Job 21
Job 21:1-16
Job asked them to listen carefully. They had failed at offering comfort and compassion, they had failed at being friendsd. Maybe they could draw some comfort themselves from a being silent while Job spoke. He didn't really hold out any real hope of changing their mind. He assumed when he wa done they would return to mocking him. While his friends maintain that bad things happen to wicked people because they deserve it, Job argues back that there are wicked people all around him that are prospering. They reject God and go about their business doing just fine. You may have noticed this also. They do seem to get along just fine.
Job 21:17-21
Bildad claimed the lamp of the wicked was put out (in 18:5-6). Job challenges his assertion. Their common belief was that the judgment of wickedness would fall on the household of the wicked. Job points out that the wicked don't really care what happens to them when they are gone. They have to responsibility to God or their family or anyone.
Job 21:22-34
Two men are portrayed. One in full strength and an easy life and the other poor having never enjoyed pleasure. Both alike go to the grave the same way. No one even condemns the wicked man to his face. He goes about his business. When he dies, it seems he's gotten away with a good and prosperous, yet wicked, life.
The fact is not all the wicked suffer, the advice of the friends was failed. The righteous do not always flourish either. Since his friends have all this wrong, Job wonders how they can offer him more of their empty words.
Job 22
Job 22:1-3
Eliphaz starts round three and delivers his final speech. He had started back in chapters four and five commeding Job for his good deed and then suggesting he might want to repent of some sin. It seems that Eliphaz was very sincere and not out to destroy Job but to help. However, he brings no new argument. He wrongly argues that God has no stake in Job's righteousness or vindication. All three friends have been presumptuous regarding God's values and actions. It's Job's righteousness that will prove Satan wrong in his accusation that Job will curse God.
Job 22:4-11
As with the other friends, Eliphaz holds to the idea that what Job is going through is judgment and correction. Once that was wrongly established, then everything that follows, even if it is true, is wrongly applied. God doesn't wrongly judge or correct, but this was neither.
Eliphaz makes some suggestions regarding possible sins that Job have by which all this was brought on. Then he arrived at the 'therefore' of Verse 10; its because of those sins or something like them that brought all the trouble and darkness
Job 22:12-20
Eliphaz speaks of the sovereignty of God and His omnicience and omnipresence. He accuses Job of being presumptuous about God as if he were thinking God couldn't see him; or God couldn't judge correctly from so far away. This seems to be an assumptioin from Eliphaz; as Job didn't convey this.
The 'old days' seems to be a reference to the days before the flood; Genesis 6 days when all the thoughts of men were continually wicked. This is quite a leap to apply to a friend. He then said the righteous see this clearly and says 'our' adversaries are cut down. Eliphaz includes himself in the category of the righteous that God gives clear vision to and protects from bad things. As far as he was concerned, Job had been excluded.
Job 22:21-30
The advice of Eliphaz is good advice for the one who has sinned and separated themselves from God. The word 'acquaint' should be understood as 'reconcile'. Repentance, listening for God's instruction and laying up His word in our heart is sound advice. Unfortunately, it's of no help to Job who already had repented and sought God. Eliphaz equates Job's wealth with unjust practices of some kind. If Job repented, Eliphaz thought, then the gold would have to go; then God would bless him and his problems would be resolved. He went so far as to offer a 'name it and claim it' verse to Job in verse twenty-eight.
Suffering doesn't always mean judgment or correction. Our circumstances aren't a measure of God's blessing on us and His delight in our love for Him. Paul wrote of joy while sitting in chains in a Roman prison. This was a joy that surpassed anything established by earthly circumstances; nothing as small and petty as gold and wealth. This joy and contentment came from Jesus; it was never threatened by circumstances, people, the things of this world unless we allowed them to. We can hold onto this joy by being single minded in Christ, gospel centered in life, humble in our ways, and secure in our walk.
Job 23
Job 23:1-7
Job answered, but it was more of a plea with God than an answer to Eliphaz. He suffering is heavy and if God would just give him a chance to defend himself, he is sure it could be worked out. Job wants to give a legal defense; and while Job earlier felt it would matter or change anything, he now says God would take note of him. The 'contend' of verse 6 is a legal case; the 'take note' is a just consideration of the facts. Job said God wouldn't bully him in power but listen to the facts and be fair if he could just make his case.
Job 23:8-12
Job contends his blamelessness. He isn't sinless, but he's kept God's ways and walked with him. He's followed God's commands and instruction. If he's failed, he's not aware of where or how. Job makes quite a statement in saying he valued God's word more than the food of his body. How many of us would, or could, say this?
Job 23:13-17
Job speaks of God's holiness; the 'I AM' who is like no other. Job sees Him as unique and He does what He wants. We would see this as 'He's God, and His ways are beyond ours'.
Job has lost sight of the fact that God loves him and would never leave him or forsake him. This feeling of separation; this idea that he failed God or messed up the relationship is so disappointing to him. This turned his faith into fear. He's terrified because he doesn't know the source of this suffering. God is teaching, right where he stood at that time and in the entire season.
God's ways and the unknown that is appointed for us is a great adventure when we have faith and trust that He loves us and will never leave us. When we lose site of that, the adventure becomes darkness and terror and breeds fear.
Job 24
Job laments that evil isn't judged in a timely manner. He gives examples of the offenses of the wicked. Then in verses 5-8 he gives examples of the poor and oppressed. Then in 9-10 again, he shows the wicked getting away with sin; then the contrast in 11 & 12 of the poor and oppressed. Job wrongly assumes they aren't charged with wrong. A few questions come to mind:
- How can Job assume there are no charges?
- Why do we feel God should explain his charges regarding another? Isn't this God's business?
- If the wicked suffer, does that somehow alleviate Job's suffering?
Job's circumstances were allowed by God. The suffering of the wicked doesn't help Job. He either doesn't know, or has forgotten the patience God has. He's certainly forgotten the patience God had for him, not bringing judgment at the first sign of sin, but providing a means of repentance and the covering of sin. God is just, but He's long suffering that all should come to repentance and trust in Christ. This is good news.
In verse 18, Job offers his idea of what he would do if he were God. Justice would be sure and swift; the wicked would be dealt with. But God has His own ways. He sees the wicked and does nothing. They seem to have security while the blameless seem to have no promise of life. Job knows their exaltation is for a time. They've not fooled God and in time they will be brought low. Every sin will be accounted for. Job ends by challenging Eliphaz to prove him wrong.
Job 25
Bildad takes another opporunity to speak. This is his last speech. He speaks of dominion and fear. He is extoling God for His sovereignty and power. This word translated 'fear' speaks of the response to the display of His power. He shows the awesomeness of God to make his case that man can't please Him. Bildad is agreeing with Eliphaz to defeat Job's claim to innocence. Yet, in attempting to defeat Job's argument of innocence they destory their own explanation of their life. If no man is blameless and righteous, why hasn't God judged Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar?
Job never claimed to not have sinned, only that his sin couldn't be the cause of the problems.
Job 26
Job rebukes the Bildad; his counsel and consoling was worthless. Job may also be making the case that he used to be the one to comfort mourners. Bildad didn't even utter his words as much as he re-uttered the words of Eliphaz.
Bildads description of the sovereignty and power of God is nothing compared to Job's. God is omnicient seeing those in sheol. Abbadon (destruction), another word for the realm of the dead, didn't escape God's eye. Job then speaks of God's power and authority in the heavens as well as in the deep of the waters. The word 'storm' in verse twelve is probably a reference to rahab the sea monster. This mysterious creature was seen as a uncontrollable, untamable force of chaos. Only God could deal with Rahab.
As big, as broad, as high and as deep as these things, they are the mere edges of His ways. Job had a high view of God. When we hear the thunder of His power, it is but a small whisper to Him.
Job 27
Job 27:1-6
In light of the frailty of man and the power of God, Job holds onto what he's said all along. He goes so far as to take an oath in saying, "As God lives." To be proven wrong would establish him as a blasphemer. Job swears he won't speak wickedness or deceit. So, to agree with his friends wold be ridiculous; a compromise and admission of broken integrity. This didn't happen and Job refused to agree with it. He stands by the man he has always been and maintains his intention to continue on that way.
Job 27:7-10
His friends accused him of hypocrisy. Job contends that those who oppose him are wicked and unrighteous since he is holding fast to righteousness. Job's conscience is clear. His steadfastness through suffering stands as proof since the hypocrite has nothing to gain by standing fast. The hypocrite has no hope in holding onto a lie.
Job 27:11-23
Job teaches his friends. He is agreeing with them regarding the final state of the wickeed. Some parts seem to contridict his earlier statements. Job may be teaching the common knowledge of the time in sarcasm; restating what they all used to believe but now is seen to have flaws.
Job 28
Men will go to great lengths to mine silver and gold and other precious and valuable metals and stones. Man will do the hard work in obsure and difficult places. But what about wisdom? Job establishes that it isn't like these other things that can be sought out and chased after. It's not in a location; nor can it be purchased or bartered for. It stands alone in a category all its own. It is hidden, concealed to a fallen world. Death and destruction heard rumor of it. God created and established the heavens and earth. Then, He saw wisdom, declared it, prepared it and said wisdom is fear of the Lord. Wisdom starts with trust and obedience to the Lord. Rebellion against God is folly and it leads to folly. See Proverbs 8:22-29.
Job 29
Job's final speech continues. He looks back on the 'good ole days' when the was blessed by God and respected by the community. He was convinced that God was no longer watching over him. The sudden change in life had shaken his understanding the Almighty. He was mistaken to think only good things happen to God's people. How could his life unfold this way while still being under the watchful eye of God and under the friendly counsel of God. Yet, how much worse would those times be if he were truly separated from God?
Job used to go to the gate of the city. This was the social hub and commercial center; as well as the assembly place. Legal rulings were made there. Job sat in a seat of privilege, the respected seat of an elder. Peole would remain silent until the person of greater honor had spoken. Unlike now in speaking to his friends, there was a time when young and old alike respected and listened to his words.
Job's reputation and respect came from his willingness to help those in need. He delivered the poor, orphans, widows as well as helping the sick and lame. He stood up to the unrighteous and wicked men who oppressed and took advantage of those folks.
Job thought his life would be a long life; each day looking much like these good ole days. But now it was gone. He saw that His glory and respect was gone. His 'bow' was his strength, this too was gone.
Job 30
Job 30:1-8
In contrast to the respect that had previously been shown to Job, he was now disrespected. They were honored and pleased if he smiled at them; they could scarcely believe it (v24). They now smile at Job as a jeer and taunt; these younger men show no respect. These are youth of the fathers that Job spurned; the low men of society. These youths lives as though they were dogs. The mallow of verse four is the food for the poor. They were the sons of fools, living as fools.
Job 30:9-15
Job's life and reputation had been reduced to a taunting song. A byword is a pithy saying packed with meaning; Job had become their byword. When they thought of Job, they thought of this man they could taunt and jeer and that didn't deserve the respect of the fool. Job remains a byword today, but for a different reason. The name Job brings the idea of patience in the face of suffering; perseverance and lonliness.
These sons of fools had cast off all restraint. The respect that was once shown him by all was a type of restraint. With that respect gone, there was no restraint for the fool. He is assaulted by them in a fashion that resembles an army laying siege to a city. His escape would be removed and then they would breach the wall.
Job 30:16-19
And now it has come to the point where Job feels his very soul is being poured out. Job believes he is close to death. The pain in his bones prevents him from resting at night. He is disfigured from his affliction to the point his clothes are a problem. In becoming like dust and ashes, Job sees himself as the object of mourning.
Job 30:20-31
Job's greatest heartbreak and frustration is not the mocking youths, but the silence of God. He reminds God of his many petitions. It's as though God had become his enemy. What once felt like a friendship with God had become persecutrion. Convinced of death, Job hopes it will come quickly and relieve him of his suffering. Job hopes for the same kindness that had been shown to those in need as he had often partaken in.
©2017 Doug Ford
Facebook