of human suffering and
tragedy in a world created by a loving, powerful, and caring
God.
IS THERE NOT A GOOD REASON FOR THE CURSE? 39

Lesson 6

SUNDAYOCTOBER 30
THE BIG QUESTIONS (Psalm 119:6572)

Most of the action in the book of Job takes place in the

first two chapters. Here the veil between heaven and
earth is lifted. And we are given a quick look at a part of
real life that would at any other time remain hidden from us.
Our telescopes can see far into outer space. But they have
not yet shown us what we have been shown in this book.
This book was written thousands of years ago in a desert
near what is Saudi Arabia today, long before there were
telescopes. Yet in its pages we discover what no telescope
could ever show us: just how closely connected Gods
heaven is with our world.
After the first two chapters, the book of Job includes a
lot of talking. Much of it is done by Job and the men who
come to discuss the heavy issues of life: theology,1 pain,
philosophy,2 faith, life, and death.
And why not? Why would these men not discuss the big
issues of life when you think about all that has happened
There is nothing like a
terrible event to shake us to Job? It is so easy to talk about the common things of
out of our spiritual sleep life and the business of just living day by day and to forget
and to start us asking the what the big and important questions are. There is nothing
like a terrible event (in our lives or in the lives of others) to
important questions.
shake us out of our spiritual sleep and to start us asking
the important questions.
Read Psalm 119:6572. What is the writer of the psalm
saying?
The psalmist was able to find the good that arose from
the terrible events that he experienced. At times, troubles
can be hidden blessings. They can either lead us back to
the Lord or bring us to Him in the first place. Who has not
heard stories of those whose lives were in serious trouble?
DEFINITIONS
How often did the person either come back to God or sur1. theologythe study of reli- render to God for the first time? Sometimes troubles, no
gious faith, practice, and expematter how terrible or sad, can be used for a good that we
rience; the study of God and
can understand later. Other times they appear meaningless.
Gods relation to the world.
How have you been able to think back on past suffer2. philosophythe study of
ideas about knowledge, truth, ing and find the good that has come out of it? How do
and the nature and meaning of you deal with those troubles that have brought nothing
life.
good?

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IS THERE NOT A GOOD REASON FOR THE CURSE?

MONDAYOCTOBER 31
WHEN HAVE THE INNOCENT DIED? (Job 2:1113)

Lesson 6

Read Job 2:1113. What do Jobs friends think about

his situation?
Jobs friends hear about what happens to him. So they
make an appointment (Job 2:11, NKJV) to come together
to visit their friend. The verses suggest the idea that they
are shocked at what they find. And they begin to mourn
with him.
According to the verses, they sit silently for seven days,
never saying a word. After all, what do you say to someone in a position as terrible as Jobs? Job speaks after the
seven days of silence, making his complaints. Then these
men have plenty to say.
Read Job 4:111. What is the main idea of Eliphazs
words to Job?
Perhaps a good opening for a book on grief counseling
could begin with a chapter on Eliphaz. The chapter could
be titled, What Not to Say to a Grieving Soul. Clearly
these men sympathize with Job. But that sympathy is rather
limited. It seems that for Eliphaz the right beliefs are more
important than sympathy. Suppose someone comes up to a
person who has gone through the kind of terrible hardship
and suffering that Job had. And he says to the person who
suffered, Well, you must have deserved it, because God is
just, and only the wicked suffer like this. Imagine how you
would feel if you were that person!
Suppose, again, one thought that Job really did deserve to
suffer. Then what good does it do to say something so hurtful
to one who is suffering at such a difficult time? Suppose a
speeding driver got into a car accident and lost all of his family in the crash. Can you imagine someone going up to him,
amid his grief, and saying to him right away, God is punishing you for your speeding? The problem with Eliphazs
words is not only about his religion. The bigger issue is how
insensitive he is to Job and all that he is going through.

Jobs friends are shocked

to see their friend.

Think about a time people comforted you for your loss

and pain. What did they say? How did they say it? What
did you learn from that experience that could help you
when you are in the position of comforting someone
else?
IS THERE NOT A GOOD REASON FOR THE CURSE? 41

Lesson 6

TUESDAYNOVEMBER 1
A MAN AND HIS MAKER (Job 4:1221)

Eliphaz would not exactly win any awards for politeness

and sympathy with his opening lines. He really is saying
that it is easy for Job to be a light and comfort to others
when things are going well. But now that evil has struck,
Job is troubled. Yet, that is what should happen, right?
After all, God is holy and righteous (good). So whatever evil
that comes upon us is deserved.
Read Job 4:1221. What other argument does Eliphaz
make to Job?

We as humans are shortlived and can be crushed

as easily as a moth.

There are many interesting things one could look at

here. These include how these men understood the nature
and character (thoughts; feelings; actions) of the true God,
even before the rise of the nation of Israel. This whole book
shows us that the forefathers of the people of Israel and,
later, the people of Israel themselves know something of
the Lord. Here, in fact, we find Eliphaz trying to defend the
character of God.
What Eliphaz hears in visions of the night is in many
ways very good religious teaching (read Psalm 103:14;
Isaiah 64:7; Romans 3:19, 20). We as humans are clay, we
are short-lived, and we can be crushed as easily as a moth.
And, of course, what man or woman can be more righteous
(holy) than God?
But Eliphazs words are not effective and miss the point.
The problem with Job is not whether Job is better than God.
That is not Jobs complaint. Job mostly talks about just how
terrible he feels and how much he is suffering. Job is not
talking about how he is somehow more righteous than God.
But Eliphaz seems to think that is exactly what Job is
saying. After all, if God is just, and evil comes only upon
evil, then Job must have done something wrong to deserve
what he is going through. So Jobs complaints are unfair.
Eager to defend God, Eliphaz starts to scold Job. Even
more than just whatever wisdom he believes he has about
God, Eliphaz claims to have something else special from
God to support his position: a dream. But the only problem
is that the position he takes misses the point.
What can we learn from this story about how, even if
we are right, we might not be speaking the truth in the
most helpful and positive way?

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IS THERE NOT A GOOD REASON FOR THE CURSE?

WEDNESDAYNOVEMBER 2
THE FOOLISH TAKING ROOT (Job 5)

Lesson 6

In chapter 5, Eliphaz continues with his argument. It is

mostly the same as what he says in the earlier chapter. Evil
happens only to evil people. Imagine how this must have
felt to Job, who knew that it could not be right. And that he
did not deserve his present situation.
But there is a problem here. Not all that Eliphaz says
here is wrong. Many of these same thoughts are repeated
in other parts of the Bible.
How do these verses reflect the beliefs and feelings
shown in Job 5?
Psalm 37:10_____________________________________

Proverbs 26:2___________________________________

Luke 1:52_______________________________________

1 Corinthians 3:19________________________________

Psalm 34:6______________________________________

Hebrews 12:5___________________________________

Hosea 6:1_______________________________________

Psalm 33:19_____________________________________

IS THERE NOT A GOOD REASON FOR THE CURSE? 43

Lesson 6

Satan is wrestling with

those whom we scold,
and our rough words
discourage them and
cause them to fail.

THURSDAYNOVEMBER 3
RUSH TO JUDGMENT (Matthew 7:1, 2)

Much of what Eliphaz says to Job is correct. That is, he

makes many good points. These points are repeated later in
the Bible. But something still is terribly wrong with Eliphazs
answer to Job. The problem is not with what Eliphaz says.
Instead, the problem is that he tries to make his words
mean something they are not meant to say.
Our world is not simple or easy. It is easy to look at a situation and then quote a few Bible verses that you think might be
helpful to that situation. Maybe they are. But often they are not.
Read this quote from Ellen G. White about how we often bring
upon ourselves the things that happen to us. The Bible very
clearly teaches that what we do is the result of what we are. A
large part of the experiences of life are the end result of our own
thoughts and actions.Adapted from Education, page 146.
This truth is a deep and important one. But could you
imagine a Christian believer who means well but reads this
Ellen G. White quote to someone who has problems like
Jobs? (In some cases, unfortunately, we can imagine that.)
How much better would it have been for the well-meaning
Christian to have followed this advice for himself or herself
instead? Many think that they are showing the justice of God
while they fully fail to show His great love. Often the ones
whom they meet and scold strictly are under the pressure of
temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and rough,
unsympathetic words discourage them and cause them to
fall into the tempters power.Adapted from Ellen G. White,
The Ministry [Work Done for God] of Healing, page 163.
The fact is there is much more going on here than
Eliphaz, Job, and all the others know. So Eliphazs rushing
to judgment, even with all his right understanding of religion, is not the right thing to do in this situation.
Read Matthew 7:1, 2; Romans 2:13; and 1 Corinthians
4:5. Why should these verses always be in the forefront
of our minds when dealing with anyone, especially
those whom we believe have sinned?
Suppose Eliphaz had been right in that Job had brought
this suffering upon himself. Even so, his words were impolite
and ill-timed. Job stands as a symbol for all people. All of us
have been caught up in the great controversy (war between
Christ and Satan). And we all suffer in it. And we all, at some
point, need mercy and sympathy, not scolding.

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IS THERE NOT A GOOD REASON FOR THE CURSE?

FRIDAYNOVEMBER 4
ADDITIONAL THOUGHT: As we have seen, Eliphaz is not
without sympathy for Job. It is just that his sympathy takes
second place to what he believes is his need to defend the
character of God. After all, Job is suffering terribly, and God
is just. So he thinks that Job must have done something to
deserve what happened to him. That is what Gods justice is
all about, Eliphaz decides. So Job is wrong in his complaining.
Of course, God is just. But that does not automatically
mean that we will find His justice made clear in every situation that happens in this sinful world. The fact is, we do not.
Justice and judgment will come but not necessarily now
(Revelation 20:12). Part of what it means to live by faith is
to trust God that the justice so lacking here will one day be
shown and made clear to all of us.
What we find with Eliphaz also appears in the attitude
(thoughts and feelings) of some of the scribes3 and Pharisees4
toward Jesus. These men are caught up in their desire to be
faithful and religious. Their anger at the Lords Sabbath healings (read Matthew 12) prevents them from being happy that
the sick have been healed and have been freed from their suffering. No matter how clear Christs words are in the following
verse, we who love God and who are jealous for Him must
always remember: How terrible for you, teachers of the law
and Pharisees! You pretenders! You give God a tenth [tithe] of
your spices, like mint, dill and cummin. But you have not practiced the more important things of the law, like fairness, mercy
and faithfulness. You should have practiced the last things
without failing to do the first (Matthew 23:23, NIrV).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Lesson 6

DEFINITIONS

1 How can we know the difference between the time when

3. scribea person in Bible

someone needs mercy and sympathy and when a person needs times whose job was to copy
to be scolded? Why would it generally be better to be full of mercy manuscripts and books and to
study and teach Scripture.

and sympathy when dealing with those who are suffering, even
though it may be because of their own sins and wrong actions? 4. Phariseea member of a

Jewish group in Jesus time

that followed Jewish religious
what situation might those words have been more proper and laws and teachings very strictly.

2 Read again Eliphazs words to Job in chapters 4 and 5. In

correct than they were here?

3 Suppose you had been a friend of Job and had gone to visit
him as he sat on the pile of ashes. What would you have said to
him, and why? If that had been you in his place, what would you
want people to say to you?
IS THERE NOT A GOOD REASON FOR THE CURSE? 45