May 17, 2025

We must be careful with accusations so as not to condemn when we don't know the whole truth. Job's friends were no help to soothe Job, but unjustly added to his misery with less than comforting words. However, what Eliphaz said was spot-on about God. God doesn't need us, but we are indebted to Him. He said that if Job turned to God, he would prosper and have so much gold that it would be like dust. Matthew Henry made some good points:

1. "That he should live a life of complacency in God." For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. Job 22:26
2. "That he should have a humble holy confidence towards God."
3. "That he should maintain a constant communion with God." Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. Job 22:27
4. "That he should have inward satisfaction in the management of all his outward affairs." Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. Job 22:28

We should be so wrapped up in God that we no longer seek the riches of this world but long for and delight in God's spiritual gifts and blessings, which are far better than gold and jewels. 

May 16, 2025

The way Job responds to Zophar for interrupting his discourse is priceless. He told them to shut up, cover your mouths, I’m paraphrasing, but it’s all the same. Then you can continue to mock. 

Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. Job 21:5

He didn’t let them beat him down with their words without a harsh response. They deserved him calling them out. The point of Job’s rebuttal is that their accusations don’t make sense because the wicked prosper here on earth, and their punishment comes after death. They are but chaff that will be blown away in the wind. The wicked may prosper here on earth, but their punishment will be severe when they face hell in the afterlife, and those who love the Lord will prosper in the care of the Almighty. 

Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. Job 21:10

They continue in their wickedness without the thought of God, and don’t concern themselves about their punishment because they don’t consider God at all. 

Don’t allow the troubles of this world to drag you down. Hold your head up because we are blessed to have God on our side and the promise of prosperity when King Jesus comes to claim his kingdom and expel evil from his presence. 

Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. Job 21:29-30

The newborn in the picture had to be pulled because he got stuck. Yes, the cow calved, but it wasn't an easy delivery. 

May 15, 2025

Because we know Job didn’t do anything to deserve the tribulation that came upon him at the hands of Satan, our hearts go out to him. We feel sorry for his situation; from this, we know that even God’s most faithful servants go through trials and tribulations. However, his friends think he has done something wrong, and when he continued to glorify God and argue back instead of accepting their ill words against him, they became even more insulting. Zophar was the next to speak and described the fate of an evil person, assuming Job was such a person, which was the life Job was now living. I found one point in the scripture that describes hell’s fire very interesting. We often assume that those who end up there will melt in the hot flames, but Zophar describes it differently, which makes me think that though hell is hot, there are no flames. An example might be your oven set to 1000 degrees; the body will show the effects of the heat, but no visible sign of it. Here is the scripture:

All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle. Job 20:26

The descriptions of hell that God gives us may help to teach someone their fate without Jesus. If they think hell is just a party, they may not be concerned about where they are going. Malachi describes it this way:

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. Malachi 4:1

May 14, 2025

The book of Job is poetry, but it resembles a trial with his friends and lawyers, who bring accusations against him. Job pleads his case before God, but his friends question whether he is righteous in his heart. I had an eye-opening experience as I read that Job, during his pain, knew his Redeemer lived. He rebukes his friends for torturing him with their words and not offering comfort in his time of need, and proclaims his unwavering faith in the Almighty. Is the book of Job also a foretelling of the suffering of Jesus? He suffered as Jesus did; they turned on him, and he was beaten and accused, even though he was not guilty. Job was worn down, and his flesh was deteriorating, yet in his suffering, his friends accused him of being evil in his heart. His response to them proved otherwise when he said, 

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” Job 19:25

My friends, if you are suffering from great anguish, sickness, or disease, stand firm, your Redeemer lives; don’t let go of him. He is your Judge, the only righteous Judge; take hold of him and hang on with all your might; although you are weak, he is strong, and he will judge you fairly, and find you innocent of all charges brought against you, for he accepted your penalty when he hung on the cross, whether you are guilty or innocent.

May 13, 2025

Because we know how the story of Job began, we know that he is a good man going through testing. God knew he would stand firm in his testing, but Satan pressed him, thinking he could win and get Job to curse God and die. Neither Job nor his friends knew the conversation between God and Satan, so they could not see the beginning or the end. His friends automatically thought Job had done something evil and he was being punished. So Bildad starts admonishing him for his evil. Though we know this scenario doesn’t apply to Job, Bildad is a wise man and knows what lies ahead for those who are evil. Bildad spoke some pretty strong words against Job; in his condition, he didn’t deserve them. However, we can learn from his words. 

What happens to the wicked?

1. His light will be put out. 
2. His actions will be like a snare for his own feet.
3. Terror will make him afraid.
4. His strength will be taken away.
5. He will lack confidence.
6. He will be chased out of this world, and no one will remember him.
7. He will be driven from light into darkness.

Here’s the good news: because we trust in Jesus, though we may be down, and others consider us evil, we will prevail, and our light will never go out. We are truly blessed that God considered us worthy and chose us for salvation. 

Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him. Job 18:5-6

May 12, 2025

We may be eager to encourage someone down on their luck and give them flowery words to lift their spirits, but we need to be careful not to tell them things that could further destroy their confidence if what we say to them ends up not coming to pass. An example would be Job's friends telling him he would regain all his prosperity, when they had no guarantees he would. The best way to encourage someone who's down is to repeat God's promises to them because we know they are trustworthy and true. Remind them of what Jesus did for us on the cross, and pray with and for them. Pray that God would open their eyes to see the spiritual army surrounding them and hem them in on every side. Help them go to war and fight the good fight of faith. Teach them to put on the spiritual armor so they might stand firm, knowing that God is in control, and reassure them that everything happens on His timeline, and they will someday benefit from our trials. Tell them that when we are weak, He is strong, and remind them of His love and grace and the promise of eternal life to those who put their faith in Him. There are many ways to encourage them without making promises and projections that might not come true. Be encouraged today if you are passing through troubled waters, hold the hand of Jesus until the seas are calmed. 

But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you. My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness. Job 17:10-11

May 11, 2025

When Job poured out his grief, he realized that it didn’t help ease his pain. Instead, his words were misconstrued and caused him further grief. However, sometimes if you keep silent, your accusers will believe they were right and that your silence is a confession of guilt. I’ve learned from experience that it is better to keep silent and let them think what they want since they’ve made up their mind anyway. When someone uses their mouth to chop you into pieces, let them continue while you pray to God in your mind, crying out to Jesus as they continue to harp on you, and watch what happens. In the middle of their tirade, you will notice that they begin to ease up and recognize their harshness. If they don’t stop, somehow, because you’ve called on God, you will begin to feel at ease because He will send you comfort. 

They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. Job 16:10

As Job continued in speaking against his friends for being miserable comforters, his tears are recorded as prayers to God. God is the one we can count on to bring us relief, especially when our friends are more like enemies. God is our source; we can always count on Him.

My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! Job 16:20-21