Job 15

Sorry I missed yesterday! I drove through the night, got to Jersey Shore at 6 am, and then played at a special men's breakfast from 8-10, so yesterday was a little of a blur for me, haha. Here we go! =)

Verses 1-10:

"Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
2 “A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk!
You are nothing but a windbag.
3 The wise don’t engage in empty chatter.
What good are such words?
4 Have you no fear of God,
no reverence for him?
5 Your sins are telling your mouth what to say.
Your words are based on clever deception.
6 Your own mouth condemns you, not I.
Your own lips testify against you.
7 “Were you the first person ever born?
Were you born before the hills were made?
8 Were you listening at God’s secret council?
Do you have a monopoly on wisdom?
9 What do you know that we don’t?
What do you understand that we do not?
10 On our side are aged, gray-haired men
much older than your father!"

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Wow. Eliphaz and I probably wouldn't get along very well I'm guessing from these words he's speaking to Job right now. I'm not sure what sticks out here most, his dedication to accusing Job or his lack of gentleness.

Verses 11-19:

11 “Is God’s comfort too little for you?
Is his gentle word not enough?
12 What has taken away your reason?
What has weakened your vision,
13 that you turn against God
and say all these evil things?
14 Can any mortal be pure?
Can anyone born of a woman be just?
15 Look, God does not even trust the angels.
Even the heavens are not absolutely pure in his sight.
16 How much less pure is a corrupt and sinful person
with a thirst for wickedness!
17 “If you will listen, I will show you.
I will answer you from my own experience.
18 And it is confirmed by the reports of wise men
who have heard the same thing from their fathers—
19 from those to whom the land was given
long before any foreigners arrived."

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In my educated opinion, Eliphaz was a believer in the 'T' of the TULIP of Calvinism. T = total depravity, meaning that ever since birth, a human being is evil, sinful, incapable of being good. Verse 14 is where I find support for that. Now, naturally I think that's a bit of a stretch and I'm not a supporter of total depravity. In verse 16, he accuses Job not of being sinful, but of LONGING and PURPOSEFULLY seeking out opportunities to sin. I love how in verse 17 too, he thinks he knows it all, haha.

Verses 20-29:

20 “The wicked writhe in pain throughout their lives.
Years of trouble are stored up for the ruthless.
21 The sound of terror rings in their ears,
and even on good days they fear the attack of the destroyer.
22 They dare not go out into the darkness
for fear they will be murdered.
23 They wander around, saying, ‘Where can I find bread?’
They know their day of destruction is near.
24 That dark day terrifies them.
They live in distress and anguish,
like a king preparing for battle.
25 For they shake their fists at God,
defying the Almighty.
26 Holding their strong shields,
they defiantly charge against him.
27 “These wicked people are heavy and prosperous;
their waists bulge with fat.
28 But their cities will be ruined.
They will live in abandoned houses
that are ready to tumble down.
29 Their riches will not last,
and their wealth will not endure.
Their possessions will no longer spread across the horizon."

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What a description huh? Haha. I'm not really sure what to say about this section. Anything come to mind for you guys?

Verses 30-35:

30 “They will not escape the darkness.
The burning sun will wither their shoots,
and the breath of God will destroy them.
31 Let them no longer fool themselves by trusting in empty riches,
for emptiness will be their only reward.
32 Like trees, they will be cut down in the prime of life;
their branches will never again be green.
33 They will be like a vine whose grapes are harvested too early,
like an olive tree that loses its blossoms before the fruit can form.
34 For the godless are barren.
Their homes, enriched through bribery, will burn.
35 They conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
Their womb produces deceit.”

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Wouldn't it suck to not have a relationship with God? Unfortunately that's a reality for many today. Reading this makes me appreciate what I have with Jesus, but also feel a little convicted about what I'm doing to lead others to Him as well. What do you guys see in this chapter?

"Father may we embrace Your love and allow Your wisdom and grace to flow through us. I pray we would be Your hands and feet here in this world. May we be a witness that leads people to Jesus, and changes the world for You. We love You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 14

Verses 1-6:

“How frail is humanity!
How short is life, how full of trouble!
2 We blossom like a flower and then wither.
Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear.
3 Must you keep an eye on such a frail creature
and demand an accounting from me?
4 Who can bring purity out of an impure person?
No one!
5 You have decided the length of our lives.
You know how many months we will live,
and we are not given a minute longer.
6 So leave us alone and let us rest!
We are like hired hands, so let us finish our work in peace."

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Human life really is so frail. All it takes is one glance away from the road to cause a potentially fatal car crash. All it takes is one doctor's visit to receive some life altering news. Have you ever thought about how quickly your life can change for the better or for the worse? I think just recently, a wake up for me was yesterday. I left Williamsport at 5:30 am to head to North Carolina to play a concert. When I got here, I received news of tornadoes and severe weather back home in Lock Haven. Immediately my day changed from care-free to concerned because Emily is home by herself. There was no warning before I left that I was given that such a severe weather system was going to do what it did, but it happened nonetheless. These reminders should push us to recenter our lives on God because He, unlike our lives and this world, NEVER changes!

Verses 7-12:

7 “Even a tree has more hope!
If it is cut down, it will sprout again
and grow new branches.
8 Though its roots have grown old in the earth
and its stump decays,
9 at the scent of water it will bud
and sprout again like a new seedling.
10 “But when people die, their strength is gone.
They breathe their last, and then where are they?
11 As water evaporates from a lake
and a river disappears in drought,
12 people are laid to rest and do not rise again.
Until the heavens are no more, they will not wake up
nor be roused from their sleep."

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It so crazy to think about Job's comparison here. Even a tree, when it dies, can come back to life. This isn't so with us (in a way, haha)! Verse 12 makes me think that Job is prophesying about the resurrection of the dead at the end of time. That tells me a little that if Job were alive in Jesus' day, he certainly wouldn't have been a Sadducee, haha! =) Thankfully, when our bodies die, those of us who are in Christ have our souls live on! =) Yay!

Verses 13-22:

13 “I wish you would hide me in the grave
and forget me there until your anger has passed.
But mark your calendar to think of me again!
14 Can the dead live again?
If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle,
and I would eagerly await the release of death.
15 You would call and I would answer,
and you would yearn for me, your handiwork.
16 For then you would guard my steps,
instead of watching for my sins.
17 My sins would be sealed in a pouch,
and you would cover my guilt.
18 “But instead, as mountains fall and crumble
and as rocks fall from a cliff,
19 as water wears away the stones
and floods wash away the soil,
so you destroy people’s hope.
20 You always overpower them, and they pass from the scene.
You disfigure them in death and send them away.
21 They never know if their children grow up in honor
or sink to insignificance.
22 They suffer painfully;
their life is full of trouble.”

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Verses 12-17 might very well be my favorite verses so far in Job! Do me a favor and read them again, slowly if you have to! Despite his wish that God would let him die, he wouldn't want God to completely forget Him. He added that he would want God to think about him again, after His anger had passed! A lot in these verses reminds me of some of the benefits that come out of making Jesus your Lord and Savior. What do you guys see/think? =)

"Father thank You for loving us! I pray that when You become angry with us, that You would be patient with us as Your anger subsides! May we not anger You as we once did. I want to take this time to pray for our country and our leaders. I pray that You would expose any corruption and immorality to them and convict them of their need for Jesus to be not only their savior but also their LORD! Thank You for the opportunity we have to be Your servants here in this world, and I pray we wouldn't waste any of the opportunities that You bless us with. We love You so much. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 13

Verses 1-6:

“Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes
and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.
2 I know as much as you do.
You are no better than I am.
3 As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty.
I want to argue my case with God himself.
4 As for you, you smear me with lies.
As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
5 If only you could be silent!
That’s the wisest thing you could do.
6 Listen to my charge;
pay attention to my arguments."

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Ha! I couldn't help but laugh when reading verse 4! =) Job is so right too, by saying that the wisest things his friends could do would be to be silent. Talk about a slap in the face! Here Job is looking to take up his case and present it before God. He's had enough talking with his friends about his situation. Now he's ready to go before the God of the universe and seek answers and consolation.

Verses 7-12:

7 “Are you defending God with lies?
Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?
8 Will you slant your testimony in his favor?
Will you argue God’s case for him?
9 What will happen when he finds out what you are doing?
Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?
10 No, you will be in trouble with him
if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
11 Doesn’t his majesty terrify you?
Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?
12 Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes.
Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot."

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Wow! Job called it! I know I'm referencing the end of the book a little early, but Job hit the nail on the head here with his warning about what would happen to his friends because of their actions. I'm forced to think about times when I'm tempted to twist or distort something to 'defend' God. First of all, God doesn't 'need' me to defend Him at all. Secondly, even if I were to defend Him, it certainly wouldn't bring honor or glory to God if I were to do so by twisting accounts, or slanting my testimony. God desires truthfulness and total honesty in all areas of our lives! If I were to listen to Job here, I feel like the times when I'm tempted to 'twist' a little of my story/testimony in order to make something appear better, I need to think about the majesty of our God and have reverence and fear toward Him. In doing this, I will be convicted to resist the temptation to add-to or take away from the truth. Jesus sort of taught about this issue in a way, when he said that our yes should be yes and our no should be no. After he said this, he added that anything that follows our yes or no, simply comes from the evil one.

Verses 13-19:

13 “Be silent now and leave me alone.
Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.
14 Yes, I will take my life in my hands
and say what I really think.
15 God might kill me, but I have no other hope.
I am going to argue my case with him.
16 But this is what will save me—I am not godless.
If I were, I could not stand before him.
17 “Listen closely to what I am about to say.
Hear me out.
18 I have prepared my case;
I will be proved innocent.
19 Who can argue with me over this?
And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die."

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Wow, Job truly has no other hope that God. Job is a lot wiser than I. He realizes that whether a good outcome or a bad one, his best and only hope is God! There are times when I believe (incorrectly) that I have a real hope in something or someone other than God. We should realize that hope is more than we think sometimes (I know... I've said this A LOT, lol) and that our only true hope comes from God!

Verses 20-28:

20 “O God, grant me these two things,
and then I will be able to face you.
21 Remove your heavy hand from me,
and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.
22 Now summon me, and I will answer!
Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
23 Tell me, what have I done wrong?
Show me my rebellion and my sin.
24 Why do you turn away from me?
Why do you treat me as your enemy?
25 Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind?
Would you chase dry straw?
26 “You write bitter accusations against me
and bring up all the sins of my youth.
27 You put my feet in stocks.
You examine all my paths.
You trace all my footprints.
28 I waste away like rotting wood,
like a moth-eaten coat."

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It's humbling to see Job's request and case presented to God. I think we would do wise to pray something similar sometimes, so that God would reveal things in our lives that need to be addressed. While we might not be experiencing hardships or trials, but that doesn't mean we aren't harboring sins and lifestyles that aren't conducive to what God desires for us. Asking God to allow us to approach Him and for Him to reveal what He sees should be a humbling, yet strengthening event in our lives! What do you guys think? =)


"Father, thank You for allowing us to approach You in Jesus! I pray that we would take advantage of this freedom and that we would seek You with all that we are and all that we have! God reveal the things in our lives that are dishonoring to You, and forgive us for our failings. I pray we would use this moment, right now, to rededicate our lives to You, turning over the role of Lord of our lives to Your Son Jesus. It's in Jesus' that I pray, amen!"

Job 12

Verses 1-6:

"Then Job spoke again:

2 “You people really know everything, don’t you?
And when you die, wisdom will die with you!
3 Well, I know a few things myself—
and you’re no better than I am.
Who doesn’t know these things you’ve been saying?
4 Yet my friends laugh at me,
for I call on God and expect an answer.
I am a just and blameless man,
yet they laugh at me.
5 People who are at ease mock those in trouble.
They give a push to people who are stumbling.
6 But robbers are left in peace,
and those who provoke God live in safety—
though God keeps them in his power."

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I think Job's words in verse 2 are sarcasm. I mean look at them. I can't say that I probably be sarcastic and respond similarly if I were ever in a similar situation, haha. Then Job enlightens them, informing them that he knows just as much as they do, haha. I would love to have been a fly on the wall and hear this conversation between Job and his friends. Isn't is so true, though, what Job says in verse 5? I've heard people use the saying, 'kick them when they're down' and I've seen people actually do it. Apparently, it happened in Job's day too.

Verses 7-12:

7 “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you.
Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.
8 Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.
Let the fish in the sea speak to you.
9 For they all know
that my disaster has come from the hand of the Lord.
10 For the life of every living thing is in his hand,
and the breath of every human being.
11 The ear tests the words it hears
just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.
12 Wisdom belongs to the aged,
and understanding to the old."

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I think verse 10 is the gem of this section. Every life that exists comes from God. I can't help but think of Paul's words in Colossians:

15 "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together."

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That's so cool to think about too, especially for those of us who have been reconciled to God through Jesus. I bet it would be a scary thought if I didn't know Jesus or God and my life was in His hand. There also is a lot of truth, most of the time because of a few exceptions, with Job's words in verse 12. I try to surround myself or connect myself with someone who is older than me so that I can soak up some of their wisdom. You can learn a lot that way! =)

Verses 13-21:

13 “But true wisdom and power are found in God;
counsel and understanding are his.
14 What he destroys cannot be rebuilt.
When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape.
15 If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert.
If he releases the waters, they flood the earth.
16 Yes, strength and wisdom are his;
deceivers and deceived are both in his power.
17 He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment;
wise judges become fools.
18 He removes the royal robe of kings.
They are led away with ropes around their waist.
19 He leads priests away, stripped of status;
he overthrows those with long years in power.
20 He silences the trusted adviser
and removes the insight of the elders.
21 He pours disgrace upon princes
and disarms the strong."

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Ultimately, wisdom comes from God. I like the words in James 1:

5 "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do."

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Boy, our God is strong and powerful! I'm thankful that our God, who has the power to do all of these things, is a loving God who desires us and calls us by name! Aren't you? =)

Verses 22-25:

22 “He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness;
he brings light to the deepest gloom.
23 He builds up nations, and he destroys them.
He expands nations, and he abandons them.
24 He strips kings of understanding
and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland.
25 They grope in the darkness without a light.
He makes them stagger like drunkards."

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Just when I think Job has done a good job at describing our God, he adds even more to that. Jesus echos parts of Job's words here when he warned his hearers that whatever is whispered in secret will be shouted from the roof tops. Thinking through this, there's a lot of stuff that I'm embarrassed and ashamed of, but as I've said multiple times during this study, thank God for Jesus! =)

"Father in Heaven, I pray that You are glorified by our study. I pray that You continue to move through the words on this screen and in Scripture to help us grow closer to You. Thank You for giving us this account of Job and allowing us to read, process, learn from, and grow. Please mold us and shape us into people who are more honoring to You and who bring glory to You in everything that we do! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 11

Verses 1-6:

"Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:

2 “Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words?
Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?
3 Should I remain silent while you babble on?
When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?
4 You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’
and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’
5 If only God would speak;
if only he would tell you what he thinks!
6 If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,
for true wisdom is not a simple matter.
Listen! God is doubtless punishing you
far less than you deserve!"

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Wow, Zophar is not holding anything back against Job is he? Once again, here's a prime example of one of Job's friends jumping to a conclusion without knowing all the facts and accusing Job of something that he might not really be guilty of. Let's take a note here of this example and try not to do this with people we know, shall we? =)

Verses 7-12:

7 “Can you solve the mysteries of God?
Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
8 Such knowledge is higher than the heavens—
and who are you?
It is deeper than the underworld—
what do you know?
9 It is broader than the earth
and wider than the sea.
10 If God comes and puts a person in prison
or calls the court to order, who can stop him?
11 For he knows those who are false,
and he takes note of all their sins.
12 An empty-headed person won’t become wise
any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child."

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Man he just keeps on going. He is right about something though, if God did come and put a person in prison, there's no one who could stop Him. This brings to mind the passage in Revelation depicting how God threw the beast into a great prison until the time came for him to be released. I am also drawn to verse 11, and am reminded of how God knows everyone and everything that we have done. Boy, thank God for Jesus, right? =)

Verses 13-20:

13 “If only you would prepare your heart
and lift up your hands to him in prayer!
14 Get rid of your sins,
and leave all iniquity behind you.
15 Then your face will brighten with innocence.
You will be strong and free of fear.
16 You will forget your misery;
it will be like water flowing away.
17 Your life will be brighter than the noonday.
Even darkness will be as bright as morning.
18 Having hope will give you courage.
You will be protected and will rest in safety.
19 You will lie down unafraid,
and many will look to you for help.
20 But the wicked will be blinded.
They will have no escape.
Their only hope is death.”

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Verse 18 really sticks out to me here. Hope brings courage. I know it sounds a little self-conceited, but ever since I preached that sermon on hope last semester, every time I hear, read, or say that word, I have a much deeper appreciation for it. The more I think about it, the more I think Zophar is right in something here. Our hope SHOULD provide us with courage. The great thing about that too, is that as long as we have our hope in Christ, we will always get courage that will never run out! All we have to do is rely on Him and our hope that we have in Him. How sweet is that?!?! =) Anyway, what stuck out to you guys in this chapter? =)

"Father, I thank You for this study. I pray that we would learn from the positive as well as the negative examples presented in this book. I pray that we would bring You praise and honor in everything that we do. Thank You for Jesus and for the courage that we have through our hope in Him! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

7 

Job 10

Verses 1-7:

“I am disgusted with my life.
Let me complain freely.
My bitter soul must complain.
2 I will say to God, ‘Don’t simply condemn me—
tell me the charge you are bringing against me.
3 What do you gain by oppressing me?
Why do you reject me, the work of your own hands,
while smiling on the schemes of the wicked?
4 Are your eyes like those of a human?
Do you see things only as people see them?
5 Is your lifetime only as long as ours?
Is your life so short
6 that you must quickly probe for my guilt
and search for my sin?
7 Although you know I am not guilty,
no one can rescue me from your hands."

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The New Living Translation (NLT) describes this chapter as being Job’s framed plea to God Himself. It’s interesting to see some of the questions that Job poses to God here in these seven verses. It’s clear to see that the events and current situation that Job finds himself in doesn't fit the characteristics of God that Job has believed and holds to. In his opinions, something is amiss, and he asks these questions to God to figure out what it is.

 Verses 8-12:

8 “‘You formed me with your hands; you made me,
yet now you completely destroy me.
9 Remember that you made me from dust—
will you turn me back to dust so soon?
10 You guided my conception
and formed me in the womb.
11 You clothed me with skin and flesh,
and you knit my bones and sinews together.
12 You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love.
My life was preserved by your care."

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I love Job’s ‘testimony’ here of what God has done. Reading his words gives me an even deeper appreciation for the role that God plays in the development of a child within a woman prior to birth. We think about God being at work and all, but I think it’s really cool to read a testimony about God literally guiding certain processes and forming a child during his/her development. Maybe this is just the ‘new-daddy’ in me talking? =)

Verses 13-17:

13 “‘Yet your real motive—

your true intent—
14 was to watch me, and if I sinned,
you would not forgive my guilt.
15 If I am guilty, too bad for me;
and even if I’m innocent, I can’t hold my head high,
because I am filled with shame and misery.
16 And if I hold my head high, you hunt me like a lion
and display your awesome power against me.
17 Again and again you witness against me.
You pour out your growing anger on me
and bring fresh armies against me."

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The oppression that Job feels from his circumstance is great. Did you notice his descriptive language in here? No matter what the situation, Job feels that God is constantly watching his every step so that at the first, and smallest mishap, He can swoop in and punish/discipline Job. It's so crazy that this is exact how people who are going through difficult situations feel today. They feel and think that God is out to get them and is just waiting for them to mess up so He can really hurt them. While God is watching You, this opinion and feeling doesn't quite give an accurate picture of who God is and what He's doing. Much like Jonathan Edwards' sermon "Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God", I think that this mentality feeds unhealthy fear more so than healthy fear/reverence.

Verses 18-22:

18 “‘Why, then, did you deliver me from my mother’s womb?
Why didn’t you let me die at birth?
19 It would be as though I had never existed,
going directly from the womb to the grave.
20 I have only a few days left, so leave me alone,
that I may have a moment of comfort
21 before I leave—never to return—
for the land of darkness and utter gloom.
22 It is a land as dark as midnight,
a land of gloom and confusion,
where even the light is dark as midnight.’”

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Once again, Job sounds a little too fond of death, but then again who could blame him? Think about his situation? I can't help but think about what I would say to him if I were one of his friends. I also can't help but think about all the people that I come into contact with today that may be experiencing the same kinds of misery and pain that Job went through, and then I think to myself how would I talk with them? How would I be able to comfort them in this midst of all of this and encourage them with God? One reason, like Justin alluded to earlier, that I'm thankful for this book, is that I get to see Job's situation and learn from it so that maybe I could help someone today in a similar situation. What about you guys? =)

"Father I pray that when we encounter people with problems and pain, You would give us wisdom and words to share with him/her that will help them be comforted and draw them closer to You. I pray that we would always look for opportunities to make a difference in this world, furthering Your kingdom. Thank You so much for loving us and for being with us every step of the way! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 9

Hey guys, I'm finally back! Sorry for the long absence, but I didn't have the means of getting online to update this. =/ I hope you all can forgive me and that you're excited to continue our journey through Job! =)

Job 9.1-10:

"Then Job spoke again:

2 “Yes, I know all this is true in principle.
But how can a person be declared innocent in God’s sight?
3 If someone wanted to take God to court,
would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times?
4 For God is so wise and so mighty.
Who has ever challenged him successfully?

5 “Without warning, he moves the mountains,
overturning them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its place,
and its foundations tremble.
7 If he commands it, the sun won’t rise
and the stars won’t shine.
8 He alone has spread out the heavens
and marches on the waves of the sea.
9 He made all the stars—the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky.
10 He does great things too marvelous to understand.
He performs countless miracles."

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Here in verse 1, Job acknowledges that some of what Bildad has been saying is true in some manner. Then he continues to explain that in this situation, it doesn’t apply like it would in other situations. Have you ever thought about what it would look like to take God to court? That would be crazy! I agree with Job. Even if you were able to do that, how would you even answer him?!!? I mean just look at the power of God that Job testifies to in verses 5-10. God is so big and so powerful!

Job 9.11-20:

11 “Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him.
When he moves by, I do not see him go.
12 If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him?
Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’
13 And God does not restrain his anger.
Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath his feet.

14 “So who am I, that I should try to answer God
or even reason with him?
15 Even if I were right, I would have no defense.
I could only plead for mercy.
16 And even if I summoned him and he responded,
I’m not sure he would listen to me.
17 For he attacks me with a storm
and repeatedly wounds me without cause.
18 He will not let me catch my breath,
but fills me instead with bitter sorrows.
19 If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one.
If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?
20 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty.
Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

While God is so big, He’s also able to make Himself ‘invisible.’ Any being who is that big and yet can conceal themselves is pretty powerful. Job’s comments about questioning God remind me a little about how in Romans 9, Paul talks about God is able and just in doing whatever He wants without being questioned. I think I concur with Job in verse 14 -15 when he says that even if I was right, I wouldn’t be able to give a defense because I would just melt before such a holy God. Verse 20 shows pretty plainly that even if we were perfect, we would still not live up to God’s glorious standard and compared to Him, we would be guilty/wicked. It’s pretty humbling reading Job’s descriptions of God in this chapter huh?

Job 9.21-24:

21 “I am innocent,
but it makes no difference to me—
I despise my life.
22 Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God.
That’s why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
23 When a plague sweeps through,
he laughs at the death of the innocent.
24 The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked,
and God blinds the eyes of the judges.
If he’s not the one who does it, who is?"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Verse 22, Job once again indicating that everyone is the same before God. Reminds me of Paul once again in Romans 3, haha. Verse 23, I wonder just a little bit if Job is speaking here out of his emotional state, because to me this seems like a description of a cruel, vindictive God and not the God of the Bible.

Job 9.25-35:

25 “My life passes more swiftly than a runner.
It flees away without a glimpse of happiness.
26 It disappears like a swift papyrus boat,
like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27 If I decided to forget my complaints,
to put away my sad face and be cheerful,
28 I would still dread all the pain,
for I know you will not find me innocent, O God.
29 Whatever happens, I will be found guilty.
So what’s the use of trying?
30 Even if I were to wash myself with soap
and clean my hands with lye,
31 you would plunge me into a muddy ditch,
and my own filthy clothing would hate me.

32 “God is not a mortal like me,
so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
33 If only there were a mediator between us,
someone who could bring us together.
34 The mediator could make God stop beating me,
and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.
35 Then I could speak to him without fear,
but I cannot do that in my own strength."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Verses 27-28, here Job admits that he can’t hide his feelings and ‘pretend’ that nothing is wrong. Verses 33 and 35 might very well be 2 of my favorite verses from Job thus far! What Job desires most, simply put, is Jesus! Hebrews tells us and explains that Jesus is our mediator between us and God. Because He is alive, He presents our case before the Father each and every day and because of this too, we can approach God with confidence! How thankful should we truly be for Jesus? I’d say a whole heck of a lot!!! What do you think? :)

"Father I pray that you would give us a deeper appreciation for Jesus each and every day! I thank You for loving us so much that You didn't abandon us to the sin and death, but sent Jesus to die for us and save us! God we love You so much, and it's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 8

Now Bildad decided to reply to Job.

Job 8.1-7:

"Then Bildad the Shuhite replied to Job:

2 “How long will you go on like this?
You sound like a blustering wind.
3 Does God twist justice?
Does the Almighty twist what is right?
4 Your children must have sinned against him,
so their punishment was well deserved.
5 But if you pray to God
and seek the favor of the Almighty,
6 and if you are pure and live with integrity,
he will surely rise up and restore your happy home.
7 And though you started with little,
you will end with much."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

While Bildad says things here that accurate in the sense of how God never twists justice. However in verse 4, we run into the issue that Eliphaz ran into as well. Both of these guys have ‘assumed.’ It’s so crazy how accurate things you say can be, but you can still have one part that’s not on target at all. In this case, verses 2-3 = spot on; verses 5-7 = pretty much spot on; verse 4 = *Buzzer sound*. Something that I’m learning more and more each day, is that I have no right to make assumptions like this about people. Every one of us are sinners. That’s very clear. The only difference between me and other people, might very well be that I know the One who can save people and they don’t. 

Job 8.8-10:

8 “Just ask the previous generation.
Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors.
9 For we were born but yesterday and know nothing.
Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow.
10 But those who came before us will teach you.
They will teach you the wisdom of old."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

There’s some wisdom here in Bildad’s encouragement to seek advice/insight from older generations. I think there’s something special and cool about having older people who have been through similar situations that we are going through now and that we can talk with them to get their insight and advice. 

Job 8.11-19:

11 “Can papyrus reeds grow tall without a marsh?
Can marsh grass flourish without water?
12 While they are still flowering, not ready to be cut,
they begin to wither more quickly than grass.
13 The same happens to all who forget God.
The hopes of the godless evaporate.
14 Their confidence hangs by a thread.
They are leaning on a spider’s web.
15 They cling to their home for security, but it won’t last.
They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure.
16 The godless seem like a lush plant growing in the sunshine,
its branches spreading across the garden.
17 Its roots grow down through a pile of stones;
it takes hold on a bed of rocks.
18 But when it is uprooted,
it’s as though it never existed!
19 That’s the end of its life,
and others spring up from the earth to replace it."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I see some of Bildad’s words here today too. I see many non-believers clinging to their material possessions, living in a state of poverty, and living without hope because of these conditions. It truly breaks my heart whenever I see people like this. Wow. I also really like Bildad’s imagery here in verses 16-19. I can picture a tree being uprooted and then completely forgotten about, so I kind of like this illustration.

Job 8.20-22:

20 “But look, God will not reject a person of integrity,
nor will he lend a hand to the wicked.
21 He will once again fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.
22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame,
and the home of the wicked will be destroyed.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Something that I want to share now is the fact that I agree with Bildad’s words here. While I believe that they might not take place here in this life, I believe that they will take place, because the next life in itself fulfills these words. No matter what situation I find myself in, I can always find comfort in the fact that God loves me, knows me, and will not reject me as long as I’m in Christ and live my life with integrity, pursuing Him above all else! =)

What do you all think?

“Father I pray that we would all be people of integrity. May we honor You with every area of our lives and may we make You proud. If ever a situation arises in our life that threatens our commitment to You, I pray that we would remain faithful to You as You remain faithful to us. God we love You so much! It’s in Jesus’ name that I pray, amen!”

Job 7

Job 7.1-5:

“Is not all human life a struggle?
Our lives are like that of a hired hand,
2 like a worker who longs for the shade,
like a servant waiting to be paid.
3 I, too, have been assigned months of futility,
long and weary nights of misery.
4 Lying in bed, I think, ‘When will it be morning?’
But the night drags on, and I toss till dawn.
5 My body is covered with maggots and scabs.
My skin breaks open, oozing with pus."

(Want a Different Translation? Click here!)

OK, that’s just gross, haha. Have you ever felt like Job here though? There certainly have been times when I could relate with the whole life’s tough and having months of futility thing. When reading verses 1-4, it sounded very similar, to me at least, to the way that Solomon wrote in the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Job 7.6-10:

6 

“My days fly faster than a weaver’s shuttle.
They end without hope.
7 O God, remember that my life is but a breath,
and I will never again feel happiness.
8 You see me now, but not for long.
You will look for me, but I will be gone.
9 Just as a cloud dissipates and vanishes,
those who die will not come back.
10 They are gone forever from their home—
never to be seen again."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

 Verse 6 is when Job shifts the object of his words from his friends to God. The first thing that stuck out in this set of verses was verse 9. “Just as a cloud dissipates and vanishes, those who die [who go down to Sheol] will not come back.” When I read this verse, and footnote, I immediately thought about how Jesus defied all of these ‘natural rules/laws.’ He died and when to the grave/Sheol, and on the third day, He was back to life! I know this is one of those common sense things for most Christians, but when I take the time to just sit and think on that, it becomes something SO much more. =)

Job 7.11-16:

11 “I cannot keep from speaking.
I must express my anguish.
My bitter soul must complain.
12 Am I a sea monster or a dragon
that you must place me under guard?
13 I think, ‘My bed will comfort me,
and sleep will ease my misery,’
14 but then you shatter me with dreams
and terrify me with visions.
15 I would rather be strangled—
rather die than suffer like this.
16 I hate my life and don’t want to go on living.
Oh, leave me alone for my few remaining days."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

It’s pretty crazy to think that here is Job, a faithful servant of God, driven to the extreme with suffering, so that he ends up expressing himself with this kind of bluntness to the God of the universe! Not only does this tell me that Job’s suffering is great, but it also tells me that Job still feels close and connected to God in some way, because he’s taking the time to address God and share with him, honestly, what he’s feeling and thinking.

Job 7.17-21:

17 “What are people, that you should make so much of us,
that you should think of us so often?
18 For you examine us every morning
and test us every moment.
19 Why won’t you leave me alone,
at least long enough for me to swallow!
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
O watcher of all humanity?
Why make me your target?
Am I a burden to you?
21 Why not just forgive my sin
and take away my guilt?
For soon I will lie down in the dust and die.
When you look for me, I will be gone.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Here Job officially expresses his opinions and feelings to God for the first time. He addresses him with the question that’s been riding along all this time in the back of his brain, “What have I done to You to receive such experiences?” I LOVE verse 17-18 though. It’s kind of easy to miss a cool little meaning behind these verses with the situation of Job, but I think that these two verses have a ‘universal’ meaning to them that is still present without Job’s circumstance. Job asks why God thinks about mankind so much. Then in verse 18, Job says, “You even think about us so much, that when morning comes, You continue to examine us and even test us whenever You see fit.”  I love this. Here’s why. If you didn’t care enough about something, you wouldn’t examine it and think about it with every waking thought, and you certainly wouldn’t test it. That would be a waste of your time. The only time you go to such lengths is when you have a distinct connection with something/someone, that in your mind, warrants you going to such lengths. Therefore, we can see, once again, in verses 17-18, that GOD MUST LOVE US AND/OR BE CONCERNED ABOUT US A LOT, BECAUSE HE NEVER STOPS THINKING, EXAMINING, AND TESTING US! That’s a comforting thought for me. What about you guys? =)

“Father, I pray that we would learn from Job. I pray that we would realize how much You think about us, and that we would think about You just as much. I pray that everyone doing this study would grow closer to You through it and that their lives would evolve into something so much more enjoyable, rewarding, and filled with opportunities to make Your name famous in this world. Father, we love You and we desperately need You! It’s in Jesus’ name that I pray, amen!”

Update

Hey guys! I just wanted to update you and let you know that I'm still going to try to  post every day but might not make it ot not until late because Emily and I ate at a camp. Tonight's post is gonna be late because we just finished our 14 hour trek to Illinois. Ill do my best to keep everything up and running! :)

Job 6

Job 6.1-7:

"Then Job spoke again:

2 “If my misery could be weighed
and my troubles be put on the scales,
3 they would outweigh all the sands of the sea.
That is why I spoke impulsively.
4 For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows.
Their poison infects my spirit.
God’s terrors are lined up against me.
5 Don’t I have a right to complain?
Don’t wild donkeys bray when they find no grass,
and oxen bellow when they have no food?
6 Don’t people complain about unsalted food?
Does anyone want the tasteless white of an egg?
7 My appetite disappears when I look at it;
I gag at the thought of eating it!"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Gee. Just when you think Job's done a good job at describing his misery as it was, he adds this to it, haha. I find his rhetorical question in verse 5 interesting. While I sympathize with Job in his situation, I'm not quite sure I have a definitive answer that would answer EVERY circumstance where someone could ask this question. I honestly believe that it's a case-by-case basis on how to answer that question. In Job's case, I would agree with his rhetorically assumed answer of yes, he does have a right to at least complain about the perceived injustice.

Job 6.8-13:

8 “Oh, that I might have my request,
that God would grant my desire.
9 I wish he would crush me.
I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.
10 At least I can take comfort in this:
Despite the pain,
I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 But I don’t have the strength to endure.
I have nothing to live for.
12 Do I have the strength of a stone?
Is my body made of bronze?
13 No, I am utterly helpless,
without any chance of success."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Job never denies his faith in God. Despite his comments/complaints, he testifies in verse 10, "Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One." How crazy is that!?! I know people that I grew up with that as soon as pain hit them, they denied the words of the Holy One and turned their backs on God. Yet here's Job maintaining his faithfulness to God. He's still human, expressing his anguish, but it never makes him waver in his commitment to God.

Job 6.14-23:

14 “One should be kind to a fainting friend,
but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook
that overflows its banks in the spring
16 when it is swollen with ice and melting snow.
17 But when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears.
The brook vanishes in the heat.
18 The caravans turn aside to be refreshed,
but there is nothing to drink, so they die.
19 The caravans from Tema search for this water;
the travelers from Sheba hope to find it.
20 They count on it but are disappointed.
When they arrive, their hopes are dashed.
21 You, too, have given no help.
You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid.
22 But why? Have I ever asked you for a gift?
Have I begged for anything of yours for myself?
23 Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies,
or to save me from ruthless people?"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Job calls out Eliphaz (and really the rest of his friends too) in verse 14. Man, I hope that I never accused of being like this to a friend when he or she is in need. Job sees his friends as a major disappointment. When he needs them most, they seem to let him down. I'm not sure I ever caught his accusation about them being afraid in verse 21 until now. I find that interesting and I wonder what they are afraid of. My first thought, is that they think and naturally jump to the assumption that since Job is going through such a hard time, he must have sinned against God. Therefore if  they don't correct/rebuke him, maybe they fear that they will be included in his guilt in some way and will undergo some of the same trials and tribulations. No one will probably ever know, but I feel like that educated guess might have some legitimacy to it, haha. =)

Job 6.24-30:

24 "Teach me, and I will keep quiet.
Show me what I have done wrong.
25 Honest words can be painful,
but what do your criticisms amount to?
26 Do you think your words are convincing
when you disregard my cry of desperation?
27 You would even send an orphan into slavery
or sell a friend.
28 Look at me!
Would I lie to your face?
29 Stop assuming my guilt,
for I have done no wrong.
30 Do you think I am lying?
Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong?"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

And here, in verse 29, I find some evidence that might support my conclusion that I just shared with you in the last section. Pretty crazy huh? Haha. =) I can sense Job's frustration with his friends here and he makes it pretty evident here through his words. In verse 26, I see a very important counseling technique that Job's friends have neglected. It's probably most familiarly expressed with the phrase, "No one will care how much you know, until they know how much you care." What do you guys see in this chapter that really sticks out to you? =)


"Father I pray that we would learn from the example of Job and his friends. I pray that when we find ourselves in a situation of trouble and trial, that we would never forsake You or turn away from You and Your word! When we find ourselves in a situation like Job's friends and one of our friends is going through a tough time, may we never jump to any conclusions without hearing our friends out fully and approaching You in prayer about the situation. Father we love You so much. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 5

And Eliphaz continues... =)

Job 5.1-7:

“Cry for help, but will anyone answer you?
Which of the angels will help you?
2 Surely resentment destroys the fool,
and jealousy kills the simple.
3 I have seen that fools may be successful for the moment,
but then comes sudden disaster.
4 Their children are abandoned far from help;
they are crushed in court with no one to defend them.
5 The hungry devour their harvest,
even when it is guarded by brambles.
The thirsty pant after their wealth.
6 But evil does not spring from the soil,
and trouble does not sprout from the earth.
7 People are born for trouble
as readily as sparks fly up from a fire."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Some pretty strong words here by Eliphaz. I'm not sure that there's too much that I want to comment on, but maybe one of you have something that really grabs your attention and you feel is worth commenting on. If so, share away! =) The only question I would have, I guess, would be what does he mean in verse 7 exactly? Does he mean that people are born to CAUSE trouble or EXPERIENCE trouble?

Job 5.8-16:

8 “If I were you, I would go to God
and present my case to him.
9 He does great things too marvelous to understand.
He performs countless miracles.
10 He gives rain for the earth
and water for the fields.
11 He gives prosperity to the poor
and protects those who suffer.
12 He frustrates the plans of schemers
so the work of their hands will not succeed.
13 He traps the wise in their own cleverness
so their cunning schemes are thwarted.
14 They find it is dark in the daytime,
and they grope at noon as if it were night.
15 He rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong,
and rescues them from the clutches of the powerful.
16 And so at last the poor have hope,
and the snapping jaws of the wicked are shut."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Man! What credentials God has in Eliphaz's eyes! Pretty sweet huh? It's times like this whenever I read other people's perception of God's provision and deeds that really spur me toward drawing closer to Him and presenting myself before Him, trusting and hoping that He will take care of me. =)

Job 5.17-27:

17 “But consider the joy of those corrected by God!
Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin.
18 For though he wounds, he also bandages.
He strikes, but his hands also heal.
19 From six disasters he will rescue you;
even in the seventh, he will keep you from evil.
20 He will save you from death in time of famine,
from the power of the sword in time of war.
21 You will be safe from slander
and have no fear when destruction comes.
22 You will laugh at destruction and famine;
wild animals will not terrify you.
23 You will be at peace with the stones of the field,
and its wild animals will be at peace with you.
24 You will know that your home is safe.
When you survey your possessions, nothing will be missing.
25 You will have many children;
your descendants will be as plentiful as grass!
26 You will go to the grave at a ripe old age,
like a sheaf of grain harvested at the proper time!

27 “We have studied life and found all this to be true.
Listen to my counsel, and apply it to yourself.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

To me, verses 17-18 echo Hebrews 12.5-11:

5 "And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

It's pretty sweet to think about how a lot of these things are true for those who follow Jesus. I'm not saying that here in the physical realm these things will ALWAYS, 100% come true, but in the bigger picture and grand scheme of things, we have an AWESOME God who's looking out for us and who always wants what's best for us! =)

"Father I pray that we would trust You more today. May we embrace hardship, keeping our focus on You and looking forward to the positive result that can and will come from it. May we be a living testimony to all that You can do in a person's life. We love You so much! It's in Jesus name that I pray, amen!"

Job 4

Job 4.1-6:

"Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied to Job:

2 “Will you be patient and let me say a word?
For who could keep from speaking out?

3 “In the past you have encouraged many people;
you have strengthened those who were weak.
4 Your words have supported those who were falling;
you encouraged those with shaky knees.
5 But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart.
You are terrified when it touches you.
6 Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence?
Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Now this is where I've always had trouble with the book of Job. At the end we'll read that Job's friends (spoiler alert) get in trouble, we shall say, with God. Yet I find a lot of times that while there are lots of things they say that makes sense as to why they become in trouble with God, there are also things that I believe are truthful and important to learn from. So the problem I run into is how to figure out the beneficial things and the non-beneficial things. I suppose perhaps that it could have something to do with their hearts in the matter and the way that they went about talking/ministering to Job. That being said, I think Eliphaz has a good point that many people in America need to be reminded of. I love verse 6. I think it's something that I try to remind myself of each and every time that I encounter a rough time.

Job 4.7-11:

7 “Stop and think! Do the innocent die?
When have the upright been destroyed?
8 My experience shows that those who plant trouble
and cultivate evil will harvest the same.
9 A breath from God destroys them.
They vanish in a blast of his anger.
10 The lion roars and the wildcat snarls,
but the teeth of strong lions will be broken.
11 The fierce lion will starve for lack of prey,
and the cubs of the lioness will be scattered."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Here's where I start to get a little cautious about what Eliphaz is saying. Verses 8-11 make sense to me, so I'm OK generally with those. However in verse 7 when he asks if the upright die (and in my opinion infers that they don't), I see everyday some instance of an upright person suffering and dying. It's not due to anything they've done, but it's simply because that's the situation that they live within. Granted today is probably a little more different from then than we already know, but I can't imagine that similar things didn't happen then as well. Hebrews 9.27 shares with us that every person is destined to die once. Solomon discovered the same thing when he wrote,

"This, too, I carefully explored: Even though the actions of godly and wise people are in God’s hands, no one knows whether God will show them favor. 2 The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad, ceremonially clean or unclean, religious or irreligious. Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who make promises to God are treated like people who don’t."

 - Ecclesiastes 9.1-2

Job 4.12-17:

“This truth was given to me in secret,
as though whispered in my ear.
13 It came to me in a disturbing vision at night,
when people are in a deep sleep.
14 Fear gripped me,
and my bones trembled.
15 A spirit swept past my face,
and my hair stood on end.
16 The spirit stopped, but I couldn’t see its shape.
There was a form before my eyes.
In the silence I heard a voice say,
17 ‘Can a mortal be innocent before God?
Can anyone be pure before the Creator?’

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Haha, if anyone came to you today and said what Eliphaz just said in verses 12-17, I'm sure we would be like, "Dude, have you been drinking?" =) I do find interest in verse 17 though! My answer to his question here is simply, 'No. Not anyone who isn't Jesus anyway.' Paul echos this truth in Romans 3.23.

Job 4.18-21:

“If God does not trust his own angels
and has charged his messengers with foolishness,
19 how much less will he trust people made of clay!
They are made of dust, crushed as easily as a moth.
20 They are alive in the morning but dead by evening,
gone forever without a trace.
21 Their tent-cords are pulled and the tent collapses,
and they die in ignorance."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

What a humbling thought! If God has hidden things from the angels who go in and out before Him, what do you think He's shared with us? Stay with me here for a second. =) Keep this thought in your mind and then think back to what Paul wrote in Ephesians 3. Remember when he said that God had revealed His mysterious plan to us? Now read this:

Psalm 8.4-6 (also quoted and expounded upon in Hebrews 2.6-10):

"What are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

It's so cool to think that we are so low, yet thought of so highly by the God of the universe! Sure there are things that God does not reveal to us, but think about what He HAS revealed to us! The mysterious plan to reconcile and save all of creation! =) What do you guys see in this chapter? =)

"Father thank You for humbling us! I pray that You would forgive us when we think more highly of ourselves than we ought. Allow us to be you hands and feet and share You love and Your grace with those around us! May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 3

And now, the silence breaks...

"At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. 2 He said:

3 “Let the day of my birth be erased,
and the night I was conceived.
4 Let that day be turned to darkness.
Let it be lost even to God on high,
and let no light shine on it.
5 Let the darkness and utter gloom claim that day for its own.
Let a black cloud overshadow it,
and let the darkness terrify it.
6 Let that night be blotted off the calendar,
never again to be counted among the days of the year,
never again to appear among the months.
7 Let that night be childless.
Let it have no joy.
8 Let those who are experts at cursing—
whose cursing could rouse Leviathan—
curse that day.
9 Let its morning stars remain dark.
Let it hope for light, but in vain;
may it never see the morning light.
10 Curse that day for failing to shut my mother’s womb,
for letting me be born to see all this trouble."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

It's easy to see that Job lamented the day of his birth. He wished that that day never existed, but even if it did, that nothing good happened to anyone so that no one even liked the day! Obviously Job is in a lot of pain and emotional anguish right now, and who could blame him with everything that's happened to him?

Job 3.11-19:

11 “Why wasn’t I born dead?
Why didn’t I die as I came from the womb?
12 Why was I laid on my mother’s lap?
Why did she nurse me at her breasts?
13 Had I died at birth, I would now be at peace.
I would be asleep and at rest.
14 I would rest with the world’s kings and prime ministers,
whose great buildings now lie in ruins.
15 I would rest with princes, rich in gold,
whose palaces were filled with silver.
16 Why wasn’t I buried like a stillborn child,
like a baby who never lives to see the light?
17 For in death the wicked cause no trouble,
and the weary are at rest.
18 Even captives are at ease in death,
with no guards to curse them.
19 Rich and poor are both there,
and the slave is free from his master."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Now if Job were alive today and were sharing this with us, I'm sure we probably would have been very concerned for Job's safety right around now. Not only is he cursing the day of his birth, but now he's talking pretty favorable and highly about death. You might be thinking, "how in the world are we going to get anything out of this?" My answer and advice to you would be to not read these solely as 'chapters' but build off each chapter, and remember what you read as we continue through the rest of the book. The one time that I understood Job the most, was when I read it all really close together (I averaged about 14 chapters a day, so I was done in 3 days). Now obviously, such an undertaking would be a little too ambitious for this type of devotional study, but I would encourage you to do something like that on your own if you're want to understand Job a little better and get more out of it. =)

Job 3.20-26:

20 “Oh, why give light to those in misery,
and life to those who are bitter?
21 They long for death, and it won’t come.
They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.
22 They’re filled with joy when they finally die,
and rejoice when they find the grave.
23 Why is life given to those with no future,
those God has surrounded with difficulties?
24 I cannot eat for sighing;
my groans pour out like water.
25 What I always feared has happened to me.
What I dreaded has come true.
26 I have no peace, no quietness.
I have no rest; only trouble comes.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Here Job wraps up his packaged 'first speech' with a nice little bow. If it was ambiguous before, his thoughts and transparent and obvious now. My heart hurts for Job in this situation. He's been faithful and loyal to God all this time, so much so that God even brags about him. Then all of a sudden all this trouble and turmoil hits and he has no idea why. We as the readers do, but when this was happening, Job didn't know why. I would imagine that if he did, the test wouldn't be as genuine. Thinking through this, I try to put myself in Job's shoes. While I've never been tested in this way (and to be honest I'm thankful for that), I have been tested at times in my life. During these tests I've often thought, what did I do wrong? The lesson that I'm reminded of thus far in Job is that it's not always that you or I did something 'wrong'. It could just be the threshold that you and I are to pass through if we are going to experience a greater joy and a greater opportunity from the very hand of God. All we have to do is remain faithful and be patient! Aside from the depressing nature of this chapter, what are you guys thinking? =)

"Father may we prove ourselves genuine through the tests of in this life. I pray that we would remain faithful and loyal to You regardless of our situations. I pray that You would provide us with strength when we need it most, and that You would be glorified through our actions and thoughts. Father we love You so much! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 2

Job 2.1-7:

"One day the members of the heavenly court came again to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. 2 “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.

Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

3 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”

4 Satan replied to the Lord, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. 5 But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

6 “All right, do with him as you please,” the Lord said to Satan. “But spare his life.” 7 So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Remember the results of Job's first test? He passed, and I would think with flying colors! Now Satan, or the accuser, and his plan have failed to do what he thought they would do. Therefore, he comes up with another test to prove himself right and God wrong. Once more, Satan comes before God in His throne room in Heaven. Once again God 'brags' about Job, if you will. So Satan presents his next proposal for a test. The first test dealt with taking away things close to him, but Satan believes then that if you affect him himself, his loyalty would be gone. Once again, God's in control and only what He allows to happen, happens. It's crazy to me to think about all that Job has happening to him.

Job 2.8-10:

8 "Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Ouch! Once again Job takes to mourning and grieving about his current situation. But talk about a lack of support from a spouse! Could you imagine going through all of these things and having your wife question your devotion to God and integrity. Job's response to her, though, makes me chuckle! =) In his response to her, I think there's an important lesson that we should remember as well! Job asks, 'should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" I find this as a very enlightening passage because while some would claim that I'm speaking things that aren't true or even blasphemous if I were to ask this same thing, the author of Job notes, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit mind you, that in all of this, JOB SAID NOTHING WRONG. This is pretty crazy! I'm not saying that God's bad. That would be absurd! God is good! However since God is sovereign, He allows good and bad to happen and is ultimately in control/responsible of them both (notice I didn't say 'responsible FOR'... different meaning and while God is responsible for good, He's NOT responsible for bad).

Job 2.11-13:

11 "When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.12 When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

This if not the only good example, is one of the only good examples that I've been able to get out of Job's friends. While later on they will proceed to accuse him of things and question his loyalty and devotion to God, here they just simply 'be' and sit with Job. Job's anguish is great. He's lost his wealth, his kids, he's been left with a nagging wife, and his health has been taken as well! The last words of this chapter share it well, "they sat on the ground WITH him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words." Sometimes whenever we see people in pain, we really don't have to comfort them initially with words. That might come later, but often times I've found that it serves best to sit there and listen to the other individual, allowing them to vent and express their pain/anguish. Well that's the end of Job's second test and chapter 2! Any of you notice anything that you thought was cool? =)

"Father may we learn to accept good and bad and simply rely on You whenever we encounter both! I also want to pray that You would help us become good friends that will comfort one another in a loving and beneficial way whenever another one needs it. Father we love You so much! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 1

Welcome to our first adventure through an Old Testament book! =) Our first stop... Job! Since Job is a bit longer than Ephesians, I'm going to try do a chapter each day. I'm going to break it down a little more though (into smaller chunks), so hopefully it'll make more sense. =) Here we go!

Job 1.1-5:

"There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. 3 He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.

4 Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. 5 When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Here at the beginning of the book, we meet Job. Job seems like a pretty awesome dude. He's not sinless, but he is blameless. That term right there has been under a lot of debate for a long time. The biggest question that's asked is 'what does this word mean?' Obviously it can't mean perfect, for Job himself admits to his imperfection in 9.20. A good way at understanding what the word 'blameless' means, is looking at it as meaning that Job aimed at perfection in respect of all of God's commandments. He was wholehearted and single-minded in his devotion to God. While this translation says he 'stayed away from evil' other translations give evidence to understanding 'blameless' this way because they read that he 'shunned evil,' in other words he hated the very thought of doing/participating in evil. It's easy to see also that Job was conscious about he and his family living in a way that pleased and honor God, by his actions on behalf of his children. We also see that in addition to his devotion to God, he was very well off, something, in my opinion, that you don't see very often.

Job 1.6-19:

6 "One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan,came with them. 7 “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.

Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

9 Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

12 “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.

13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. 19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Here we see the first test that Job endures. I want to make a note right here that I find important. I have heard a lot of people claim that ever since 'The Fall' (Genesis 3), Satan has been expelled from Heaven. That statement can't be true, and verse 6 here in the Book of Job proves that. This has some pretty important implications when you study other areas of Scripture, but I just wanted to point that out here for you guys. Something else worth noting, is that the name Satan actually in the Hebrew is 'the Sa-tan', which this translation accurately shows as 'the accuser.' This can be seen in a very obvious way as well when you read the Book of Zechariah. Something that sticks out to me here in this section is the fact that Satan has done his research. He's observed Job, spied on him, collected information, and now believes he has derived a fool-proof plan to snatch Job and his allegiance away from God. However it's comforting to see that God knows better. He knows that Job's loyalty goes deeper than just circumstance. His loyalty is embedded in his very character. But to test Job and prove his loyalty and devotion as genuine, God agrees to test Job. God is ultimately in control and nothing will be allowed to happen unless God allows it. It's important to realize that, but it's also important to realize that God will test you in life, but will NEVER tempt you. I've said this before, and I'll say it again.

Testing (positive result) --> purpose of evaluation and revelation of areas for improvement

Temptation (negative result) --> purpose of tearing down and destruction (See James 1.12-15)

Job 1.20-22:

20 "Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. 21 He said,

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!”

22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

This is such an encouragement, in a number of ways. First of all, sorrow and grief is a normal and acceptable response to a devastating situation! But Job does something else that very commendable. In the midst of his grieving, he worships God! How difficult do you think this would be? For me, that would be SUPER tough! Well, that's all I'll say for now from chapter 1. Anything you guys see and want to comment on? =)

"Father thank You for being in control. Even when our world seems to be falling apart, I pray that we would cling to You, knowing that You are ultimately in control! May we learn from Job's example and offer You the praise and worship that You deserve in every area of our lives, even when things go bad. Father we love You so much! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"