“…He would not press charges…” Job 23:6b

In the passage we consider today, Job came to the closest understanding of the actual truth about his calamities. He still asserted his innocence with confidence in God’s character, saying:

“Would He oppose me with great power? No, He would not press charges against me. There an upright man could present his case before Him...” (vv. 6 – 7a)

With that personal knowledge, Job declared he would be permanently delivered from any punishment Heaven’s Judge could hand down to him (v.7b). Job’s frustration, however, was his inability to find God. The times when God is silent in one’s life can often be the time of greatest anxiety. We are creatures in need of
pattern prediction. We grow up knowing a consistent 24-hour day with a sunrise and a sunset; the four seasons with their change of colors and plant-life; low tide and high tide; new moon and full moon; the North Star; clouds and rain; the temperature at which water freezes and boils; life and death. Those consistencies
create in all of us a preference to predict outcomes. Get the picture?

Job couldn’t predict or form a conclusion on God’s purpose behind his suffering. And Job couldn’t seem to find a place where he could know for sure God was listening. He performed a thorough search to the east, west, north and south in his region, with no success of securing an audience before The Lord (vv. 8 – 9).

He was certain, though, of God’s omniscience: knowing Job’s comings and goings, as well as his life patterns (v.10a). That certainty provided Job an insight into his life which, up to that point, would be the closest to discovering the purpose for his suffering:

“…when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (v.10b)

Knowing the end of a tragic story always relieves the reader from any empathetic anxiety while reading it. Job had finally come to understand God’s purpose behind the tragedies: it was a test. Though Job was not privy to what led to this test, he was finally getting to the point of acceptance – a critical point of recovery for those who have experienced trauma.

With Job’s knowledge of God’s insight into his life, he knew God had not missed the piety of his life (v.11), nor had he ever departed from God’s righteous standard of living (v.12a). Yes, it was the sacred texts which God had breathed into His prophets that gave Job wisdom from above. He even treasured God’s Word more than what bread he had available (v.12b).

Like Job, many people regret the actions of their youth (read 13:26; 14:17b). Thanks be to God, for we have a mediator Who stands for us, declaring the price of our sin has been paid. Knowing Jesus, one can be confident that He would not press charges against us for the sins of our past. Only by His grace and
pardon are we given another chance to live intentionally for Him – being the eyes, ears, hands and feet of Jesus to the world.

Have a blessed day…

“…today my complaint is bitter…” Job 23:2a

Job’s reply after Eliphaz’s accusations was measured. He qualified his re-entry of defending himself with the words, “Even today”… hinting at Job’s faith in the possibility of a better tomorrow. Returning right back into defending his innocence, Job described how, despite his groaning, he continued to interpret his circumstances as God being heavy-handed (v.2b).

Like his friends, Job, too, was grappling with a world-view where good people are rewarded with good outcomes. He found it conflicting to think that bad things could happen to good people. However, it was through Job’s life that God would teach just a lesson for all the world to discover.

Asserting himself further, Job stated he would go to great lengths to have a face to face with The Almighty… even if it meant traveling to His dwelling (v.3)! If it were possible for him to get an audience with The King of Kings, he declared he would state his case before Him, with a full arsenal of arguments with which to present to The Judge of humanity (v.4).

Stating his case was just the means by which Job could finally get an answer from God (v.5). He desperately wanted to hear straight from God’s mouth the reason(s) for his devastation. He wanted an answer to the question, “Why?”. Job’s humanity was crying out for understanding.

Pain and suffering are often the most unacceptable conditions to experience… especially if it occurs randomly in one’s life: the death of a spouse, child or loved one; the loss of work; a catastrophe destroying one’s home or vehicle; a prolonged illness; and many other horrific possibilities.

What made Job’s life even worse was his unsympathetic friends. When people go through hardship and friends begin to abandon them, the loss of their support network creates even a deeper feeling of loss and helplessness. Many people do not have the empathy skills to identify the symptoms of someone hurting. When this happens, those people usually take the path of least resistance – abandoning the relationship, cutting off all avenues of communication for restoring the connection. It hurts.

I’ve lost the connection of friends who I held dear. I’m sure those friends would quickly point to something I may have carelessly said or done… a common malady of those experiencing the difficulty of loss and sorrow. Had those friends been aware of the warning signs of one in pain, they may have chosen a different ‘solution’ to their conflict concerning me.

Developing empathy skills is a must if we are to commit to being lifetime friends. Life is too short to discard relationships which have been nurtured for decades… or even for just a few days. We were made to need each other, help each other, teach each other, and feed each other. Trashing friendships has gone viral in today’s world of convenience. Let’s face it, sometimes friendship just isn’t convenient. Being Jesus to our friends may demand walking the extra mile with them.

Have a blessed day… bless someone who needs your friendship.

“…the cleanness of your hands.” Job 22:30b

There you have it… Eliphaz believed, as do many today, that God offers His rescue – His deliverance – to those who only have clean hands. In other words, justification before God is only by one’s works. God, however has always focused on one’s heart and the faith He plants within.

Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden… the fall of all creation… the heart of man has rebelled against justification by faith. It seems counterintuitive to all mankind that God would offer His hand of peace, unless one has achieved some measure of devotion or piety in exhibiting a good and upright life. With God, though, it has always been about the heart… and the heart of man is most wicked (read Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Matthew 15:18-20; Mark 7:20-23).

Mankind has always striven to work for one’s salvation, when what we are to do is work OUT one’s salvation. Even before Christ, God generated faith in the heart of those He chose to provide it to (read Ezekiel 36:26), and it was by their faith they were commended (read Hebrews 11:2). Jesus, even from eternity past, is the
author and perfecter of faith (read Hebrews 12:1-2), it is He and He alone Who makes it possible to please God, for it is impossible to please God except through faith (read Hebrews 11:6).

The pre-incarnate Jesus fed Job’s faith (read 19:27), for Job was certain of what he could not see – his hope was sure (read Hebrews 11:1). While Job had experienced a truly horrific sequence of tragedies, which naturally induced great pain and sorrow, he still maintained his faith and trust in God (read 1:20-22; 13:16&18; 14:14-17). Traumatized by his experience, Job revealed his own weakness of blaming God; for he, too, had grown up in a ‘faith-by-works’ theology – a ‘just world’ system of balancing one’s good deeds against one’s bad actions.

Christ is working, even now, to deposit faith deep within your heart. If your life journey has taken you through pain you never thought you’d experience, or sorrow so deep you never imagined your heart would ever recover, know that the faith being planted in you is an overcoming faith (read 1 John 5:4). I once heard a professor say faith is the basis for action and the antidote to fear. Jesus said that one’s faith, even if it were the size of the smallest seed for vegetable gardens, could move a mountain (read Matthew 17:20).

The cleanness of your hands will follow the faith God endows to your heart and mind. When we pray, “God
give us clean hands,” we should first be praying, “God add to our faith.”

Have a blessed day…

“…He will save the downcast.” Job 22:29b

On its own merit, this phrase – like the others from Eliphaz’s mouth – contains a measure of truth. The unfortunate context, however, is how Eliphaz was manipulating truth to achieve his own purposes: to illicit a confession of guilt from Job.

More veiled indictments of Job’s wickedness were articulated with words like:

• “If you return to The Almighty…” (v.23a);

• “…if you remove wickedness far from your tent…” (v.23b); and

• “He will deliver even one who is not innocent…” (v.30a).

Though these phrases are all true, when dipped in the mud of accusation, they prostitute God’s truth into a tool of biased control… assuming the worst about someone. As students of God’s Word, may we never misuse the priceless treasure of eternal truth to control another. Yes, He will save the downcast… let’s allow God to work through us to do just that with words of comfort and encouragement.

Lord, save us from ourselves.

Have a blessed day…

“Accept instruction from His mouth…” Job 22:22a

This hint from the book of Job suggests ancient texts to which the faithful turned for spiritual discovery, comfort and guidance. In Job’s day, only the very wealthy actually had copies of the sacred scrolls which were tediously copied by the hands of scribes who had been thoroughly vetted for their attention to detail and commitment to preserve codified texts. These scrolls may have been some pre-Judaic literature that had been passed down through oral tradition before the innovation of writing. The most logical source of such literature would have been the creation account – which may have been quite similar to Moses’, found in the Pentateuch.

This verse also reflects a common reference for Job and his friends: a resource for living rightly. These writings would often be the basis of governing documents for tribes, defining the social and personal expectations for living; weighing the actions of Job and his friends without bias. However, as is common through humanity, there are those who use authoritative literature for their own selfish purposes – manipulating the lives of others through some distorted view of truth. Such seems to be the case with Job’s friends; which is why there is so much accepted truth found within their conversations with Job… and this
verse is a great example of such.

The entire remark by Eliphaz was: “Accept instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in your heart.” By itself, it appears as worthy counsel. However, paired with Eliphaz’s previous indictment of Job, it is a continued accusation of Job’s wickedness, implying Job had not been accepting instruction from the sacred texts. Presenting a basis of commonality, though, may have been just the catalyst to prepare their hearts for God’s soon to come interruption of their conversation.

In my book, “Discovering Psalm 119: A King’s Tribute to the Sacred Texts”, I show how God’s Word is the subject and focus of the entire psalm, written in an alphabetized acrostic for ease of memorization. The benefits of knowing and understanding God’s inspired Word are emphasized throughout the chapter. The 160th verse declares all God’s words to be true and all His righteous laws to be eternal. We can never go wrong when we submit to the wisdom and guidance of God’s Word when understood within its historical and literary contexts; especially if we are diligent to pray for understanding before reading it, as well as seeking
textual and expert confirmation before acting upon it.

The bible is its own best commentary, and I find the more I get into it, the more of it gets into me. It is my hope these vignettes will encourage you to search the scriptures for discoveries to guide your life and develop spiritual disciplines for living.

Have a blessed day…

“…prosperity will come to you.” Job 22:21b

It seems painfully obvious that Eliphaz promised the return of Job’s prosperity… if he would just submit to God and return to right living. This is, yet, another veiled indictment against Job… only this time with an incentive. The street smart Eliphaz knew all too well that the root of all evil was the love of money… an evil with which Eliphaz himself may have struggled. Could he have believed Job had some hidden stash somewhere on his property? His words that followed may suggest such.

“If you return to The Almighty, you will be restored: if you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, then The Almighty will be your gold, and choicest silver for you. Surely then you will find delight in The Almighty and will lift up your face to God.” (vv. 23 – 26)

Men have long hidden deposits of gold and silver (or money) in secret places. Before the idea of banks came along, it was a prudent thing to do. It was similar to a rainy-day fund, retirement or savings account. Eliphaz was basically asking Job to scatter his hidden gold to the land for others to find. Three against one… a perfect setup for robbing an unsuspecting and wounded Job. Was that what they were really there for? Perhaps not, though the thought – as you see – did cross my mind.

If Job did have a hidden stash, wouldn’t he already be using it to re-establish his wife and himself? Wouldn’t it have been used to purchase replacement livestock and buy materials to rebuild his barns? In any case, isn’t Eliphaz’s focus on wealth a bit over the top? Why didn’t he offer Job any assistance to re-establish him? Why didn’t Eliphaz give of his own resources to help a friend in need.

A friend at a time of need IS a friend indeed. Responding to the felt needs of others by materially supplying a portion or all of that need is real benevolence… philanthropy in its purest form… caring in its highest expression. Are we ready to offer such? Most of us could not afford to outright give our resources to help another, though we could loan assistance. It is not evil when the loan is offered at a reasonable or minimal interest rate (or even with no interest at all).

There are preachers today who espouse a prosperity gospel. They dangle the redemption of Christ, paid for at the high cost of His own blood and suffering, with the promise of wealth… which does one no good at all after death. It was the same temptation Eliphaz was offering Job.

There is more to restoration than material wealth: the love of family and friends; the joy of celebrating anniversaries and birthdays; the peace known from no threat by friend or foe; the patience exercised in anticipating another harvest; the kindness received from a friend who offers a helping hand; the goodness shown by others who show random acts of kindness; the faithfulness experienced in a loving marriage; the gentleness given to a new-born baby; and the discipline of knowing when and how to speak. These are the real treasures The Spirit of God offers one who comes to Him. He gives liberally of those things with eternal value (read Galatians 5:22-26). Jesus taught that one’s treasure should be found in heaven – not on earth, where moths and rust can destroy such (read Matthew 6:19-24).

Where is the stash of your treasure found? How are you investing it intentionally? How are you distributing the spiritual wealth of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

Have a blessed day…

“…be at peace with Him…” Job 22:21a

In each of the visitors’ discourses, the Bible student will discover a measure of truth. Similar to satan’s tactics, the friends used the ancient texts to support their arguments condemning Job. Such is the case with Eliphaz’s statement found in the twenty-first verse.

The entire context of the verse reads, “Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” (v.21) The way it is stated indicts Job for not submitting his life to God… another accusation. While submitting to God (surrendering to His mercy and grace) does yield peace with Him, Eliphaz was using the eternal truth to manipulate a confession from Job. Those who contort the truth in such a way are usually control addicts – minding everyone’s business but their own.

So, when would be the best time to offer such counsel to another? I submit to you that when someone comes to you asking for counsel on obtaining the same peace you demonstrate in your life, then it would be completely appropriate to offer Eliphaz’s advice. To do otherwise is to commit the same injury by Eliphaz – accusing another of enmity with God.

Now, it is true that if we are not children of God… friends of God, then we are enemies to Him and His Kingdom. When we refuse God’s way, we make Him out to be a liar and become His enemy (read 1 John 1:10, 5:10). God’s forbearance is great, and He works patiently in drawing one’s soul to Himself. It doesn’t turn-out well for God’s enemies in the end.

Please consider His love for you (read John 3:16-17), and offer your heart and soul to Him now through a simple talk with Him: ask to approach God; confess you are a sinner; thank Him for the work Christ performed upon the cross; receive Jesus as your Redeemer; and thank Him for changing your mind about Him. Once you have earnestly conversed with God in this way (that’s part of what prayer is all about), you will be at peace with Him.

Have a blessed day…

“…so dark you cannot see…” Job 22:11a

Eliphaz was unfazed by Job’s assertion of how the wicked are all about, living comfortably and without the fear of God. With a reply immediately available, Eliphaz began with some spiritual sarcasm:

“Can a man be of benefit to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him? What pleasure would it give The Almighty if you were righteous? What would He gain if your ways were blameless? Is it for your piety that He rebukes you and brings charges against you?” (vv. 2 – 4)

Still stuck in his worldview of bad things only happening to bad people, Eliphaz cleverly provoked the conversation further with the above unanswerable questions. Essentially, God has no real need of anything or anyone: God resides in perfect community within Himself. It is so far over our understanding that we simply cannot begin to comprehend God’s existence… we can only see the evidence of His power (that’s a clue for things to come).

Eliphaz’s last question turned Job’s argument upside down. In a rather snarky way, Eliphaz is making fun of Job’s continued insistence of his innocence. Just as Job’s life reveals a type of Christ, so Job’s friends (in this case, Eliphaz) are a type of satan – the accuser. Yes, Eliphaz’s line of questioning is dark and condescending.

Then, Eliphaz goes in for the kill:

“Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless.” (v.5)

To Eliphaz, the only reasonable conclusion one could draw from the many calamities Job experienced was that Job was a very wicked man, and the time had come for him to be accountable for an endless number of sins. Empowered by his new approach, Eliphaz then heaped one accusation after another toward Job – charges with no basis whatsoever:

• Demanding a security deposit from his brothers for no reason (v.6a);

• Stripping men of their clothing (v.6b);

• Withholding water from weary travelers (v.7a);

• Depriving the hungry of food and sustenance (v.7b);

• Sending widowed beggars away empty-handed (v.9a); and

• Ignoring the needs of orphans (v.9b).

The writer of Job, however, had a different view of Job: being blameless and upright (see 1:1b); and he feared God, shunning evil (see 1:1c). Eliphaz’s covetousness was exposed in his own words when he described Job of being, “a powerful man; owning land – an honored man, living on it.” (v.8) Eliphaz was using Job’s earlier rebuttal against him to emphasize Job’s own wickedness. Job had observed how the wicked grew in power, were honored and thriving on the land, with no threat to their children (review 21:7-13).

Once he had turned Job’s argument back against him, Eliphaz stated a second conclusion:

“That is why snares are all around you, why sudden peril terrifies you, why it is so dark you cannot see, and why a flood of water covers you.” (vv. 10 – 11)

Condemning Job for being blind to his own evil, Eliphaz declared Job’s sin as the source for all his problems. The most condescending remark one could possibly give another is to tell them they are blind to their own wickedness. Eliphaz’s methodology was to beat one down with words so severely as to have no remaining
view of oneself other than one of doubt and deprecation.

Is it hard to believe that there are people like Eliphaz in the world today? I’ve come upon such people… they fight dirty; they are power-brokers who despise anyone who would dare challenge them. In our life we are given a choice between two essential types of living: we can be either a curse or a blessing. Eliphaz chose to be a curse to his supposed friend Job.

When the darkness of wickedness is all around us, oftentimes it is so dark you cannot see the good in this world. Participating in the world’s darkness of wicked activities can definitely blind one to his/her own condition, though one light of goodness and truth is able to scatter the darkness of selfishness and
wickedness. Choose today to be that light… choose to be a blessing to this world.

Have a blessed day…

“…how can you console me…?” Job 21:34a

The simple truth is that Job saw right through his visitors. They were supposed to be there to console him. Yet, all they gave him was grief. Offering real sympathy requires real caring – it cannot be manufactured for the moment; and, though one may offer a forgery of concern, the truth will eventually expose the confederate who tries.

Exhausted by the forgery of his friends’ sympathy, Job confronted them again with this query:

“So how can you console me with your nonsense? Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood.” (v.34)

Job’s friends had been exposed for what they really were: gawkers… those who are drawn to the ‘train wrecks’ of others’ lives, to see just how bad the carnage is, so they can speak of what they saw with their own eyes. There was no real effort to comfort and console… no authentic gesture to assist for a period of time in reestablishing Job and his wife… not even any material help to provide the immediate needs of food, clothing and shelter. They were as fake as a three dollar bill – worthless to meet the desperate needs of Job and his wife.

To some people, the ministry of presence comes naturally; while to others, being in the presence of one in great sorrow creates an awkward moment for which they find themselves unprepared. If you should find yourself in such a moment, try placing yourself in the person’s situation and ask, “How can you console me?” In other words, what practical way could you help in the situation? If you discover you are unable to be the source of help, then look for available sources to provide for the felt needs of the one suffering. There is always a real connection between two genuine friends, and the sincerity of one’s sympathy will suffice for a friend in need. Please, don’t try to fake sympathy.

Have a blessed day…

“…all men follow after him…” Job 21:33b

As Job’s rebuttal continued, he asked if anyone could teach knowledge to God – pointing to the extreme position his friends were taking toward him, thus implying their judgment to be harsher than God’s. If God, Who judges even the highest powers on earth (v.22), can show mercy to one lowly man, then who were they to assume the posture of judge and jury? It is only in death that we face the true Judge of all creation.

The traumatized Job then posed the equalizing power of death: one dies in full vigor, while another dies consumed by sickness – they could lay next to each other in a graveyard as the worms aided in the decay of their bodies (vv. 23 – 26) and no-one would know the difference between them.

Once again calling-out his friends for their heartless duplicity, Job directed his own charge against them:

“I know full well what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me. You say, ‘Where now is the great man’s house, the tents where wicked men lived?’ Have you never questioned those who travel? Have you paid no regard to their accounts – that the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, that he is delivered from the day of wrath? Who denounces his conduct to his face? Who repays him for what he has done? He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb. The soil in the valley is sweet to him; all men follow after him, and a countless throng goes before him.” (vv. 27 – 32)

Job added another arsenal to his defense: that of the traveling salesman with questionable merchandise, selling techniques and reputation. He noted how even such a man goes to the grave without ever being questioned to his face. Even his family keeps watch over his grave to guard against tomb bandits. Job declared the truth of the inevitable: death awaits every person – those of us who still have yet to die, as well as the countless throng who have already passed through its mysterious curtain. Death is, indeed, a great equalizer, common to us all.

We can thank God today for His saving grace through Jesus Christ. That grace is extended to all who call upon his name and turn from their pattern of sin. The grace doesn’t stop there: God then pours upon those who walk by faith extra grace for living, sufficient for each day… even the final day. In fact, when the final day comes for the Believer, God then bestows dying grace which fills him/her with the joy of anticipating heaven: to see God’s face, and enjoy a great reunion with loved ones already there.

We know that all men follow after him – the one who is no longer. Are we ready for that day? Do not enter eternity without preparing your soul to meet God. Ask Him to speak to your heart today. Turn from any pattern of sin in your life and ask Christ to reside within your heart, and allow Him to take the helm of your future.

Have a blessed day…

“…God stores-up a man’s punishment…” Job 21:19a

Continuing in his refute to Eliphaz’s conviction that bad things happen to bad people, Job challenged Eliphaz further with three questions:

1. “…how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out?” (v.17a) In other words, Job was asking Eliphaz, “When was the last time you witnessed the death of the wicked?” It was an outright challenge to the accusations of his three fiendish friends.

2. “How often does calamity come upon them, the fate God allots in His anger?” Similarly, Job is requiring evidentiary support to his friends long-held belief (an assertion even Job himself actually believed, as shown in his questions to God; read 6:30; 7:20-21; 9:27-28; 10:13-14).

3. “How often are they like straw before the wind?” Job presented this question to make a point: his friends would be unable to provide sufficient support for their position – the very basis of their accusations against him.

Once Job’s superior challenge had been made, he presented his three friends with a possible alternative to how God’s punishment worked, and at the same time, Job reflected on how he would deliver appropriate punishment if he were God:

“It is said, ‘God stores-up a man’s punishment for his sons. Let Him repay the man Himself, so that he will know it! Let his own eyes see his destruction; let him drink of the wrath of The Almighty. For what does he care about the family he leaves behind, when his allotted months come to an end?” (vv. 19 – 21)

Job’s argument against his friends was only getting stronger. They were familiar with the precept of God punishing the sons of the wicked to the third and fourth generation (read Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 5:9; Psalm 79:8, and 109:14). Job was earnest in his efforts to expose his friends to the thin line upon which they stood – a balancing act between political correctness and condemnation; or, at the very least, between a façade of care and the truth of their covetousness over Job’s past success and wealth.

In a way, God did store-up man’s punishment… past, present and future. The sins of humanity were not laid upon the sons of the offenders, but they were laid upon The Son of The Father -Jesus Christ, Who endured the complete wrath of The Almighty against the darkness of sin. Job’s words may very well have been given as another challenge to God for enduring the loss of his children. Job desperately wanted an audience with The Creator.

We can thank God for providing a way of escape from the punishment our sins deserve because that wrath has already been fulfilled through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Think over your life… consider the broad swath of offenses you made against God and humanity. Thank God for his mercy and grace!

Have a blessed day…

“Listen carefully to my words…” Job 21:2a (written for 2/25/2020)

Job contradicted Eliphaz’s assumption that bad things happen only to bad people; providing a defense addressing every one of Eliphaz’s ‘observations’. But first, Job gets the attention of his friends with today’s five understandable words. He beckons for their forbearance (v.3a) and issues a challenge to the charges laid against him by his friends:

“Is my complaint directed to man? Why should I not be impatient? Look at me and be astonished; clap your hand over your mouth. When I think about this, I am terrified; trembling seizes my body.” (vv. 4 – 6)

Job’s obvious intent was to provoke his friends to reconsider their worldview, asking them to consider the target of his complaint and the reason for his impatience. To Job, his friends should be mortified that a righteous man was suffering so severely. It terrified him to consider the randomness of such tragedy,
especially in the life of a devout man of faith.

The greatest inequity Job sought to understand was that of the wicked living on, increasing in social influence (v.7), while his life was in ruins - even after many years spent in devotion to God. It was terribly unfair that their children grew to be well established – safe and free from fear (vv. 8 – 9). Job saw how the livestock of the wicked were healthy, bearing young easily (vv. 10 – 11). He recalled the wicked singing and celebrating, spending their years in prosperity and dying in relative peace, having no need of God or knowing His ways (vv. 12 – 16).

When it comes to Job’s above observations, not much has changed in four to six thousand years. The wicked still thrive; their lives often seem more stable and affluent than those with a faith practice. The inequity still exists… it just might be a little more sophisticated or current to our times. Do you experience the same inner conflict as Job did? Does your inner voice cry out about the injustice you see all around you?

Perhaps the entire meaning of life is to experience how God’s grace is sufficient for all issues of life.

Have a blessed day…

“…the heritage appointed for them…” Job 20:29b

The entire twentieth chapter records Zophar’s second response to Job. It is replete with innuendo and outright accusation against Job. He stated honestly how troubled his thoughts were (v.2) – the first red flag I use for knowing when to keep my mouth shut. Zophar, however, just couldn’t keep from being offended
(v.3). Touting that his superior understanding inspired him to reply, he hijacked the conversation to rub Job’s nose in it.

Zophar decided to begin his accusations from the high-dive of condescending remarks:

“Surely you know how it has been from of old, ever since man was placed on the earth, that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment. Though his pride reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’ Like a dream he flies away, no more to be found, banished like a vision of the night.”

“Surely you know”… was Zophar’s way of rebuking Job for his previous statements of equality (read 12:2; 13:1-2; 16:4), and his comments were a direct innuendo to Job being judged wicked (v.5a), godless (v.5b) and proud (v.6) – reaping a judgment of being erased from the fabric of society (vv. 7 – 9).  Hinting at Job’s former wealth, Zophar pointed to the fact of Job’s dwindling fortune through some very mean-hearted statements:

• “He will spit out the riches he swallowed; God will make his stomach vomit them up.” (v.15);

• “He will not enjoy the streams of rivers flowing with honey and cream.” (v.17);

• “What He toiled for he must give back uneaten; he will not enjoy the profit from his trading.” (v.18);

• “…his prosperity will not endure.” (v.21); and

• “In the midst of plenty, distress will overtake him…” (v.22).

Zophar was describing Job’s circumstances, and he accused Job of not just turning a deaf ear to the poor, but of taking advantage of the poor and oppressing those who were indefensible (v.19). Having heard Job’s complaints, all Zophar was doing was echoing what he had already heard – and adding the overtone of
accusation. He even echoed Job’s description of terrors coming to him in the night (7:3&4; 20:25).

Adding injury to his insults of accusation, Zophar asserts the judgment for the wicked will culminate in the following way:

“A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent. The heavens will expose his guilt; the earth will rise up against him. A flood will carry off his house, rushing waters on the day of God’s wrath. Such is the fate God allots the wicked, the heritage appointed for them by God.”

So, Zophar was so convinced of Job’s guilt that he felt it necessary to heap judgment upon Job with a “take that” attitude of condemnation. Still no comfort… still no efforts to assist Job… and still no budging from the ‘just world’ mentality. The very idea that bad things happen to good people was just too hard to grasp for Job’s friends.

What about us? Would we be just as complicit to accuse one of a hidden sin when things aren’t working well? Or would we offer solace, material assistance and defend our suffering friend? Resolve now to be the only Jesus some will ever see – be an agent of redemption, restoration, and reconciliation to the cast-out, the down and out, the put out, and the burned out. Help make the heritage appointed for them be one of a blessing and not a curse.

Have a blessed day….

“…you should fear the sword…” Job 19:29a

Once Job had spoken the divinely inspired prophecy, he chastised his friends for their insistence to hound him (v.28a). He echoed their world view which determined the source of his troubles as some evil way coming from within him (v.28b); then he warned them of impending judgment if they could not bring a quick end to
their judgmental spirit (v.29a).

Job was warning his friends of a harsher judgment than what he considered God gave him… at least he was alive. The judgment by sword would be one requiring their very lives; which is why we find Job’s stern warning to his friends in today’s five understandable words.

Accountability is what Job was speaking of… and it is measured through submission to a higher authority. Job was speaking directly about God’s authority being the singular power to bring judgment by death. In fact, Job asserted that once there is the consequence of death, they would then discover the reality of true judgment…
eternal judgment. In my book, Freedom’s Foundation, I present the reality of three impending judgments: one’s own life; one’s country or tribe; and the world. God has every right to judge His creation – it originated
through Him and it is sustained by Him.

There comes a time in every person’s life when the reality of judgment is either accepted or rejected. Those who reject the certainty of judgment will experience the tragedy of eternal separation from God. Those who accept it in faith know the hope of Heaven because Jesus took the penalty for our sin, making one free from
the dread of judgment.

YOU SHOULD FEAR THE SWORD… perhaps it is a heavenly motivator for holy living.

Have a blessed day…

“I myself will see Him…” Job 19:27a

Today we find one of the most poignant passages found in all of scripture. God the Son breathed faith into Job, for He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (read Hebrews 12:2). Up to this point, Job had given no indication of any belief in the afterlife. Yet, in the five simple words above, we see Job’s countenance changing.

Faith isn’t the only thing breathed into Job, for the eternal value of God’s Word also inspired Job to speak these words:

“Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever!” (vv. 23 – 24)

Little did Job know that his words would be preserved through all eternity! For everything created will pass away, but God’s Word will last forever (read Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18, 24:35; and 1 Peter 1:25). The Living Word has always existed with The Father and The Spirit. He became flesh (John 1:14). He suffered a cruel death upon a cross, and rose from the dead after three days in a borrowed tomb, and – after a time spent encouraging His disciples – He ascended to Heaven where He is preparing a place for those who receive Him as their Savior. One day, He will return! Until then, we wait and seek to live for Him.

What words did Job hope would be recorded forever? I believe the evidence points to the words following his remarks stated above:

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth.” (v.25)

How incredible is it that God would breath into Job this prophetic message of end times! He will make all things new (read Isaiah 43:18-19; and Revelation 21:5) and will stand upon a new earth prepared for His Kingdom. It’s also incredible how Job described living upon that new earth as a physical being (v.26), enjoying a wonderful reunion with The Lord! Randy Alcorn described it at length in his well-documented book, “Heaven” (if you haven’t read it, you simply MUST read it). Job elaborated on his new discovery with these words:

“I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (v.27)

This confident proclamation reveals a major shift in Job’s perspective. Though he was still hurting, God was feeding his faith with the new revelation. It stands to reason that Job was still spending time with God in prayer – an intimate communion with God where one listens for His leading while pouring out one’s own praises, intercessions and, yes, even complaints.

How is God feeding your faith? What revelations are being given you through prayer and time in His Word? Learn from Job’s life and discover the antidote to depression, anxiety and suffering.

Have a blessed day…

“Will you never get enough…?” Job 19:22b

Yesterday, we made a brief look into the complaints Job aired before God and his friends. As Job’s life points to Christ, let us never read over Job’s complaints casually without considering our Savior and the suffering He endured upon the cross. The Father turned His back upon His Son as Jesus took the sins of humanity upon Himself. For that moment, Jesus was stripped of His honor (v.9), was torn down on every side (v.10), abandoned by His friends (vv. 14 & 19), and ridiculed by an angry crowd (v.18). Yes, Job’s suffering points to Christ in a very real way.

Once Job had aired his complaints before God and his friends, he begged his friends to have pity on him (v.21), erroneously declaring God’s hand had struck him. Then Job pleaded with his friends through two simple questions:

1. “Why do you pursue me as God does?” (v.22a) The accusations from his
   friends were like a free-for-all pile-on. Job was already overwhelmed by his
   circumstances, only to be flooded all the more by his friends’ non-stop verbal
   assaults.

2. “Will you never get enough of my flesh?” (v.22b) In other words, Job was actually saying,
   “Give me a break!” His physical condition was proof enough of the suffering he
   had endured, and any reasonable, compassionate human would be sensitive to such
   hardship.

Job had clearly had enough of such badgering. On the cross, Jesus endured the suffering without ever complaining of his treatment, though He once said He was thirsty. Jesus, however, did voice his prayer for those inflicting His pain – asking God to forgive His tormentors (Luke 23:34).

When observing another’s pain, jumping to the conclusion that it stems from his/her own doing could bring just as much added pain as Job’s friends brought to him. It seems people never get enough pleasure in bringing pain to others. As developed as mankind has become, the pattern of inflicting pain upon others has
continued. Sometimes the way others inflict pain is hidden by some sophisticated approach. It happens every day: removal from one’s work position; public humiliation through some inquisition; bullying; condescension; etc.

If we are to be Christ to the world, we are to bring healing and hope to those suffering in silence. Instead of looking for ways to judge another, we should be about looking for ways to interrupt the cycle of pain without first seeking a reason for it. Who might you offer help and hope as you journey through life?

Have a blessed day…

“His anger burns against me…” Job 19:11a

As wrong as Job’s friends were to accuse him of wrong-doing, Job was just as wrong to accuse God of treating him wrongly. Job articulated his grievance of such in verses six through twenty-one:

• “…God has wronged me and drawn His net around me.” (v.6);

• “Though I cry, ‘I’ve been wronged!’ I get no response…” (v.7a);

• “He has blocked my way…” (v.8a);

• “…He has shrouded my paths in darkness.” (v.8b);

• “He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head.” (v.9);

• “He tears me down on every side…” (v.10a);

• “…He uproots my hope like a tree.” (v.10b);

• “His anger burns against me…” (v.11a);

• “…He counts me among His enemies.” (v.11b);

• “His troops advance in force…” (v.12a);

• “He has alienated my brothers from me…” (v.13a), and

• “…the hand of God has struck me.” (v.21b).

Soldiers may bring home their emotional baggage from their exposure to warfare. Many years ago, it was called “shell shock”; though today, we know it as post-traumatic stress (PTS) syndrome. Those who have experienced severe levels of loss and trauma exhibit similar symptoms. Job was likely suffering from PTS. His anger toward God can be understood in the light of his devastation.

In elaborating on his loneliness, Job described how acquaintances and kinsmen avoided him; he thought his friends had forgotten him; and he felt that his guests and maidservants considered him a stranger (his paid servants would not even answer his calls; vv. 13b – 16). Job then told how his wife was offended by his breath,
his brothers treated him harshly, and even small boys ridiculed him in the streets (vv. 17 – 18). His closest friends (perhaps speaking of those visiting him) detested him (v.19). The isolation had also affected his health and appearance, described as “skin and bones” (v.20).

Could any of us accuse God as Job did? Perhaps some of us have already done so. Life has a way of throwing our lives into a whirlpool of disaster and trauma. When it happens, the first thing many do is blame God and complain. Could we handle things differently? Commit within yourself this day to never hold God in contempt of your life – that you would never be found saying, “His anger burns against me.” You never know… you could be the one being exalted in Heaven as God’s example for righteous living.

Have a blessed day…

“How long will you torment…?” Job 19:1

Of course, Job was referring to his three accusing visitors. He challenged them when he asked how long they would continue to crush him with their words (v.2b). He then described how they had shamelessly reproached him ten times (v.2). They may not have been counting, however, with Job, each verbal assault was a dagger being turned in his back. His own friends condemning him… with no efforts made to offer solace. He kept count. Have you ever kept count of the wrongs one commits toward you? Why do we do such things? It may be a self-soothing technique to get our minds off of the suffering.

There was one statement by Job which provoked my curiosity. He entertained the possibility of having transgressed God (v.4), but resisted entertaining any idea of being held to account by his friends, stating it remained his concern alone.

One of the marks of mature faith is being vulnerable enough to be brought into account by those closest to you. There have been times when I have rejected efforts by friends or family in exposing some sin or poor living practice, only to eventually accept their efforts which brought a change of action in my life pattern. Job’s heart may have been closed to his visitors’ charges after being so severely treated – absent of any efforts to comfort and console him in his darkest moments.

If God is to use us to correct a friend or family member, the first priority is to establish a loving connection – showing his/her best interest as both the intent and the goal. If we fail at exhibiting love and confidence in another, don’t expect any efforts of correction to succeed.

I’m traveling tomorrow, so I hope to continue our journey through the book of Job after the weekend, Lord willing.

Have a blessed day…

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

“…a snare holds him fast…” Job 18:9b

Ignoring the evidence of Job’s physical condition and caught in the snare of a ‘just-world’ view, Bildad’s comments could be a pre-recorded indictment toward Job, citing other evidences of Job’s life:

• The death of his children (v.5a);

• A loss of vitality (v.5b; 7a); and

• Dwindling wealth, as reflected in the loss of personal wealth and resources (v.6).

Then Bildad accused him of some sinister evil schemes (certain five-word phrases have been bolded by me):

• “…his own schemes throw him down.” (v.7b);

• “His feet thrust him into a net and he wanders into its mesh.” (v.8);

• “A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare holds him fast.” (v.9);

• “A noose is hidden for him on the ground; a trap lies in his path.” (v.10);

• “Terrors startle him on every side and dog his every step.” (v.11); and

• “Calamity is hungry for him; disaster is ready for him when he falls.” (v.12).

Bildad purposely added salt to Job’s wounds. His world-view compelled him to accuse Job of evil, and his description continued with specific references to Job’s actual condition:

• His skin being eaten away (v.13);

• Night terrors (v.14);

• The obvious signs of judgment against him (burning sulfer – a hellish judgment; v.15);

• Dried up roots (loss of making a living; v.16a);

• Withered branches (the deaths of his children; v.16b);

• Diminished influence (v.17);

• Outcast from his community (v.18);

• His children’s deaths (v.19); and

• Famed for all the wrong reasons (v.20).

Reaching his conclusion, Bildad came right out with this judgment of his friend:

“Surely such is the dwelling of an evil man; such is the place of one who knows not God.” (v.21)

How is this passage to instruct our living for God’s purposes? Perhaps this passage may serve as an example of what NOT to say to those in the valley of suffering. We know Bildad’s accusations to be completely in error (read chapter one), exposing the world-view limiting his ability to offer real consolation to Job. Again, it can not be overstated how important comfort and resources can be to those who have experienced great loss. We can make a real difference in the lives of those who have lost everything… even if a little is all we have to give.

Have a blessed day…

“…must the rocks be moved…?” Job 18:4c (written for 2/11/2020)

Bildad was reaching the end of his patience with Job’s continued plea of innocence. He asked Job when the speeches would end (v.2a), and pleaded with Job to be sensible so they could have a ‘reasonable’ conversation (v.2b). Well… are you thinking what I’m thinking? It’s about time. Guess what? The finger pointing
continued in Bildad’s very next statement! Perhaps, once the first stone has been thrown, it’s harder to return to civility?

Then, Bildad revealed his injury by asking why Job considered his friends as stupid as cattle (v.3). Returning to his condescending remarks, Bildad asked why the entire earth should be abandoned for the purposes of one who scraped his sores (literally cutting his skin to pieces; v.4; see 2:8). This remark reflects how easily one resorts to a convenient ministry mindset. If another’s problems become too inconvenient to address, many find it ‘unreasonable’. Bildad emphasized his question with another complementary challenge:

“Or must the rocks be moved from their place?” (v.4c)

The question begs to be paraphrased: “Are we expected to actually do something?” Do you see his exhaustion in the query? It’s quite apparent that Job’s friends arrived unprepared to actually assist their friend back into the world of the living.

There is another side to the question that Bildad posed. Could God have breathed the question into him to point to Christ? Before Jesus was betrayed, he entered Jerusalem and was received by crowds who praised him. At one point, the Pharisees wanted Jesus to rebuke the crowds for lauding him with such great honor. Jesus replied with these words, “I tell you if they keep quiet the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40) The rocks will be moved… to give honor and praise to The King of Kings!

Job’s continued stance of integrity could bring the stones to cry out on his behalf. All of creation could shout for the righteous cause of God’s Kingdom. And if the rocks could be moved to rejoicing over one righteous in God’s eyes, certainly Job’s friends should have been moved to consider Job’s defense and come to his aid.

What is this passage teaching us? How inconvenienced are we willing to become for the sake of the call to minister to others? Have American Christians taken to the path of ministry in Jesus name – but only when it’s suitable to their schedules? How often does sports, shopping, social events, the theatre, or other activities been deemed more important than being Jesus to the world? Is it too much to ask? How will we answer God if we were to be asked why we were not available to be a conduit of His love to the world?

If we refuse, must the rocks be moved from their place?

Have a blessed day…