Magyar Egyház, 1985 (64. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1985-07-01 / 4. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11. oldal tional Church). It is known that the UCC keeps the Augusburg Confession and the Heidelberg Cathechism among its creedal foundations. The sharply defined statements of this Final Report (yet presented in a charitable tone), its unequivocal call, makes the appeal of this dialogue an important ecumenical event. Its ecumenical character is enhanced by the references to the European dialogue and to BEM. It must be viewed and appreciated in these contexts. A final remark: the text includes many explanatory notes, in some cases quite elementary. This, together with a clear style makes it comprehensible to “lay” people. It will hopefully be used by a wide readership as it has been published in book form (“An Invitation to Action: the Lutheran Reformed Dialogue, Series III,” edited by James E. Andrews and Joseph A. Burgess. Available from Fortress Press, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129). [The above presentation was prepared by using a copy of the original, 108 page strong mimeographed “Report.”] Andrew Harsanyi JOB'S FAITH... “I KNOW, THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH”; Job 19:24. Many Christians like to read this verse from the Bible, there is a clear reference here to our Lord Jesus Christ. Job says: “I know, that My REDEEMER liveth...” The original word in Hebrew is “GOEL.. .” which means ADVOCATE, or VINDICATOR. According to the Old Testament custom if a person died, and left a widow or orphans, then the next of kin is the “GOEL,” or ADVOCATE, who must take action and defend the helpless orphans or widow. Job did not fully know, the deep meaning of his words, when he said: “I KNOW, THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH...” During his long illness he was badgered with accusations by his friends and relatives who accused him of all kinds of sin. Some said: God punished him so severly, because of something he committed; he lost all his possessions, and children, and now his health and wealth are gone, they were convinced, that he must have committed something very wrong against the Lord to be so severely punished. In answer to all the accusations, JOB said: INSPITE OF ALL THESE I KNOW. THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES... He wanted to imply, that He is innocent, and even if he has to die, he has a wonderful God, who will justify him. He said: Even if no one else believes me, my Heavenly Father knows everything, and He will help me. Yes, this man’s faith in God was steadfast and strong. I. First, let us notice the assurance of FAITH IN THE HEART OF JOB, EVEN AMID THE MOST DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. Job never waivered, he never doubted, and never turned away from our Lord and the Creator. He said over and over again: “I know, that my Redeemer lives...” Who among us can know for sure, what will happen tomorrow? We all know, that there are a lot of uncertainties in our modem age, this is why we have insurance programs in our society. You do not know, what will happen to your home: floods, fires, storms or earthquake may destroy your possessions, so you insure your house and its contents in order that you may recover some of your loss if anything happens. No one knows, what will happen on the highways when you sit in your car, although you may be the safest driver, so you buy insurance to have some protection, if an accident should occur. YOU do not know, what might happen, when you fly, and oh how many people insure themselves against the hazards of flying, when a person can perish in a moment, in an air disaster.... It is impossible to enumerate all the dangers, that surround us day by day. Many are groping in the dark, hoping, that tomorrow will be a brighter and safer day. Nothing is ever certain. If there would have been insurance companies at the time of Job, they would have gone out of business. The astronomical losses of JOB would have created a financial catastrophy to any insurance firm. Or what hospitalization or Medical Plan could have covered the seemingly endless afflictions and sufferings of JOB? YOU see, everything was uncertain, then too, except the faith, of the man of God! Amid all his afflictions, Job said with assurance: I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES. His faith was as strong as the ROCK OF GIBRALTAR. The other day someone showed me a letter, which radiate such faith: a mother writes to a friend saying: I lost my oldest son, who left home for a foreign land, which is a shattering blow to me. THEN, my other son left home to join the service. And now my third son married someone who does not believe in God, and is trying to turn the heart of my son away from the Lord. MORE than that, my grandchild is being reared in antagonism against me ... What must go on in the heart of a mother and grandmother..., no one knows, but this woman writes: One thing I know, no one can take away my faith, for I believe in my Lord. Oh I know if I lose everything in this world, I have a Redeemer, who will never forsake me! When Billy Graham opened his evangelistic crusade in New York City, a few years ago, the young people from the church, I served in New Jersey and the organizations, attended.. .. Most people have no idea about the faith, that must go into such a campaign... Faith in God, that He will send people to fill the 20,000 seats in Madison Square Garden, faith that He will help to reach thousands for Christ, happy are you if you have a strong faith in God. Even if you never attend a crusade, you can Pray to God for your family, you can pray for your church, country, and you, too, can say, as Job said I KNOW, THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES.... II. Secondly, let us notice, that Job had a very true friend, while the many so called friends and neighbors, who went to see him were miserable comforters... He was desperately ill, yet, instead of helping to ease his suffering, they accused him of sinning against God.
