Does Job reveal how God builds a man?

ZNPaaneah · 06-22-2013, 10:18 AM

In our recent discussion on Psalms there has been a dispute as to whether the sentiments expressed are "non Christian" and portrays a vengeful God that is contrary to the God who loved the world and gave His son for our salvation. It seems that Witness Lee held to this feeling, teaching that some Psalms were spiritual and some were the natural concept of the writer.
Igzy made a valid point that the issue isn't the writer. As Aron pointed out the Psalms portray our journey. He quoted Psalm 119:67 "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word." Showing how our journey includes failure, affliction, repentance, restoration, and obedience. It is through these experiences that we come to appreciate the word of the Bible more. For example, we can look at our experience with the LRC in this way.
So then, it seems the real issue should be addressed in the book of Job. This book, more than any other, gets to the heart of whether God is a righteous and loving God that is portrayed in the NT. Once again, Witness Lee fails to see "the divine revelation" in this book of the Bible. "In the divine unveilings to Job, there was nothing concerning the purpose of God in dealing with Job. Thus, the adequate knowledge of this matter is not found in this book. The revelation regarding the purpose of God's dealing with Job had to wait until Christ came and until the apostle Paul was produced." (chapter 29, Sect 3, Life Study of Job). To be fair to Witness Lee I thought his ministry on the epistles of Paul and also on the Pentateuch were very good. However, I also felt he mangled Psalms, Job, Proverbs and James. Reading his ministry on these books you get the impression of a blind man fumbling around in the dark. For example, this quote that I just gave of Witness Lee refers directly to these verses:
Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
38:5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
38:6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

This is the first question God asks Job and it succinctly covers the entire book to this point. God is saying that He is "building a man", job is complaining about how He is doing it, so God presents his credentials saying He built the Earth. Since Job has found all these "errors" in what God is doing in building a man God wants to see if he understands anything about how He built the Earth. Where were you when I laid the foundation? Do you understand?

Likewise I think this goes straight to the heart of the recent discussion. Is the OT God different from the NT God, or is this the God who is laying the foundation for the one new man? It it is the latter then the book of Job clearly did reveal "the purpose of God" which puts a very big question mark on Witness Lee as a Bible expositor.

06-22-2013, 10:18 AM	#1
ZNPaaneah Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 7,105	Does Job reveal how God builds a man? In our recent discussion on Psalms there has been a dispute as to whether the sentiments expressed are "non Christian" and portrays a vengeful God that is contrary to the God who loved the world and gave His son for our salvation. It seems that Witness Lee held to this feeling, teaching that some Psalms were spiritual and some were the natural concept of the writer. Igzy made a valid point that the issue isn't the writer. As Aron pointed out the Psalms portray our journey. He quoted Psalm 119:67 "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word." Showing how our journey includes failure, affliction, repentance, restoration, and obedience. It is through these experiences that we come to appreciate the word of the Bible more. For example, we can look at our experience with the LRC in this way. So then, it seems the real issue should be addressed in the book of Job. This book, more than any other, gets to the heart of whether God is a righteous and loving God that is portrayed in the NT. Once again, Witness Lee fails to see "the divine revelation" in this book of the Bible. "In the divine unveilings to Job, there was nothing concerning the purpose of God in dealing with Job. Thus, the adequate knowledge of this matter is not found in this book. The revelation regarding the purpose of God's dealing with Job had to wait until Christ came and until the apostle Paul was produced." (chapter 29, Sect 3, Life Study of Job). To be fair to Witness Lee I thought his ministry on the epistles of Paul and also on the Pentateuch were very good. However, I also felt he mangled Psalms, Job, Proverbs and James. Reading his ministry on these books you get the impression of a blind man fumbling around in the dark. For example, this quote that I just gave of Witness Lee refers directly to these verses: Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 38:5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 38:6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? This is the first question God asks Job and it succinctly covers the entire book to this point. God is saying that He is "building a man", job is complaining about how He is doing it, so God presents his credentials saying He built the Earth. Since Job has found all these "errors" in what God is doing in building a man God wants to see if he understands anything about how He built the Earth. Where were you when I laid the foundation? Do you understand? Likewise I think this goes straight to the heart of the recent discussion. Is the OT God different from the NT God, or is this the God who is laying the foundation for the one new man? It it is the latter then the book of Job clearly did reveal "the purpose of God" which puts a very big question mark on Witness Lee as a Bible expositor.