Bible Reading Reflection from Job 25-31

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day] 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚𝟝:𝟜

"How then can a man be just with God? Or how can he be clean who is born of woman?"

Well, if somebody says this in our world, he would be canceled, put on trial by social media, and asked to apologize. His effigy will be burnt. And perhaps even his home will be ransacked. The feminist movement is very strong. This is no longer a man's world. It's a technology world now.

In the past, men were much stronger and society depended on men since there were invaders and battles. Now, technology is more powerful than anyone. A woman with better technology is superior to 100 men without technology. Assemble 100 UFC fighters (men) before anyone with an LMG or an AK-47 rifle. And they will go down like a candle in the wind!

BTW, Bildad was not talking about the superiority of men or the inferiority of women. He was talking about the vanity and banality of man (humankind) before God.

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚𝟞:𝟜

"To whom have you uttered words? And whose spirit was expressed through you?"

An interesting refutation from Job! His friends were critical instead of being comforting. They misrepresented Job and misrepresented God, for which God will demand repentance later on.

Here, Job fired back. He could speak of God, and more accurately and soberly. He was in no way inferior in theology, the doctrine of sin, and suffering. In fact, he went on to put burning charcoal in their mouth by asking whose spirit they had, definitely not of God! That's like saying "Are you sure you are not possessed by an evil spirit?"

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚𝟟:𝟝-𝟞

"Far be it from me that I should declare you right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. "I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go. My heart does not reproach any of my days."

What a righteous man Job was! He could say this because he was not a hypocrite. He never had a double life. He never lived a secret life of shame. He never knew of any sin in his life that deserved the suffering he was going through! That's why, he was brave, resolute, and committed to worshiping God even when God abandoned him to Satan. And this proved the genuine faith of Job. The reason why we need to live a holy life is that we may have the strength to live when evil days come.

Remember the story of Elijah and the widow's son of 1King 17:18? When her son died, she recalled her sins. Sins and Satan are the Grandmasters of blackmailing, making us feel guilty. No matter who you are, sin will always haunt you. Martin Luther wasn't spared. Apostle Paul recalled the stoning of Stephen. The aged Peter even before his death, according to the tradition, chose to be crucified upside down. The denial of Christ was still in his mind.

That's the reason why we want to live a life of integrity, blamelessness, and faithfulness. Though God has forgiven us, sin will haunt us someday. Job wasn't troubled at all. He was confident even to debate God. Oh! To have a testimony like that of Job. To look at suffering and say, "I am above this!"

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚𝟠:𝟚𝟛

"God understands its way, And He knows its place."

Job does not look like a depressed man here. He doesn't look like he's in deep suffering. He sounds so wise, calm, and spirited. And not because his circumstance has changed, but because his contemplation about God's sovereignty is comforting.

"God understands" and "God knows" are the most comforting words when we run out of all earthly solutions. And indeed, are true! I've heard countless times my villagers lamenting about their plight of poverty and suffering saying, “God knows!”

Suffering really has positioned us better to understand the awesomeness of God!  No wonder why James tells us to count it all joy!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚𝟡:𝟙𝟜-𝟙𝟝

"I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban. "I was eyes to the blind And feet to the lame."

Wow! This chapter is hard to read because Job was so impeccable and I am not!  What Job did, enjoyed, experienced, claimed, is amazing. I haven't seen such a man yet, and probably will never be. Job is perhaps the best of mankind, next to Jesus! Because God picked up Job to shame the Devil. Later on, God sent Jesus to defeat the Devil! But, to be like Job, to wear Righteousness and Justice as our clothing.

Footnote: I have a desire to visit prisons!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟛𝟘:𝟙

"But now those younger than I mock me, Whose fathers I disdained to put with the dogs of my flock."

Wow! What a way to insult someone! 😆😂

A knife can be used to cut an apple. It can be used to stab someone too! Likewise, Bible can be used for our gain or doom. Satan used Scripture to turn away Jesus from God's mission. Jesus used that same Scripture to honor God.

So, what's it if I learn to insult today from this verse? 😂

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟛𝟙:𝟛𝟜

"Have I covered my transgressions like Adam, By hiding my iniquity in my bosom."

Job again defended his righteous lifestyle. He would not curse anyone but would curse himself if he had not walked with integrity!

He disdained the lifestyle of the first man Adam, though the 2nd Adam (Jesus) had not been born, he surely imitated Him in faith!

Bible Reading Reflection from Job 15-24

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙𝟝:𝟙𝟝

"Behold, He puts no trust in His holy ones, And the heavens are not pure in His sight;"

Interesting statement by Eliphaz that even the heavens are not pure in His sight. Indeed, Satan was there for meetings. And if heaven itself is not that pure in His sight, no mere man is. Job's friends were having their round of 2nd condemnation and not comforting him! 😬

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙𝟞:𝟞

"If I speak, my pain is not lessened, And if I hold back, what has left me?"

What a situation! Complaining doesn't make sense. Staying silent doesn't help either!

And actually, talking seems to help when we are in pain. That's why we shout, etc., but talking in pain will make us say even things we aren't supposed to say—crossing the line.

A difficult situation indeed!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟙

"My days are past, my plans are torn apart, Even the wishes of my heart."

Ever thought these? "Shattered Dreams. Too late to plan new things. Time's gone! Too old to do this and that! No hope. All are gone!" "Even the heart stops desiring anymore. Completely disappointed! This is not fair!" That sounds like Job! God vindicated Job again!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙𝟠:𝟙

"Then Bildad the Shuhite responded."

Who is the shortest man in the Bible? John MacArthur said it's Bildad because his height is shoe-high 👞 because he is "Shuhite" 😂😂

Bildad did accuse Job again in this chapter. Not only as an ignorant sinner but as an arrogant sinner in front of God and his friends!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙𝟡:𝟞

"Know then that God has wronged me And has closed His net around me."

Job knew no reason why God should let this trouble befallen him. If it was wrong for him to be in this situation, it was God who was wrong. [Actually, it was right for him to be in that situation because God was using him to shame Satan, so neither God nor even Job was wrong]

Job felt that God had put a net on him, which he had never trapped himself nor something he could escape. Like a fisherman throwing a net upon the fish! Prophet Ezekiel also used this metaphor in his writing. Haven't you been in some situation where every door is closed to you? Well, Job suffered, knew much more!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚𝟘:𝟙𝟝

"He swallows riches, But will vomit them up; God will expel them from his belly."

The imagery Zophar used in this chapter is quite catchy. Swallowing riches, not chewing or eating, but sudden riches, easy money, shortcut, black trade. Hungry. Greedy.

And the picture of vomiting. Tasteful to the mouth, not in the stomach. Refused to stay. God expels them from his belly!

Let's aim for Righteous living all the time!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚𝟙:𝟟

"Why do the wicked still live, Continue on, also become very powerful?"

Job refuted Zophar's theology/ argument.

That God does not punish but allows the wicked to prosper oftentimes. And He allows the righteous to suffer.

Thus, proving he was not a wicked sinner, but a righteous man in suffering. His friends couldn't agree with that. They weren't wise actually. They failed to see the plain things happening in this world. Ibobi is rich, Mehul Chokshi is a billionaire. And many missionaries have to see their kids in rags. William Carey's kids died in India. Graham's boys were burnt alive in Orissa.

Zophar and the others were even suggesting that God should do this and that, Job mocked them back (21:22). And indeed, in the end, God vindicated Job and rebuked them for saying inaccurate things about God.

Takeaway: Prosperity is not a sign of Faithfulness, nor is Adversity a sign of Unfaithfulness.

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚𝟚:𝟟

"To the weary you have given no water to drink, And from the hungry you have withheld bread."

Job's friends are actually like modern Christians, going to church and worshipping God, but highly influenced by unbiblical philosophy.

In social media, the word "karma" is very popular. Maybe even our church members have mentioned it a lot. "Karma" is a religious concept of Hinduism and Buddhism. That whatever you get is the result of your past actions. Job's friend believed a sort of this [though they would deny re-incarnation]. That there's no purpose of suffering, but suffering is the result of evil actions. In fact, the Hindus and Buddhists will even go on to say that suffering is not real, it's just an illusion.

True, suffering comes because of our actions, but not always. Job's suffering was not because of his wicked sins. Christ's crucifixion was not because of His sin.

And Job's friends to prove their philosophy pointed out that Job failed to help some people, the basic help: food to the hungry and water to the thirsty.

Well, who is not guilty of this by this logic? Are we guilty because we didn't give food to every homeless beggar in Delhi? Is Christ guilty that He didn't feed all the hungry ones in the land of Israel? Or that Christ didn't come to India to feed the poor?

Suffering is not karma. It has a purpose. That purpose is not always retribution.

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚𝟛:𝟙𝟙

"My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside."

When I am disappointed, I tend to sin. I tend to do things that I have been withholding. Job was holding fast. Indeed, the scripture tells us to be all the more godly and holy when we are suffering. Something to learn from Job.

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚𝟜:𝟚𝟝

"Now if it is not so, who can prove me a liar, And make my speech worthless?"

Job didn't back down, rather he went on to challenge everyone to prove him wrong! Would we have such integrity and courage in life!

Bible Reading Reflection from Job 8-14

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟠:𝟚-𝟛

"How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind? Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right?"

After Eliphaz, now Bildad. This guy was harsher than Eliphaz. He rebuked Job for complaining against God.

He was actually not defending God. Nobody can defend God BTW. He said so because he had a presupposition that Job was a sinner who deserved this punishment and must be humble before God.

He didn't even spare Job's children and said that they too were sinners deserving of this punishment. Sure, everyone is a sinner, but Job's suffering was not a punishment, certainly not for any of his sins or his children's sins. It's an affliction wrought on him by Satan to prove his faithfulness and God's victory over Satan.

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟡:𝟚

"In truth I know that this is so; But how can a man be in the right before God?"

I am not righteous like Job nor have been afflicted like Job, I am not even half his age I suppose. However, I can sense and have experienced to some level what's written in this book, which I also suppose everyone has to some degree.

Job affirmed the theology of Bildad that's why he said, "In truth I know that is so." However, he couldn't agree with Bildad's application that Job and his children were punishment-bound sinners. Job contended that he was guiltless (v21). We can have a right doctrine yet apply it wrongly😬

He also affirmed the sayings of his first friend, Eliphaz, and quoted one of his statements, "How can a man be right with God?" (4:17). Job knew this very well, but he also knew what his friends didn't know. He knew the theology of Ps. 130:3 even before that Psalm was written that God forgives sinners that He may be feared. That's why Job contended before, asking, “why won't God just forgive my sins?” (7:21) and even in this chapter, v34, Job asked that discipline/punishment be removed and mercy be given!

Martin Luther couldn't love God until he was made to see the mercy of God. He knew God was right and actually because of that he hated God before he discovered God's mercy. Spurgeon didn't like God before his conversion. He knew God was right to send him to hell, but his soul was not in peace until He was made to see the mercy of God. Even for me, if I don't know the mercy of God, I would never be a Christian. Christians are those who have found the mercy of God. Job was looking for the mercy of God.

In this time of divine testing, it was so severe that he concluded wrongly that though God is sovereign, He seemed to be unfair! (v22) Which BTW Abraham [perhaps his contemporary] contended and proved Job to be wrong in (Gen.28:25). And Job, at the end of the book did confess in ashes and dust that he had been wrong to think like that and that he knew little about the sovereignty of God.

Did you ever question the fairness of God? The only answer to that question is, "Repent in ashes and dust!" Or you would be someday just as Job did! Sometimes, I asked the fairness of God, and many times, I have repented already by the mercy of God. And as I live in this world, I think once a while I will be tempted to ask again, and I must remember this verse to keep in mind!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙𝟘:𝟟

“According to Your knowledge I am indeed not guilty, Yet there is no deliverance from Your hand.”

Interesting statement from Job. Compared to some other human beings we can be like angels. But in the standard of God, everyone is a filthy sinner.

However, Job’s statement is the opposite.  He contended that he was not a sinner before God's knowledge. That's actually a theological expression of God's righteousness. That when God grants salvation, He sees the recipient as righteous, blotting away his sins!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙𝟙:𝟚-𝟛

"Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a talkative man be acquitted? ‘Shall your boasts silence men? And shall you scoff and none rebuke?’"

Zophar, the third friend is harsher and is indicting Job more than the Bildad and Eliphaz. And he claims to know what Job does not get it! Job will respond to him later on.  And God will rebuke him later on as well!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙𝟚:𝟜

"I am a joke to my friends, The one who called on God and He answered him; The just and blameless man is a joke."

Natural man always mocks and ridicules the things of God.

Even Job's friends, I suppose were also far godlier, righteous, and even wealthier and wiser than many of their generation dared to hold Job in contempt.

BTW, our world is different now. In the religious world of Job, they believed a righteous man should prosper. In my religious world now, many people believe that a righteous man (pastor, evangelist, and missionary) should live in poverty!

Interesting! 😂

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙𝟛:𝟙𝟝

"Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him."

The unwavering faith of Job. I am troubled if I feel my friend is unhappy with me. I am troubled if I feel my parents are unhappy with me.

What relief is there for someone who thinks God is unhappy with him? I can't imagine the extent of trouble Job was going on. Because, as we see in v23 and 26, Job was conscious of his sins. Yet, He did trust God's salvation till death — that He alone was the joy, hope, and meaning of his existence.

BTW, while Job's faith is to be commended, he erred in at least 2 areas: 1. He thought he can argue with God, but at the end of the book, God gave him a chance, Job uttered no argument and repented in ashes.

2. He thought God was counting his sins. In reality, God did not remember any sins of Job. God declared him to be righteous and blameless. Even in the end, God just asked him questions about the power of God. God didn't indict of his sins.

That's you and me too. Once we are His children, God sees us blameless and there's no record of sins against us!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙𝟜:𝟟

"For there is hope for a tree, When it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And its shoots will not fail."

Job felt that a tree's life is better than being a man. But he was not trying to be an environmentalist here! It's the disappointed Job.

Indeed, some trees lived long enough. Even after they were cut down, they still grow. Man, once dead, has no hope. No second chance. No reboot button like electronic goods.

However, in the following verses Job expressed his firm belief in the resurrection! And thus, man's life is better than tree after all!

Bible Reading Reflection from Job 1-7

 [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!