Job 32-37
All the while job was having this deep theological discussion with his three friends there was also present one very interested and intense bystander. Elihu, younger by his own admission, had shown respect unto his elders while listening to them fail in their efforts to convince Job of his sinfulness. When they finally gave up, and Job’s words were ended, Elihu can stand it no more.
Job 32:19 “Behold, my belly is as new wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.”
He goes on to criticize both Job and his friends for their primitive understanding of God. For Job to accuse God of being unjust was the height of ingratitude and effrontery. God was so much higher than Job, and his thoughts higher, as to be irreproachable by any man (Job 34:18). Elihu assures Job that although we cannot understand God’s ways, His ways are absolutely correct always.
Elihu’s view of the situation is somewhat higher than that of either Job or his three friends. Of the group described, surely he has the best understanding of the true nature of God. He alone of Job’s friends was not criticized by God at the end of the book. There is much to learn from Elihu considering the nature of God and trouble in the lives of Christian people.
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Words of Job are Ended
Text: Job 25-31
In chapter 25, only 6 verses, Bildad sums up the accusations against Job. “How then can a man be justified with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?” Job, he says, it is simply not possible for you to be as righteous as you claim. No man is righteous. You are a sinner, and you have suffered the things you have suffered as a result.
Chapters 26-31 record Job’s own summation. In short, he considers himself to be as righteous as any man can be, and his fall to be unjust. Chapter 27:6 states, “My righteousness I hold fast, and I will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.” In chapter 31:35, Job laments, “Oh, that one would hear me! Behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.” Job claims to understand God and His justice, affirms His own righteousness before God, and desires some sort of explanation of his condition. Concluding his arguments, 31:40 ends with “The words of Job are ended.”
In chapter 25, only 6 verses, Bildad sums up the accusations against Job. “How then can a man be justified with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?” Job, he says, it is simply not possible for you to be as righteous as you claim. No man is righteous. You are a sinner, and you have suffered the things you have suffered as a result.
Chapters 26-31 record Job’s own summation. In short, he considers himself to be as righteous as any man can be, and his fall to be unjust. Chapter 27:6 states, “My righteousness I hold fast, and I will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.” In chapter 31:35, Job laments, “Oh, that one would hear me! Behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.” Job claims to understand God and His justice, affirms His own righteousness before God, and desires some sort of explanation of his condition. Concluding his arguments, 31:40 ends with “The words of Job are ended.”
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Eliphaz, Round 2
TEXT: Job 22-24
Eliphaz continues the diagnosis of Job’s dilemma in chapter 22. He really has nothing new to add to the discussion, just rehearses that which has already been voiced. Job is a sinner (v. 5 “Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?”). God is a wise and just judge, who judges the wicked with just such calamaties as Job has experienced. Therefore Job must be wicked. All he needs to do now to experience God’s blessings again is to repent (v. 23, “If thou return ot the Almighty, thou shalt be built up…).
Job’s response in chapter 23 and 24 begins with despair that he is unable to reason with God, that God has made Himself inaccessible. In the midst of the complaining, he affirms his innocense in 24:10 “…When he has tried me, I will come forth as gold”. Job continues in chapter 24 to describe God’s workings on the earth, agreeing with his friends that God judges evil, but disputing with them when and how that judgment may come. He is certain that, in his case, he is judged unjustly.
It’s easy to find yourself in Job’s place when troubles and trials come. Job’s understanding of God is revealed in the crucuble of difficulty. God will take care of me because I am worthy. Though his spirit says, “though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him, his heart is here revealed to be, “If only I could plead my case with Him, He would see my righteousness.”
Job has faith, without question. But the object of his faith is not God alone, but God and his own righteousness.
Eliphaz continues the diagnosis of Job’s dilemma in chapter 22. He really has nothing new to add to the discussion, just rehearses that which has already been voiced. Job is a sinner (v. 5 “Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?”). God is a wise and just judge, who judges the wicked with just such calamaties as Job has experienced. Therefore Job must be wicked. All he needs to do now to experience God’s blessings again is to repent (v. 23, “If thou return ot the Almighty, thou shalt be built up…).
Job’s response in chapter 23 and 24 begins with despair that he is unable to reason with God, that God has made Himself inaccessible. In the midst of the complaining, he affirms his innocense in 24:10 “…When he has tried me, I will come forth as gold”. Job continues in chapter 24 to describe God’s workings on the earth, agreeing with his friends that God judges evil, but disputing with them when and how that judgment may come. He is certain that, in his case, he is judged unjustly.
It’s easy to find yourself in Job’s place when troubles and trials come. Job’s understanding of God is revealed in the crucuble of difficulty. God will take care of me because I am worthy. Though his spirit says, “though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him, his heart is here revealed to be, “If only I could plead my case with Him, He would see my righteousness.”
Job has faith, without question. But the object of his faith is not God alone, but God and his own righteousness.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Too Many Anomalies
TEXT: Job 20-21, Galatians 4-6
In Zophar’s second condemnation of Job’s sinfulness (chapter 20), he more or less repeats the previous arguments, that God judges wicked men. Job has obviously been judged, and therefore Job must be wicked.
In chapter 21, Job answers this charge with a description of reality. “Look around you”, Job says, “do you not see that the wicked prosper?” In fact, many of them do extremely well. As a result of their prosperity, they reject God (v. 15). Job agrees with Asaph (Psalm 73) that God will judge the wicked one day, but it is clear it may not be in this life, or in the way that Job’s comforters understand. Job concludes in verse 34 that his friends are simply wrong.
Jesus furthered Job’s cause in the sermon on the Mount, when He declared that God caused it to rain, “on the just and the unjust”. God gives good things to bad people, with the intention that His goodness might lead them to repentance. Some repent, and some, unfortunately, see God’s blessings on their rebellious lifestyles as evidence that He doesn’t care, or worse, doesn’t exist.
In Zophar’s second condemnation of Job’s sinfulness (chapter 20), he more or less repeats the previous arguments, that God judges wicked men. Job has obviously been judged, and therefore Job must be wicked.
In chapter 21, Job answers this charge with a description of reality. “Look around you”, Job says, “do you not see that the wicked prosper?” In fact, many of them do extremely well. As a result of their prosperity, they reject God (v. 15). Job agrees with Asaph (Psalm 73) that God will judge the wicked one day, but it is clear it may not be in this life, or in the way that Job’s comforters understand. Job concludes in verse 34 that his friends are simply wrong.
Jesus furthered Job’s cause in the sermon on the Mount, when He declared that God caused it to rain, “on the just and the unjust”. God gives good things to bad people, with the intention that His goodness might lead them to repentance. Some repent, and some, unfortunately, see God’s blessings on their rebellious lifestyles as evidence that He doesn’t care, or worse, doesn’t exist.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Faith Intact
TEXT: Job 18-19, Galatians 1-3
When I read Job, I like to read it in dialogues which include one of the "friends" comments and Job's response. Usually works out to be two or three chapters (God's challenge and Elihu's sections are, of course, exceptions).
In Job 18, Bildad is taking his second shot at Job, and he is reduced to simply describing the fate of the wicked as a series of horrific judgments. As Job has experienced such a series of events, he must be wicked also (Job 18:21).
In chapter 19, Job answers, first by again questioning the loyalty and motives of his so-called, friends I(vs. 1-5), then asking for a little sympathy in vs. 8-12. He tells his friends that God has overthrown him, that his overthrow is unjust, and that they should be more sympathetic. The pity party continues as Job describes how h has been abandoned by all: God, friends, and family. Then, in verses 25-27, the Bible records this incredible statement of faith:
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Job doesn't understand what has happened to him. He blames God, and blatantly accuses Him of injustice, but His faith never wavers. In the midst of all His trouble and trial, he believes with all his heart. Maybe this is why God was able to describe Job in Job 1:8 as "my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?"
When I read Job, I like to read it in dialogues which include one of the "friends" comments and Job's response. Usually works out to be two or three chapters (God's challenge and Elihu's sections are, of course, exceptions).
In Job 18, Bildad is taking his second shot at Job, and he is reduced to simply describing the fate of the wicked as a series of horrific judgments. As Job has experienced such a series of events, he must be wicked also (Job 18:21).
In chapter 19, Job answers, first by again questioning the loyalty and motives of his so-called, friends I(vs. 1-5), then asking for a little sympathy in vs. 8-12. He tells his friends that God has overthrown him, that his overthrow is unjust, and that they should be more sympathetic. The pity party continues as Job describes how h has been abandoned by all: God, friends, and family. Then, in verses 25-27, the Bible records this incredible statement of faith:
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Job doesn't understand what has happened to him. He blames God, and blatantly accuses Him of injustice, but His faith never wavers. In the midst of all His trouble and trial, he believes with all his heart. Maybe this is why God was able to describe Job in Job 1:8 as "my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?"
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