Verses 1-6:
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!"
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:
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."
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:
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.”
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!"
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