For Christian Sisters

Tracing out the ways of God

20 October 2020 AnneT Blog, Job An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

Job Sees The Light - Twenty-second in a series

Hover over the Scripture references to read the verses under discussion

Job 21:1-3 NIV In Chapter 15 Eliphaz had spoken of the wisdom imparted by the friends as “consolations” for Job. (Job 15:11) In response to Zophar's tirade of Chapter 20, Job will refute his condemning words that echoed those of the other friends– in brief– that the wicked experience God’s wrath here and now, and that Job’s misery proves he is wicked. If Zophar and the others could see they are mistaken in these views, Job’s arguments will serve as THEIR consolations. Where there is not truth there is little comfort to be expected. (Matthew Henry)

Job 21:4-6 NIV First of all, though, Job would like to establish that he is not more upset with his friends than he is with his situation, which he acknowledges to be God’s will. Yet, even if he were focused on their verbal abuse, it would be justifiable, for if they would consider all that he has endured, they would stop cruelly berating him.

The suffering saint desires understanding and pity, but it is a dark night of the soul.

Job 21:7-15 NIV Job has observed that the wicked are not harshly treated by the Lord, but rather they enjoy life despite their secular focus.

This is the language of their conduct, though not directly of their lips. . . . Let us alone; we do not trouble thee. Thy ways are painful; we do not like cross-bearing. Thy ways are spiritual; we wish to live after the flesh. We have learned to do our own will; we do not wish to study thine. (Clarke)

Job 21:16 NIV Despite appearances, Job knows their ease is permitted by God, not something they have achieved by their own efforts; therefore he pays no attention to their advice and boasting.

Job 21:17-21 NIV Job believes that rewards and punishments ought to be meted out in real time, not over decades and generations. The wicked man, not his sons, should suffer for his own folly. Yet this is not the way of God.

Job 21:22-26 NIV Though we cannot trace out the ways of God, we must trust they are infallibly right. What often passes as God's neglect of justice is in fact only his wonderful longsuffering, for God is always working his purposes out.

Job 21:27-28 NIV Job realizes his friends will have no regard for his words. They will continue to taunt and humiliate him by pointing out that his children and possessions are no more. Yet if they were truly wise they would recall that the cosmopolitans have seen many evil people who are not in ruins.

Job 21:29-34 NIV Evil people do not receive their just deserts in this life. No one even calls them to task! So — likewise, good people are do not always receive their due but are overturned along their way. But this does not prove they are evil!

Perception is different from knowing

11 October 2020 AnneT Blog, Job An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

Job Sees The Light - Twenty-first in a series

Hover over the Scripture references to read the verses under discussion

Job 20:1-3 NIV At the end of Chapter 19, Job threatened his friends with God's wrath and severe judgment should they continue to castigate him. Rather than considering this possibility, Zophar perceives he has been insulted.

Likewise, the Pharisees were insulted when they heard John the Baptist call them to repent. However, not all who heard the Baptist were wounded in vanity; some confessed their sins and were baptized.

Job 20:4-7 NIV Now comes a profane stream of bile intended to shame Job into confessing his wickedness. Thankfully, we do not hear from Zophar again, except for one last mention of his name in the final chapter of Job, as he is directed by God to repent of his evil words and to atone.

Job 20:8-9 NIV Zophar perceives that Job is evil and therefore destined for oblivion.

The Psalms teach what Zophar believes: A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. (Ps 37:10 ESV) However, the Bible does not teach that a reversal of fortunes is an indicator of God's wrath. Think of John the Baptist.

The Bible states, The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. (Isa 57:1 RSV) Yes, at times God rescues his children from calamities not yet in view, by taking them to heaven.

Job 20:10-11 NIV Zophar predicts the ill-gotten gains of the wicked will become debts his children must repay when his own youthful vigor departs. This is an especially cruel jab considering Job's children have all died.

Job 20:12-22 NIV Zophar is accusing Job of many sins: love of evil, perfidy, bitterness, greed, extortion or fleecing, miserliness, lack of compassion for the poor, opportunism, rapacious discontent. Job will answer each of these charges and refute them in his self-defense.

Job 20:23-29 NIV But now, the condemnation and vitriol crash and swirl in waves sure to overwhelm Job, pushing him under, suffocating him until he MUST gasp curses at the Lord.

But no, the man of God is not so much animated or affected by false accusations as by the separation he so keenly feels between himself and his God. To Job, the real tragedy is much deeper than his personal decimation. It is the loss of the center of his being. But that is only how he feels, that is, what he perceives. In truth, all is well, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deut 33:27)

And there is a closer walk he has yet to discover.

Job’s wish is God’s command

04 October 2020 AnneT Blog, Job An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

Job Sees The Light - Twentieth in a series

Hover over the Scripture references to read the verses under discussion

Job 19:1-6 NIV His friends have reproached him in five speeches, but it feels like ten. All are agreed that the debacle is God's doing, but why is the topic of contention.

Job 19:7-8 NIV Behold, I cry out, ‘Violence!’ but I am not answered; I call for help, but there is no justice. Job's cries for help and answers have been —ignored?

Nearly every trial brings a time of waiting. We need to continue to live and to hope based only on faith and not sight. Some cannot do this and take many wrong turns, even suicide.

The truth is that God is at work performing wonders in our lives and hearts even when it seems as though nothing at all is being done. He is quietly rearranging our perceptions and expectations during the long, silent moments and days of our tribulations so that we begin to see things from his perspective.

The truth is that Satan will do his worst to impede our progress and delay our deliverance.

Job 19:9 NIV Is this verse to be understood figuratively or literally? Was Job simply a great man or was ‘the greatest man of the East’ (Job 1:3) a king?

Job 19:10-11 NIV It is very hard to pull up a tree, even a dead one. Why, God?

Job 19:12-17 NIV We may not realize what a strength our family and others are to us until they are removed. Even to lose one good friend is traumatic, or if a brother or sister turns their back, ones grief is overwhelming. Job has lost the love and support not only of friends and servants but also of his family members not to mention the complete loss of this ten children. What man ever experienced a greater trial?

Job 19:18-19 NIV Job grieves over the lack of respect accorded him by youth and the outright disgust felt by his former friends.

Job 19:20 NIV The reduction Job endured was thorough.

Job 19:21-24 NIV Some scholars believe that the mention of the iron tool on lead indicates that Job lived in the days of the Judges because iron did not come into common use in the ancient near East until the 12 century BC. Yet in Genesis 4 we read that Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. (Gen 4:22) So evidently, iron was in use from the earliest times.

Job will get his wish that his words be written, engraved in the rock forever. The Bible is the rock-solid Word of God that will stand forever, even after iron tools and rocks have been removed.

Job 19:25-27 NIV Every Christian treasures this vision and assurance of resurrection life in Christ.

Job 19:28-29 NIV Again, in the midst of despair and rumination over his ugly mistreatment by God and man, Job is given an empowering prophecy that overshadows his need for pity. He is emboldened once again to push back against his tormentors.

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