The study of the Great Controversy which the book of Job gives us is a very important study.

Understanding this controversy which draws back the curtain and reveals the unseen forces at war, gives us the very foundation to a better understanding of the plan of redemption in light of what is going on in this troubled world.

Wednesday, October 5:

"Ellen G. White talked about “the law of love” as the foundation of God’s government. She noted that because God does not want “forced obedience,” He therefore “grants freedom of will” to all His moral creatures."

And what will God do to those that act out their "freedom of will". Love Me, or I'll kill you? THAT is the Great Controversy! God had given a lesson designed to prevent this. The history of Job had shown that suffering is inflicted by Satan, and is overruled by God for purposes of mercy. But Israel did not understand the lesson. The same error for which God had reproved the friends of Job was repeated by the Jews in their rejection of Christ. {DA 471.3}

Tuesday:

For some reason, the author was talking about freedom of choice, about not being forced. Then he quoted the commentary about God's character, about serving God for reward.

So would it be proper to conclude he sees love and choice is more than love me and you're rewarded? Or love me or I'll kill you? I believe there is more to choice than just reward or penalty, for is that really choice?

You could say you have a choice to speed or not, but do you? If you choose to speed, you are penalized. But do you really feel you have a choice to speed?

Some taxation schemes are based upon rules which say that taxation is voluntary. They fail to understand what it means. That means, they don't come to the door with an ax and say pay up. While it has become they extract it from your work, any extraneous is still voluntary. You "voluntarily" submit the tax with paperwork. But it's not a choice to pay or not. You must pay, but they don't physically force you.

But coercion and penalty does not freedom make.

Reward and punishment are the lowest level motives.

God desires a higher motive --
Love and obey Him because we KNOW He is good, and His ways are right. Love and serve Him for Who He is and what He stands for-- because that is what we desire.

Job's story --
the devil is basically accusing God that no one would serve Him except for the earthly blessings He gives them. Take away those earthly blessings, the devil says, and Job (or anyone) will curse you, hate You, and turn against You.


The Great controversy Issue is also a war between two contenders for this earth.

In Genesis 1:26 and 28 -- Adam, as the son of God (see Luke 3:38)was given the dominion of this earth. He was to stand at the head of the human race, under God.

Adam was given free choice --
The tree was placed in Eden so the contender could have LIMITED access. Now Adam and Eve had a choice, would they rule their dominion under the guidance of God, or under guidance of some one else?

They decided to distrust God and follow the advise of the fallen angel. In doing so they gave the dominion over to Satan.

When God called all the sons of God for a meeting, satan appears. Where did you come from, God asks, I've been patrolling my planet, Satan answers. (See Job 1)

The dominion of the earth had shifted from Adam to Satan.

How could the human race be restored?

Christ our Creator, became human -- He would stand as the head of the human race in Adam's place.

By His sinless life He was victor where Adam had failed.
By His death, He paid the penalty for mankind's transgressing of God's law.

In the heavenly courts (See Daniel 7) The Son of Man is brought before the Ancient of days. This is the only time Christ is called the "Son of Man" in the OT. That's because He is not brought before the courts representing His Divinity, He is brought before the courts representing humanity.
He is standing in Adam's place as the head of the human race.

In Daniel 7 the court declares that earth's dominion belongs to Him!

Through Christ the lost inheritance meant for the human race is once again available to them.
It is only through Christ that DO have a choice.


What is that choice? --
Who is the prince of this world in our lives? We have a choice as to whom we give our allegiance.
We have a choice as to which kingdom we want to be citizens.

Like Adam and Eve we are again given freedom of choice.
That choice is --
Listen to Lucifer's suggestions and follow him as the prince of our lives, OR
Listen to Christ's voice and follow Him and accept Him as Prince of our lives.

The warning given to Adam and Eve is still the same --
Listen and follow Lucifer and partake of the limited and dubious pleasures and advantages that he presents to you but in doing so you have chosen a loser and deceiver and you will die.

Listen and follow Christ even if this earthly life is rough at times and He will present your name before the Father and His angels and with Him you will inherit the everlasting kingdom. (See Rev. 3:4-5

It's a matter of choosing who the prince of your life will be.


I read an historic novel once -- in it a young man was seeking "opportunities" to achieve power in America. The time was during the civil war. At first he sided with the Union thinking by supporting them he'd rise in influence and power, but when the confederates won some pretty important battles he switched allegiance, betrayed his responsibilities in the north and joined the south. Of course we know the south lost in the end, with the result that this young man fared very badly.

But the point is -- the one we side with is also the one we share the end result with.

Too many choose the "goodies" that this world promises in fame and fortune or just getting ahead even though it means treading on God's law and ignoring His guidance. They are following the wrong prince, they have chosen the wrong kingdom.

Christ will come and claim the dominion that He gave up so much to win. He did it out of love for you -- choose Him and love him because He first loved you.

Implied is that if we don't seek to serve the Lord faithfully and do what is right in His sight, then it would be expected that we suffer? That is, why shouldn't bad things happen to bad people?

Tuesday:
Eliphaz sounds like some here you say that, "Jesus causes disease, death, and destruction".

Job 4:9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.