Sometimes the unhappiness
swells in me like
I am a balloon filled
With too much water or air.
I am stretched and distorted
stretched with great pressure
(from the inside).
And tension fills every fiber.
Where can I find relief
from these floods of grief?
When will the maze let me out,
And the rain give way to drought?
Just the slightest prick
Of an otherwise dull object
Would rent my soul and
Body in two.
And then what would I do?
DG
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Late Night Rumblings on Grace and Hope and Love
It is late. The wind is howling outside, swirling all around the house. Cars are rushing up and down the street. Inside, it is rather quiet, except for the fans--always it's the fans disturbing the serenity of the stillness. I can handle it. If I turn off the fan next to me, undoubtedly the loudest of the two that are spinning, the computer will fail because the power source fan is busted. Maybe I should turn it off...(I must persevere.)
I walked around my yard tonight and looked at the flowers and vegetables that are growing. Rain has been helpful lately--scratch that, rain is always helpful. The soil is moist, the plants are nourished, the grass is green where it is normally, at this time of year, brown and prickly. I love the feel of soft, lush green grass under my bare feet. (It feels like grace.)
My son has been gone all week at his aunt's house. I miss him terribly tonight. I will see him tomorrow and not a minute too soon. I will pass each minute, each mile, each mile marker with anticipation and increasing joy because with each passing minute or mile or marker I will be that much closer to seeing him again. (It sounds like hope.)
I laughed with my other sons tonight while we watched a movie. They squealed with delight over the simplest jokes--jokes that I found pedantic and rich with cliche. But we laughed because it made sense to laugh. I wanted to watch a scary movie tonight. I'm glad we laughed together. Laughing was definitely the right thing to do tonight. (It was very much togetherness.)
We finally cleaned the garage this evening. A filthy mess it was. We threw away (placed nicely in our curbside garbage trolley) a bunch of, well, garbage. We have room for bikes, and the grill, and a work-bench, and other essential things. We can walk through without stubbing a toe or driving a nail through the rubber soles of our shoes or our bare feet. I despise clutter and sometimes I work very hard to clean out the clutter because if I do not I start to shake with anxiety. Scary. (I think that is called sanctification.)
I bought my wife binoculars tonight. Nothing fancy. Nothing expensive. Nothing powerful--I don't want her looking at that handsome fella down the road! She wants to look at the birds that assemble for breakfast, lunch and dinner and frequent snacks at our fast food bird feeders. (If only we could keep those squirrels out of them.) The birds are exquisite and Renee thoroughly delights in informing me every time she discovers a new species. She saw a species of woodpecker today or yesterday--she told me about it around 6:30 a.m. (It's called love for sure.)
We have a guest at our house this evening. A girl. She is sleeping on the couch because her house was being flea-bombed. She needed a place to stay and we are conveniently located and satisfactorily fun. She watched a movie with us, enjoyed a rootbeer float, and ate some McDonald's fries too. She is sleeping now--she took my warm blanket. We're not heroes or anything supernatural like that. Just friends. (That is being a neighbor.)
My brother is coming in this weekend. He has his sons with him and we will travel to meet him tomorrow so grandma can get their pictures taken at Wal-Mart. My brother will soon be going back to Iraq. I don't want him to go, but he chose and was chosen for the life of a Marine. I will miss him and pray for him. I will only see him for a couple of days--but it will be worth it. My other brother lives in Colorado. I pray for him; I miss him. I wish he were near--in spirit and in the flesh. Right now we are separated by more than just distance. I cry for him more than I miss him. Brothers. Now there is a novel idea that I hope no one tries to improve upon. (They call this family.)
A friend stopped by today. He and his wife dug up some rose bushes in their back yard and thought we might want them. Did we ever! We talked and shared. I had nothing to give him. I am always so much more blessed than a blessing. I cannot wait to plant the rose bushes and watch them grow. Every time I do I will think of the one who gave them to us. (I will be thankful.)
I guess I had more to write about than I originally thought. Actually, I have more, but my eyes are getting sticky and I want to do some reading and maybe some sleeping. I have so much to be thankful for. I hope you do to.
I walked around my yard tonight and looked at the flowers and vegetables that are growing. Rain has been helpful lately--scratch that, rain is always helpful. The soil is moist, the plants are nourished, the grass is green where it is normally, at this time of year, brown and prickly. I love the feel of soft, lush green grass under my bare feet. (It feels like grace.)
My son has been gone all week at his aunt's house. I miss him terribly tonight. I will see him tomorrow and not a minute too soon. I will pass each minute, each mile, each mile marker with anticipation and increasing joy because with each passing minute or mile or marker I will be that much closer to seeing him again. (It sounds like hope.)
I laughed with my other sons tonight while we watched a movie. They squealed with delight over the simplest jokes--jokes that I found pedantic and rich with cliche. But we laughed because it made sense to laugh. I wanted to watch a scary movie tonight. I'm glad we laughed together. Laughing was definitely the right thing to do tonight. (It was very much togetherness.)
We finally cleaned the garage this evening. A filthy mess it was. We threw away (placed nicely in our curbside garbage trolley) a bunch of, well, garbage. We have room for bikes, and the grill, and a work-bench, and other essential things. We can walk through without stubbing a toe or driving a nail through the rubber soles of our shoes or our bare feet. I despise clutter and sometimes I work very hard to clean out the clutter because if I do not I start to shake with anxiety. Scary. (I think that is called sanctification.)
I bought my wife binoculars tonight. Nothing fancy. Nothing expensive. Nothing powerful--I don't want her looking at that handsome fella down the road! She wants to look at the birds that assemble for breakfast, lunch and dinner and frequent snacks at our fast food bird feeders. (If only we could keep those squirrels out of them.) The birds are exquisite and Renee thoroughly delights in informing me every time she discovers a new species. She saw a species of woodpecker today or yesterday--she told me about it around 6:30 a.m. (It's called love for sure.)
We have a guest at our house this evening. A girl. She is sleeping on the couch because her house was being flea-bombed. She needed a place to stay and we are conveniently located and satisfactorily fun. She watched a movie with us, enjoyed a rootbeer float, and ate some McDonald's fries too. She is sleeping now--she took my warm blanket. We're not heroes or anything supernatural like that. Just friends. (That is being a neighbor.)
My brother is coming in this weekend. He has his sons with him and we will travel to meet him tomorrow so grandma can get their pictures taken at Wal-Mart. My brother will soon be going back to Iraq. I don't want him to go, but he chose and was chosen for the life of a Marine. I will miss him and pray for him. I will only see him for a couple of days--but it will be worth it. My other brother lives in Colorado. I pray for him; I miss him. I wish he were near--in spirit and in the flesh. Right now we are separated by more than just distance. I cry for him more than I miss him. Brothers. Now there is a novel idea that I hope no one tries to improve upon. (They call this family.)
A friend stopped by today. He and his wife dug up some rose bushes in their back yard and thought we might want them. Did we ever! We talked and shared. I had nothing to give him. I am always so much more blessed than a blessing. I cannot wait to plant the rose bushes and watch them grow. Every time I do I will think of the one who gave them to us. (I will be thankful.)
I guess I had more to write about than I originally thought. Actually, I have more, but my eyes are getting sticky and I want to do some reading and maybe some sleeping. I have so much to be thankful for. I hope you do to.
Monday, July 19, 2004
Closing Thoughts on Job
I hope you enjoyed the book of Job. I hope you have gained insight into the workings and wonders of God. I hope when you suffer you will endure for “we must endure many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22).
Two very helpful books on the book of Job are as follows:
James Strauss’s The Shattering of Silence: Job, our contemporary, College Press
David Atkinson’s Job: Suffering and Grace, Inter-Varsity Press
I relied heavily upon these two books for inspiration and guidance. At times I have quoted from the two authors but I have noted so when I did.
In closing I would like to say that suffering is often viewed as a bad part of life. It is also viewed as ‘proof’ that God is either not powerful or non-existent. I disagree. We can learn from our difficulties and our afflictions help us to grow in faith and mature. Remember, too, that suffering is the pathway to Redemption. Christ suffered on your behalf to save you from the consequences of your actions. Bear this in mind the next time you suffer.
I leave you with words from 1 Peter.
Two very helpful books on the book of Job are as follows:
James Strauss’s The Shattering of Silence: Job, our contemporary, College Press
David Atkinson’s Job: Suffering and Grace, Inter-Varsity Press
I relied heavily upon these two books for inspiration and guidance. At times I have quoted from the two authors but I have noted so when I did.
In closing I would like to say that suffering is often viewed as a bad part of life. It is also viewed as ‘proof’ that God is either not powerful or non-existent. I disagree. We can learn from our difficulties and our afflictions help us to grow in faith and mature. Remember, too, that suffering is the pathway to Redemption. Christ suffered on your behalf to save you from the consequences of your actions. Bear this in mind the next time you suffer.
I leave you with words from 1 Peter.
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4:12-19)
Soli Deo Gloria
Jerry L. Hillyer, II
Madison 2002
Revisions Madison 2004
The Aftermath of Job's Ordeal
Read 42:1-17
We have arrived at the end of the book. What a journey it has been. I have no idea how long Job sat in the ash heap suffering with his pain and his friends. Something are rather obvious as we reach the conclusion.
First, Job’s suffering did come to an end but in God’s time not his own. I believe that all suffering eventually comes to an end, but we should not believe that all suffering will end, necessarily, here on earth or according to our time schedule. If we accept that God is in control and that we can trust him this will be enough for us.
Second, Job humbled himself. He humbled himself because he met God. Job did not say at the end that he understood anything. He did say at the end that he understood now how little he actually understood. He submitted himself to God and recognized God’s authority to govern the universe the way He sees fit to do so.
Third, Job forgave his friends. We could learn a thing or two about Job just from this alone. His friends gave him a bunch of grief. It is exciting, however, to see that part of Job’s healing process involved interceding for others. Sometimes we may prolong our own agony by being unwilling to participate in forgiveness. Note too that God commanded Job to pray for his friends’ forgiveness. And God himself makes a point we observed earlier, “My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly.” God does not give us what we deserve.
Fourth, Job’s life was blessed. He was blessed though on the other side of his suffering. We know that what Job received in the latter part of life was greater than that of the former part because we know what was taken away. How often do we begrudge God because he takes away from us only to forget later on how he has blessed us with even more? Job knew for certain in the latter part of his life that his blessings came from God. Perhaps God takes away the small things we think are something great because he desires to replace them with something better. “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40)
Finally, Job still died. The rewards were great but there was still a greater reward that awaited Job. Strange that book concludes the way it does, that is, by telling us Job still died—old and full of years. The blessings of God are not for this world only. Something greater awaits beyond. The fullness of his reward came at the very end when he saw God.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 42:1-17
Pray what you have seen Job pray. Live like you have seen Job live. And trust like God has asked you to trust. Our lives consist of more than things. Our devotion is based on love not stuff. We serve God because we can.
We have arrived at the end of the book. What a journey it has been. I have no idea how long Job sat in the ash heap suffering with his pain and his friends. Something are rather obvious as we reach the conclusion.
First, Job’s suffering did come to an end but in God’s time not his own. I believe that all suffering eventually comes to an end, but we should not believe that all suffering will end, necessarily, here on earth or according to our time schedule. If we accept that God is in control and that we can trust him this will be enough for us.
Second, Job humbled himself. He humbled himself because he met God. Job did not say at the end that he understood anything. He did say at the end that he understood now how little he actually understood. He submitted himself to God and recognized God’s authority to govern the universe the way He sees fit to do so.
Third, Job forgave his friends. We could learn a thing or two about Job just from this alone. His friends gave him a bunch of grief. It is exciting, however, to see that part of Job’s healing process involved interceding for others. Sometimes we may prolong our own agony by being unwilling to participate in forgiveness. Note too that God commanded Job to pray for his friends’ forgiveness. And God himself makes a point we observed earlier, “My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly.” God does not give us what we deserve.
Fourth, Job’s life was blessed. He was blessed though on the other side of his suffering. We know that what Job received in the latter part of life was greater than that of the former part because we know what was taken away. How often do we begrudge God because he takes away from us only to forget later on how he has blessed us with even more? Job knew for certain in the latter part of his life that his blessings came from God. Perhaps God takes away the small things we think are something great because he desires to replace them with something better. “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40)
Finally, Job still died. The rewards were great but there was still a greater reward that awaited Job. Strange that book concludes the way it does, that is, by telling us Job still died—old and full of years. The blessings of God are not for this world only. Something greater awaits beyond. The fullness of his reward came at the very end when he saw God.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 42:1-17
Pray what you have seen Job pray. Live like you have seen Job live. And trust like God has asked you to trust. Our lives consist of more than things. Our devotion is based on love not stuff. We serve God because we can.
God Loves You
Read Job 40:1-41:34
The story is told about a preacher who was walking home one evening after a heavy day of ministering to people during the air raids on London during the 1940’s. He met a fellow minister and in his ‘exasperation and bewilderment’ he said, “I wish I was on the throne of the universe for 10 minutes.” His colleague replied, “If you were on the throne for ten minutes, I would not wish to live in your world for ten seconds.” (Adapted from Atkinson, “Suffering and Grace.”)
If you could be on the throne of the universe for 10 minutes what would you do with your time? What would you change? What would you fix? How would handle some of the more threatening crises we humans are experiencing? Let me ask you point blank: DO you think you could do a better job than GOD? Read again what God says to Job in verses 8-14:
If you think you can run the universe better then do so! His monologue then turns into a long explanation of two of the more impressive beasts in the world: The Behemoth (hippo?) and The Leviathan (crocodile?). God tells Job that these two great beasts are completely submissive to the Divine Power. “Everything under heaven belongs to me,” he says. This we are to understand is God’s answer to Job’s inquiries. This we are to understand is what God said to Job when He spoke out of the whirlwind.
Two points. First, we do not have an arm or a voice like God’s. The final truth is that we cannot save ourselves by our own right hand. Second, God has even these great creatures under his control. That is power!
So when these two thoughts are combined we might say this: “I am hopeless,” which is surely the response of some people. Or we might say this, “I must trust God completely” which is surely the response of others. We will have many questions in this life and I dare say a great many of them will go unanswered. Nevertheless we can trust God.
I submit to you that you do not need to have all of your questions answered in order to trust God completely. His power and wisdom in creation are at times beyond comprehension even if some continue seeking answers they will never find. Resign yourself to complete trust in God. He cares for you and He loves you. That is the ultimate answer he has for Job and you.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 40:1-41:34
Pray trustfully in all things. Whatever you pray today pray with trust that God hears your prayers, that God answers your prayers, and that God cares about your life. He has not abandoned you. Don’t you abandon Him.
The story is told about a preacher who was walking home one evening after a heavy day of ministering to people during the air raids on London during the 1940’s. He met a fellow minister and in his ‘exasperation and bewilderment’ he said, “I wish I was on the throne of the universe for 10 minutes.” His colleague replied, “If you were on the throne for ten minutes, I would not wish to live in your world for ten seconds.” (Adapted from Atkinson, “Suffering and Grace.”)
If you could be on the throne of the universe for 10 minutes what would you do with your time? What would you change? What would you fix? How would handle some of the more threatening crises we humans are experiencing? Let me ask you point blank: DO you think you could do a better job than GOD? Read again what God says to Job in verses 8-14:
Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty. Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at every proud man and humble him, crush the wicked where they stand. Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave. Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
If you think you can run the universe better then do so! His monologue then turns into a long explanation of two of the more impressive beasts in the world: The Behemoth (hippo?) and The Leviathan (crocodile?). God tells Job that these two great beasts are completely submissive to the Divine Power. “Everything under heaven belongs to me,” he says. This we are to understand is God’s answer to Job’s inquiries. This we are to understand is what God said to Job when He spoke out of the whirlwind.
Two points. First, we do not have an arm or a voice like God’s. The final truth is that we cannot save ourselves by our own right hand. Second, God has even these great creatures under his control. That is power!
So when these two thoughts are combined we might say this: “I am hopeless,” which is surely the response of some people. Or we might say this, “I must trust God completely” which is surely the response of others. We will have many questions in this life and I dare say a great many of them will go unanswered. Nevertheless we can trust God.
I submit to you that you do not need to have all of your questions answered in order to trust God completely. His power and wisdom in creation are at times beyond comprehension even if some continue seeking answers they will never find. Resign yourself to complete trust in God. He cares for you and He loves you. That is the ultimate answer he has for Job and you.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 40:1-41:34
Pray trustfully in all things. Whatever you pray today pray with trust that God hears your prayers, that God answers your prayers, and that God cares about your life. He has not abandoned you. Don’t you abandon Him.
God Speaks to Job (and us)
Read Job 38:1-39:30
Now at last God, in the words of James Strauss, Shatters the Silence. And it is exciting to hear his voice at last because this is what Job has wanted all along. It is also exciting because God speaks to Job not to Bildad, Zophar, Eliphaz or Elihu. He speaks directly to Job in a series of questions designed to say, “What can you possibly understand about the way I (God) work?” Finally, notice that God speaks to Job out of the storm. Let’s look at these items individually.
First, God speaks to Job. I mentioned earlier in these devotions that I stood outside one time during a particularly difficult time in life and yelled at the sky hoping God would break out and answer me. I felt no better when I was done because God had not answered my questions. I went home that night with more questions in my head than I had started with. I have often wondered what God would have said to me if He had answered (and truthfully speaking, I am not sure that I wanted Him to.). His answer to Job is that Job really knows nothing when it comes to the way things work in God’s order. Probably He would have answered me the same. After reading this I think I will be content to seek answers in the Scripture instead of asking for a personal audience. Nevertheless, God does speak to Job.
Second, I know all of us have said at one time or another that we wish God would come down and tell us directly to our face the answers to our ‘why’s.’ But God never really does tell Job why he is suffering. He tells him a bunch of things about the universe and creation and Job is to take his answers from these questions. But how does knowing that God laid the earth’s foundations help us understand suffering? Perhaps it is not about knowing ‘why’ things happen and more about knowing who to trust when they do happen. Or worse, how does watching a raven feed her young help (38) us in times of dire straights? God answers His way and in His time.
Third, God speaks to Job out of the storm. The world is not always the peaceful and tranquil place that we want it to be. In order for God to speak out of the storm there must be a storm for him to be present in. I think this is more than a thought to announce God’s presence. Storms often evoke terror and fear, but here God is in the storm and not only is He in the storm but he is speaking out of the storm. David Atkinson rightly says, “The prophet Nahum [1:3] also tells us that “His way is in the whirlwind and the storm.” That is a text we do well to keep in mind whenever we are tempted by the sloppiest sort of devotional literature to believe that life is really a bed of roses. Alongside all we rightly want to say about Christian joy and the gift of peace which garrisons our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, we also know and must affirm that ‘his way is in the whirlwind and storm.’ (139)
How does God begin to help Job in his affliction? By showing him the beauty of creation, the grandeur of the simple, the magnificence of the profound.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 38:1-39:30
Today, take a walk in a park or in a garden. Enjoy God’s creation. Enjoy an animal or a bird or a fish because of its beauty. Listen to the rain. Watch the sunset in the evening or rise in the morning.
Now at last God, in the words of James Strauss, Shatters the Silence. And it is exciting to hear his voice at last because this is what Job has wanted all along. It is also exciting because God speaks to Job not to Bildad, Zophar, Eliphaz or Elihu. He speaks directly to Job in a series of questions designed to say, “What can you possibly understand about the way I (God) work?” Finally, notice that God speaks to Job out of the storm. Let’s look at these items individually.
First, God speaks to Job. I mentioned earlier in these devotions that I stood outside one time during a particularly difficult time in life and yelled at the sky hoping God would break out and answer me. I felt no better when I was done because God had not answered my questions. I went home that night with more questions in my head than I had started with. I have often wondered what God would have said to me if He had answered (and truthfully speaking, I am not sure that I wanted Him to.). His answer to Job is that Job really knows nothing when it comes to the way things work in God’s order. Probably He would have answered me the same. After reading this I think I will be content to seek answers in the Scripture instead of asking for a personal audience. Nevertheless, God does speak to Job.
Second, I know all of us have said at one time or another that we wish God would come down and tell us directly to our face the answers to our ‘why’s.’ But God never really does tell Job why he is suffering. He tells him a bunch of things about the universe and creation and Job is to take his answers from these questions. But how does knowing that God laid the earth’s foundations help us understand suffering? Perhaps it is not about knowing ‘why’ things happen and more about knowing who to trust when they do happen. Or worse, how does watching a raven feed her young help (38) us in times of dire straights? God answers His way and in His time.
Third, God speaks to Job out of the storm. The world is not always the peaceful and tranquil place that we want it to be. In order for God to speak out of the storm there must be a storm for him to be present in. I think this is more than a thought to announce God’s presence. Storms often evoke terror and fear, but here God is in the storm and not only is He in the storm but he is speaking out of the storm. David Atkinson rightly says, “The prophet Nahum [1:3] also tells us that “His way is in the whirlwind and the storm.” That is a text we do well to keep in mind whenever we are tempted by the sloppiest sort of devotional literature to believe that life is really a bed of roses. Alongside all we rightly want to say about Christian joy and the gift of peace which garrisons our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, we also know and must affirm that ‘his way is in the whirlwind and storm.’ (139)
How does God begin to help Job in his affliction? By showing him the beauty of creation, the grandeur of the simple, the magnificence of the profound.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 38:1-39:30
Today, take a walk in a park or in a garden. Enjoy God’s creation. Enjoy an animal or a bird or a fish because of its beauty. Listen to the rain. Watch the sunset in the evening or rise in the morning.
Suffering Produces...
Read Job 36:1-37:24
Again I believe it is necessary for us to focus our thoughts on one part of the speech of Elihu. These are important chapters and we must struggle through his brash, condescending arrogance in verses 1-4 and get to the meat.
Elihu makes a profound statement in verse 15 of chapter 36: “But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.” This is true of ever instance in the Bible. Simone Weil wrote, “The extreme greatness of Christianity lies in the fact that it does not seek a supernatural remedy for suffering, but a supernatural use for it.” (Gravity and Grace, 1987). This is to say that suffering is a useful, if not a valuable, aspect of our lives in Christ. When Daniel’s three friends were thrown into the fiery furnace they were rescued in the flames. Paul writes in Romans 8: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” We do not conquer these things, we conquer in these things. I am also reminded that Scripture says, “Suffering produces…”
Affliction is the means of deliverance. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” It is through suffering and pain that we are delivered. Suffering is the means of redemption.
In his book The Pain that Heals author Martin Israel wrote, “It is one of the fundamental contributions of pain to make people wake up to a deeper quality of existence and to seek evidence for meaning in their lives beyond the immediate sensations that arrest their attention” (p. 12). Pain is not all bad. Sure it hurts. Yes it is uncomfortable but it is also the means of transformation.
One of my favorite illustrations of all time comes from Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. He writes,
God is in the process of transforming us into new creatures through suffering. God delivers us through the suffering of His Son. Suffering is useful for transforming. And suffering opens our eyes to new delights that we might not be aware of it we continue in the path of sameness. Just as the apostles writes, “We rejoice in our sufferings because…”
Prayer Thoughts on Job 36:1-37:24
Pray that God will open your eyes to the purpose of your affliction. Or that he will open the eyes of someone you know who is afflicted. Rejoice in your sufferings today.
Again I believe it is necessary for us to focus our thoughts on one part of the speech of Elihu. These are important chapters and we must struggle through his brash, condescending arrogance in verses 1-4 and get to the meat.
Elihu makes a profound statement in verse 15 of chapter 36: “But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.” This is true of ever instance in the Bible. Simone Weil wrote, “The extreme greatness of Christianity lies in the fact that it does not seek a supernatural remedy for suffering, but a supernatural use for it.” (Gravity and Grace, 1987). This is to say that suffering is a useful, if not a valuable, aspect of our lives in Christ. When Daniel’s three friends were thrown into the fiery furnace they were rescued in the flames. Paul writes in Romans 8: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” We do not conquer these things, we conquer in these things. I am also reminded that Scripture says, “Suffering produces…”
Affliction is the means of deliverance. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” It is through suffering and pain that we are delivered. Suffering is the means of redemption.
In his book The Pain that Heals author Martin Israel wrote, “It is one of the fundamental contributions of pain to make people wake up to a deeper quality of existence and to seek evidence for meaning in their lives beyond the immediate sensations that arrest their attention” (p. 12). Pain is not all bad. Sure it hurts. Yes it is uncomfortable but it is also the means of transformation.
One of my favorite illustrations of all time comes from Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. He writes,
God became a man to turn creatures into sons: not simply to produce better men of the old kind but to produce a new kind of man. It is not like teaching a horse to jump better and better but like turning a horse into a winged creature. Of course, once it has got its wings, it will soar over fences which could never have been jumped and thus beat the natural horse at its own game. But there may be a period, while the wings are just beginning to grow, when it cannot do so: and at that stage the lumps on the shoulders—no one could tell by looking at them that they are going to be wings—may even give it an awkward appearance.
God is in the process of transforming us into new creatures through suffering. God delivers us through the suffering of His Son. Suffering is useful for transforming. And suffering opens our eyes to new delights that we might not be aware of it we continue in the path of sameness. Just as the apostles writes, “We rejoice in our sufferings because…”
Prayer Thoughts on Job 36:1-37:24
Pray that God will open your eyes to the purpose of your affliction. Or that he will open the eyes of someone you know who is afflicted. Rejoice in your sufferings today.
What Do We Deserve?
Read Job 34:1-35:16
I would like to focus your thoughts on one passage out of the 53 verses I have you reading today. It is verse 11 of chapter 34: “He repays a man for what he has done; he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.” These words fall into the second or third speech of Elihu, the young man who had remained silent until now. After reading what he has said it may have been better if he had continued to remain silent. (As I am fond of reminding myself, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open the mouth and remove all doubt.”)
These words in verse 11 got me to thinking about my life. What do I deserve? What characteristics have defined the 32 (now 34) years of my life? What have I been about? What have I accomplished? What have I done? What does God really think of my life and my mission? When I honestly evaluate my life and answer these questions truthfully I can say, in agreement with the apostle Paul, that I am the worst of sinners. When I think about it there is nothing even remotely salvageable about my life. If Paul writes that the wages of sin is death then I deserve to be dead many times over.
What does God have to say about this? What does he have to say about my life? What does he think about my sinful, filthy rag righteousness? How does the Holy, Almighty, Creator of the Universe respond to my plight? Does God give me what I deserve? Praise be to God that He does not give me what I deserve. This is the entire point of the entire Bible. God does not give man what he deserves. Elihu says, “It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.” I have news for Elihu: God did the unthinkable at least as far as we are concerned he did because he did pervert justice to an extent when the innocent Jesus was crucified in the place of the guilty Jerry.
You see once upon a time God sent his Only Begotten Son into the world that the Son might take upon himself the just punishment of our iniquity. If that is not perverted, I do not know what is. I do not want to act like the substitutionary death of Christ on my behalf is a pleasant thought or that it conjures up sublime images. No. In fact it is a terribly disgraceful thing that the Son of God was crucified in my place. It is shameful that he had to. Don’t get me wrong. I am eternally grateful and forever His indebted slave. This remains true: I am glad that I did not get what I deserved. Not even in the end: because of Christ we do not receive the wrath we deserve, but grace.
“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:15-17)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 34:1-35:16
Pray thankfully today that you did not get what you deserve. It is called grace.
I would like to focus your thoughts on one passage out of the 53 verses I have you reading today. It is verse 11 of chapter 34: “He repays a man for what he has done; he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.” These words fall into the second or third speech of Elihu, the young man who had remained silent until now. After reading what he has said it may have been better if he had continued to remain silent. (As I am fond of reminding myself, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open the mouth and remove all doubt.”)
These words in verse 11 got me to thinking about my life. What do I deserve? What characteristics have defined the 32 (now 34) years of my life? What have I been about? What have I accomplished? What have I done? What does God really think of my life and my mission? When I honestly evaluate my life and answer these questions truthfully I can say, in agreement with the apostle Paul, that I am the worst of sinners. When I think about it there is nothing even remotely salvageable about my life. If Paul writes that the wages of sin is death then I deserve to be dead many times over.
What does God have to say about this? What does he have to say about my life? What does he think about my sinful, filthy rag righteousness? How does the Holy, Almighty, Creator of the Universe respond to my plight? Does God give me what I deserve? Praise be to God that He does not give me what I deserve. This is the entire point of the entire Bible. God does not give man what he deserves. Elihu says, “It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.” I have news for Elihu: God did the unthinkable at least as far as we are concerned he did because he did pervert justice to an extent when the innocent Jesus was crucified in the place of the guilty Jerry.
You see once upon a time God sent his Only Begotten Son into the world that the Son might take upon himself the just punishment of our iniquity. If that is not perverted, I do not know what is. I do not want to act like the substitutionary death of Christ on my behalf is a pleasant thought or that it conjures up sublime images. No. In fact it is a terribly disgraceful thing that the Son of God was crucified in my place. It is shameful that he had to. Don’t get me wrong. I am eternally grateful and forever His indebted slave. This remains true: I am glad that I did not get what I deserved. Not even in the end: because of Christ we do not receive the wrath we deserve, but grace.
“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:15-17)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 34:1-35:16
Pray thankfully today that you did not get what you deserve. It is called grace.
Word of God Speak
Read Job 32:1-33:33
Chapters 32 through 37 contain the speeches of the youngest of the group of comforters that surrounded Job. His name is Elihu. He has waited and waited for his chance to speak and now it is his turn. He will begin by first speaking to Job and addressing Job’s contention that he is sin free: “But you have said in my hearing—I heard the very words—‘I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.’” He would spend the rest of the chapter disputing this point.
In verse 13 he makes another charge against Job: “Why do you complain to him that he answers none of men’s words?” Verses 14-30 contend that God does speak to man in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is through dreams (15), other times it is through pain (19), or even through an angel (23). He says that the reason God speaks to man is “to tell a man what is right for him.” Furthermore, he says God does these things “twice, even three times—to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him.”
Now from a purely ‘Jobian’ perspective, that is, knowing the ‘whole story’, this is not pertinent to Job. Job did not need turned back from anything because he was not guilty of anything (at least as far as his suffering was concerned). Nevertheless, there is truth in what the man is saying about God’s voice being projected towards the wayward man even if we disagree on how God does so.
Does God speak to us in dreams? I do not know, but he might. Does God speak to us through pain, most assuredly. Does God speak to us through mediating angels? Again, I do not know, but he might. There is one concrete way God does speak to us and that is through His Word. This we must not overlook. I believe that the Bible contains the Mind and Voice of God and that to disregard it or ignore it or to turn a deaf ear to it is detrimental.
I cannot tell you how often I am convicted by the Word of God. Not a day goes by that I do not learn something about God’s plan for my life. He is always telling me how I ought to be living my life. When I am wayward he draws me into the fold. When I am weak he strengthens me. When I am confused he guides and directs me. And he does it all through His Word.
Some want to hear God’s voice and go out of their way to hear it audibly. I do not believe that we need to sit around waiting for God’s thunder to rumble from the clouds. Instead, we should search the Scripture and find His truth there. “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” So does guidance and correction. (Paul also wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Whatever else this might mean, it certainly means that when we read the Scripture, we are reading not the words of men but the Words and Mind of God. It is His voice we hear in the Scripture.)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 32:1-33:33
Prayer thoughts today include asking God for wisdom and guidance. But when you pray make certain you ask God to guide you through his word. You do not have to sit around waiting for an audible sound. Remember when God did this in the NT some people confused his voice with thunder. In Scripture we never have that problem because his voice is clear, consistent, and concise. Pray for wisdom from the Word.
Chapters 32 through 37 contain the speeches of the youngest of the group of comforters that surrounded Job. His name is Elihu. He has waited and waited for his chance to speak and now it is his turn. He will begin by first speaking to Job and addressing Job’s contention that he is sin free: “But you have said in my hearing—I heard the very words—‘I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.’” He would spend the rest of the chapter disputing this point.
In verse 13 he makes another charge against Job: “Why do you complain to him that he answers none of men’s words?” Verses 14-30 contend that God does speak to man in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is through dreams (15), other times it is through pain (19), or even through an angel (23). He says that the reason God speaks to man is “to tell a man what is right for him.” Furthermore, he says God does these things “twice, even three times—to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him.”
Now from a purely ‘Jobian’ perspective, that is, knowing the ‘whole story’, this is not pertinent to Job. Job did not need turned back from anything because he was not guilty of anything (at least as far as his suffering was concerned). Nevertheless, there is truth in what the man is saying about God’s voice being projected towards the wayward man even if we disagree on how God does so.
Does God speak to us in dreams? I do not know, but he might. Does God speak to us through pain, most assuredly. Does God speak to us through mediating angels? Again, I do not know, but he might. There is one concrete way God does speak to us and that is through His Word. This we must not overlook. I believe that the Bible contains the Mind and Voice of God and that to disregard it or ignore it or to turn a deaf ear to it is detrimental.
I cannot tell you how often I am convicted by the Word of God. Not a day goes by that I do not learn something about God’s plan for my life. He is always telling me how I ought to be living my life. When I am wayward he draws me into the fold. When I am weak he strengthens me. When I am confused he guides and directs me. And he does it all through His Word.
Some want to hear God’s voice and go out of their way to hear it audibly. I do not believe that we need to sit around waiting for God’s thunder to rumble from the clouds. Instead, we should search the Scripture and find His truth there. “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” So does guidance and correction. (Paul also wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Whatever else this might mean, it certainly means that when we read the Scripture, we are reading not the words of men but the Words and Mind of God. It is His voice we hear in the Scripture.)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 32:1-33:33
Prayer thoughts today include asking God for wisdom and guidance. But when you pray make certain you ask God to guide you through his word. You do not have to sit around waiting for an audible sound. Remember when God did this in the NT some people confused his voice with thunder. In Scripture we never have that problem because his voice is clear, consistent, and concise. Pray for wisdom from the Word.
Word of God Speak
Read Job 32:1-33:33
Chapters 32 through 37 contain the speeches of the youngest of the group of comforters that surrounded Job. His name is Elihu. He has waited and waited for his chance to speak and now it is his turn. He will begin by first speaking to Job and addressing Job’s contention that he is sin free: “But you have said in my hearing—I heard the very words—‘I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.’” He would spend the rest of the chapter disputing this point.
In verse 13 he makes another charge against Job: “Why do you complain to him that he answers none of men’s words?” Verses 14-30 contend that God does speak to man in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is through dreams (15), other times it is through pain (19), or even through an angel (23). He says that the reason God speaks to man is “to tell a man what is right for him.” Furthermore, he says God does these things “twice, even three times—to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him.”
Now from a purely ‘Jobian’ perspective, that is, knowing the ‘whole story’, this is not pertinent to Job. Job did not need turned back from anything because he was not guilty of anything (at least as far as his suffering was concerned). Nevertheless, there is truth in what the man is saying about God’s voice being projected towards the wayward man even if we disagree on how God does so.
Does God speak to us in dreams? I do not know, but he might. Does God speak to us through pain, most assuredly. Does God speak to us through mediating angels? Again, I do not know, but he might. There is one concrete way God does speak to us and that is through His Word. This we must not overlook. I believe that the Bible contains the Mind and Voice of God and that to disregard it or ignore it or to turn a deaf ear to it is detrimental.
I cannot tell you how often I am convicted by the Word of God. Not a day goes by that I do not learn something about God’s plan for my life. He is always telling me how I ought to be living my life. When I am wayward he draws me into the fold. When I am weak he strengthens me. When I am confused he guides and directs me. And he does it all through His Word.
Some want to hear God’s voice and go out of their way to hear it audibly. I do not believe that we need to sit around waiting for God’s thunder to rumble from the clouds. Instead, we should search the Scripture and find His truth there. “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” So does guidance and correction. (Paul also wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Whatever else this might mean, it certainly means that when we read the Scripture, we are reading not the words of men but the Words and Mind of God. It is His voice we hear in the Scripture.)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 32:1-33:33
Prayer thoughts today include asking God for wisdom and guidance. But when you pray make certain you ask God to guide you through his word. You do not have to sit around waiting for an audible sound. Remember when God did this in the NT some people confused his voice with thunder. In Scripture we never have that problem because his voice is clear, consistent, and concise. Pray for wisdom from the Word.
Chapters 32 through 37 contain the speeches of the youngest of the group of comforters that surrounded Job. His name is Elihu. He has waited and waited for his chance to speak and now it is his turn. He will begin by first speaking to Job and addressing Job’s contention that he is sin free: “But you have said in my hearing—I heard the very words—‘I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.’” He would spend the rest of the chapter disputing this point.
In verse 13 he makes another charge against Job: “Why do you complain to him that he answers none of men’s words?” Verses 14-30 contend that God does speak to man in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is through dreams (15), other times it is through pain (19), or even through an angel (23). He says that the reason God speaks to man is “to tell a man what is right for him.” Furthermore, he says God does these things “twice, even three times—to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him.”
Now from a purely ‘Jobian’ perspective, that is, knowing the ‘whole story’, this is not pertinent to Job. Job did not need turned back from anything because he was not guilty of anything (at least as far as his suffering was concerned). Nevertheless, there is truth in what the man is saying about God’s voice being projected towards the wayward man even if we disagree on how God does so.
Does God speak to us in dreams? I do not know, but he might. Does God speak to us through pain, most assuredly. Does God speak to us through mediating angels? Again, I do not know, but he might. There is one concrete way God does speak to us and that is through His Word. This we must not overlook. I believe that the Bible contains the Mind and Voice of God and that to disregard it or ignore it or to turn a deaf ear to it is detrimental.
I cannot tell you how often I am convicted by the Word of God. Not a day goes by that I do not learn something about God’s plan for my life. He is always telling me how I ought to be living my life. When I am wayward he draws me into the fold. When I am weak he strengthens me. When I am confused he guides and directs me. And he does it all through His Word.
Some want to hear God’s voice and go out of their way to hear it audibly. I do not believe that we need to sit around waiting for God’s thunder to rumble from the clouds. Instead, we should search the Scripture and find His truth there. “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” So does guidance and correction. (Paul also wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Whatever else this might mean, it certainly means that when we read the Scripture, we are reading not the words of men but the Words and Mind of God. It is His voice we hear in the Scripture.)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 32:1-33:33
Prayer thoughts today include asking God for wisdom and guidance. But when you pray make certain you ask God to guide you through his word. You do not have to sit around waiting for an audible sound. Remember when God did this in the NT some people confused his voice with thunder. In Scripture we never have that problem because his voice is clear, consistent, and concise. Pray for wisdom from the Word.
Job Rests his Case
Read Job 31:1-40
These are almost Job’s last words. He will speak one more time after this but we will not read it for a while. On chapter 31 we will require some background information. Here is background by James Strauss: “In the ancient Israelite legal procedure the oath of innocence repudiating an accusation was of crucial importance. Where clear evidence was lacking, it was taken as proof of the innocence of the accused. Thus, the swearing of such an oath was a solemn religious celebration, which placed the verdict in God’s hands. Job here swears his innocence, then challenges the Creator of the universe to give His verdict, i.e., acknowledge that he is innocent.” (Strauss, The Shattering of Silence, 306-307)
David Atkinson notes that Job sets out his oath in formulaic pattern: “If I have...then...” He goes on to note that this pattern is used with reference to Job’s: 1) purity, 2) truth, 3) honor, 4) justice, 5) moral priorities and 6) neighbor love. Job says he has done things correctly, right, the way they should be done so there should be no charge against him. (David Atkinson, Suffering and Grace, 113)
The last thing Job can say is: Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense--let the Almighty answer me: let my accuser put his indictment in writing.” What else can a person do? I think Job was bold for going as far as he went to be honest with you. Job is far less a coward than I am because I would never have the nerve to declare my innocence before God the way Job does. (And, furthermore, I think it speaks volumes that throughout the book, Job has acknowledged that the only one he will be judged by is God. It seems to me that we spend an awful amount of time preparing our defenses for other humans, and too little time preparing our defenses before God. And yet, God is the only Judge whose verdict, ultimately, matters.)
But Job is not entirely off the mark here either. When you think about it what else can we do? What else can a person say to God? The Scripture commends us to boldly approach the thrown of grace and I think here that is exactly what Job is doing. Again I ask “What else can we do?”
The truth of the matter is that all Job can do is state his case before God. Then, innocent or guilty, God will make a judgment on each case. Job has rested his case so to speak and is now just waiting for God to once and for all break his silent vigil and let Job know what is going on in his world. Job has said, “I am finished complaining. Now I rest my case to the hands of God and await for his verdict.”
We are not much different. Our case has been presented to God, we have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Paul writes in Romans, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” There is the verdict. It matters little if we think we are innocent or even if we are honest enough to admit our guilt. The fact is, we are guilty. The story does not end there.
On another plane God has already wrestled with our guilt. He did so when Jesus Christ was crucified at Calvary. “...for all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” When we trust our case to God his verdict is grace.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 31:1-40
Pray prayers of confession today. Confess before God your sins and trust that his verdict is grace. You already know it is through Jesus Christ. His verdict was mercy and salvation, just as it was with Job.
These are almost Job’s last words. He will speak one more time after this but we will not read it for a while. On chapter 31 we will require some background information. Here is background by James Strauss: “In the ancient Israelite legal procedure the oath of innocence repudiating an accusation was of crucial importance. Where clear evidence was lacking, it was taken as proof of the innocence of the accused. Thus, the swearing of such an oath was a solemn religious celebration, which placed the verdict in God’s hands. Job here swears his innocence, then challenges the Creator of the universe to give His verdict, i.e., acknowledge that he is innocent.” (Strauss, The Shattering of Silence, 306-307)
David Atkinson notes that Job sets out his oath in formulaic pattern: “If I have...then...” He goes on to note that this pattern is used with reference to Job’s: 1) purity, 2) truth, 3) honor, 4) justice, 5) moral priorities and 6) neighbor love. Job says he has done things correctly, right, the way they should be done so there should be no charge against him. (David Atkinson, Suffering and Grace, 113)
The last thing Job can say is: Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense--let the Almighty answer me: let my accuser put his indictment in writing.” What else can a person do? I think Job was bold for going as far as he went to be honest with you. Job is far less a coward than I am because I would never have the nerve to declare my innocence before God the way Job does. (And, furthermore, I think it speaks volumes that throughout the book, Job has acknowledged that the only one he will be judged by is God. It seems to me that we spend an awful amount of time preparing our defenses for other humans, and too little time preparing our defenses before God. And yet, God is the only Judge whose verdict, ultimately, matters.)
But Job is not entirely off the mark here either. When you think about it what else can we do? What else can a person say to God? The Scripture commends us to boldly approach the thrown of grace and I think here that is exactly what Job is doing. Again I ask “What else can we do?”
The truth of the matter is that all Job can do is state his case before God. Then, innocent or guilty, God will make a judgment on each case. Job has rested his case so to speak and is now just waiting for God to once and for all break his silent vigil and let Job know what is going on in his world. Job has said, “I am finished complaining. Now I rest my case to the hands of God and await for his verdict.”
We are not much different. Our case has been presented to God, we have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Paul writes in Romans, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” There is the verdict. It matters little if we think we are innocent or even if we are honest enough to admit our guilt. The fact is, we are guilty. The story does not end there.
On another plane God has already wrestled with our guilt. He did so when Jesus Christ was crucified at Calvary. “...for all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” When we trust our case to God his verdict is grace.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 31:1-40
Pray prayers of confession today. Confess before God your sins and trust that his verdict is grace. You already know it is through Jesus Christ. His verdict was mercy and salvation, just as it was with Job.
Job's Suffering
Read Job 29:7-30:31
Of all the characters we meet in the pages of the Bible, perhaps Job is the one we can most closely identify with. James Strauss calls Job our ‘contemporary,’ that is, we see our own experience, even if slightly less polluted by pain, in Job’s life, suffering and dialogue.
Chapter 29 begins with Job thinking back on what his life used to be like before it all came down. “How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me.” He longs for the days when he “went to the city gate and took his seat at the public square.” His misses those days when he was respected by the community and honored by the rest of man.
As he goes along he reminds his friends, one last time, how he helped various people during the course of their lives. Note now “whoever heard about me spoke well of me, and those who say me commended me because....” Because: he helped the poor who cried for help, the fatherless who had none to assist him, the dying man, and the widow. He led the blind and carried the lame. He helped the needy and the stranger. When someone was guilty of doing wrong he “broke their fangs.” He was respected and listened to: “They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.” Then one day it happened.
“But now...” But now things are different, things have changed. Now Job is no longer the same man as before. That was then, this is now. “But now they mock me.” That is all we need to see to understand the point. “But now their sons mock me in song; I have become a byword among them.” All that Job had done in the past was now forgotten. It made no difference how much of a man he was, how righteous he was, or how well respected he was at the city gate. Now is all that really mattered and now was rather garbage like in its beauty. Now that God had “unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they throw off restraint in my presence.”
What a bunch of ingrates! They cared not a lick for Job. Perhaps inside they resented him all along and only now that he was afflicted could they justify their disdain. Whatever the case is they had no place in their hearts for gratitude and it hurt Job just as much as the physical pain he was enduring. Strauss calls it their “arrogant ingratitude.”
Job is suffering not only the painful life ebbing (16) trials of physical affliction, but he was enduring the “arrogant ingratitude” of people whose fathers would not have attended to Job’s sheep dogs (1). This was burden enough, but there was more: “I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me” (20). This threefold burden was terrible for Job. I would be willing to bet that there are some of you reading this who have felt exactly the same way at times in your life. Remember how Job felt because of the treatment he received from his friends. When God is silent, and He will be, we need to be supportive and courageous towards those who suffer.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 29:7-30:31
Pray today with thanksgiving. Job’s ungrateful friends and neighbors needed a lesson in gratitude. Have an ‘attitude of gratitude’ today. Let someone know you are grateful for what they have done in your life. Especially do so to God.
Of all the characters we meet in the pages of the Bible, perhaps Job is the one we can most closely identify with. James Strauss calls Job our ‘contemporary,’ that is, we see our own experience, even if slightly less polluted by pain, in Job’s life, suffering and dialogue.
Chapter 29 begins with Job thinking back on what his life used to be like before it all came down. “How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me.” He longs for the days when he “went to the city gate and took his seat at the public square.” His misses those days when he was respected by the community and honored by the rest of man.
As he goes along he reminds his friends, one last time, how he helped various people during the course of their lives. Note now “whoever heard about me spoke well of me, and those who say me commended me because....” Because: he helped the poor who cried for help, the fatherless who had none to assist him, the dying man, and the widow. He led the blind and carried the lame. He helped the needy and the stranger. When someone was guilty of doing wrong he “broke their fangs.” He was respected and listened to: “They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.” Then one day it happened.
“But now...” But now things are different, things have changed. Now Job is no longer the same man as before. That was then, this is now. “But now they mock me.” That is all we need to see to understand the point. “But now their sons mock me in song; I have become a byword among them.” All that Job had done in the past was now forgotten. It made no difference how much of a man he was, how righteous he was, or how well respected he was at the city gate. Now is all that really mattered and now was rather garbage like in its beauty. Now that God had “unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they throw off restraint in my presence.”
What a bunch of ingrates! They cared not a lick for Job. Perhaps inside they resented him all along and only now that he was afflicted could they justify their disdain. Whatever the case is they had no place in their hearts for gratitude and it hurt Job just as much as the physical pain he was enduring. Strauss calls it their “arrogant ingratitude.”
Job is suffering not only the painful life ebbing (16) trials of physical affliction, but he was enduring the “arrogant ingratitude” of people whose fathers would not have attended to Job’s sheep dogs (1). This was burden enough, but there was more: “I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me” (20). This threefold burden was terrible for Job. I would be willing to bet that there are some of you reading this who have felt exactly the same way at times in your life. Remember how Job felt because of the treatment he received from his friends. When God is silent, and He will be, we need to be supportive and courageous towards those who suffer.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 29:7-30:31
Pray today with thanksgiving. Job’s ungrateful friends and neighbors needed a lesson in gratitude. Have an ‘attitude of gratitude’ today. Let someone know you are grateful for what they have done in your life. Especially do so to God.
Being Smart or Being Wise
Read Job 28:1-29:6
I recently read a report that noted the price of tuition at colleges is on the rise. Actually, the price of tuition has been on a steady increase over the last several decades. It is rather amazing that we have more colleges in our country than perhaps any other nation in the world and yet we are not getting any smarter. There are more doctors in America than perhaps anywhere in the world and yet the subject matter of their dissertations is often worthless and to make matters worse they seem to be doing nothing to ease the burdens of life and everything to complicate them. We value higher education in America. We value the degrees that we place behind our names on our calling cards. We place great value on educational growth in the United States, but we place very little value on wisdom.
Reading through this 28th chapter of Job is like reading through a chapter in the Proverbs. Job sings a great song here about wisdom. Wisdom is elusive and difficult to find (12) and even if we do find wisdom (which is unlikely) it will be difficult to comprehend its true worth (13). To complicate matters Job says that wisdom cannot be bought. Figure this, he spends 5 verses telling his friends (and us) how expensive wisdom is and how there is seemingly not enough money in the world to purchase it (15-19).
So where does wisdom come from he asks (20)? Why is wisdom hidden from ‘every living thing?’ Even the birds of the air that have a ‘birds eye view’ cannot see wisdom. It is hidden from us no matter how hard we look, no matter how far we search, no matter how long we pursue it. Wisdom is not easily attained by anyone. (Yet, James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who generously gives to all without fault.”)
So, the path to wisdom is difficult to find and it is priceless beyond our comprehension. Why bring it up then? Job tells us the answer: “God understands the way to it, and he alone knows where it dwells.” The solution is simple: if it is wisdom you desire there is only one place to find it. Wisdom is not found in a political ideal, nor at an institution of higher learning, nor in books. Wisdom is found in God and the only way to have wisdom is ‘through the fear of the Lord.’ That, says Job, is wisdom.
Should we go to college? Should we read books? Should we contemplate the vastness of galaxies and the intricacies of DNA? I would say yes. But I would think that after studying and doing such things we would still feel rather empty and void. All the ‘knowledge’ we can attain through such endeavors will never amount to anything if it is not accompanied by the fear of the Lord. There are unlimited possibilities in our world, but there is only One God. Being smart will not find Him; finding Him will make us wise.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 28:1-29:25
Pray today for those whom we know to be graduating from high school or college. We know they know all there is to know about life now so let us be praying that they will soon realize they do not. Let us pray for their continued education and learning and that they will seek the divine wisdom of God as revealed in the Holy Scripture.
I recently read a report that noted the price of tuition at colleges is on the rise. Actually, the price of tuition has been on a steady increase over the last several decades. It is rather amazing that we have more colleges in our country than perhaps any other nation in the world and yet we are not getting any smarter. There are more doctors in America than perhaps anywhere in the world and yet the subject matter of their dissertations is often worthless and to make matters worse they seem to be doing nothing to ease the burdens of life and everything to complicate them. We value higher education in America. We value the degrees that we place behind our names on our calling cards. We place great value on educational growth in the United States, but we place very little value on wisdom.
Reading through this 28th chapter of Job is like reading through a chapter in the Proverbs. Job sings a great song here about wisdom. Wisdom is elusive and difficult to find (12) and even if we do find wisdom (which is unlikely) it will be difficult to comprehend its true worth (13). To complicate matters Job says that wisdom cannot be bought. Figure this, he spends 5 verses telling his friends (and us) how expensive wisdom is and how there is seemingly not enough money in the world to purchase it (15-19).
So where does wisdom come from he asks (20)? Why is wisdom hidden from ‘every living thing?’ Even the birds of the air that have a ‘birds eye view’ cannot see wisdom. It is hidden from us no matter how hard we look, no matter how far we search, no matter how long we pursue it. Wisdom is not easily attained by anyone. (Yet, James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who generously gives to all without fault.”)
So, the path to wisdom is difficult to find and it is priceless beyond our comprehension. Why bring it up then? Job tells us the answer: “God understands the way to it, and he alone knows where it dwells.” The solution is simple: if it is wisdom you desire there is only one place to find it. Wisdom is not found in a political ideal, nor at an institution of higher learning, nor in books. Wisdom is found in God and the only way to have wisdom is ‘through the fear of the Lord.’ That, says Job, is wisdom.
Should we go to college? Should we read books? Should we contemplate the vastness of galaxies and the intricacies of DNA? I would say yes. But I would think that after studying and doing such things we would still feel rather empty and void. All the ‘knowledge’ we can attain through such endeavors will never amount to anything if it is not accompanied by the fear of the Lord. There are unlimited possibilities in our world, but there is only One God. Being smart will not find Him; finding Him will make us wise.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 28:1-29:25
Pray today for those whom we know to be graduating from high school or college. We know they know all there is to know about life now so let us be praying that they will soon realize they do not. Let us pray for their continued education and learning and that they will seek the divine wisdom of God as revealed in the Holy Scripture.
The Mystery of God's Power
Read Job 26:1-27:23
If you have never taken the time in your life to go outside on a clear night and contemplate the universe you have missed out on something wonderful. When it comes to life and living we are, actually, quite small (“What is man that you take notice of him?” asked the Psalmist.). Job, however, never disagreed with the contention of his friends that God’s power was unlimited and mighty. In chapter 26 Job begins his final quest to answer his friends who will not speak again in the book. Their argument against Job ended with the pitiful remarks of Bildad in chapter 25.
Job begins his final discourse by snarling some sarcasm at the likes of Bildad. Bildad has taught Job nothing and has done nothing to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Bildad has done nothing to alleviate Job’s pain. Of course this is Job’s way of saying, “I agree with you.”
To read chapter 26 (we will not venture into 27 even though it is part of the reading for today) is to come face to face with the Greatness of God. Job lays it out for his friends like this: “Death is naked before God; destruction lies uncovered.” Then he says, “...he suspends the earth over nothing.” The earth is not controlled by some magical force called gravity or inertia, things which Job knew nothing about. In his experience it was God who had hung the earth in the expanse of the sky. Then again, it was God who ‘spread out the northern skies over empty space.” It was God who marked out the horizon, churned up the sea, and wrapped the waters inside of clouds. It was God who did these things--even if we somehow or other have scientific explanations for them now—explanations that seem wanting in light of God’s power and majesty. (“He holds all things together by the power of his word,” wrote Paul.)
Then Job goes on to point out that these things are ‘only the outer fringe of his works; how faint a whisper we hear of him!’ In other words the great things we see with our eyes and consider with our minds are only but a faint representation of what God has done in creation. The grandeur and majesty we see are only pale representations of all that he has done. Job concludes by saying, “Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” Oh sure there are explanations for thunder, but what is it really? It still evokes mystery and enigma when it rolls across the skies.
We will not easily understand all the things of the creation. We will not easily understand the power of God’s handiwork. We will not easily understand how it is that things in the world happen. I do not deny the scientific or common sense explanations of things. Nor does Job. Still the creativity and wisdom of God are not things that are easily grasped in the mind. For example, what does it mean to say that the Andromeda galaxy is 2 million light years away? What does that really mean? What does it mean that the universe is hundreds of billions of years old? What does it mean that it was God who made all these things? The mystery of God’s power is overwhelming, and quite frankly, I think that mystery needs to remain so.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 26:1-27:23
Paul had similar sentiments in the book of Romans: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has know the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Make this your prayer today.
Does God Care About Man?
Read Job 25:1-6
As readers of the book of Job we (you and I) have not found much worth while coming from Bildad and his friends. They have consistently accused Job of sin, saying that his suffering was only the result of some mysterious sin in his life. We have found many reasons so far to disagree. I believe there is a sense in which we can say that all suffering is a direct result of the fallenness of man. I believe there is a sense in which we can say that suffering is not directly linked any particular sin. The latter is the case in Job. Job was not suffering because of any one particular sin he had committed. His friends could not accept this but we know it to be true based on God’s own testimony in chapters 1 & 2.
Bildad asks a rhetorical question in verse 4: “How can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure?” His implied answer is that man cannot. There seems to be some Scriptural justification for such a thought. David wrote in Psalm 51: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” As I said, there seems to be justification for Bildad’s thoughts.
But is this a fair and accurate representation of the facts? Is it impossible for a man or woman to be righteous before God? Is it impossible for one born of a woman to be pure? Or, as Bildad implies, are we forever bound to the perpetual agony of unholiness, despair, and unrighteousness? Is there any way possible for man to be clean before God and to escape the snare of sin that entangles us and prevents us from ever entering the presence of God?
The answer is probably something like this: “There is nothing a man can do to be righteous before God. We are who we are: sinful, arrogant and fallen creatures. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," wrote Paul. However, this does not mean we are left without the hope of salvation. Bildad’s point is that God does not care about whether or not a man or woman is righteous because a man or woman cannot be. In God’s eyes, he says, we amount to little more than maggots or other squirmy creatures. But I disagree.
I believe the Scripture teaches that man and woman are created in the image of God. I believe the Scripture says that God does care about man and man’s condition. I know this to be true because God sent His Son to the earth to die for humanity. Yes, God is transcendent and grand and ‘dominion and awe belong to God.’ But this same God to whom these things belong is also the God who condescends to man in order to lift man up. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6, 8)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 25:1-6
God is far above us but this does not mean that God is distant. Clearly we see His presence and involvement in our everyday lives. Today pray for those who feel like God does not care for them. Pray that their eyes may be opened to the wonders and joys of God’s sacrifice and nearness. We tend to dwell on God the ‘wholly other’ too much. Let’s make time today to dwell on His nearness and closeness. Pray for those who lack perception of His proximity.
As readers of the book of Job we (you and I) have not found much worth while coming from Bildad and his friends. They have consistently accused Job of sin, saying that his suffering was only the result of some mysterious sin in his life. We have found many reasons so far to disagree. I believe there is a sense in which we can say that all suffering is a direct result of the fallenness of man. I believe there is a sense in which we can say that suffering is not directly linked any particular sin. The latter is the case in Job. Job was not suffering because of any one particular sin he had committed. His friends could not accept this but we know it to be true based on God’s own testimony in chapters 1 & 2.
Bildad asks a rhetorical question in verse 4: “How can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure?” His implied answer is that man cannot. There seems to be some Scriptural justification for such a thought. David wrote in Psalm 51: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” As I said, there seems to be justification for Bildad’s thoughts.
But is this a fair and accurate representation of the facts? Is it impossible for a man or woman to be righteous before God? Is it impossible for one born of a woman to be pure? Or, as Bildad implies, are we forever bound to the perpetual agony of unholiness, despair, and unrighteousness? Is there any way possible for man to be clean before God and to escape the snare of sin that entangles us and prevents us from ever entering the presence of God?
The answer is probably something like this: “There is nothing a man can do to be righteous before God. We are who we are: sinful, arrogant and fallen creatures. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," wrote Paul. However, this does not mean we are left without the hope of salvation. Bildad’s point is that God does not care about whether or not a man or woman is righteous because a man or woman cannot be. In God’s eyes, he says, we amount to little more than maggots or other squirmy creatures. But I disagree.
I believe the Scripture teaches that man and woman are created in the image of God. I believe the Scripture says that God does care about man and man’s condition. I know this to be true because God sent His Son to the earth to die for humanity. Yes, God is transcendent and grand and ‘dominion and awe belong to God.’ But this same God to whom these things belong is also the God who condescends to man in order to lift man up. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6, 8)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 25:1-6
God is far above us but this does not mean that God is distant. Clearly we see His presence and involvement in our everyday lives. Today pray for those who feel like God does not care for them. Pray that their eyes may be opened to the wonders and joys of God’s sacrifice and nearness. We tend to dwell on God the ‘wholly other’ too much. Let’s make time today to dwell on His nearness and closeness. Pray for those who lack perception of His proximity.
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Not a Sparrow Falls...
Read Job 23:1-24:25
I like how Job deals with Eliphaz’s barbs: he ignores them, paying no attention to the accusations or the angry venom of Eliphaz’s ignorance. Job does not seem to respond to Eliphaz even for a moment. Instead Job sort of wanders around in despair. One can sense the heaviness in Job’s heart through his words. Here is a man worn down by his friends, by God’s silence, and by his own physical affliction.
Listen to the profound sadness in Job’s words: “If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!…But if I go to the east, he is not there; if go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch not glimpse of him” (vs. 3, 8-9). This is much different from the words of the Psalmist who declared that he could go nowhere without God being there. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). Strange how we flit back and forth between the two points of view.
One view is so despondent and afraid that he cannot find God anywhere. The other view is so joyful that he can go nowhere without God finding him. The Psalm is especially delightful in light of these two chapters of Job. What I sense in Job is that his suffering had become so intense and his friends so discouraging that he felt utterly alone. That is an easy way to feel sometimes. Everything in the world seems to come crashing down upon us, all our friends have abandoned us, we cry out to God and no answer seems to be forthcoming from the gates of heaven. That is how Job felt.
What I sense in the Psalm is the keen awareness of God’s presence despite circumstances. Perhaps an enemy has made a threat, or perhaps we are still in the womb of our mother, or perhaps there is sin or even death. Whatever the case may be the Psalmist is aware that God is always present, always watching, and always concerned about the life of his child. It makes no difference if the child of God is yet in the womb of her mother or if the child of God is laying in the depths of Sheol. There is nowhere we can go that God has not already been; there is no place we can go that God cannot find us.
I do not blame Job for feeling the way he did. The walk through the valley of the shadow of death is at times perplexing and painful. Oftentimes we will feel utterly alone and abandoned. I encourage you today to remember the Psalm. Job’s feelings were not wrong they were real. Real feelings are attached to real situations and circumstances. But behind such real pain is the Real God who is always aware of where we are and what we are doing. “Not a sparrow falls to the ground…”
Prayer Thoughts on Job 23:1-24:25
Today spend some time praying the prayer uttered in Psalm 139. Think about the places you have been and the place you are and see how God has been present even when you felt alone. Job’s despair is not uncommon or wrong unless we never come around to the Psalm. Pray for God’s presence to be powerfully evident in your darkest moments and then trust that It is.
I like how Job deals with Eliphaz’s barbs: he ignores them, paying no attention to the accusations or the angry venom of Eliphaz’s ignorance. Job does not seem to respond to Eliphaz even for a moment. Instead Job sort of wanders around in despair. One can sense the heaviness in Job’s heart through his words. Here is a man worn down by his friends, by God’s silence, and by his own physical affliction.
Listen to the profound sadness in Job’s words: “If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!…But if I go to the east, he is not there; if go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch not glimpse of him” (vs. 3, 8-9). This is much different from the words of the Psalmist who declared that he could go nowhere without God being there. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). Strange how we flit back and forth between the two points of view.
One view is so despondent and afraid that he cannot find God anywhere. The other view is so joyful that he can go nowhere without God finding him. The Psalm is especially delightful in light of these two chapters of Job. What I sense in Job is that his suffering had become so intense and his friends so discouraging that he felt utterly alone. That is an easy way to feel sometimes. Everything in the world seems to come crashing down upon us, all our friends have abandoned us, we cry out to God and no answer seems to be forthcoming from the gates of heaven. That is how Job felt.
What I sense in the Psalm is the keen awareness of God’s presence despite circumstances. Perhaps an enemy has made a threat, or perhaps we are still in the womb of our mother, or perhaps there is sin or even death. Whatever the case may be the Psalmist is aware that God is always present, always watching, and always concerned about the life of his child. It makes no difference if the child of God is yet in the womb of her mother or if the child of God is laying in the depths of Sheol. There is nowhere we can go that God has not already been; there is no place we can go that God cannot find us.
I do not blame Job for feeling the way he did. The walk through the valley of the shadow of death is at times perplexing and painful. Oftentimes we will feel utterly alone and abandoned. I encourage you today to remember the Psalm. Job’s feelings were not wrong they were real. Real feelings are attached to real situations and circumstances. But behind such real pain is the Real God who is always aware of where we are and what we are doing. “Not a sparrow falls to the ground…”
Prayer Thoughts on Job 23:1-24:25
Today spend some time praying the prayer uttered in Psalm 139. Think about the places you have been and the place you are and see how God has been present even when you felt alone. Job’s despair is not uncommon or wrong unless we never come around to the Psalm. Pray for God’s presence to be powerfully evident in your darkest moments and then trust that It is.
Accused!
Read Job 22:1-30
I think it all started with the OJ Simpson trial several years ago. Well, at least that is my first memory of it. ‘It’ refers to the process of using DNA to solve crimes or, as in the case of Mr. Simpson, to exonerate the accused. I have seen in recent months people set free from prison, people released from the death penalty, people vindicated because of DNA evidence being brought to light.
I would be willing to bet Job would like some DNA evidence to be brought forward in his case. Look how he is now treated by Eliphaz.
He is accused of ‘wickedness,’ ‘endless sins,’ ‘stripping men of their clothing,’ ‘not giving water to the weary,’ ‘withholding food from the hungry,’ ‘sending widows away empty handed,’ and ‘breaking the strength of the fatherless.’ This is quite a legacy that Job has left behind, and it flies in the face of what God himself has already said about Job in the first and second chapters of the book.
Eliphaz continues to insist that Job is guilty of some sin that has caused this breech between him and God. Thus he continues to insist that Job submit to God and be at peace with him. In fact verses 21-30 are all saying this very thing: “Repent, and it will be well with you again.” Eliphaz, like Zophar and Bildad, has missed the point entirely. The ‘why’ of Job’s suffering is not to be found in Job’s reckless past, but someplace else that Eliphaz, Zophar and Bildad are afraid to tread.
It is the issue of false accusations that intrigues me in these verses. Have you ever been falsely accused of some wayward act of ignorance or violence? Has someone ever just blasted you out of the water because they were convinced you were reprobate and reprehensible? Has anyone ever gone out of their way to make your life miserable with a cornucopia of concocted lies and half-truths? If you have then you know how exhausting it is to try and convince your accusers that they are the ones who are wrong and defend yourself as an innocent.
Being falsely accused of the misdeeds of a miscreant is not all that bad though even if it should not be taken lightly. Remember it is the enemy in chapters one and two who is the master of accusations. He accused Job before God and he still accuses the saints of God day and night (Revelation 12:10). I believe that sometimes the enemy does work through the mouths of other humans.
Oh, one more thing. If you ever find yourself being falsely accused as was Job try and remember the company you share. Jesus was falsely accused of all sorts of things by his enemies. Is the student above the Master? I think not.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 22:1-30
As I said above the enemy is still accusing the saints of God. In foreign lands his is working overtime to destroy the kingdom of God. Christians around the world are accused of all sorts of ungodly acts and all sorts of heinous crimes are associated with the Kingdom of Christ. Pray for persecuted Christians who are facing the accusing voice of judges, liars and enemies each day. They will be vindicated by God.
I think it all started with the OJ Simpson trial several years ago. Well, at least that is my first memory of it. ‘It’ refers to the process of using DNA to solve crimes or, as in the case of Mr. Simpson, to exonerate the accused. I have seen in recent months people set free from prison, people released from the death penalty, people vindicated because of DNA evidence being brought to light.
I would be willing to bet Job would like some DNA evidence to be brought forward in his case. Look how he is now treated by Eliphaz.
He is accused of ‘wickedness,’ ‘endless sins,’ ‘stripping men of their clothing,’ ‘not giving water to the weary,’ ‘withholding food from the hungry,’ ‘sending widows away empty handed,’ and ‘breaking the strength of the fatherless.’ This is quite a legacy that Job has left behind, and it flies in the face of what God himself has already said about Job in the first and second chapters of the book.
Eliphaz continues to insist that Job is guilty of some sin that has caused this breech between him and God. Thus he continues to insist that Job submit to God and be at peace with him. In fact verses 21-30 are all saying this very thing: “Repent, and it will be well with you again.” Eliphaz, like Zophar and Bildad, has missed the point entirely. The ‘why’ of Job’s suffering is not to be found in Job’s reckless past, but someplace else that Eliphaz, Zophar and Bildad are afraid to tread.
It is the issue of false accusations that intrigues me in these verses. Have you ever been falsely accused of some wayward act of ignorance or violence? Has someone ever just blasted you out of the water because they were convinced you were reprobate and reprehensible? Has anyone ever gone out of their way to make your life miserable with a cornucopia of concocted lies and half-truths? If you have then you know how exhausting it is to try and convince your accusers that they are the ones who are wrong and defend yourself as an innocent.
Being falsely accused of the misdeeds of a miscreant is not all that bad though even if it should not be taken lightly. Remember it is the enemy in chapters one and two who is the master of accusations. He accused Job before God and he still accuses the saints of God day and night (Revelation 12:10). I believe that sometimes the enemy does work through the mouths of other humans.
Oh, one more thing. If you ever find yourself being falsely accused as was Job try and remember the company you share. Jesus was falsely accused of all sorts of things by his enemies. Is the student above the Master? I think not.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 22:1-30
As I said above the enemy is still accusing the saints of God. In foreign lands his is working overtime to destroy the kingdom of God. Christians around the world are accused of all sorts of ungodly acts and all sorts of heinous crimes are associated with the Kingdom of Christ. Pray for persecuted Christians who are facing the accusing voice of judges, liars and enemies each day. They will be vindicated by God.
Who is Evil?
Read Job 21:1-34
“What kind of God would allow such suffering?” “No God that I believe in would allow so many people to die.” “I just cannot accept that God is real when so many good people suffer so continuously.”
These are the sentiments of people we know and love. They are neither unique nor evil questions. They have been asked by everyone who has partaken of the breath of life. Everyone wants to know why there is so much violence and hatred and killing going on in the world. I would like to know. I would like it to stop. But I am a realist and I do not look at the world through rainbow colored lenses. I see a world that is fallen and beset by the consequences of that fallenness. I see a world corrupted by the very sin in which we delight. Rarely do we consider consequences while we are sinning.
As a Christian I have asked some of the same questions that Job asks here in chapter 21: “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” I have asked it this way: “Why does Hugh Hefner continue to exist?” Why is it that when I look around I see people like Osama Bin Laden defying God at every turn and still living? Why has he escaped justice for so long? Job said, “Yet they say to God, ‘Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways. Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?”
The famous question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” is, frankly, a poor question because it is not original and it is not worded properly. What, pray-tell, is a good people? What, pray-tell, are bad things? The New Testament writer the apostle Paul said that we should rejoice in sufferings because they build character, and perseverance, and hope. Really? That is what he said? And I stick with this religion? A better question to ask then might be, “To what end will these bad things take these good people?” (I wrote a couple of days ago that a better question would be this: Why do good things happen to bad people?)
But some people do believe that Christians have to defend God in this respect. They feel that so long as people continue to suffer and continue to die then our faith is suspect and our God is either a) not real, b) uncaring, or c) downright mean and vindictive. I suppose that is how Job’s friends viewed God: vindictive. These are not the only options that I believe are available and I do not feel as though I need to defend God on any one particular issue. God did not fire the gas chambers in Germany, shoot the rifles in Cambodia, fly the jets into the Twin Towers, or fill Siberia with humans. Man did, if I recall correctly.
And anyhow, do we really think God is above and beyond all of this suffering? We should not because God knows how bad it hurts to be a human. I agree with David Atkinson who wrote, “It is communion with him which gives us the grace to live with questions and uncertainties.” Yes, because he died for us, we can endure pain for him. Faith is the willingness to trust God not the not the need to have every question answered.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 21:1-34
In this crazy mixed up world people are always accusing God of some malevolent act of violence against man. Pray that when such people do pop up you will be prepared not so much to defend God, but to tell people about Jesus’ suffering for their sins. If God hurts us, imagine how we have hurt him because of our sin and violence towards one another.
“What kind of God would allow such suffering?” “No God that I believe in would allow so many people to die.” “I just cannot accept that God is real when so many good people suffer so continuously.”
These are the sentiments of people we know and love. They are neither unique nor evil questions. They have been asked by everyone who has partaken of the breath of life. Everyone wants to know why there is so much violence and hatred and killing going on in the world. I would like to know. I would like it to stop. But I am a realist and I do not look at the world through rainbow colored lenses. I see a world that is fallen and beset by the consequences of that fallenness. I see a world corrupted by the very sin in which we delight. Rarely do we consider consequences while we are sinning.
As a Christian I have asked some of the same questions that Job asks here in chapter 21: “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” I have asked it this way: “Why does Hugh Hefner continue to exist?” Why is it that when I look around I see people like Osama Bin Laden defying God at every turn and still living? Why has he escaped justice for so long? Job said, “Yet they say to God, ‘Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways. Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?”
The famous question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” is, frankly, a poor question because it is not original and it is not worded properly. What, pray-tell, is a good people? What, pray-tell, are bad things? The New Testament writer the apostle Paul said that we should rejoice in sufferings because they build character, and perseverance, and hope. Really? That is what he said? And I stick with this religion? A better question to ask then might be, “To what end will these bad things take these good people?” (I wrote a couple of days ago that a better question would be this: Why do good things happen to bad people?)
But some people do believe that Christians have to defend God in this respect. They feel that so long as people continue to suffer and continue to die then our faith is suspect and our God is either a) not real, b) uncaring, or c) downright mean and vindictive. I suppose that is how Job’s friends viewed God: vindictive. These are not the only options that I believe are available and I do not feel as though I need to defend God on any one particular issue. God did not fire the gas chambers in Germany, shoot the rifles in Cambodia, fly the jets into the Twin Towers, or fill Siberia with humans. Man did, if I recall correctly.
And anyhow, do we really think God is above and beyond all of this suffering? We should not because God knows how bad it hurts to be a human. I agree with David Atkinson who wrote, “It is communion with him which gives us the grace to live with questions and uncertainties.” Yes, because he died for us, we can endure pain for him. Faith is the willingness to trust God not the not the need to have every question answered.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 21:1-34
In this crazy mixed up world people are always accusing God of some malevolent act of violence against man. Pray that when such people do pop up you will be prepared not so much to defend God, but to tell people about Jesus’ suffering for their sins. If God hurts us, imagine how we have hurt him because of our sin and violence towards one another.
The Gaping Hole we Call a Mouth
Read Job 20:1-29
What do you think you would say if you were sitting around in a pile of manure watching a friend scrape his festering boils with a chard of pottery? I am asking that you put yourself in Zophar’s place for just a minute and try to imagine what words would fall out of the gaping hole that obstructs the beauty of most faces. A couple of points about chapter 20 are relevant.
First, verses 1-3. Zophar says, “I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply.” His understanding must have been sorely lacking in logic because, as I will point out later, he gets it all wrong again. Just because someone insults us or rebukes us does not mean that we have to respond no matter how smart we think we are. James wrote, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry….”
Second, verses 4-5. Zophar says, “Surely you know how it has been from of old, ever since man was placed on the earth….” Zophar and his friends have brought up this argument before about the wisdom of the wise men of the past and how those of us now ought to pay attention to them because they are so full of wisdom. Well, I disagree. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:10: “Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.” The wisdom of the past is not always wise nor is it always the best advice nor is it always true. And often it is best left dead.
Third, verses 6-19. Zophar says, “Though his pride reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, he will perish forever like his own dung;” Now, where is the cause for this? When helping someone we should not be talking coarse and angry like this. Paul said it like this, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up one another according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Finally, verses 20-29. Zophar says, “Such is the fate God allots to the wicked, the heritage appointed for them by God.” This may well be fine and true, but it is irrelevant. No matter how true he may be it has no value or point to Job’s situation. It seems to me that if we are going to say something to someone it at least ought to be relevant. Don’t you think? Perhaps if we are slow to speak, relying on God and not the men of the past, and using building up words, then we will not be so quick to fill up our suffering friends with irrelevant gobbledy-gook. Herein is a profound lesson in how to counsel someone going through a tough time.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 20:1-29
Pray for compassion to be a gift you possess. Not everyone is gifted with the capability to speak compassionate and comforting words. This does not mean you cannot minister to someone in their time of need. It means you need to learn how to minister to them in their time of need. Pray that God will enlighten you as to how you can be a compassionate person without making the errors that Zophar made in his conversation with Job.
What do you think you would say if you were sitting around in a pile of manure watching a friend scrape his festering boils with a chard of pottery? I am asking that you put yourself in Zophar’s place for just a minute and try to imagine what words would fall out of the gaping hole that obstructs the beauty of most faces. A couple of points about chapter 20 are relevant.
First, verses 1-3. Zophar says, “I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply.” His understanding must have been sorely lacking in logic because, as I will point out later, he gets it all wrong again. Just because someone insults us or rebukes us does not mean that we have to respond no matter how smart we think we are. James wrote, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry….”
Second, verses 4-5. Zophar says, “Surely you know how it has been from of old, ever since man was placed on the earth….” Zophar and his friends have brought up this argument before about the wisdom of the wise men of the past and how those of us now ought to pay attention to them because they are so full of wisdom. Well, I disagree. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:10: “Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.” The wisdom of the past is not always wise nor is it always the best advice nor is it always true. And often it is best left dead.
Third, verses 6-19. Zophar says, “Though his pride reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, he will perish forever like his own dung;” Now, where is the cause for this? When helping someone we should not be talking coarse and angry like this. Paul said it like this, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up one another according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Finally, verses 20-29. Zophar says, “Such is the fate God allots to the wicked, the heritage appointed for them by God.” This may well be fine and true, but it is irrelevant. No matter how true he may be it has no value or point to Job’s situation. It seems to me that if we are going to say something to someone it at least ought to be relevant. Don’t you think? Perhaps if we are slow to speak, relying on God and not the men of the past, and using building up words, then we will not be so quick to fill up our suffering friends with irrelevant gobbledy-gook. Herein is a profound lesson in how to counsel someone going through a tough time.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 20:1-29
Pray for compassion to be a gift you possess. Not everyone is gifted with the capability to speak compassionate and comforting words. This does not mean you cannot minister to someone in their time of need. It means you need to learn how to minister to them in their time of need. Pray that God will enlighten you as to how you can be a compassionate person without making the errors that Zophar made in his conversation with Job.
Learning to See God
Read Job 19:1-29
In James Strauss’s commentary on Job: Shattering the Silence, in the Bible Study Textbook Series published by College Press he writes, “Job [is] our great paradigm of growth through suffering. We either see our troubles through God, or God through our troubles. What alternatives are available?” (181) Job is beginning to see God through his troubles and chapter 19 is a profound statement of his clearest vision yet.
But first Job cries out for mercy from his friends. “How long will you torment and crush me with your words? Ten times now you have reproached me; shamelessly you attack me.” Sometimes there is no escape from people who may well have good intentions but lack tact and honest compassion. He goes on: “Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. Why do you pursue me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh?” With the type of friends Job had we can be reasonably sure he needed no enemies.
I admire Job though. He was quick with his tongue and he was a man who knew what he wanted even if he was uncertain how to get it. He seems at times to not even be speaking to his friends but directly to God as if, on might say, to provoke God to break his silence. Verse 7 simply proves the point: “Though I cry, ‘I’ve been wronged!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.” Here I find it difficult to believe Job is talking to his friends, and not God.
The most remarkable verse in Job is found in verses 23-27 for here is surely Job’s confession of faith! He wants his words to be written down so that others will read them. I wonder if he had any idea that you and I would be reading them several thousand years later? I think that just goes to show that times never really change, nor do people for that matter.
Look what he says in verse 25-27: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see him. I myself will see him with my own eyes, I and not another. How my heart yearns within me.” There is no denying that Job is referring here to his own resurrection from the dead. He will see God. He wants to see God. He yearns to see God. For Job nothing can fully justify his experience except a vision of God. He may want to die, but he wants to live again too. Only God can fully explain his situation. And I think that is what he is hoping for.
Job also realizes though that his vindication might not happen right then and now. He speaks of a future time after his flesh has been destroyed. Still, he also knows that his Redeemer lives! And when we are suffering affliction so bad that everyone has abandoned us this is important to know. No matter how dead we are or become, God our hope in whom we place our trust is still alive.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 19:1-29
Pray for the soon return of Jesus. Pray that our Redeemer, who lives, will soon crack the sky, that our eyes, our own eyes, may behold his majestic grace. Pray that when suffering and affliction become a part of our daily diet we may learn to see God through our suffering as Job did. Finally, pray that you will be ready to see God when the time finally comes upon us.
In James Strauss’s commentary on Job: Shattering the Silence, in the Bible Study Textbook Series published by College Press he writes, “Job [is] our great paradigm of growth through suffering. We either see our troubles through God, or God through our troubles. What alternatives are available?” (181) Job is beginning to see God through his troubles and chapter 19 is a profound statement of his clearest vision yet.
But first Job cries out for mercy from his friends. “How long will you torment and crush me with your words? Ten times now you have reproached me; shamelessly you attack me.” Sometimes there is no escape from people who may well have good intentions but lack tact and honest compassion. He goes on: “Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. Why do you pursue me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh?” With the type of friends Job had we can be reasonably sure he needed no enemies.
I admire Job though. He was quick with his tongue and he was a man who knew what he wanted even if he was uncertain how to get it. He seems at times to not even be speaking to his friends but directly to God as if, on might say, to provoke God to break his silence. Verse 7 simply proves the point: “Though I cry, ‘I’ve been wronged!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.” Here I find it difficult to believe Job is talking to his friends, and not God.
The most remarkable verse in Job is found in verses 23-27 for here is surely Job’s confession of faith! He wants his words to be written down so that others will read them. I wonder if he had any idea that you and I would be reading them several thousand years later? I think that just goes to show that times never really change, nor do people for that matter.
Look what he says in verse 25-27: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see him. I myself will see him with my own eyes, I and not another. How my heart yearns within me.” There is no denying that Job is referring here to his own resurrection from the dead. He will see God. He wants to see God. He yearns to see God. For Job nothing can fully justify his experience except a vision of God. He may want to die, but he wants to live again too. Only God can fully explain his situation. And I think that is what he is hoping for.
Job also realizes though that his vindication might not happen right then and now. He speaks of a future time after his flesh has been destroyed. Still, he also knows that his Redeemer lives! And when we are suffering affliction so bad that everyone has abandoned us this is important to know. No matter how dead we are or become, God our hope in whom we place our trust is still alive.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 19:1-29
Pray for the soon return of Jesus. Pray that our Redeemer, who lives, will soon crack the sky, that our eyes, our own eyes, may behold his majestic grace. Pray that when suffering and affliction become a part of our daily diet we may learn to see God through our suffering as Job did. Finally, pray that you will be ready to see God when the time finally comes upon us.
Being an Effective Counselor
Read Job 18:1-21
Bildad is a fiery character. Under different circumstances he would make a fine revival preacher, but under these circumstances he makes a lousy counselor. He is just angry with Job now, “Why are we regarded as cattle and considered stupid in your sight?” Perhaps he is feeling a bit sorry for himself because of Job’s rhetoric? His speech delves deep into the realms of the ungodly. Who knows what the final destiny of the ungodly will be? Of course we all expect some sort of ‘hell’ that contains fire that cannot be quenched, brimstone, darkness, worms that do not die, and complete, total, and eternal separation from God. The exposition of the fate of the ungodly by Bildad is not lacking in such imagery.
His main point is that the ungodly have no chance whatsoever to survive. “The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out, the flame of his fire stops burning.” The ungodly person will have trouble walking, “The vigor of his steps is weakened; his own schemes throw him down.” Terror, calamity and disaster are always biting at his heals or waiting around the corner to scare the wits out of him. The ungodly person fades away: “The memory of him perishes from the earth; he has no name in the land.” There is more before he concludes that this is the sort of life that awaits the ‘one who knows not God.’ Harsh judgement; harsh imagery.
And no one can say it is wrong. For it is true. But again, since it is coming from Bildad and not Job there is a slight problem: None of it applies to Job. Bildad fails psychology 101 or counseling 101 because he was not helping Job.
Here are some things to remember when someone you know asks you to be their counselor. First, make certain that your words apply to the situation. There is nothing worse than talking with someone who has all the facts about the wrong situation. Do not make assumptions based on appearance. Speak carefully and cautiously and prayerfully.
Second, make certain that your words are helping the person. The things that Bildad said are beautiful poetry and exquisite theology. But none of it applied to Job, nor did any of it help Job. Job did not even disagree with Bildad. Since this is true, some of us ought not to be counselors. Some of us will invariable say the wrong thing that is unhelpful. If we are to be a counselor we ought make certain we are helping, not hindering.
Third, do not be afraid to engage the problem. I suspect that deep down inside of the three friends of Job there was a fear that participation with him might produce participation in his suffering. I do not see them engaging the real problem: Job’s suffering. They are so bound and determined to uncover the cause and prove their theology that they miss his pain altogether (we Christians are good at this too). The effective counselor will engage the real issue at hand, and not sidestep it. “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) His is the example we should follow.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 18:1-21
Pray today for wisdom. All of us have mouths or communicate in some way with hurting people. Pray that God will help you to be an effective counselor when the time for counseling arises in your life.
Bildad is a fiery character. Under different circumstances he would make a fine revival preacher, but under these circumstances he makes a lousy counselor. He is just angry with Job now, “Why are we regarded as cattle and considered stupid in your sight?” Perhaps he is feeling a bit sorry for himself because of Job’s rhetoric? His speech delves deep into the realms of the ungodly. Who knows what the final destiny of the ungodly will be? Of course we all expect some sort of ‘hell’ that contains fire that cannot be quenched, brimstone, darkness, worms that do not die, and complete, total, and eternal separation from God. The exposition of the fate of the ungodly by Bildad is not lacking in such imagery.
His main point is that the ungodly have no chance whatsoever to survive. “The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out, the flame of his fire stops burning.” The ungodly person will have trouble walking, “The vigor of his steps is weakened; his own schemes throw him down.” Terror, calamity and disaster are always biting at his heals or waiting around the corner to scare the wits out of him. The ungodly person fades away: “The memory of him perishes from the earth; he has no name in the land.” There is more before he concludes that this is the sort of life that awaits the ‘one who knows not God.’ Harsh judgement; harsh imagery.
And no one can say it is wrong. For it is true. But again, since it is coming from Bildad and not Job there is a slight problem: None of it applies to Job. Bildad fails psychology 101 or counseling 101 because he was not helping Job.
Here are some things to remember when someone you know asks you to be their counselor. First, make certain that your words apply to the situation. There is nothing worse than talking with someone who has all the facts about the wrong situation. Do not make assumptions based on appearance. Speak carefully and cautiously and prayerfully.
Second, make certain that your words are helping the person. The things that Bildad said are beautiful poetry and exquisite theology. But none of it applied to Job, nor did any of it help Job. Job did not even disagree with Bildad. Since this is true, some of us ought not to be counselors. Some of us will invariable say the wrong thing that is unhelpful. If we are to be a counselor we ought make certain we are helping, not hindering.
Third, do not be afraid to engage the problem. I suspect that deep down inside of the three friends of Job there was a fear that participation with him might produce participation in his suffering. I do not see them engaging the real problem: Job’s suffering. They are so bound and determined to uncover the cause and prove their theology that they miss his pain altogether (we Christians are good at this too). The effective counselor will engage the real issue at hand, and not sidestep it. “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) His is the example we should follow.
Prayer Thoughts on Job 18:1-21
Pray today for wisdom. All of us have mouths or communicate in some way with hurting people. Pray that God will help you to be an effective counselor when the time for counseling arises in your life.
Job's Need For an Advocate
Read Job 16:1-17:16
When I was in college I took a class on Job. One of the required elements for passing the class was to write a paper on some aspect of the book of Job. For my topic I chose the subject of today’s devotion: Job: His Need for Intercession. Job, throughout his ordeal, pleaded and begged for someone to plead his case before God. Job needed, in a manner of speaking, a defense attorney. In this chapter 16 Job speaks of his attorney and in so doing he reveals one of the more important aspects of the work and ministry of Jesus Christ.
He complains more and more about his condition, and a miserable condition it is to be sure. His ‘friends’ are ‘miserable comforters’ whose ‘speeches never end.’ His pain was as unending as his friends’ speeches: ‘Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away.’ Nothing helped. He was ‘gaunt,’ men jeered at him and struck him ‘on the cheek in scorn.’ He felt surrounded and abused. His face was ‘red with weeping, deep shadows ring my eyes…” Job was not getting better; he may have been getting worse.
Then, the most remarkable saying in the book. It inspires hope and exudes confidence, “O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest! Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My Intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.” Oh, this is glorious! Incredible! Magnificent! Delightful! This is Job at his best. This is Job beginning to have more and more confidence that there is only one answer to his situation.
Notice that his witness is in heaven. He has, at least in this paragraph, abandoned all hope to God. He recognizes the depths of his pain, his has pleaded his innocence (vs. 17), and now says, “There is nothing else I can say. My words do not help my cause for better or worse. I surrender. I turn it over. I will allow my advocate on high to plead my case.”
I notice also that this intercessor is Job’s friend. This is one of the loveliest ways our relationship with God is described in the Scripture. Abraham was God’s friend. Jesus called his disciple’s his friends. We are called his friends. This is what friends do: they go to bat for one another. They stand in the gap. They defend and will let no one crush their friend. We are friends of God.
Finally, I notice that this intercessor pleads the case before God on behalf of man. We need an intercessor even now. We have always needed one. We have always needed someone to go between us and God, someone to plead our case before him, someone to defend us when we find ourselves in the midst of affliction or trouble like Job. Need I remind you of Jesus? “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 16:1-17:16
Also read today: 1 Timothy 2:5-7, 1 John 2:1-2. How has the intercessor been active in your life? What trouble are you in? Pray to God through Jesus, the intercessor. He will plead your case if you ask him to. How can he help you? You only need to ask.
When I was in college I took a class on Job. One of the required elements for passing the class was to write a paper on some aspect of the book of Job. For my topic I chose the subject of today’s devotion: Job: His Need for Intercession. Job, throughout his ordeal, pleaded and begged for someone to plead his case before God. Job needed, in a manner of speaking, a defense attorney. In this chapter 16 Job speaks of his attorney and in so doing he reveals one of the more important aspects of the work and ministry of Jesus Christ.
He complains more and more about his condition, and a miserable condition it is to be sure. His ‘friends’ are ‘miserable comforters’ whose ‘speeches never end.’ His pain was as unending as his friends’ speeches: ‘Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away.’ Nothing helped. He was ‘gaunt,’ men jeered at him and struck him ‘on the cheek in scorn.’ He felt surrounded and abused. His face was ‘red with weeping, deep shadows ring my eyes…” Job was not getting better; he may have been getting worse.
Then, the most remarkable saying in the book. It inspires hope and exudes confidence, “O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest! Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My Intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.” Oh, this is glorious! Incredible! Magnificent! Delightful! This is Job at his best. This is Job beginning to have more and more confidence that there is only one answer to his situation.
Notice that his witness is in heaven. He has, at least in this paragraph, abandoned all hope to God. He recognizes the depths of his pain, his has pleaded his innocence (vs. 17), and now says, “There is nothing else I can say. My words do not help my cause for better or worse. I surrender. I turn it over. I will allow my advocate on high to plead my case.”
I notice also that this intercessor is Job’s friend. This is one of the loveliest ways our relationship with God is described in the Scripture. Abraham was God’s friend. Jesus called his disciple’s his friends. We are called his friends. This is what friends do: they go to bat for one another. They stand in the gap. They defend and will let no one crush their friend. We are friends of God.
Finally, I notice that this intercessor pleads the case before God on behalf of man. We need an intercessor even now. We have always needed one. We have always needed someone to go between us and God, someone to plead our case before him, someone to defend us when we find ourselves in the midst of affliction or trouble like Job. Need I remind you of Jesus? “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 16:1-17:16
Also read today: 1 Timothy 2:5-7, 1 John 2:1-2. How has the intercessor been active in your life? What trouble are you in? Pray to God through Jesus, the intercessor. He will plead your case if you ask him to. How can he help you? You only need to ask.
The God Who Cares
Read Job 15:1-35
It is difficult to miss the venom in Eliphaz’s second speech to Job. He sounds like a tenured theologian rebuking a soft undergraduate. Things like that happen at times, but when is the appropriate time to lecture someone on such matters? Listen to the malevolence in his voice: “Are you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills?”
Wrapped up inside of Eliphaz’s theological brilliance though is an egregious misconception of the nature of God. On the one hand Eliphaz delineates beautifully the folly of the ‘godless’, a group of people that Job vehemently denies being a member of. The godless, says Eliphaz, ‘conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit.’ Certainly there is nothing inaccurate about this statement, for we know that evil people create evil or in the words of the New Testament: Invent ways of doing evil.
Then, on the other hand, he makes this remarkable statement: “If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, now much less man, who is vile and corrupt who drinks up evil like water.” Actually, he made this statement before the statement above, but my point remains the same. Eliphaz seems to be saying that God does not care about any human being, much less those of us who are evil and godless. This, I believe, is a huge problem for his outlook. Job ought to just be quiet because God has no concern or care for sinful humans or the finer points of their lives. When we suffer we ought to just, in David Atkinson’s phrase, ‘simply repent, make your peace with him, and all will be well.’ (51)
I wonder if God is concerned about the finer points of our lives? Does God care when a professional athlete wins a competition? I have argued elsewhere that God does care when a professional athlete wins a competition, but that does not mean God does not care when another professional athlete loses. I believe that both sides have equally valid arguments to say that God is concerned about their particular performance. This is to say, how did the athlete who won behave, how did the one who lost behave? Both are still God’s children, and their attitude in either situation matters.
It may sound silly to say that God cares about the outcome of the Super Bowl or the World Series but I believe he does because he has children on both sides. Some will be winners, others losers; all will be God’s sons or daughters. As a dad I know that I am concerned with even the tiniest detail of my sons’ lives. There is nothing I do not want to know. I not only want to know I need to know. It is in the knowing that I am provided with the information I need to help them grow, mature, and be safe. God is no less of a dad than I am so I believe it is fair to say that God is equally concerned with the small, finer points of our lives. “Cast all of your cares upon Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5: 7)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 15:1-35
Contrary to popular thought God does care. He is not as silent as some people want us to believe. The presence of suffering or abysmal conditions does not mean the absence of God. Grace comes to us in our suffering; we are saved in the furnace. Pray today that you will see how God cares for you. Pray that He will help you minister to someone else in a similar situation.
It is difficult to miss the venom in Eliphaz’s second speech to Job. He sounds like a tenured theologian rebuking a soft undergraduate. Things like that happen at times, but when is the appropriate time to lecture someone on such matters? Listen to the malevolence in his voice: “Are you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills?”
Wrapped up inside of Eliphaz’s theological brilliance though is an egregious misconception of the nature of God. On the one hand Eliphaz delineates beautifully the folly of the ‘godless’, a group of people that Job vehemently denies being a member of. The godless, says Eliphaz, ‘conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit.’ Certainly there is nothing inaccurate about this statement, for we know that evil people create evil or in the words of the New Testament: Invent ways of doing evil.
Then, on the other hand, he makes this remarkable statement: “If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, now much less man, who is vile and corrupt who drinks up evil like water.” Actually, he made this statement before the statement above, but my point remains the same. Eliphaz seems to be saying that God does not care about any human being, much less those of us who are evil and godless. This, I believe, is a huge problem for his outlook. Job ought to just be quiet because God has no concern or care for sinful humans or the finer points of their lives. When we suffer we ought to just, in David Atkinson’s phrase, ‘simply repent, make your peace with him, and all will be well.’ (51)
I wonder if God is concerned about the finer points of our lives? Does God care when a professional athlete wins a competition? I have argued elsewhere that God does care when a professional athlete wins a competition, but that does not mean God does not care when another professional athlete loses. I believe that both sides have equally valid arguments to say that God is concerned about their particular performance. This is to say, how did the athlete who won behave, how did the one who lost behave? Both are still God’s children, and their attitude in either situation matters.
It may sound silly to say that God cares about the outcome of the Super Bowl or the World Series but I believe he does because he has children on both sides. Some will be winners, others losers; all will be God’s sons or daughters. As a dad I know that I am concerned with even the tiniest detail of my sons’ lives. There is nothing I do not want to know. I not only want to know I need to know. It is in the knowing that I am provided with the information I need to help them grow, mature, and be safe. God is no less of a dad than I am so I believe it is fair to say that God is equally concerned with the small, finer points of our lives. “Cast all of your cares upon Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5: 7)
Prayer Thoughts on Job 15:1-35
Contrary to popular thought God does care. He is not as silent as some people want us to believe. The presence of suffering or abysmal conditions does not mean the absence of God. Grace comes to us in our suffering; we are saved in the furnace. Pray today that you will see how God cares for you. Pray that He will help you minister to someone else in a similar situation.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Simple and Sanguine
The other day I had to take a trip to the bookstore to do some shopping. I went by myself so that I could browse and take as much time as I wanted. Yes, I selfishly coveted some time to walk through the rows and stacks of books and breathe deeply of their aroma. I love that musty, inky smell of books, old and new, mingling in my nose. In my mind, there is nothing in the world like a fine book—I compare it to the way some people view vintage wines or Cuban cigars. But you know what I enjoy more than the simple, sanguine scent of a bound stack of paper and glue and ink? What’s on the paper—I don’t know what would become of the world if we ever ran out of ink, glue and paper because computer screens are a pathetically cheap imitation of the book—is what thrills me the most. It is that—I love to read and see how other people say things that I feel or believe. I love to listen to how others express the wisdom and beauty of the heart and mind.
So on my way to the bookstore, where I would browse through thousands of books and millions of words, I decided to perform a little experiment. I turned on the radio in my mini-van and started ‘rocking-out’, complete with head-banging, air-guitaring, and steering-wheel drumming. Oh, I had a grand time. But the experiment, contrary to what you are thinking, had nothing to do with seeing how quickly I could wreck my van into a guardrail or telephone pole. My experiment was much deeper than that. I was more interested, actually, in the content of the music I was listening to last night. Usually, I flip around until I find a song I can sing with or a song that moves me. Last night, I listened to everything that came on, except commercials, in the hopes of uncovering a few gems worthy of my efforts to write and drive at the same time. That van you saw screaming down the median was me.
So what I did was simple. I listened to the songs and tried my best to decipher the lyrics. What I heard was simply astounding. I heard musicians on ‘secular’ radio stations praying to God, crying over lost love, bemoaning their loneliness, and crying out for direction in life. I don’t listen to ‘pop’ music, so this was actually atypical, and certainly not what I expected. I listen to the more rough and rugged music so what I heard coming from the lead singers of such bands as Alice in Chains, Velvet Revolver, and others like them, was simply astounding. I have included a sampling of some of the lyrics I heard below—but often times without reference to the band because often the radio stations do not tell us the name of the bands. I have also included some thoughts that I had while walking through Wal-Mart and the Half Price Bookstore. Sometimes I heard a lyric in a song and changed it around to simply ask a question that the band was answering or asking. Simply put, this is a hodge-podge of madness that I scribbled down in a notebook while driving 70 mph in a 45 zone (just kidding). (I have included quotation marks for lyrics that are direct quotes and not paraphrases.)
How do we look through other people’s eyes?
Do bees get tired?
I watched the waltz of two butterflies as they danced over the floor of a grassy field.
“You’re a rogue if you think that I’ll be just like you.”
How long does it take us to figure out what we need?
“Inside you’re ugly, ugly like me.”
“Healing hand held back by the deepened nail, follow the God who failed.”
“Why can’t I breathe whenever I think about you?”
The Paschal Lamb had to be eaten the night of the Passover. None could be left over until morning.
Seen on a sign: “A free slice of head, the cure for summertime blues.” (This was on a sign in front of a bread store. I think it was supposed to be ‘bread’; I thought it was hilarious.)
“Trying to live in a world I don’t belong.”
“I’m forever alone.”
What did the world do before cell-phones?
The Pope: Boxers or briefs?
While I was at Wal-Mart there were some Amish people shopping. I had a few questions about them. Are they allowed to use doors that open and close automatically? Are they allowed to use toilets that flush automatically? Are they allowed to use sinks that turn the water on an off by sensor? Are they allowed to use electric hand dryers? Is this why Wal-Mart had both automatically opening doors and the kind that you have to open yourself?
“Time by time our love gets turned to hate. But we stand by each other’s side.”
“You gave me life, now show me how to live.”
“Some say we’re born into the grave. I feel so alone, gonna end up a pile of ‘dem bones.”
“Messiah, take away all the hatred, it darkens the light in your eyes.”
“All alone I fall to pieces.”
Do we prevent ourselves from knowing God by trying to know the world too much, or too well?
If you don’t want to be blinded by the light, get out of the darkness now. Get your eyes accustomed to the light.
It is hard to hunger and thirst for righteousness with a belly full of nachos and coke.
God does not simply overlook our inabilities and weaknesses. He takes the harder route: He works through them.
A better question to ask than “Why do bad things happen to good people” is “Why do good things happen to bad people?”
Did you know that SPAM now comes with its own re-seal-able plastic container? That way, if you only want a little SPAM now you can save the rest for later or tomorrow. Am I the only one who sees something seriously wrong with wanting to keep SPAM past the hour the can is opened?
(Copied from a book title): “Does God believe in Atheists?”
The point is simple. It is easy to hear people crying out to God on Christian radio or in Christian literature. It is more challenging to hear how God reminds people of His presence in the midst of darkness. Yet God has not left Himself without witnesses, and sometimes God speaks to people in these strange ways and in places where us Holy Christians probably dare not go. Remember, Jesus dined with sinners because they were the ones who needed Him, and, ironically, it was they who tolerated Him. Strange to think that more people are crying out to God than even they themselves realize. The soul of people’s discomfort and fears are usually found in the things that they, sometimes unwittingly, say, write or sing. God has not left Himself without witnesses.
For that I am glad. I am not suggesting, however, that we should tune in to all the filthy radio stations that are offered up as entertainment or watch television shows just because they mention God’s Name in some convoluted dialogue masquerading as religious canon. What I am saying is that among certain things is a context and a bridge that can be crossed when sharing the Gospel with people. They may have never heard of your favorite Christian musician, but likely you have heard and listened to their favorite not-Christian musician. How can this be a bridge into their lives and open a discussion about Jesus? This, I believe, is the key to reaching the lost. It becomes a common place, a meeting ground, where we can begin to become light to someone who lives in perpetual darkness. Where will you begin?
So on my way to the bookstore, where I would browse through thousands of books and millions of words, I decided to perform a little experiment. I turned on the radio in my mini-van and started ‘rocking-out’, complete with head-banging, air-guitaring, and steering-wheel drumming. Oh, I had a grand time. But the experiment, contrary to what you are thinking, had nothing to do with seeing how quickly I could wreck my van into a guardrail or telephone pole. My experiment was much deeper than that. I was more interested, actually, in the content of the music I was listening to last night. Usually, I flip around until I find a song I can sing with or a song that moves me. Last night, I listened to everything that came on, except commercials, in the hopes of uncovering a few gems worthy of my efforts to write and drive at the same time. That van you saw screaming down the median was me.
So what I did was simple. I listened to the songs and tried my best to decipher the lyrics. What I heard was simply astounding. I heard musicians on ‘secular’ radio stations praying to God, crying over lost love, bemoaning their loneliness, and crying out for direction in life. I don’t listen to ‘pop’ music, so this was actually atypical, and certainly not what I expected. I listen to the more rough and rugged music so what I heard coming from the lead singers of such bands as Alice in Chains, Velvet Revolver, and others like them, was simply astounding. I have included a sampling of some of the lyrics I heard below—but often times without reference to the band because often the radio stations do not tell us the name of the bands. I have also included some thoughts that I had while walking through Wal-Mart and the Half Price Bookstore. Sometimes I heard a lyric in a song and changed it around to simply ask a question that the band was answering or asking. Simply put, this is a hodge-podge of madness that I scribbled down in a notebook while driving 70 mph in a 45 zone (just kidding). (I have included quotation marks for lyrics that are direct quotes and not paraphrases.)
How do we look through other people’s eyes?
Do bees get tired?
I watched the waltz of two butterflies as they danced over the floor of a grassy field.
“You’re a rogue if you think that I’ll be just like you.”
How long does it take us to figure out what we need?
“Inside you’re ugly, ugly like me.”
“Healing hand held back by the deepened nail, follow the God who failed.”
“Why can’t I breathe whenever I think about you?”
The Paschal Lamb had to be eaten the night of the Passover. None could be left over until morning.
Seen on a sign: “A free slice of head, the cure for summertime blues.” (This was on a sign in front of a bread store. I think it was supposed to be ‘bread’; I thought it was hilarious.)
“Trying to live in a world I don’t belong.”
“I’m forever alone.”
What did the world do before cell-phones?
The Pope: Boxers or briefs?
While I was at Wal-Mart there were some Amish people shopping. I had a few questions about them. Are they allowed to use doors that open and close automatically? Are they allowed to use toilets that flush automatically? Are they allowed to use sinks that turn the water on an off by sensor? Are they allowed to use electric hand dryers? Is this why Wal-Mart had both automatically opening doors and the kind that you have to open yourself?
“Time by time our love gets turned to hate. But we stand by each other’s side.”
“You gave me life, now show me how to live.”
“Some say we’re born into the grave. I feel so alone, gonna end up a pile of ‘dem bones.”
“Messiah, take away all the hatred, it darkens the light in your eyes.”
“All alone I fall to pieces.”
Do we prevent ourselves from knowing God by trying to know the world too much, or too well?
If you don’t want to be blinded by the light, get out of the darkness now. Get your eyes accustomed to the light.
It is hard to hunger and thirst for righteousness with a belly full of nachos and coke.
God does not simply overlook our inabilities and weaknesses. He takes the harder route: He works through them.
A better question to ask than “Why do bad things happen to good people” is “Why do good things happen to bad people?”
Did you know that SPAM now comes with its own re-seal-able plastic container? That way, if you only want a little SPAM now you can save the rest for later or tomorrow. Am I the only one who sees something seriously wrong with wanting to keep SPAM past the hour the can is opened?
(Copied from a book title): “Does God believe in Atheists?”
The point is simple. It is easy to hear people crying out to God on Christian radio or in Christian literature. It is more challenging to hear how God reminds people of His presence in the midst of darkness. Yet God has not left Himself without witnesses, and sometimes God speaks to people in these strange ways and in places where us Holy Christians probably dare not go. Remember, Jesus dined with sinners because they were the ones who needed Him, and, ironically, it was they who tolerated Him. Strange to think that more people are crying out to God than even they themselves realize. The soul of people’s discomfort and fears are usually found in the things that they, sometimes unwittingly, say, write or sing. God has not left Himself without witnesses.
For that I am glad. I am not suggesting, however, that we should tune in to all the filthy radio stations that are offered up as entertainment or watch television shows just because they mention God’s Name in some convoluted dialogue masquerading as religious canon. What I am saying is that among certain things is a context and a bridge that can be crossed when sharing the Gospel with people. They may have never heard of your favorite Christian musician, but likely you have heard and listened to their favorite not-Christian musician. How can this be a bridge into their lives and open a discussion about Jesus? This, I believe, is the key to reaching the lost. It becomes a common place, a meeting ground, where we can begin to become light to someone who lives in perpetual darkness. Where will you begin?
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
40 Questions That Bother Me
The other day, I was driving home from a visit at my parents' house. As I was driving I was thinking. I had nothing else to do except watch the road and make certain that I did not sleep drive into the median. So, anyhow, I started thinking of some questions that I feel I need answers to. Here they are in no particular order.
1. Why do dogs like wind in their face?
2. How many songwriters in the history of the world have rhymed the words 'hips' and 'lips'?
3. Why does it matter?
4. Do the words 'hips' and 'lips' rhyme in any other language?
5. Why must everything have some sort of reference to sex?
6. What do fish think about all day long?
7. Why are cats so stupid?
8. Why do people kill other people?
9. If God knows every time a sparrow falls to the earth how often must God think about death every day?
10. Who discovered the need for toilet paper?
11. What did Moses use to brush his teeth?
12. What did the world do before someone decided we needed dentists?
13. What is the real name for the color 'green'?
14. God calls all the stars by name. I want to know the real names of the planets and stars.
15. Have you ever noticed that, although the sun and moon are different distances from earth there are times when they appear to be the same size?
16. What if black and white were the rule and not the exception?
17. In what way do mosquitoes bring glory to God? (You realize they must)
18. Why are children incapable of remembering the order to brush their teeth, for example, but they can remember the smallest details of their favorite cartoon or video game?
19. What happens one second after death?
20. What if humans do not know as much as they think?
21. Are there any animals that eat poison ivy?
22. Why is dirt brown and not, say, blue?
23. Why does English have only one word for love?
24. Why does every one think that they should voice their opinion just because they can?
25. I wonder how many people would quit talking if half the world quit listening?
26. Am I alone in thinking that television is way, way too overrated?
27. What is my mind really thinking about right now?
28. Why do my arms need to be covered with hair?
29. Why do simple Americans pay politicians so much money to invent rules for us to live by? Why do we pay politicians so much money? Why do we give the power of taxation to such a small minority?
30. Why do so few people sing?
31. Why does it matter?
32. What would the world be like if I were not me but someone else, and he knew it?
33. Why must fingernails and hair continue to grow?
34. Who decided that the world needed deodorant?
35. Who decided that the world needed dental floss?
36. Who decided that the world would be a better place with 800 varieties of soap? (Don't they, essentially, do the same thing?)
37. How do I know a dog is not a cat and a cat is not a dog? Who made that decision?
38. Who ate the first prune?
39. What was the world like before computers? What will the world be like when computers are finally replaced and someone says, "I wonder what the world was like without ____________?"
40. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. This means God created space for us to exist. What was 'it' like before God created space for us?
Just some thoughts. Feel free to let me know if you have any answers to any of these questions. I will look forward to your responses. I will write some more questions another day if I have any.
1. Why do dogs like wind in their face?
2. How many songwriters in the history of the world have rhymed the words 'hips' and 'lips'?
3. Why does it matter?
4. Do the words 'hips' and 'lips' rhyme in any other language?
5. Why must everything have some sort of reference to sex?
6. What do fish think about all day long?
7. Why are cats so stupid?
8. Why do people kill other people?
9. If God knows every time a sparrow falls to the earth how often must God think about death every day?
10. Who discovered the need for toilet paper?
11. What did Moses use to brush his teeth?
12. What did the world do before someone decided we needed dentists?
13. What is the real name for the color 'green'?
14. God calls all the stars by name. I want to know the real names of the planets and stars.
15. Have you ever noticed that, although the sun and moon are different distances from earth there are times when they appear to be the same size?
16. What if black and white were the rule and not the exception?
17. In what way do mosquitoes bring glory to God? (You realize they must)
18. Why are children incapable of remembering the order to brush their teeth, for example, but they can remember the smallest details of their favorite cartoon or video game?
19. What happens one second after death?
20. What if humans do not know as much as they think?
21. Are there any animals that eat poison ivy?
22. Why is dirt brown and not, say, blue?
23. Why does English have only one word for love?
24. Why does every one think that they should voice their opinion just because they can?
25. I wonder how many people would quit talking if half the world quit listening?
26. Am I alone in thinking that television is way, way too overrated?
27. What is my mind really thinking about right now?
28. Why do my arms need to be covered with hair?
29. Why do simple Americans pay politicians so much money to invent rules for us to live by? Why do we pay politicians so much money? Why do we give the power of taxation to such a small minority?
30. Why do so few people sing?
31. Why does it matter?
32. What would the world be like if I were not me but someone else, and he knew it?
33. Why must fingernails and hair continue to grow?
34. Who decided that the world needed deodorant?
35. Who decided that the world needed dental floss?
36. Who decided that the world would be a better place with 800 varieties of soap? (Don't they, essentially, do the same thing?)
37. How do I know a dog is not a cat and a cat is not a dog? Who made that decision?
38. Who ate the first prune?
39. What was the world like before computers? What will the world be like when computers are finally replaced and someone says, "I wonder what the world was like without ____________?"
40. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. This means God created space for us to exist. What was 'it' like before God created space for us?
Just some thoughts. Feel free to let me know if you have any answers to any of these questions. I will look forward to your responses. I will write some more questions another day if I have any.
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