“Can reeds thrive without water?” Job 8:11b

After referring to the wisdom of former generations, Bildad continued, stating:

“Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water?” While still growing and uncut, they whither more quickly than grass. Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is a spider’s web. He leans on his web, but it gives way; he clings to it, but it does not hold. He is like a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden; it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks and looks for a place among the stones. But when it is torn from its spot, that place disowns it and says, ‘I never saw you.’ Surely its life withers away, and from the soil other plants grow.” (vv. 11 – 19)

This section of Bildad’s remarks to Job is remarkably different in tempo and meter, as if quoting from another source – perhaps the wisdom literature from earlier generations. Like Eliphaz, Bildad indicts Job, though his accusation was based upon the heavenly evidence of the calamities to Job’s property and family:

• The destiny of all who forget God is likened to reeds dying for lack of water (vv. 11 – 13);

• The hope of the godless is likened to leaning on a spider’s web (vv. 14 – 15);

• The wicked are likened to a well-watered plant which spreads its shoots from the spot it grew, even looking to expand its presence among the rocky places; and when weeded-out is disowned by its former home that welcomed new owners (vv. 16 – 19).

What are we to make of Bildad’s address to Job? Are his comments given to encourage Job or to indict him? On the one hand, it appears Bildad accused Job of forgetting God, leaning on a spider-web of self-sufficiency, and being uprooted for being a weed to humanity. On the other hand, Bildad offered hope to Job through these words:

“Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tents of the wicked will be no more.” (vv. 20 – 22)

So Bildad’s diatribe seems to direct the reader to decide if Job is guilty or innocent by letting the evidence speaks for itself. The biggest weakness with his approach is being unable to see the unseen drama taking place, as well as being blind to Job’s entire life. The reality of having one’s bad and good deeds being placed on some celestial balanced scale just doesn’t exist. God is full of grace and mercy. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Thank God for His grace and mercies.

Have a blessed day…

“…we were born only yesterday…” Job 8:9a

Clueless about the contest that was occurring in the spiritual realm, Bildad appeared wise with his opening argument to Job (vv. 1 – 7). God’s pattern to defend and restore His own is well documented (v.6). Bildad then played his backup card – offering the perspective of the elders:

“Ask the former generations and find out what their fathers learned, for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?”

In the scope of eternity, each generation is but a moment from the next, for a thousand years is but a day in God’s sight (2 Peter 3:8). Bildad was depending on the strength of his elders – and sometimes our elders are quite sincere in their earnestness, though they can be sincerely wrong. At least two generations of Americans were raised believing the adage, ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ Though it sounds spiritual, and could be argued as supporting the biblical guidance of not providing food to those who do not work (2 Thessalonians 3:10), Jesus would turn it upside down – just as He turned the money-changers tables upside down… and just as He turned the world upside down.

To his credit, while Bildad did recognize the strength of consulting the history of previous generations, he may have also been hinting at the dark arts for which Saul was rebuked (1 Samuel 28:3-25). Most theologians interpret Bildad’s statement as an endorsement for the support of traditional thought and practice. Tradition deserves a measure of respect for providing continuity from one generation to the next, though tradition can be rather unrelenting in developing new insights or permitting fresh expressions of faith. Perhaps Job’s expressions of grief were not traditionally appropriate, though they were certainly acceptable for their transparency.

Cued by Job’s statement describing the brevity of life as “swifter than a weaver’s shuttle” (see 7:6), Bildad thumbs his nose at the wisdom of Job with contentious words: “…we were born only yesterday and know nothing…”. (v.9). Bildad’s obvious remarks were meant to silence Job’s laments while supporting the continued assaults on his character (which we will see tomorrow).

Tradition can be a blessing or a curse. When it comes to blessing those in pain, I hope the only perspective we employ is a tradition of sympathy. Once one is allowed to express the agony of suffering, a more empathetic understanding of the suffering may feed a more sympathetic response to one’s felt needs. Oftentimes, the traditional restraints upon emotional venting may not only stifle those in pain, if we’re not careful, it may also sour relationships.

Have a blessed day…

“Your beginnings will seem humble…” Job 8:7a

After judging Job’s children in light of the nature of their deaths, Bildad seems to somewhat redeem himself with his next comment:

“But if you will look to God and plead with the Almighty, if you are pure and upright, even now He will rouse Himself on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place.” (vv. 5 – 6)

Any genuine Faith-walker could attest to Bildad’s statement, for God is always ready to rescue, redeem and restore anyone who approaches Him through faith, allowing The Spirit to transform the heart and mind for developing a life-walk that is pure and upright. So, we see that even though Bildad was absent of any sympathy toward Job, he did know the truth of God’s saving power. Thus, God was working through the human weakness of Bildad.

Believers, imperfect as we all are, become the conduit through which God dispenses His grace and love to others. The inspired Bildad goes even further by stating:

“Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” (v.7)

Though Bildad may have been referring to life on earth, God’s mysterious ways may have inspired Bildad’s statement to point to heaven. Nevertheless, Job’s friend once again affirms God’s pattern to bless His children.

God uses broken people to bless broken people. The pattern of God to restore lives shattered by catastrophe, tragedy, natural disaster and human depravity is magnified by those through whom God works to bring rescue. May this passage of scripture empower us to work through our own faults and failures in bringing the light of God’s love to the hopeless and needy. Your beginnings will seem humble at first, then God will increase opportunities to restore lives He knows can be reached by only you! May the prosperity we all experience be that of winning souls for Heaven’s King!

Have a blessed day…

“Then Bildad the Shuhite replied…” Job 8:1

It’s possible that Bildad could be a descendent of Shuah, the son of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). If so, the book of Job would not predate the Pentateuch, as some theologians assert. In any case, as our story progresses, we find another friend of Job’s disengaged from Job’s cries for relief.

In the first two verses, Bildad basically called Job a windbag: “How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind.” Curiously missing from Bildad’s initial response are any words of comfort to Job. Though he sat silently for seven days and nights with Job, it seems Bildad, along with Job’s other friends grew tired of Job’s groaning.

The name Bildad is translated, “God’s beloved”. Perhaps growing-up with that perception, Bildad may have had a tendency to defend God (though we all know God can well defend Himself), leading to his quick response to Job’s second lament:

“Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to the penalty of their sin.” (v.4)

Like Eliphaz, Bildad asserted the calamity Job experienced as being a result of the sin of his children and him. Though Bildad’s argument has a measure of truth, it is void of understanding Job’s pain. In their culture, Bildad could accuse Job or Job’s children of sin as part of a greater argument to defend God’s character. Explaining how God established His righteous standard and how God would never pervert or disguise it to confuse, mislead or tempt those made in His image was all part of Bildad’s theological stance. The sad thing is… many of us respond similarly to Bildad. We feel the necessity to defend God without giving thought to the immediate need before us. Job was hurting and the first thing out of Bildad’s mouth is accusing Job’s children of sin?

So often, Christians can’t see past the nose on our faces. Our own humanity makes us so preoccupied with our agenda, our appearance, our biases, that we become blinded to the immediate felt needs of others who are in pain. These few verses help remind us to keep the main thing the main thing. What is the main thing? Extending God’s love to people… especially after a crisis or tragedy. Why? Because people are the object of God’s love.

Have a blessed day…

“…You examine him every morning…” Job 7:18a

Job’s suffering led to him asking God the purpose of his existence in the divine scheme of things and the reason for his suffering:

“What is man that You make so much of him, that You give him so much attention, that You examine him every morning and test him every moment?”

Though Job considered his significance as a child of God, he needed to understand why God proves those who walk by faith. Hanani, a seer during the reign of Asa, the King of Judah, confronted Asa with the news of God’s dissatisfaction over his lack of faith, explaining,

“For the eyes of The Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Both Job and Hanani knew the purposes of God would not be thwarted, for God tests the hearts of those fully committed to Him – just as He had tested Abraham through the sacrifice of his son, Isaac (read Genesis 22:1-19). David, when pondering the vastness of creation, posed a similar question to Job’s:

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)

Unlike David’s perspective of God’s care, Job could only perceive God’s scrutiny. It’s no wonder, Job thought he had some sort of heavenly target on his back, stating:

“Will You never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O Watcher of men? Why have You made me Your target? Have I become a burden to You?” (vv. 19 – 20)

When life doesn’t make sense, the questions just keep coming in efforts to seek parsimony with one’s circumstances. God looks at our lives from a higher vantage point – He sees the end of the story. All Job could see was unending misery… and he wanted an end to it. He was, at the very least, open to the idea of being informed of any sin he had committed.

Those in suffering may also make exaggerated assertions or questions. Job asked God if he had become a burden to the King of Heaven. Such a query is surely lacking the rational understanding of God’s infinite power and resources. That’s what I love about the scriptures though – God left it all in… both the good and the bad, the strong and the weak, the rational and the irrational, acts of both good and evil. God preserved His Word for us to see both the human and divine record through biblical time.

The exasperated Job continued with his questions to God:

“Why do You not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; You will search for me, but I will be no more.” (v.21)

Job didn’t really believe his own words, did he? This is the same man who had often prayed for his children, in case they had sinned without knowing (read 1:4-5). If Job was guilty of anything, it was self-pity. Yet, knowing the modern conveniences of our day, who could blame him?

Bad things do happen to good people, and there are many good people who endure lengthy periods of suffering in life. Suffering is common to all – some are blessed to only experience it briefly; others are destined to endure more. We are unable to see any drama in the spiritual realm which, as in the life of Job, developed into a proof-test determining the authenticity of Job’s faith and trust in God. Will any of us pass the test, if confronted with the same circumstances?

When I was in the sixth grade, I loved to read The Hardy Boys books. In the stories, some mystery occurred which had to be solved. I admit, a couple of times, after the mystery was revealed, I went to the end of the story to see how the mystery was solved. We can trust God because He sees the end of the story in our lives (including Heaven!) and has promised to make all things work together for our good (read Romans 8:28).

Have a blessed day…

“…my days have no meaning.” Job 7:16b

Job 7 may very well be a prayer to God instead of a response to his critical friends. At the very least, verse thirteen evidences a change in who Job is addressing:

“When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, even then You (capital ‘Y’ was my choice) frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions, so that I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine. I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.” (vv. 13 – 16)

If you aren’t thinking, “Poor Job…” by now, you may want to work on developing some empathy skills. It was bad enough that Job lost his business assets, his workers, and his children. Then on top of all that tragedy, he developed a severe case of shingles (or something like it), suffering terrible pain and discomfort, only to be stricken by terrifying nightmares, seizing him with such fear of living that he preferred death to bring a cessation to his physical-emotional-psychological and spiritual suffering. He felt detached from his family, friends, work contacts, and even God.

To Job, his life lacked any meaning because he could no longer make an impact. It’s no wonder he despised his life when his friends accused him of some secret sin at a time when what he needed most was their compassion.

How should this cue our becoming more like Christ? Offering hope to those who suffer may be the only Jesus those desperate souls may ever see. Being present in their lives is the first step… which Job’s friends accomplished; understanding the need and necessity of suffering people to express their pain is the next step. Those who carry the gospel of Christ cannot allow their efforts to stop there, and offer their comfort, prayers, hope and purpose for living to the one bent on perishing.

If you know someone who may be thinking, “my days have no meaning”, perhaps being exposed to Job’s life may offer all of us a better understanding of the dynamics in their suffering and the efforts we can make to lessen another’s pain.

Have a blessed day…

“…I will not keep silent…” Job 7:11a

After his friends explained Job’s suffering as a consequence of sin, Job consistently rejected the idea. He declared he would not keep silent, or be bullied into a confession of guilt. Having personally experienced the lesson of life’s brevity through the deaths of his own children (vv. 6 – 10), Job’s new perspective allowed him to vent his sorrow without restraint, stating,

“I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” (v.11b&c)

If one is to experience the full spectrum of what life has to offer, surely venting one’s pain is part of it. How constraining it would be to bottle-up one’s deepest hurts and be prevented from releasing the God-given mechanisms for doing so. From birth, one’s first response to pain, dissatisfaction, and hunger is through the natural venting processes God gave each of us. Each of us is hard-wired to vent our feelings, yet Job’s friends chastised him for doing so after first assuming Job’s suffering was a result of some wickedness.

Job complained to his compadres, asking if he were the sea or a monster of the deep to be put under guard (v.12). In other words, if he had committed such a heinous wrong, surely it would be well known, and the consequences of his actions would be justified. Instead, Job remained true to the path of goodness, which equally justified his indignation for any accusation of impropriety.

There are times when others seek to exalt themselves by cutting down someone else. If you happen to find yourself in the middle of such, staying true to God and the strength he gives you for living is the best direction for volitional living (read Philippians 4:13). Let Job’s example provide you strength for living intentionally.

Have a blessed day…

“…I will be no more.” Job 7:8b

Having moved his argument to the courtroom of human justice, Job acts as his own lawyer presenting the basis for his defense: all people have the common life experiences of work, a portion of misery, and the realization that life is short (vv. 1 – 10). Job observed how all men have “hard service on earth” (v.1a), and argued how work makes hirelings and slaves of all (vv. 1b – 2). Having lost everything he ever worked for and more (read chapter 1), Job reasoned the days of work became months of futility and nights of misery (v.3a),.

Not only did his best days of positive production turn to dust, his current life status only proved to be days of misery (vv. 3b – 4). Job detailed the cause for his suffering with these words:

“My body is clothed with worms and scabs; my skin is broken and festering.” (v.5)

No wonder his friends were in such utter disbelief over Job’s appearance (see 1:12). The sight of Job was actually repulsive to the eyes… too grotesque for words. Soldiers who have been injured in war and those who have been badly burned understand all too well how slow time seems to grind during their days of suffering. Job’s question is one many who are injured may ask: “How long before I get up?” (v.4)

While suffering seems to occur at a snail’s pace, life itself is short, and Job described how he grappled with the idea of life’s brevity:

“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again. The eye that now sees me will see me no longer; you will look for me, but I will be no more. As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to the grave does not return. He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more.” (vv. 6 – 10)

In the above statement, Job reveals his humanity and how the tragedy had left an emotional scar upon his heart. Though he could not tell the future, he declared his days would come to an end without hope and his eyes would never see happiness again (v.7b). Job was trying to make sense of a life’s significance, especially after coming to grips with the finality of death (where this life is concerned) and never seeing his children again on earth.

We all deal with loss and hurt… some more than others. Sometimes it is through a tragedy, others through a sickness or suffering. When we try to make sense of it, nothing makes sense. Even our extended family (grand-nieces and nephews, great grandchildren, etc.) will forget what impact we may have had on their parents, and we will be forgotten soon enough in the course of time.

In our search for significance in this life, the ONLY thing that makes sense is finding significance in The One Who made us. Our hope comes from knowing that though we may never come to our own house again, there is another house being prepared for us (read John 14:2). Our lives are being woven into the fabric of eternity by The Master Weaver. Each of us become a thread wound by another thread – the thread of redemption… crimson red. Those who are securely wrapped by God’s redemption will see happiness again, for there will be no sorrow or sickness in Heaven. Our days CAN end with hope – the hope of a grand reunion with the saints, including all our family members who died in Christ. That alone is reason enough to plead with them to consider the claims of Christ.

Are you hurting as Job did? Have you come to a point of hopelessness? Don’t let the impact of your suffering turn your heart cold to the strength of hope in Christ… an eternal hope.

Have a blessed day…

“Relent, do not be unjust…” Job 6:29a

(I’ve been moving since last Thursday and am only now able to have the time and energy to develop a vignette. I do hope you continue with me as we look into the life of Job. Thank you for your followship!)

After his unsuccessful efforts at receiving any kindness from his friends, Job appealed to their sense of justice, stating:

“…be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face? Relent, do not be unjust; reconsider, for my integrity is at stake. Is there any wickedness on my lips? Can my mouth not discern malice?” (vv. 29 – 30)

One’s reputation can be destroyed in an instant. One foolish action, a single careless decision, can follow one for her/his entire life – even among God’s people. People have a difficult time forgetting, much less, forgiving. Those who are able to forgive and forget are rare indeed, and are the strongest among those made in God’s image. Job knew and understood all too well that if his reputation was ruined by the mouths of his ‘friends’, he stood an even lesser chance of re-establishing his life and work.

To make a case for oneself, the best defense of one’s character is found in the observable evidence of one’s pattern of living. Job directed his friends to discover for themselves if he had spoken in wickedness or with malice toward God or man (see 1:11). Of course, they would have to speak to Job’s wife to discover the truth to Job’s statement. Job did not back down from his accusers… he knew all too well the horror of his life’s experience and how he had kept true to form in holy thought and practice.

So, how does this passage speak to us today? In the words of Thumper in the Disney movie, Bambi, “if ya can’t say nothin’ nice, don’t say nothin’ at all”. Justice represents God’s worldwide standard for how people should treat each other. If one is not endued with the grace of personal kindness, one should be ruled by a sense of justice – how all people should be treated. It’s best summed up by the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12).

Personally, I prefer simple kindness… it is immediately accessible and makes a bigger impact to the person in need of it. If one has to appeal for just treatment, the opportunity for gestures of kindness have been lost. In any case, God’s Word is directing us today to “Relent” – one letter different from “Repent”… directing us to change the direction of our behavior.

Have a blessed day…

“…what do your arguments prove?” Job 6:25b

Again, Job confronted his friends with a challenge:

“Do you mean to correct what I say, and treat the words of a despairing man as wind? You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend.” (vv. 26 – 27)

Job compared his friend’s statements with the despicableness of human trafficking! In other words, their ‘counsel’ had no real righteous cause. There are those who lie in wait for the powerful and rich to fall… even the ones who are good and fulfill their role with integrity. Job and his friends all lived in an era that touted schools of wisdom and the social graces and expectations which developed from open discourse. However, Job was looking for the decency of simple kindness – the true evidence of a godly man or woman. Lofty words or diatribes on wisdom’s virtues were not appropriate for someone suffering the way Job had suffered.

Casting lots for the fatherless gave a philanthropic appearance to a dark practice. Those with means would cast lots to take in orphans who often became slaves or mistreated, underappreciated and unloved servants. Job called-out a similar practice when one might enter into indentured service to a friend after sickness had killed his own flocks (v.27). It appeared like a good deed, yet often the one on the serving end of the proposition got the short end of the stick. For example, Jacob worked fourteen years for his wife’s father who originally promised her to him for seven years of service, only to deceive him through a socially acceptable ‘loophole’ (read Genesis 29:18-30).

In this passage we learn to take ministry to the next level by not correcting a despairing person, for it does not meet the immediate psycho-emotional needs of the one in distress. Instead, listening and kindness go a long way. You may have the strongest argument in world to state your case and provide a ‘solution’ to the suffering, but what would your arguments prove? Instead, offer the simple ministry of presence to those hurting from catastrophic tragedy.

Oftentimes, when one is going through hardship, one may say things with which you disagree or may even find offensive. To add to the anxiety would only make bad matters worse. Showing up and exhibiting kindness will be the best antidote for the moment. Ministry to others can never be based on the convenience of our personal schedule and expectations.

Have a blessed day…

“How painful are honest words!” Job 6:25a

Job’s friends had mourned with him for seven days and nights, only to indict him with some unseen sin. His honest words confronted the accusing friends for the harshness of their message. Job had some words of his own:

“Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid.” (v.21)

The very ones who had come to console Job’s suffering actually added to his grief through their conversation. Job was a pitiful sight: emaciated by extreme weight loss with sores and scabs all over his body. His physical condition had gone through such an extreme change that Job’s friends were shocked at the sight of him, and Job called them out on it.

Job also challenged his friends to remember any time he had ever requested assistance or rescue (vv. 22 – 23). Of course, the answer was never. Yet, it was painfully obvious Job needed help… and they were not offering to be that help. They were only focused on the causality of Job’s life situation. To them, there HAD to be a misdeed by Job which brought God’s judgment upon him.

Honest words can be quite painful and Job admitted it. In other words, Job was attempting to speak the truth in love to his friends. Indeed, how painful are honest words! It isn’t easy to hold the mirror of truth to a friend, though it is possible. When confronting a friend, always do so in a spirit of love, letting her/him know you have her/his best interest at heart.

This passage teaches us to respond to the evidences of someone’s life during times of hardship. There are usually obvious signs which cannot be ignored. Often people will not reach out for assistance for not wanting to be labeled a ‘charity case’. Do you know someone who is skilled in his profession and out of work? Why not refer an employer to her/him? Are you aware of someone who has experienced a natural disaster (tornado, hurricane, fire, earthquake, etc.)? What efforts have you made to bring comfort and assistance to those who have had such a devastating loss?

During the seven days Job’s friends mourned with him, what actions did they take to help relieve Job’s suffering? There is no hint of any efforts they made to help their friend. Christian, we need not make that same mistake. Ask God to give you discernment on the condition of your friends (physically, mentally, spiritually, financially, etc.). Don’t wait to be asked. Instead, be proactive to be a part of the solution for your friend’s suffering.

Be the only Jesus s/he will ever see.

Have a blessed day…

“…the devotion of his friends…” Job 6:14a (written for October 21, 2019)

(I forgot to post my vignette yesterday. You see we are in the middle of a move… not far, just two floors down in our apartment building. Nonetheless, even a ‘minor’ move is a major inconvenience. So, here is the vignette that I had written. I’ll have another one later today.)

Today’s five understandable words describe the very thing a despairing man should be able to depend upon in times of hardship, and even at the times he may wander from the good way (v.14). Job considered his friends to be as dependable as a dried-up stream – a great disappointment to one needing to be refreshed and restored (vv. 15 – 20).

A true friend believes in you, even when the chips are down. A true friend always protects you from the assaults of others. When I was in high school, I was no where near the size I am now. I must have weighed 120 soaking wet. My best friend was a lineman on the football team, weighing close to 200 pounds. One day a bully was trying to pick a fight with me for no particular reason, I was getting mentally ready for the altercation when out of nowhere my best friend came along, interrupting the bully’s efforts by a rather forceful challenge. My friend saved me from a good beating, I’m sure. He was there for me, to protect me.

A true friend always trusts: trusts in your abilities, trusts in your character, and trusts in your commitment to the friendship. Even though time may bring changes to one’s life, a true friend remains just that – a true friend. True friends don’t fall for the trashing of relationships so prevalent today. People need each other, especially when one may be going through a period of personal hardship. True friends are cued to the flags of stress which may be occurring in another’s life, and offer extra grace to see their friend through it.

True friends always hope for the best in the friendship. The friendship is not easily ended, discarded, or ‘outgrown’. The friendship cannot dry-up from lack of contact, and looks with joyous hope for the next reunion. A true friend also offers hope for the future and for the continuance of the friendship.

A true friend perseveres through the difficult moments of the relationship and through life. Why? Because a true friend believes in the worth of the relationship and the mutual benefit the friendship brings. True friends are not easily provoked or offended. True friends have the ‘stick-to-it-iveness’ for making the friendship a life-long experience. Those who choose to discard such an opportunity miss-out on one of the greatest blessings in life.

The apostle Paul taught the Corinthian church about love: it always protects; always trusts; always hopes; and always perseveres (read 1 Corinthians 13:7). True friendship, like marriage, is designed to last for life. Are there friendships you need to restore? Have you become too hasty to discard a dear friend, when the flags of stress and hardship were present in their life? What type of friend are you who would abandon a friend during one’s greatest time of need?

Have you experienced the ghosting of a friendship which you considered authentic and real enough to last through difficult days of stress and hardship? Please know that Jesus is the friend that sticks closer than a brother (read Proverbs 18:24). He will never leave you or forsake you (read Deuteronomy 13:6; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). To the friends you do have, be the friend that they could never live without. He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Have a blessed day…

“What strength do I have…?” Job 6:11a

In yet, another attempt to convey the burden of his suffering, Job posed four questions for his friends to consider:

1. “What strength do I have that I should still hope?” Job could not feign manly might for overcoming the trauma he had experienced, losing his business, assets, and his children (v.11; 1:13-19).

2. “What prospects that I should be patient?” Job was asking how a lifetime of work and family growth could possibly be restored in the remainder of his life (v.12)?

3. “Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze?” These are asking the same question, and it was Job’s way of saying he was not superhuman nor an inhuman idol that has no feelings (v.13). His grief was a direct reflection of how much he cared for his business, those under his employ who lost their lives, his employee’s families, and especially his children and their families.

4. “Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?” Only those who have lost their position and influence can understand Job’s frustration in trying to make sense of the calamities that occurred, as well as discerning any possible way back to a productive life (v.14).

God’s Word empowers those who walk by faith to come beside those who are hopeless, having given up on living. As the only Jesus some will ever see, each Believer must make the effort to develop empathetic skills for others and make a difference in their lives. Where one’s life has exhausted all known avenues of assistance, the child of God may be the last chance for one who has given up on any possible change for the future.

There are times Believers must lend their strength to one who is depleted of it – conveying the power of God that comes in weakness (read 2 Corinthians 12:9-11). Pointing a heart to the grace of God through Christ will begin a life in understanding God’s grace is sufficient at all times.

If you ever hear the question, what strength do I have? Offer to be the strength for one who has none: to the one whose spouse has abandoned the marriage; to the one who lost on the stock market; to those who feel trapped in a life of abuse; to the one given the news of a fatal disease; to the one who is found to be caught in compulsive behaviors or addiction; to the father or mother who was ‘let go’ by a company downsizing to compete in today’s market; to those who amble through the streets with no friends or family; and to those who feel helpless in navigating the appropriate channels for citizenship. Be the strong arm and advocate for those less fortunate than yourself.

It isn’t easy… and it’s never convenient… but to that person, you will offer restoration, redemption, significance, and purpose. Yes, you will be the only Jesus one may ever see.

Have a blessed day…

“…my joy in unrelenting pain…” Job 6:10b

As a type of Christ, Job’s life points to the suffering servant Who endured the pain of the cross in anticipation of the joy of His heavenly coronation (read Hebrews 12:1-2). Job’s joy in unrelenting pain was his personal knowledge of not denying the words of The Holy One (v.10c). In fact, that knowledge was a great consolation to him (v.10a).

For Job, such joy would only be made complete in death, thus refusing any opportunity to fall to the temptation of sin. It was not to be, for the one to be crushed for the sins of all the world would be Christ and Him alone (vv. 7 – 9; John 1:29; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:2). Job’s real motivation for death was to escape the agony of his suffering and the great loss he had experienced. Jesus, however, chose to offer His life as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind (read Romans 3:22-24, 5:8&18; Ephesians 1:7, 5:2).

Today’s passage points us to the power, encouragement and sustainability for our lives through God’s Word during difficult times. Job “…had not denied the words of The Holy One.” If we follow Job’s example, we too will have the benefit of God’s Word for facing hardship, and will be able to testify it as my joy in unrelenting pain. Invest time in God’s Word… it yields great dividends.

Have a blessed day…

“I refuse to touch it…” Job 6:7a

After Eliphaz reprimanded Job for his lament, Job’s knee-jerk reaction was to describe the depth of his anguish. Job compared the weight of his suffering to be greater than all the sand in the seas (vv. 2 – 3)! Job then castes the blame for his suffering to God, stating, “…God’s terrors are marshalled against me.” (v.4)

Just as Eliphaz could not keep from speaking, so Job could not keep from venting his pain. Finding the metaphors for justifying his complaints, Job compares his expressed agony to a donkey’s bray and an ox’s bellow (v.5). At this point in Job’s life, refraining from complaining could be likened to eating tasteless food – the moans provided Job the ‘seasoning’ to endure his pain… a self-soothing mechanism to cope (vv. 6 – 7). Job declared that he refused tasteless food, and in like manner would not be denied the right to refuse any effort to limit the venting of his anguish.

I’m really a picky eater. If the food doesn’t meet certain expectations, I refuse to touch it. Tasteless food certainly requires seasoning, and Job’s description of a boiled egg-white perfectly depicts the need for added flavor. So, we see Job’s refusal to touch the food had nothing to do with some dietary ritual in spiritual disciplines, but everything to do with experiencing life to the fullest… including venting one’s pain. I grew up thinking, ‘big boys don’t cry’. However, now that I’ve entered my seventh decade of living, I believe if I didn’t cry, I would be denying myself the experience of life at the moment my emotions needed to be freed.

Today’s passage emancipates one from the tyranny of social restraints during moments of great suffering, while freeing one to fully experience the painful moments of life and the mechanisms God placed in each of us for expressing the hurt. So, go ahead… have a good cry if you need it. Laugh out loud. Express your anger appropriately – without sinning (read Ephesians 4:26; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Your emotions are God’s gift to flavor our lives for certain moments… we only need not allow them to rule our lives.

Have a blessed day…

“…you will have a covenant…” Job 5:23a

Eliphaz concluded his response to Job’s lament by listing the benefits of those who dwell in the secret place of The Most High – perhaps an inspiration to King David many years later (read Psalm 91):

• “You will be protected from the lash of the tongue…”

  “…and need not fear when destruction comes.” (v.21)

• “You will laugh at destruction and famine…”

  “…and need not fear the beasts of the earth.” (v.22)

• “…you will have a covenant with the stones of the field…”

• “…the wild animals will be at peace with you.” (v.23)

• “You will know that your tent is secure…”

• “…you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.” (v.24)

• “You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth.” (v.25)

• “You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season.” (v.26)

In this list, God breathed into Eliphaz some significant observations. Notice the first benefit Eliphaz spoke to Job was being protected from the power of another’s tongue. The human tongue has the ability to bless and to curse (read Proverbs 15:4; James 3:12), and Eliphaz listed it first, before the tragedy of destruction by man or nature. In other words, the tongue can do a world of damage, which Eliphaz declared as powerless before The One Who made the heaven’s and the earth.

Eliphaz also gave Job a glimpse of heaven when he described the absence of fear and presence of peace between humans, wild animals, and the beasts of the field (vv. 22 – 23). In Heaven, the children of God will also enjoy the benefit of a wonderful reunion with family and the descendants from which their life sprang into being (v.25).

In this prophetic statement we also have a glimpse of The Messiah. Eliphaz asserted that Job would have a covenant with the stones of the field (v.22)! Prior to His crucifixion, Jesus entered Jerusalem to shouts of praise and adoration by crowds who threw palm branches upon the path ahead of Him and the donkey upon which He rode, shouting, “Blessed is the King Who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”  Some of the Pharisees demanded Jesus rebuke the crowds, only for Jesus to respond by saying if those praises stopped the very stones surrounding the city would cry out (read Luke 19:37-40). Job’s covenant with the stones is a covenant with all creation which bows to the authority and command of The King of Kings.

Eliphaz described the death of God’s beloved as grain gathered at harvest – fully matured and bearing fruit… full of life-giving power (v.26)! He declared all the benefits as fully observed by his friends and himself, and instructed Job to apply them to himself (v.27). Just as Eliphaz’s words were meant to encourage Job, allow them to encourage your faith walk in our time. Look for the blessings of belonging to God in this life and the next!

Have a blessed day…

“…I would appeal to God…” Job 5:8a

It seems Eliphaz would have been better to start his response to Job’s lament with chapter five, instead of charging head-strong into the accusations found in chapter four. Did he regret his previous words? Whatever-the-case, we have a beautiful description of God as our advocate and defender through Eliphaz’s poetic depiction of Heaven’s King.

After stating an obvious universal truth that man is born to trouble (see yesterday’s vignette), Eliphaz offers another obvious word of advice, stating: “…I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before Him.” Then, in a moment of inspiration, he dispatches one of the most memorable descriptions of God found in the Bible. Eliphaz was trying to boost Job’s faith by reminding him of the following characteristics of God:

• “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” (v.9)

• “He bestows rain on the earth, He sends water upon the countryside.” (v.10)

• “The lowly He sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.” (v.11)

• “He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.” (v.12)

• “He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away.” (v.13)

  “Darkness comes upon them in the daytime; at noon they grope as in the night.” (v.14)

• “He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; He saves them from the clutches of the powerful.” (v.15)

  “So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.” (v.16)

• “…He wounds, but He also binds up; He injures, but His hands also heal.” (v.18)

When we appeal to God, we are doing what comes naturally to obtain what God accomplishes supernaturally. When a person of faith appeals to God, s/he does the possible, to see God do the impossible; doing the ordinary through faith in Him, revealing God’s power to accomplish the extraordinary.

Today’s passage challenges us to consider our personal view of God. Is He able to meet your most desperate need? Are you confident in His ability to work on your behalf? Pray to Him in faith and lay your life needs before Him, trusting Him to work things out for you.

Have a blessed day…

“…man is born to trouble…” Job 5:7a

As Eliphaz continued in his ‘diatribal’ response to Job’s lament, one gains clear insight to Eliphaz’s world-view and religiosity. There are parts of his first response which ring true, while the tone and absence of grace reflect a more judgmental position. The Hebrew word for “holy ones” (v.1b) is “Kedoshim”, and may have alluded to all those in Job’s  faith community who had abandoned Job in his time of need, though we have no reason as to why such would happen.:

“Call if you will, but who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?”

Eliphaz’s statement does not consider a personal God, full of grace; Who is accessible by merely calling out to Him in prayer. Job’s friend then pours salt into his emotional wounds by implying Job acted foolishly, and that the death of Job’s adult children could be directly blamed on Job (vv. 2 – 4).

All of Eliphaz’s statements speak of the immediate instead of the ultimate will of God. Surely, even in his day, Job understood God desires to bless His children; and while evil men may rule for a day, a time of judgment and reckoning will come when God will extend His eternal reward to His children, while bringing doom to workers of evil.

Eliphaz clearly understands that each day has enough trouble in itself (read Matthew 6:34). In today’s five understandable words, Eliphaz recognizes this universal truth. People all over the world understand the blessings of health, home, and happiness being temporary. Days of trouble come when one least expects it.

The question for us today is: Are we ready for the moment trouble will come? Will we fall under the pressure of disaster and tragedy? Or will we continue to hope in God through faith? What side of the trouble equation will we be found on when that day of trouble comes?

MAN IS BORN TO TROUBLE

We may as well acknowledge it… and prepare our hearts and minds for it.

Have a blessed day…

 (Revised 10/11/2019)

“…my ears caught a whisper…” Job 4:12b

Being quite familiar with Job’s piety, Eliphaz asserted that Job’s blameless ways should be the anchor of hope for his future (v.4b). Then Eliphaz’s tone took an about-face. He described his ‘life observation’ of evil people reaping their just deserts, implying that Job was only getting what he deserved (vv. 8 – 11). Eliphaz posed the assumption after first confronting Job with this question:

“Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?” (v.7)

Eliphaz transparently revealed his world view: he believed good things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people. His unsolicited counsel was asking Job to consider himself or his children having done something evil. Eliphaz then described a disquieting dream when his ears heard a whisper from a spirit. The spirit seemed to speak wisdom, asking:

“Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?” (v.17)

The spirit continued with the following scenario:

“If God places no trust in His servants, if He charges His angels with error, how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed more readily than a moth! Between dawn and dusk, they are broken to pieces; unnoticed, they perish forever. Are not the cords of their tent pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?” (vv. 19 – 20)

Eliphaz’s dream reflected his familiarity of spiritual oral history – including the fallen angels. Eliphaz challenged Job once again, asking, “Call if you will, but who will answer you?” (v.5:1) Such a question suggests one being so compromised as to be unredeemable. Eliphaz seemed to already have the jury’s verdict on Job’s spiritual condition.

Have you ever come across someone who could mix just enough knowledge of the Bible with a distorted world view to make unfounded conclusions on a person or perspective? Such people are quick to push the buttons of others – arriving upon the scene with accusations to discredit and disqualify another. It happens in churches and communities across the globe. The Bible describes satan as having an accusing spirit – being the father of lies (read John 8:44, 1 Peter 5:8 and Revelation 12:10). In fact, that’s how the whole thing started: satan accusing God of surrounding Job in such a way as to never allow Job to be tested. Perhaps the spirit in Eliphaz’s dream may have been a visit from the accuser.

Eliphaz continued with his diatribe, which we will look into tomorrow, Lord willing. For now, suffice it to say that we are all fallen creatures loved with infinite, inconceivable love by The One Who knows us intimately.