Days 5 & 6. Reading Job 6 – 9 and 10 – 13.

(Sunday & Monday posts are together.)

I’m rereading God’s Word this year. And I hope to blog about it differently. Instead of writing only an overview of the text, I want it to be more personal.

I invite you to read the scripture for the day and write “in the comments” what you found meaningful. We can encourage each other.

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Job 6 

Job has just listened to a long speech by his friend, Eliphaz, who has accused him of sinning.  “That’s why you are suffering,” he seems to say. “Repent and get better.”

Yes, Job is a sinner, as we ALL are, since Adam & Eve’s gross disobedience in the garden. But a specific sin is not the reason for Job’s horrendous state of loss, poverty, and ill health.  

Job is frustrated.  He doesn’t deny he’s a sinner, but he does say, “I have not denied the words of the Holy One.”  He asks his friends to look at him, really LOOK. “Please turn; let no injustice be done. Turn now; my vindication is at stake. Is there any injustice on my tongue?“

Job 7.

Then Job turns his weary eyes upward and speaks his woes to God. He pours out his complaints to God,  just like I do when I’m having a hard time.

• “Why is this happening, God?  Have you forgotten me?  What have I done to deserve this?  I’m just human, as You well know!  Maybe I should just die.” 

Job 8.

It’s time for Job’s second friend to offer his wisdom.  Bildad is also sure that Job’s sin has caused his troubles and that he should repent if he wants out of them.  “If you are pure and upright, surely He will rouse Himself for you and restore your rightful habitation.”

• I’ve only mildly experienced this kind of judging.  But, I confess, I  have criticized others and often given them my “superior” advice, just like Eliphaz and Bildad.  “If only they would do this! (or NOT do that!), then they wouldn’t be in this mess!” “They should have prayed first or listened to that sermon.”  “If they would just follow good habits, they wouldn’t be sick, or fat, or….. !”
• O LORD, how like Job’s friends I am!  You’ve said “Judge not, lest you be judged,” and still I do it. EVEN THIS MORNING!!!   I confess, Lord. Cleanse me and help me to imitate Your great mercy for others!

Job 9.

Job responds to Bildad’s lofty speech, saying that he KNOWS God is the holy, wise, and powerful Creator and that Job himself is powerless and low.  But then, he asks if God is FAIR?  “He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.”  Job feels helpless. Desperate, he cries, “I shall be condemned; why do I labor in vain? If I wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye, yet You will plunge me into a pit….”  WOW!

• How often have “I” said, “That’s not fair!”  Or even thought, “GOD is not fair.”  But I need to remember that He is sovereign. He controls everything in perfect wisdom.  I do not have the mind of God. His thoughts and ways are SO MUCH higher than mine.  (Isaiah 55:8-9)  And so, even if I never see the whys and wherefores of what’s happening in my life, I NEED TO TRUST HIM ALWAYS.  “If He slays me, yet will I trust Him,” should be my heart’s desire as it was Job’s (Chapter 19).

Then Job says something that immediately causes thanksgiving to flood into my heart…..because I remember Jesus.  Job says, speaking of God, “There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both.” 

Hallelujah!  We have Jesus Christ!  

1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”  Hebrews 7:25, speaking of Jesus, says, “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

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July 10.

Job is still answering Bildad’s comments, but he’s appealing to God as well. He asks the question WE ALL ASK — Why? “Let me know WHY you contend against me. Does it seem good to You to oppress, to despise the work of your hands, and favor the designs of the wicked?”

Deep in his heart Job KNOWS God loves him, he just can’t figure out all this disaster. “You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit. YET these things you hid in your heart; I KNOW this was your PURPOSE.

• I really DO KNOW that God loves me, but like Job, I need to grab hold of that rock of truth with all my strength and BELIEVE it, especially during trials.

Job 11.

Next, Job’s third “friend” speaks. Zophar is like the two before him.  And he’s shocked that Job claims innocence. He pounds Job with his need to repent of his sin.  

“If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward Him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. Surely THEN you will lift up your face WITHOUT BLEMISH.”   “And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.”

• Ah, Lord, I am so like Zophar sometimes!!  At least silently, I often think if someone experiencing trials would just “Straighten up and fly right,” their problems would go away.  O Lord, so much do I lack wisdom, and compassion, and, well, ALL the fruits of the Spirit.  I confess and repent of this hard-heartedness! Soften my heart.

Job 12

Now Job fires back using sarcasm.  Oh, are YOU the only ones with wisdom? I have understanding as well.  “I, who called to God and He answered me, a just and blameless man…am a laughingstock to my “friends.” Ha!

Then Job reveals some of his wisdom about the SOVEREIGNTY of God. ‘Who does not know that “the hand of the LORD” has done this?  In His hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. With God are wisdom and might; He has counsel and understanding. If He tears down, none can rebuild; if He shuts a man in, none can open.”

THAT’S RIGHT, JOB! Rest in the Sovereignty of Almighty God!

Job 13.

Job continues to speak back to his “friends.” But he’s getting tired of their constant “know-it-all” condemnation.  “Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.  What YOU know, “I” also know; I am NOT inferior you you.”  

Then Job nails his friends once again, “As for YOU, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all. Oh that you would keep silent!”   “Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. Let me have silence. “

Then Job tells them what he REALLY wants.   “I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.”  ” I will speak, and let come on me what may.”   “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him: yet I will argue my ways to His face.“

Whoa, Job, better watch out what you ask for!!!  

• You know, our God is Almighty. He opposes the proud, the unbelieving, the idolater, BUT He is not afraid of one of His children calling out to him in fear, anger, and desperation.  He’s tough. He can withstand our puny fists pounding against his massive, steel-hard chest.  He loves us.  He loved Job.

Job looks to God, as in a courtroom.  “Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right. Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face. 1) Withdraw your hand far from me, and 2) Let not dread of you terrify me.  THEN call and I will answer.  OR, let me speak and You reply to me.

And then Job presents his case (questions) before God.  (Chapter 14, tomorrow.)