When Job Prayed…
Job was a godly man who went through many trials, however in his hour of need his friends doubted his integrity. Throughout his sufferings, his friends encouraged him to confess any sin that he may be hiding in secret. Surely the Lord will not punish an innocent man, they reasoned. They could not fathom the idea that sometimes the righteous do suffer at the hands of the devil, according to God’s permissive will. Although they misunderstood him, Job did not lose his faith in the Lord. He knew in his heart that he was not guilty as his friends accused him. Humanly speaking, Job could have told his friends to go away and leave him in peace – to suffer alone. Their words only made his suffering more intense.
We are told that Job’s captivity was turned finally when he decided to pray for his friends. “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
In this world of misery and suffering there will be times when people misunderstand us and we need to learn from Job’s experience and do as he did. “Let us strive to walk in the light as Christ is in the light. The Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed, not only for himself, but for those who were opposing him. When he felt earnestly desirous that the souls that had trespassed against him might be helped, he himself received help. Let us pray, not only for ourselves, but for those who have hurt us, and are continuing to hurt us. Pray, pray, especially in your mind. Give not the Lord rest; for His ears are open to hear sincere, importunate prayers, when the soul is humbled before Him (Letter 88, 1906).” 3BC 1141
JAMES WHITE
James White had been led of the Lord to begin the publishing ministry, however all along the way, his brethren doubted him. Often he had to finance the work on his own as he received no support from his brethren. He still remained faithful to the church of God, knowing that God understood. “God in heaven marked the unjust decision, and from that time took the case in His own hands, and has returned the blessings removed, as He did to faithful Job. From the time of that heartless decision, He has been working for His servant, and has raised him above his former health of body, clearness and strength of mind, and freedom of spirit. And since that time my husband has had the pleasure of passing out with his own hands thousands of dollars’ worth of our publications without price. God will not utterly forget nor forever forsake those who have been faithful, even if they sometimes commit errors.” 3T 88
JOSEPH
Joseph was not sold as a slave by his enemies, but by his own brethren – his own flesh and blood. He had every right to punish them when they ame under his power in Egypt, but he did not. Rather he told them. “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” Genesis 45:5-8.
Joseph did not accuse his brothers. Although he was a slave for many years in Potiphar’s house and a prisoner in Pharaoh’s prison for 2 years, he saw it ll in the light of God’s permissive will. “The life of Joseph illustrates the life of Christ. It was envy that moved the brothers of Joseph to sell him as a slave; they hoped to prevent him from becoming greater than themselves. And when he was carried to Egypt, they flattered themselves that they were to be no more troubled with his dreams, that they had removed all possibility of their fulfilment. But their own course was overruled by God to bring about the very event that they designed to hinder.
So the Jewish priests and elders were jealous of Christ, fearing that He would attract the attention of the people from them. They put Him to death, to prevent Him from becoming king, but they were thus bringing about this very result…
“As Joseph was sold to the heathen by his own brothers, so Christ was sold to His bitterest enemies by one of His disciples. Joseph was falsely accused and thrust into prison because of his virtue; so Christ was despised and rejected because His righteous, self-denying life was a rebuke to sin; and though guilty of no wrong, He was condemned upon the testimony of false witnesses. And Joseph’s patience and meekness under injustice and oppression, his ready forgiveness and noble benevolence toward his unnatural brothers, represent the Saviour’s uncomplaining endurance of the malice and abuse of wicked men, and His forgiveness, not only of His murderers, but of all who have come to Him confessing their sins and seeking pardon.” PP 239. I have no doubt that Joseph prayed many times for his brothers.
JESUS’ EXAMPLE
Jesus was greatly misunderstood while on this earth. The religious leaders of His church were constantly seeking ways to put him to death. They finally succeeded. Although Jesus knew of their plottings, He still loved them. Even Judas, His betrayer, was shown unconditional love. Jesus washed his feet the very night he planned to betray his Master. Jesus made no complaints when He was suffering. “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,
ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” 1 Peter 2:20-23
“Christ suffered keenly under abuse and insult. At the hands of the beings whom He had created, and for whom He was making an infinite sacrifice, He receive every indignity. And He suffered in proportion to the perfection of His holiness and His hatred of sin. His trial by men who acted as fiends was to Him a perpetual sacrifice. To be surrounded by human beings under the control of Satan was revolting to Him. And He knew that in a moment, by the flashing forth of His divine power, He could lay His cruel tormentors in the dust. This made the trail the harder to bear.” DA 700. Jesus suffered unfairly because He had never committed an act deserving of punishment. The measure of His nobility of character was the intensity of harassment that beset Him from childhood.
In the face of mounting injustice Christ exhibited a perfect pattern of suffering for righteousness sake. He met evil taunts and insinuations without retaliation. He confronted the meanness of men with a magnanimous love. He suffered patiently confident that God would make all things work together for good. He is a perfect example, which we may copy when the enemy buffets us. At the end of His life, He prayed for His enemies. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Luke 23:34
STEPHEN
Stephen had learned from his Master. When he was facing death, he recognized that people are not his enemy. These people had given themselves over to do the devil’s work and needed the power of God to free them from these forces of darkness that were controlling them. Thus Stephen prayed for them…
“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And hekneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59,60
Stephen could do little with respect to his persecutors’ past sins, but he had a personal right to request forgiveness for their present transgression. In pleading for them he revealed how fully he had acquired the forgiving spirit that had characterised his Master. Throughout his defence, Stephen’s conduct is in marked contrast with that of his accusers. They are filled with vindictive fury, but he maintains a calm such as possessed Christ in the judgment hall.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN THIS LIFE?
Cam we expect anything different as we near the close of time? Satan is getting angry, as a roaring lion, seeking to devour anyone who is not strongly connected to Jesus. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you… Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:18,20
“Those who closely connect with God may not be prosperous in the things of this life; they may often be sorely tried and afflicted. Joseph was maligned and persecuted because he preserved his virtue and integrity. His wicked enemies hunted David, that chosen messenger of God, like a beast of prey. Daniel was cast into a den of lions because he was true and unyielding in his allegiance to God. Job was deprived of his worldly possessions and so afflicted in body that his relatives and friends abhorred him, yet he preserved his integrity and faithfulness to God. Jeremiah would speak the words, which God had put into his mouth, and his plain testimony so enraged the king and princes that he was cast into a loathsome pit. Stephen was stoned because he would preach Christ and Him crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, and finally put to death because he was a faithful messenger to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. The beloved John was banished to the Isle of Patmos ‘for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.’ ”
“These examples of human steadfastness, in the might of divine power, are a witness to the world of the faithfulness of God’s promises–of His abiding presence and sustaining grace. As the world looks upon these humble men, it cannot discern their moral value with God. It is a work of faith to calmly repose in God in the darkest hour– however severely tried and tempesttossed, to feel that our Father is at the helm. The eye of faith alone can look beyond the things of time and sense to estimate the worth of eternal riches.” 4T 525 “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” 2 Cor. 4:8,9. We will find the greatest peace when we can pray for our enemies.
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.” Luke 6:35
The Greek word for love used here is ‘Agape,’ which denotes unconditional love. It is not a love that involves emotions such as exist in a family (filial love). Agape denotes a love of respect. The command of Jesus to love our enemies would be impossible if Jesus was talking about filial love (emotions), for it is nearly impossible to have the same natural feelings for our enemies that we would have towards our immediate family members. Jesus does not
expect this, and nowhere is it commanded in the New Testament. However, we are commanded to have Agape love for our enemies, for it is under the control of the will. To have this kind of love to our enemies is to treat them with respect and courtesy and to regard them as God regards them.
Who are we to pray for in these verses? For those who despitefully use (or abuse) you and persecute you. When we can do this, we can have the freedom that Job experienced when he prayed for his friends who were opposing him. It will often happen that our brothers in the faith may misunderstand us causing us great distress. It was not Job’s enemies who were causing him this distress, but rather his friends. He found deliverance from the distress when he prayed for them.
“There is often a great temptation to talk of things which do not profit the speaker or the hearer, but which bring evil and barrenness to both. Our probationary time is too brief to be spent in dwelling upon the shortcomings of others. We have a work before us which requires the closest diligence and the strictest watchfulness, united with unceasing prayer, or we shall be unable to overcome the defects in our characters and to copy the divine Pattern. We should all study to imitate the life of Christ. Then we shall have a sanctifying influence upon those with whom we associate. It is a wonderful thing to be a Christian, truly Christlike, peaceable, pure, and undefiled. Dear sister, God must be with us in all our efforts, or they will avail nothing. Our good works will end in selfrighteousness.” 4T 135
REFORMERS NOT DESTROYERS
“Reformers are not destroyers. They will never seek to ruin those who do not harmonize with their plans and assimilate to them. Reformers must advance, not retreat. They must be decided, firm, resolute, unflinching; but firmness must not degenerate into a domineering spirit. God desires to have all who serve Him firm as a rock where principle is concerned, but meek and lowly of heart, as was Christ. Then, abiding in Christ, they can do the work He would do were He in their place. A rude, condemnatory spirit is not essential to heroism in the reforms for this time. All selfish methods in the service of God are an abomination in His sight.” 6T 151
As Reformers we will seek to fulfil the prayer of Christ, that we “all may be one:” We will pray for those who do not harmonize as Job prayed for his friends who did not harmonize with him.
MARTIN LUTHER
“He who desires to proclaim the word of Christ to the world, must expect death at every moment.” GC 135. “They’ve destroyed my honour and my reputation. One single thing remains; it is my wretched body: let them take it; they will thus shorten my life by a few hours. But as for my soul, they cannot take that.” GC 135. And yet Martin Luther did not retaliate. He left the battle to the Lord and prayed for those who did not harmonize with him.
ENEMIES HOUSEHOLD
“And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:36- 37. When a man accepts Christ, often his closest friends turn out to be his most bitter and relentless enemies. This is often true, not only in heathen lands, but also in Christian lands and among professed Christians who practice a form of religion but know little if any thing of its power to transform the life.
Jesus sanctioned the binding claims of the 5th commandment and rebuked any attempt to escape the obligations of children towards their parents, Nevertheless, love for one’s parents must never stand in the way of obedience to God in every particular, should the two be in conflict. Love to God and service for Him are to be the supreme rule of life.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
Could it be possible that our enemies could be found in our family or in God’s church?
“The world has no right to doubt the truth of Christianity because there are unworthy members in the church, nor should Christians become disheartened because of these false brethren. How was it with the early church? Ananias and Sapphira joined themselves to the disciples. Simon Magus was baptized. Demas, who forsook Paul, had been counted a believer. Judas Iscariot was numbered with the apostles. The Redeemer does not want to lose one soul; His experience with Judas is recorded to show His long patience with perverse human nature; and He bids us bear with it as He has borne. He has said that false brethren will be found in the church till the close of time” COL 72/73.
“We have far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world. Unbelievers have a right to expect that those who profess to be keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will do more than any other class to promote and honour, by their consistent lives, by their godly example and their active influence, the cause which they represent. But how often have the professed advocates of the truth proved the greatest obstacle to its advancement! The unbelief indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of Satan’s devices.” 1SM 122
What is our duty towards these people? We need to pray for them and show them the love of Christ (courtesy).
COALS OF FIRE
We are to heap coals of fire on those brethren who are working against us. “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” Proverbs 25:21,22
Paul repeats this idea in his letter to the Romans. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:19-21
The idea of personal vindictiveness must be eliminated from our minds, leaving vengeance to God. God will mete out justice to all people in His time. Kindness is the best vengeance that a Christian can take against an enemy. That heaping coals of fire on an opponent’s head is by an act of love rather than of malice. In Proverbs the verse ends with, “and the Lord shall reward thee,” and Paul sums it up by encouraging us not to be overcome of evil, “but overcome evil with good.”
The infliction of vengeance is a sign, not of strength, but of weakness. The one who allows his temper to be stirred up and his Christian principles of love and selfcontrol to be abandoned suffers defeat. But the person who represses the desire for revenge and turns a wrong done to him into an opportunity for showing kindness gains a victory over himself and over the powers of evil. This is not only nobler in itself but will be much more effective. It may disarm an enemy. “A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1… And it may win another
soul. Thus God has not meted out to sinners the vengeance they have long deserved, bur rather has overwhelmed them with love and mercy. And it is the goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering of God that lead men to repentance. The Christian who is being transformed into the image of God will show by his treatment of his enemies that day-by-day his character is becoming more and more like the character of God, who is love. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Proverbs 16:32.
“Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15
KING SAUL THE LORD’S ANOINTED
Job prayed for his friends. He did not cast them out or chase them away. What is our duty to those who do not harmonize with us?
In God’s church, we are not to chastise brethren who we don’t see eye-to-eye with. We are to do as Jesus did – pray for their forgiveness. Although King Saul had been told he was rejected by God and his kingdom will be given to another man who was more worthy than him, God still allowed him to remain king for some years to come. The Lord allowed David, on two different occasions, to have Saul completely in his power, to end his life, however David refused. He waited on the Lord. He had already been anointed by Samuel at this point in time, but the Lord was testing him.
“Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he [is] the LORD’S anointed.” 2 Samuel 24:10
“The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.” 1 Samuel 26:11
David’s men encouraged him to kill King Saul when the opportunity was laid before him. David’s men were willing to love their friends, but they still cherished hatred for their enemies. In the midst of such attitudes David revealed respect for his worst enemy. In the Lord’s time, He removed Saul from being king and placed David on the throne.
“When David’s men saw this they urged their leader to kill Saul. The fact that the king was now in their power was interpreted by them as certain evidence that God Himself had delivered the enemy into their hand, that they might destroy him. David was tempted to take this view of the matter; but the voice of conscience spoke to him, saying, Touch not the anointed of the Lord.’ ” PP 661
David’s men even quoted words of the Lord in an attempt to convince him to murder the king. “David’s men were still unwilling to leave Saul in peace, and they reminded their commander of the words of God, ‘Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee.’” PP 661
“Abishai raised his spear, and said to David, ‘God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.’ He waited for the word of permission; but there fell upon his ear the whispered words: ‘Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?… As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed:’” PP 670/1
“We have been inclined to think that where there are no faithful ministers there can be no true Christians, but this is not the case. God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the fl ock Himself. God has never made the fl ock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities. But the days of purifi cation of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He ill thoroughly purge His fl oor.” 5T 79
The time is coming when we will not have any earthly supports to lean on. We need to learn of Jesus because He is our only hope to see us through these diffi cult times ahead. May God help us to pray as did Job – a prayer for those who despitefully use us. Pray for our friends; pray for our enemies; pray for those brethren who don’t harmonize with us; pray for those who despitefully use us; pray for those who persecute us, whether they be family members, friends, brethren or enemies… Then we will fi nd deliverance as did Job, as we come into full harmony with Jesus. Then we can truly say we have shared in His sufferings, and we will be given the privilege to share in His victory.
AMEN
Wendy Eaton, Australia