When All Seems Hopeless
We dig farther into the calamities of Job. Last we were introduced to Job being offered up to the devil, as a test to his faith. We see Job was stripped of all his worldly possessions. We determined that's where it hurts the worse. In spite of his tribulations, he remained steadfast. We are instructed as Christians to ultimately trust God, to intervene on our behalf. I pointed out that not only is Job an example of patience, but perserverance as well. Last week were told what we should do, this week we talk about why.
Job 14
1Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.
2He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
11As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
12So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
In verse 1 of the lesson, Job includes everyone within the sound of his voice, or readers of these words. Every living soul, is born of a woman. Here he says life will be short in comparison to eternity. Most of us live much longer than a few days. This is another example of a parable. Here we use the flower as an analogy. We can visualize how flowers bloom and die, all in a matter of seasons. We can make scripture live, when we view life in this manner. The next two verses describe to us death. Which we all can relate to, or at least understand.Once you physically die, on this earth that's all. You could be buried under water, it wouldn't matter to you.Zombies don't exist other than in the movies.
13O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
14If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
15Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
16For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
17My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
Here Job begins his pleas to God, on his personal situation. In his reverence to Gods sovereignty, notice how he asks on behalf of all mankind. Here he recognizes the unimmutable fact, that all power is in Gods hand. Job has questions like anyone else, but he takes pain to remain respectful. Something else we as Christians should emulate, about Job's behavior. Job did things decent and in order, even in the worst of times. We can't let troublesome times, cause us to revert to our worldly ways. Job is aware of his actions. He knows he hasn't done anything wrong. Here he is asking God, is there a reason for his suffering. Job knows he has been obedient, and feels he is not deserving. In spite of his devotion, he is still having these unexplained troubles. In my opinion Job is indirectly asking God, are you true to your word?
Job 32: 6,8
6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Job 34:12:
12Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Job 37:14:
14Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God
Job 37:22:
22Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
After Job has talked to his friends Eliphaz, who thought Job may have been a hypocrite. Bildad who wanted to rub the scripture, in his face. Zophar who wanted him to be aware, that it could have been worse. All of them had well meaning intentions. Nothing they said helped the situation though. Isn't that just like us today. In our limited knowledge we attempt to explain Gods actions. Choosing our personal desires over truth. Here we are introduced to the Buzite Elihu, son of Barachel. He points out that he respects the fact that Job is older than him, but he begs to differ with what he has heard. He is aware of the conversation, Job has had with his three friends. He is angered by the fact, that no one has pointed out the truth. They don't know the reason all this is happening. In man's vast reasoning he doesn't possess, the ability to figure out Gods plan. The answers can only be found with God himself. Elihu appeals to Job to hold fast to his faith. See what the end is going to be, and expect God to see him through. Elihu is reemphasizing when all seems hopeless. Rely on the author and finisher of our faith.
Job 14
1Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.
2He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
11As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
12So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
In verse 1 of the lesson, Job includes everyone within the sound of his voice, or readers of these words. Every living soul, is born of a woman. Here he says life will be short in comparison to eternity. Most of us live much longer than a few days. This is another example of a parable. Here we use the flower as an analogy. We can visualize how flowers bloom and die, all in a matter of seasons. We can make scripture live, when we view life in this manner. The next two verses describe to us death. Which we all can relate to, or at least understand.Once you physically die, on this earth that's all. You could be buried under water, it wouldn't matter to you.Zombies don't exist other than in the movies.
13O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
14If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
15Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
16For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
17My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
Here Job begins his pleas to God, on his personal situation. In his reverence to Gods sovereignty, notice how he asks on behalf of all mankind. Here he recognizes the unimmutable fact, that all power is in Gods hand. Job has questions like anyone else, but he takes pain to remain respectful. Something else we as Christians should emulate, about Job's behavior. Job did things decent and in order, even in the worst of times. We can't let troublesome times, cause us to revert to our worldly ways. Job is aware of his actions. He knows he hasn't done anything wrong. Here he is asking God, is there a reason for his suffering. Job knows he has been obedient, and feels he is not deserving. In spite of his devotion, he is still having these unexplained troubles. In my opinion Job is indirectly asking God, are you true to your word?
Job 32: 6,8
6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Job 34:12:
12Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Job 37:14:
14Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God
Job 37:22:
22Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
After Job has talked to his friends Eliphaz, who thought Job may have been a hypocrite. Bildad who wanted to rub the scripture, in his face. Zophar who wanted him to be aware, that it could have been worse. All of them had well meaning intentions. Nothing they said helped the situation though. Isn't that just like us today. In our limited knowledge we attempt to explain Gods actions. Choosing our personal desires over truth. Here we are introduced to the Buzite Elihu, son of Barachel. He points out that he respects the fact that Job is older than him, but he begs to differ with what he has heard. He is aware of the conversation, Job has had with his three friends. He is angered by the fact, that no one has pointed out the truth. They don't know the reason all this is happening. In man's vast reasoning he doesn't possess, the ability to figure out Gods plan. The answers can only be found with God himself. Elihu appeals to Job to hold fast to his faith. See what the end is going to be, and expect God to see him through. Elihu is reemphasizing when all seems hopeless. Rely on the author and finisher of our faith.
posted by Common @ 8:46 PM
2 Comments:
At 2:59 PM,
Chosen said…
I love your enthusiasm. I love anyone who is really reading the word. That's powerful.
Now,I have to comment-everything that happend to Job was as a result of his own fear(Job 3:25). We license the negative events of our lives through fear and our words. That's why it says life and death are in the power of the tongue (proverbs 18:21 )The first lesson of the bible is what you say can and will come to pass. Everything God said-he saw-Jesus said it was written that we are gods-(John 10:34). Even Asaph in the psalms in the old testament knew where our strength (and our weakness)was because he first said that we were gods (psalm 82:6). We have the ability to create because of our mouth. We have the ability to destroy, with our mouth. (See also psalm 8:2) Being created in the image and likeness of our father allows us to operate in that which he can operate in. Now G-d did license the attacks because the test was designed to eradicate fear from the mind of Job forever and to bless him. He still does us the same way. Last year I suffered my own "Job" like experiences and this year it is a hundred times better than it was last year! Now his friends--they were all arrogant and idiots. They were speaking from the brain and not the spirit. They were simply repeating what they knew from learned information of G-d. They had no personal experiences. The word says those whom he loves he chastens (hebrews 12:6). That wasn't a new revelation in the new testament--it was repeated from the lessons of the children of Israel. That's why at the end G-d told them they hadn't spoken of him things that were right and told them to offer up sacrifices for their sin and have Job pray for them because him he would accept (Job 42:7-9). In the midst of all that G-d taught Job to truly trust him (Job 42:1. Be Blessed! Chosen.
At 6:50 PM,
Common said…
Chosen,
You make me work. I couldn't handle two post like yours. I saw your post a couple of days ago. I hadn't had a chance to respond properly. I had to go back and reread the chapters. I try verses but I always get caught.I always end up reading the whole thing. I don't get that Jobs troubles were a result of his fear. Instead I think that's just how he reacted. When I read it again . I caught something I didn't see before.
Job 1
1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Job was perfect. He wasm't afraid of anything.We must remember in the old testament. They didn't have Jesus Christ. Thank God for Jesus, we don't have to be that strong.Unlike Job the majority of us wouldn't make the grade. Who around Job would have made it but him? Certainly not his wife and friends. If you believe as I do, from background reading. Job was the first book written in the bible, around 1500 BC. In that context what we learn from Job, is to respond to any situation with God. As Christians we know that no man is perfect. As even Job turned out not to be himself. He never denounced God, but he doubted. That's only human emotion. In the beginning we only had God, as a solution in the most trying of times. That's all we have now. Nothing has really changed.
Post a Comment
<< Home