They will say, "this was the home of a wicked person,
the place of one who rejected God."
Job 18:21
the place of one who rejected God."
Job 18:21
A few years ago I had the privilege of enjoying a day-tour with some friends who live in Ireland. Along our route, we stopped to examine the ruins of old stone houses and castles that once were thriving with life and beauty. Today they lie in a heap of ruins! As Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar gape at the ruins of Job's life, they could only shutter at the destruction of what once was. How do you even begin to pick up the pieces?
Listening to Job's friends can be quite confusing at times. Not everything they say is rubbish. As a matter of fact, Job responds to Bildad's first attempt at consolation by saying, "Yes, I know all this is true in principle." (You may want to reread Job 8:1-22.) You can sum up his concepts in some well-known words, "You reap what you sow!" It is not that Bildad's words were false that created a problem; it was his assumption that those words fit Job's situation. Right doctrine built on faulty judgment creates a structure that is just waiting to collapse! I wish I could honestly say that I have never kept company with the likes of Bildad, but more than once in my over 60 years on this earth, I have had to remove my foot from my mouth, and fill it with words of repentance.
There is something quite profound about Job's response to each of his accusers. You may want to keep a pencil and paper handy as you read through his replies. Watch how many times Job begins his rebuttal by refuting his "friends'" indictments. It is not difficult to hear his heart of frustration at their inability to accept his words. More times than not, by the end of Job's discourse he has ceased speaking to his companions and is pouring out his heart to God. Each time Job speaks, pay special attention to the progression of his prayers. What is it that Job is seeking? Is he begging God to restore his riches? Is he praying that God gives his friends ear to hear him? Does he ever plead with God to change their hearts? What is it that Job wants? How does his prayer begin to change as time goes on? When God was speaking to Ezekiel about His impending judgment, He says that "Even those these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves." Job's life is linked with some mighty powerful men who knew how to communicate with God. We would do well to listen to this one who knew how to turn his frustrations from wrestling with men and their judgmental assessments, to wrestling with God.
As we continue to listen to Job throughout the week, once again we find ourselves looking at one of those hidden 3-D pictures. Let's examine Job's life.
1. He was innocent
2. He was bruised by satan
3. He was rejected by his friends and family
4. He was rejected by the world around him
5. He wept and prayed in great anguish
6. He had the appearance of a sinner
7. He was spit on
8. He was mocked
9. In so many words, he cried out to God, "Why have you forsaken me?"
10. He said that God's arrows caused his blood to be poured out.
There are many more facets to this picture puzzle. What other ones do you see and whose face is hidden in the clues? If we are going to gain greater insight into the events coming in the next couple of weeks, we would be wise to let the picture unfold as we go along. There is more to Job than meets the eye; he's a greater picture than a righteous man who suffers unjustly. May God open our eyes to the hidden treasures of this tremendous icon.
Listening to Job's friends can be quite confusing at times. Not everything they say is rubbish. As a matter of fact, Job responds to Bildad's first attempt at consolation by saying, "Yes, I know all this is true in principle." (You may want to reread Job 8:1-22.) You can sum up his concepts in some well-known words, "You reap what you sow!" It is not that Bildad's words were false that created a problem; it was his assumption that those words fit Job's situation. Right doctrine built on faulty judgment creates a structure that is just waiting to collapse! I wish I could honestly say that I have never kept company with the likes of Bildad, but more than once in my over 60 years on this earth, I have had to remove my foot from my mouth, and fill it with words of repentance.
There is something quite profound about Job's response to each of his accusers. You may want to keep a pencil and paper handy as you read through his replies. Watch how many times Job begins his rebuttal by refuting his "friends'" indictments. It is not difficult to hear his heart of frustration at their inability to accept his words. More times than not, by the end of Job's discourse he has ceased speaking to his companions and is pouring out his heart to God. Each time Job speaks, pay special attention to the progression of his prayers. What is it that Job is seeking? Is he begging God to restore his riches? Is he praying that God gives his friends ear to hear him? Does he ever plead with God to change their hearts? What is it that Job wants? How does his prayer begin to change as time goes on? When God was speaking to Ezekiel about His impending judgment, He says that "Even those these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves." Job's life is linked with some mighty powerful men who knew how to communicate with God. We would do well to listen to this one who knew how to turn his frustrations from wrestling with men and their judgmental assessments, to wrestling with God.
As we continue to listen to Job throughout the week, once again we find ourselves looking at one of those hidden 3-D pictures. Let's examine Job's life.
1. He was innocent
2. He was bruised by satan
3. He was rejected by his friends and family
4. He was rejected by the world around him
5. He wept and prayed in great anguish
6. He had the appearance of a sinner
7. He was spit on
8. He was mocked
9. In so many words, he cried out to God, "Why have you forsaken me?"
10. He said that God's arrows caused his blood to be poured out.
There are many more facets to this picture puzzle. What other ones do you see and whose face is hidden in the clues? If we are going to gain greater insight into the events coming in the next couple of weeks, we would be wise to let the picture unfold as we go along. There is more to Job than meets the eye; he's a greater picture than a righteous man who suffers unjustly. May God open our eyes to the hidden treasures of this tremendous icon.
2 comments:
Just for all you inquisitive people out there, the removed comment Sandy posted said, "I'm trying to leave a comment." She was testing the system. I told her to do a test post and I would erase it. She had typed her post all out and then it didn't post. Rather than rewrite it all, I told her to just test it first. Okay Sandy, now where is the question you were going to post?????? ;<)
Post a Comment