TODAY’S READING: JOB 7-11
OVERVIEW:
Job continues his response to Eliphaz: Job reproaches his friends; Bildad’s theory about Job’s tribulation; Job’s response to Bildad; Zophar’s accusations against Job.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
As we saw in yesterday’s reading, Eliphaz was the first of Job’s friends to offer his “counsel” (Job 3-4). In chapter 6, Job responds to Eliphaz’ speech. As we move into chapter 7 today, Job continues his response. As he opens his soul, he cries out, “If there is a set time for man to be upon the earth, surely my time is about up!” (7:1). Job has been brought to the total depths of despair. He feels there’s nothing left to his life but long, empty days, and sleepless nights (7:3-4). On one hand, he’s afraid his life is over, and on the other hand, he’s afraid that maybe it isn’t. In the midst of it all, Job has no idea what is happening to him is actually because of how blessed God was with Job’s character and heart. Job simply assumes that everything that has happened to him has happened because God is mad at him. Your heart has to go out to the guy as you read the story. We put ourselves in Job’s situation, and there’s no problem understanding why he is so distraught! He just wants to die (7:15-16). Paul lets us know in Philippians1:21, however, this side of the cross, there is a different perspective possible! Paul had that perspective. He said, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” As Laodiceans, we typically reverse that. Our perspective says, “For me to live is gain, and to die is Christ.”
As Job brings his response to Elizphaz to a conclusion at the end of chapter 7, he readily admits that he is a sinner like everybody else, but holds tenaciously to the fact that his “tribulation” is not because of some secret sin in his life he refuses to confess.
Then in chapter 8, Bildad, the second of Job’s friends begins his “counsel.” Where Eliphaz at least made an attempt to grace his accusation that Job must be guilty of some secret sin, Bildad goes right for Job’s spiritual jugular. In effect, he tells Job that he is sick of listening to his excuses, and that he’s full of hot air. If that weren’t assaulting enough, he even has the audacity to tell Job that his 10 children had to be guilty of sin, and that they had gotten from God’s hand exactly what they deserved. With friends like Bildad, who needs enemies? Do be aware that there are “Bildads” in every church. They are typically well-intentioned, but misinformed. The only problem, like Bildad, you would never be able to convince them of that. Bildad basically points the finger at Job and tells him that if he would simply pray and earnestly seek God, all of his “tribulation” would go away. Be very careful that as your wealth of biblical knowledge increases, that you don’t think that you know why every person goes through the things they go through. As Job can tell you, it can be extremely hurtful.
In chapter 9, Job responds to Bildad’s accusations. Though there were many things he could have said to defend himself, much of what he chose to do was admit the truth of Bildad’s words. Do note that most of the things that Job’s friends say to him were true. They all possessed a great deal of information about God and His ways. They were simply off in their timing and their application of that truth.
Note the seven “IF’s” in chapter 9.
The first “IF” – (9:16-18)
The second “IF” – (9:19)
The third “IF” – (9:20a)
The fourth “IF” – (9:20b-26)
The fifth “IF” – (9:27-28)
The sixth “IF” – (9:29)
The seventh “IF” – (9:30-35)
As chapter 10 begins, Job sets forth a series of questions for God. Job wants to know how God could understand the sufferings of a man, since He had never been one. Job could say that in his day. But no one has been able to register that complaint against God for over 2000 years, because God has since become a man. We now have a God who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities; because He became one of us, and was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Because of that, Paul tells us in Hebrews 4:15-16, that we can “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help him in time of need.”
In chapter 11, Zophar, the third of Job’s friends begins to offer his “loving counsel.” He, too, comes on with both feet (11:23), saying, “I’m not going to let you get by with all of your meaningless talk and lies!” He, like the others, tells Job that it is obvious that what he needs to do is repent, get his heart right with God, and everything would be all right.
Have you ever been an Eliphaz, Bildad, or Zophar in somebody’s face, thinking you knew what they needed, when what they really needed was someone to simply be a loving friend to them? Maybe there’s someone you need to call today, to seek forgiveness.
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
Through JOB’S SORROWFUL CONDITION – Job 7:1-6 (Christ is called “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” – Isa. 53:3;Mark15:34)
Through the “DAYSMAN” (mediator) Job longed for – Job9:33(The Lord Jesus Christ is the only mediator between holy God and sinful men – II Tim. 2:5).