[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]
𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙
The
Scriptures clearly stated that Job was a godly man right from v1. Satan
was seen roaming here and there looking for people to devour v7. God
challenged Satan to notice Job and said that Job was the godliest and holiest
man on earth v8. Satan responded that Job worshipped God because God had
been good to him. If God stopped being good to him, he would turn his back on
God v9-11
Well,
the book of Job is all about this point. Will we worship God only because He
blesses us? Will you worship Him even if He slays [hurts] you? Job worships God,
no matter what happens or does not happen to Him. Job worships God because God
is God and he is created to worship God v21.
Is
your theology in alignment with Job?
𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚:𝟜
"Satan
answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he
will give for his life."
Same
setting with chapter 1. Satan failed miserably. God’s power of preserving Job's
faith prevailed. If our faith in God is real, it shall prevail against all
storms of life and Satan, because that faith is given to us by God. If it's our
own faith, it will fail when tragedy strikes us.
Now,
Satan comes up with a more pressing reality. Will Job worship God when he is in
pain? Satan doesn’t think so. But like it's said before since faith is given by
God, it shall endure no matter what, and so, Job's faith will be confirmed
again to the utter defeat of Satan. Man will do anything to avoid pain. When
people torture us, we would give up many things because of the scorching pain.
Will you give up faith too?
Actually,
Peter didn't. Rather, he asked for more painful death — crucifying upside down.
Because it's the supernatural faith that resides in believers.
In
this story, even Job's wife asked him to not only abandon God but curse God.
Hopefully, we won't have such a spouse in our life! But one who will stick to
the end with God. Let your spouse abandon you, but let your spouse never
abandon God.
𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟛:𝟙
"Afterward
Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth."
The
most righteous most holy man on the face of the earth didn't celebrate his
birthday! Let that sink in your heart when you think of your birthday or attend
any birthday party! 😬😂
Indeed,
death ceases everything. It doesn't cure, it doesn't solve, it just makes
things frozen. Job, like any man of suffering, preferred death over suffering.
However, this was not suicidal. Because suicide doesn't solve, cure, or provide
anything good.
Like
David of Ps. 63:3, like Paul of Phil 1:21, Job’s theology was consistent that
life—even with wears and tears, suffering and sorrow, adversities and
failings—is better than death. And that's because God's goodness abounds in all
things for us to enjoy Him!
Well,
Job is a human, like us. He wasn't perfect. He was lamenting about suffering,
losses, and shattered dreams. He is in a sense a philosopher of adversity.
From
a standpoint of man without God, yes life is meaningless even with all the
prosperity one may accumulate. And how meaningless if it's full of suffering!
But
Job, and we, believers know that God is completely in control to protect,
preserve, and also (to) prosper us when the right moment comes that will last
forever!
Now,
how will you celebrate your birthday next time? 🤔😆😂
𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟜:𝟞
"Is
not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your
hope?"
Actually, v17 stands out to me, but
that's because I knew it from before. And the goal of our Bible reading update
is a new/fresh thing we learn in daily reading. So, for that v6 comes
freshly.
Eliphaz
was right to say v6. It is right for us too. Eliphaz most probably was
not being harsh at this point. He was perhaps compassionate to Job at this
point, which of course will turn into accusations later on.
What's
the strength of a person? Wealth? Fame? Physique?
Ultimately,
it's character/integrity. Job lived a life of a strong character. He was a man
of integrity. That's the greatest eulogy a man can receive. But that's on
earth. We must be also thinking about life after death. And there comes the
fear of God. Man's life, even with the greatest integrity is worthless without
a relationship with God. So, this verse reveals that Job was righteous before
God and before man. Earth or Heaven, Life or Death, Job was secured.
Actually,
it is because he feared God that he lived a life of integrity. Our affection
for God affects our relationship with everything. And here, Eliphaz was
reminding Job to continue to stay calm, cool, and hopeful because his life was
well pleased by God and the people around him.
But
the problem was Satan. And God decided to fight Satan by a man Job, and Job won
somehow. Jesus (another man) won perfectly BTW.
My
takeaway is: Where is my hope, strength, confidence, power, and influence? It
should not be anything but my zeal for God and a life of integrity!
𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟝:𝟠
"But
as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God."
What
a statement, but unfortunately from Eliphaz! But in the latter part of the
dialogue, Job would state even more wonderful than this, proving Job's faith
was greater than all of his friends.
This
statement of faith by Eliphaz is great. And whatever he said in this chapter is
again correct, but the presupposition they had is fundamentally wrong, and so
is their conclusion. They never knew what was going on in heaven between God
and Satan.
Their
theology was that God blesses the righteous and pulls down the wicked, even
when they are in a strong place, which by the way is true; the books of
Proverbs and Psalms teach this truth. But Job's story was a supernatural event.
God, choosing mere man Job to shame the powerful Satan.
Here,
Eliphaz seemed to think that his theology and faith was deeper and stronger
than Job. He said that he will trust God and not complain like Job.
But,
in chapters 12,13, and 16, Job would rebuke them that their faith was not
greater than him, which of course was confirmed by God Himself. Job was the
most righteous and holy man on the face of the earth.
Lesson
learned: Sometimes we may think we are smarter than others without knowing the
depth of the problem some people are facing! Let's humble ourselves before we
condemn or confront people.
𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟞:𝟚𝟜
"Teach
me, and I will be silent; And show me how I have erred."
Wow!
Job was challenging them to show his fault. Can we do that, dare we? Are we
living a life of sincerity and integrity that we are conscious of nothing
wicked [sinful] in our life?
Job
friends couldn't. They even never doubted him before, except after seeing his
suffering. And they wrongly concluded that it must be because of Job's secret
sin that he was in such a situation. Suspicion without Evidence.
I
remember Jesus did the same in John 8:46, He challenged the hostile
people to convict Him of any sins; they weren't able to. In the case of Job, it
was to his friends. In the case of Jesus, it was to the hostile people, and
they were holding stones to throw at Him.
Far
greater, holier, righteous than Job is the man Jesus Christ!
𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟟:𝟙𝟟-𝟙𝟠
"What
is man that You magnify him,
And
that You are concerned about him,
That
You examine him every morning
And
try him every moment?"
This
statement is similar to Psalm 8:4 but with a contrasting effect. Ps 8
is about God, honoring unworthy mankind.
Job
was stating about God examining unworthy man. His point was God should just
forgive us in the spirit of Ps. 130:3-4.
Job
knew man cannot be right with God by His standard, and cannot do anything
deserving of His favor (v21).
This
is not a statement of an arrogant ignorant sinner, but a conscious trust in
God's goodness!
It
also brings out the humility of Job. He didn't consider himself significant.
Perhaps, he would never believe then, if it was suggested God and Satan could
be contesting on his faithfulness! Job wasn't an insignificant man compared to
the rest of humanity!