Calendar:Alar. Kith to Apr. 15th.

DAILY BIBLE READING:. ………. Mar. 16th, Job 5; Mar. 31st, Job 20; Apr. 15th, Job 35.

GOOD READING:"The Minor Prophets," by H. A. Ironside. Pages 110-134.

MONTHLY BIBLE CLASS:. … Colossians, chap. 1:9

The last memory portion we studied was 2d Timothy. In accordance with our request that the names of those successful in recitation be sent in by January 30th.

To them will be sent cloth bound copies of "Papers on the Lord's Coming," by C. H. M.

We are glad to learn that though for a time discontinued as a part of our study, a number express the purpose of continuing such work, having found it very profitable and helpful.

Our Daily Bible Reading

This falls entirely within the book of Job. This book shows us deep ways of God in dealing with the soul of man, especially in connection with present suffering.

We may learn from the speeches of Job's friends that the best human wisdom and wide experience fail to correctly set forth God's character and His ways, and man's condition and need before God. Many true things are stated in relation to both God and man, but spiritual un-dei standing is lacking. Their weakness or mistake lies in assuming that present conditions show the measure of God's approval or disapproval. They fail to apprehend that God works through all things for the blessing of souls, that in result they may more fully know Him and themselves.

The book is not of a dispensational character, but gives what is of ever present significance and instruction.

In Job we may see a saint resting, even trusting, in that goodness which he finds in himself (which after all is the fruit of God's grace), so that it becomes the righteousness of which he boasts, and results in a self-vindicating attitude, with bitter complaint even against God when tested by trials and sufferings. To be shaken loose from all this; to lose confidence in our own righteousness as the ground of acceptance with God, is God's object in His dealings with Job, who is not alone in need of such lessons, which comparatively few, however, seem to learn.

The true state of the heart is thus brought out and judged as before God. In result, the soul's realization of the ground of relationship with God is deepened-a ground of His own establishment, which rests on His grace, not on anything found or wrought in the saint. Thus blessing and the enjoyment of fellowship with God is greatly increased, because the good in us (which is the fruit of grace) ceases to be a ground for complacency. This, often through painful experiences, we are brought to find outside of ourselves, and entirely in Him from whom all blessing really flows.
A short outline of the book's arrangement may help in our reading:

1 (chs. 1-3). The introduction, giving us the setting of the case, the principal persons concerned in it, and the theme or subject of discussion.

2 (chs. 4-31). The discussion between Job and his three friends.

(a)chs. 4-14.The first set of speeches, 1:Eliphaz (chs. 4, 5). 2:Job's answer (chs. 6, 7). 3:Bildad(ch. 8). 4:Job's answer(chs. 9,10). 5:Zophar (ch. 11). 6:Job's answer (chs. 12-14).

In this part the friends emphasize God's transcendent purity, ineffable righteousness and inscrutable wisdom. Over against this they set man's insignificance and wickedness, from which they conclude that Job must have sinned as the direct cause of his suffering; that he should repent and confess it, and so receive healing. Job revolts against their charge, and is provoked to criticize God's dealings.

(b) chs. 15-21. The second set of speeches.

1:Eliphaz (ch. 15).

2:Job's answer (chs. 16,17).

3:Bildad(ch. 18)

4:Job's answer (ch. 19).

5:Zophar (ch. 20).

6:Job's answer (ch. 21).

Job having sought in his first replies to defend himself against the imputation of wickedness, not so much by direct refutation as by declaiming against God's actions with him, his friends now seek to press home their charge, setting forth the wretched condition, state, and end of the wicked. In reply Job complains bitterly of the attitude taken by, and the treatment received from, these friends, and appeals from them to God for vindication.

(c) chs. 22-31. The third set of speeches, 1:Eliphaz (ch. 22). 2:Job's answer (chs. 23, 24). 3:Bildad (ch. 25). 4:Job's answer (chs. 26-31).

Note that Zophar does not speak this time. Eliphaz now makes his charges very specific, and closes with very definite exhortations. Bildad confines himself to emphasizing man's nothingness in view of God's greatness. Job, in a long speech reproves his friends, asserts the uprightness of his conduct, and his integrity as his defense before God.

3 (chs. 32-37). Elihu reproves Job for setting himself forth as more righteous even than God, and goes on to explain God's ways and purposes for blessing through them, finally setting forth the universal sovereignty and power of God.
4 (chs. 38-42:6). Jehovah now speaks, not to argue or even instruct His recalcitrant servant, but rather to overwhelm him with a sense of his nothingness by setting forth His own Almightiness. Job takes the right place in utter self-abasement.

5. (ch. 42:7-17). The end reached in full blessing through the disciplinary ways of God.

Our Good Reading

This carries us through the prophecy of Joel. He evidently takes up conditions as they existed in his day, a desolation resulting from natural causes and from ruthless enemies; all however under Jehovah's controlling hand. This gives occasion for calling the people to repentance, self-judgment, and submission to God, who gives promises of deliverance and blessing, assuring Judah's supremacy through the judgment of the nations, and Jerusalem made holy as God's dwelling, no more to be trodden down by strangers. The divisions of the prophecy are:

Div. 1. (ch. 1:1-12). Devastating judgments making land and people desolate.

(1) vers. 1-4. The agencies of ruin.

(2) vers. 5-7. Smitten revelry. The literal locusts are compared to a nation. It is also a prophetic forecast of the northern power's invasion of a later day.

(3) vers. 8-10. Despoiled temple and priestly service.

(4)vers. 11,12.The destruction of all prosperity.

Div. 2. (chs. 1:13-2:17). Calls to repentance and humiliation.

(1) ch. 1:13-17. Priests and people called to assemble and lament before Jehovah because His house and service suffer.

(2) ch. 1:18-20. The groan of creation itself causing the prophet to utter his cry.

(3) ch. 2:1-11. The prophet's view enlarging:through the prevailing distress the Spirit leads him to pass beyond the present into the future-the manifestation of Jehovah in consuming judgment in His coming day. Here a transition is being effected which reaches its climax in the next main division.

(4) ch. 2:12-17. Assured grace and mercy upon true repentance before Jehovah.

Div. 3. (ch. 2:18-32).). Fulness of both natural and spiritual blessing.

(1) vers. 18-20.The annihilation of the enemy.

(2) vers. 21-27. Land and people made glad through accomplished deliverance.

(3) vers. 28-32. The outpouring of the Spirit, and the sure refuge.

Div. 4. (ch. 3). Jehovah's judgment on the nations adjacent to His land and people, but having also a universal significance.

(1) vers. 1-3. The charge against the enemy.

(2) vers. 4-6.No possible reconciliation.

(3) vers. 7, 8.Coming restoration for God's people.

(4) vers. 9-11.The call to conflict.

(5) vers. 12-15.The day of recompense.

(6) vers. 16,17.The divine limit to oppression.

(7) vers. 18-21.The perfect consummation.

Our Monthly Bible Study Class Colossians 1:9.

In these studies make use of the New Translation by J. N. D. along with the Authorized Version.

In the first part of this chapter (vers. 1-8) the apostle has made special mention of the fruitfulness produced among the Colossians by the knowledge of the truth. He now prays for a further development, springing from the same source, so that according to full knowledge they may walk worthy of the Lord.

Ver. 9. The apostle prays, and desires or makes request. The former is general, the latter special. There are three things to consider:(1) full knowledge; this is that perfect revelation of God in Christ which in its absolute completeness shows all in the past to have been partial, and shuts out the possibility of any further disclosure or supposed emanation of the divine fulness. This term (epignosis) should be further studied by reference to passages in which it occurs (e. g., Eph. 1:17; 4:13; Col. 2:2, acknowledgment, A.V.; 3:10; 2 Pet. 1:2, 3; 2:20). For us to have "full knowledge" (Phil. 1:9; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Tim. 2:25) implies more than simply knowledge, which may concern the intellect alone; it is of that intensive form which powerfully affects the character, moulding the life in accord with the full knowledge of God's will now revealed in Christ, and its recognition as true by faith; (2) wisdom, (3) understanding; these two things appear closely linked together by the adjective, spiritual, which may be more correctly considered as applying to both- "spiritual wisdom," etc. It puts them in contrast to the vain and fleshly philosophy referred to later in the epistle. Wisdom is more than mere knowledge. It involves the highest exercise of all the moral faculties, not simply the intellect, and so has reference to our attitude as well as action. Mere knowledge may issue in self-conceit and spiritual breakdown. At the same time wisdom is the right use of all that is provided by the full knowledge of which we have spoken, which therefore properly comes first, for the spiritual wisdom here desired springs from its possession. This in turn is acquired through the Word. Understanding is the discriminate and precise apprehension of particulars. It grows out of wisdom which results from being filled with the full knowledge of God's will.