Job 1,2,13,19
The Righteous Suffer
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Bill Blurb: Now that we've finished the Historical books of the OT, we come upon the five books of Poetry, which will be followed by the Major, then Minor Prophets. Since we've been slicing and dicing Psalms and Proverbs, we won't be covering them in the sequential text portion of the blog (like Genesis to Esther). The hallmark of Hebrew poetry is not rhyming like a Hallmark card, but repetition and parallelism of ideas and concepts, expressed in scintillating symbolism. Job, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon will be given a brief overview in the next posts, and then we will savor them a sip at a time in future posts, after we exhaust Psalms and Proverbs. We'll also portion out Psalm 119 in more bite sized (ok, meal sized) portions so we can appreciate the unique flavor of each taste, rather than choke on the huge amount of Truth in the psalm. Bon Appétit!
For those of you who like categorization (and alliteration):
- Job teaches how to have the our (w)right place in life;
- Psalms teach how to have worshipful praise in our life;
- Proverbs teach how to have wise practices in our life;
- Ecclesiastes teaches how to have worthwhile purpose in our life;
- Song of Songs teaches how to have wondrous passion in our life.
OK, I'll stop now.
Psalm 69:16-36 Praise is More Pleasing
16 Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. 17 Hide not your face from your servant,
for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. 18 Draw near to my soul, redeem me;
ransom me because of my enemies!
19 You know my reproach,
and my shame and my dishonor;
my foes are all known to you. 20 Reproaches have broken my heart,
so that I am in despair.
I looked for pity, but there was none,
and for comforters, but I found none. 21 They gave me poison for food,
and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.
22 Let their own table before them become a snare;
and when they are at peace, let it become a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see,
and make their loins tremble continually. 24 Pour out your indignation upon them,
and let your burning anger overtake them. 25 May their camp be a desolation;
let no one dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute him whom you have struck down,
and they recount the pain of those you have wounded. 27 Add to them punishment upon punishment;
may they have no acquittal from you. 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;
let them not be enrolled among the righteous.
29 But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your salvation, O God, set me on high!
30 I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the LORD more than an ox
or a bull with horns and hoofs. 32 When the humble see it they will be glad;
you who seek God, let your hearts revive. 33 For the LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and everything that moves in them. 35 For God will save Zion
and build up the cities of Judah,
and people shall dwell there and possess it; 36 the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall dwell in it.
Application
Trust and resultant praise to God for deliverance is more pleasing to Him than a bunch of burnt animals, or any material thing we could give Him.
Prayer
God, thanks that You are the God who saves, and sets things right; I will be faithful to trust and praise You so You can be exalted in the eyes of others. Amen.
Proverbs 18:9 Sluggards Are Sinners
is a brother to him who destroys.
Application
If you happen to catch sight of a sluggard in the mirror, spend a little time cleansing yourself from the deadly sin of sloth by studying the Saga of the Sorry Sluggard.
Prayer
Lord, help me invest every precious minute You've given me for Your purposes, be it work or play, so You'll be glorified. Amen.
Job 1,2,13,19 The Righteous Suffer
This is considered the oldest book of the Bible, almost a prelude or “porch” to the “temple” of Genesis to Deuteronomy. It describes life in patriarchal times, before the Law was given. The postscript of the Septuagint version is worth noting (under Digging Deeper). There are some plausible arguments for Mosaic authorship there as well. In this and the next post, we'll look at some key chapters from the beginning, middle, and end of Job.
A frequent hang-up to a correct understanding of God as revealed in the Scriptures is: “Why do the righteous suffer if God is all loving and powerful? He should be willing and able to do something about the evil we see and experience in our world." This is answered under the 7QUESTIONS and in sermons on suffering on Truthbase.net, but for now, the Book of Job shows us that we don't have the entire story, just like the main character and his “friends.”
Job 1 God Gives and Takes Away, Blessed Be His Name
Job's Character and Wealth
1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.Satan's First Attack
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.Job Loses his Children and Property
13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.Application
Do you view your possessions and relationships as a blessing entrusted to you by God as a stewardship? Or do you think it's your stuff to do with as you please? If the former, you can bless God when you no longer have it.
Prayer
God, thanks that You bless your servants who fear and obey You; may I hold all Your blessings with an open hand, knowing You may require them back at any moment. Amen.
Job 2 Blameless and Upright, Fearing God, Eschewing Evil
Job Loses his Health
1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 3 And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” 4 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” 6 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.” 7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. 9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.Job's Three Friends
11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. 12 And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. 13 And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.Application
If we know we're walking righteously, we can trust that the hand of God is upon us for good, even when bad things happen.
Prayer
God, may my response to the “bad” things in my life be a reaffirmation of Your infinite goodness, justice, and sovereignty. Amen.
Job 13 If God Slays Me, I'll Still Trust Him
Job Reproves his Friends
1 “Behold, my eye has seen all this,
my ear has heard and understood it. 2 What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you. 3 But I would speak to the Almighty,
and I desire to argue my case with God. 4 As for you, you whitewash with lies;
worthless physicians are you all. 5 Oh that you would keep silent,
and it would be your wisdom! 6 Hear now my argument
and listen to the pleadings of my lips. 7 Will you speak falsely for God
and speak deceitfully for him? 8 Will you show partiality toward him?
Will you plead the case for God? 9 Will it be well with you when he searches you out?
Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man? 10 He will surely rebuke you
if in secret you show partiality. 11 Will not his majesty terrify you,
and the dread of him fall upon you? 12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 “Let me have silence, and I will speak,
and let come on me what may. 14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
and put my life in my hand? 15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face. 16 This will be my salvation,
that the godless shall not come before him. 17 Keep listening to my words,
and let my declaration be in your ears. 18 Behold, I have prepared my case;
I know that I shall be in the right. 19 Who is there who will contend with me?
For then I would be silent and die. 20 Only grant me two things,
then I will not hide myself from your face: 21 withdraw your hand far from me,
and let not dread of you terrify me. 22 Then call, and I will answer;
or let me speak, and you reply to me. 23 How many are my iniquities and my sins?
Make me know my transgression and my sin. 24 Why do you hide your face
and count me as your enemy? 25 Will you frighten a driven leaf
and pursue dry chaff? 26 For you write bitter things against me
and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth. 27 You put my feet in the stocks
and watch all my paths;
you set a limit for the soles of my feet. 28 Man wastes away like a rotten thing,
like a garment that is moth-eaten.
Application
Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Prayer
God, You have revealed Yourself to be infinitely good and just and powerful, so I can always trust that You are doing what is in my best interest, even if I'm martyred. Amen.
Job 19 I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Job: My Redeemer Lives
1 Then Job answered and said:2 “How long will you torment me
and break me in pieces with words? 3 These ten times you have cast reproach upon me;
are you not ashamed to wrong me? 4 And even if it be true that I have erred,
my error remains with myself. 5 If indeed you magnify yourselves against me
and make my disgrace an argument against me, 6 know then that God has put me in the wrong
and closed his net about me. 7 Behold, I cry out, ‘Violence!’ but I am not answered;
I call for help, but there is no justice. 8 He has walled up my way, so that I cannot pass,
and he has set darkness upon my paths. 9 He has stripped from me my glory
and taken the crown from my head. 10 He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone,
and my hope has he pulled up like a tree. 11 He has kindled his wrath against me
and counts me as his adversary. 12 His troops come on together;
they have cast up their siege ramp against me
and encamp around my tent.
13 “He has put my brothers far from me,
and those who knew me are wholly estranged from me. 14 My relatives have failed me,
my close friends have forgotten me. 15 The guests in my house and my maidservants count me as a stranger;
I have become a foreigner in their eyes. 16 I call to my servant, but he gives me no answer;
I must plead with him with my mouth for mercy. 17 My breath is strange to my wife,
and I am a stench to the children of my own mother. 18 Even young children despise me;
when I rise they talk against me. 19 All my intimate friends abhor me,
and those whom I loved have turned against me. 20 My bones stick to my skin and to my flesh,
and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth. 21 Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, O you my friends,
for the hand of God has touched me! 22 Why do you, like God, pursue me?
Why are you not satisfied with my flesh?
23 “Oh that my words were written!
Oh that they were inscribed in a book! 24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead
they were engraved in the rock forever! 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me! 28 If you say, ‘How we will pursue him!’
and, ‘The root of the matter is found in him,’ 29 be afraid of the sword,
for wrath brings the punishment of the sword,
that you may know there is a judgment.”
Application
Know that God will vindicate the righteousness of His servants and cause them to stand in triumph on the earth. It's not over, until the day after the last trumpet sounds.
Prayer
My Redeemer and Sustainer of my soul, I know that You live, and will act in my best interest at the time that best suits Your purposes, whenever that may be. (It's OK with me.) Amen.
Digging Deeper
The Septuagint Ending Of The Book Of Job.
Appendix 62 Bullinger's Companion Bible
In the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament into Greek, there is a long subscription. A similar subscription is found in the Arabic Version. It professes to be taken out of "the Syriac book"; but there is nothing to be found of it in the Syriac Version as published in Walton's Polyglot. It was doubtless written B.C. It is interesting, especially when compared with the notes on p. 666/7 (in the Companion Bible, where you'll find a decent case for Mosaic authorship), but what authority there is for it is not stated.
The last verse of Job (42:17), "And Job died, an old man, and full of days," reads on as follows: "And it is written that he will rise up again with those whom the Lord raises up." This man is described in the Syriac book as dwelling in the land of Ausis, on the borders of Idumea and Arabia; and his name before was Jobab; and having taken an Arabian wife, he begat a son whose name was Ennon. He himself was the son of his father Zara, a son of the sons of Esau, and of his mother Bosorrha, so that he was the fifth from Abraham. And these were the kings who reigned in Edom, which country he also ruled over. First Balak the son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dennaba. After Balak, Jobab, who is called Job: and after him, Asom, who was governor out of the country of Thaeman; and after him Adad, the son of Barad, that destroyed Madiam in the plain of Moab; and the name of his city was Gethaim. And the friends that came to him were Eliphaz of the sons of Esau, king of the Thaemanites, Baldad sovereign of the Sauchaens, Sophar, king of the Minaeans".
God in a nutshell: God is working out a bigger purpose on earth than our comfort and salvation. Creation and the human race exist for His glory. God is infinite, with purposes which are beyond our cursory understanding, but are revealed in Scripture if we seek for them. He is worthy of our trust regardless of our circumstances because His character is totally trustworthy. He lets His servants suffer, using them for His glory, in ways they don't always initially comprehend. He can look upon evil, and has tea with Satan on Monday and Wednesday afternoon. They play bridge on Friday :)Point to Ponder: Satan fell because he underestimated the infinite nature of God. A third of the angels, who are pretty smart critters, placed their bets on Satan, because, as far as they could see, Satan, the highest created being, looked like he could defeat God. Satan and the angels grasped at the glory and lost, because there was more to God than met their eyes.
Us in a nutshell: Sin always results in suffering, but suffering is not always a result of sin, but is used by God to purify and reward us, and glorify Himself. It's not about us. We're just pawns, but richly rewarded pawns, in the chess match between God and Satan, to teach Satan that he should have obeyed (more in next post; Ephesians 3:8-11). We need to respond to the difficulties of our existence with the awareness that all we have is a gift of God, entrusted into our stewardship, which can be recalled without warning. It is possible to live a blameless and upright life in the sight of God if we fear Him and eschew (a great word to know and do) evil.
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