**Girls, I stand corrected: 12 degrees is not cold.
Be sure to read the section about Job right under the date: THE ACCOUNT OF JOB.
We lost Jacob and Joseph. Each time I read the story, though expected, their deaths saddens me. It will be exciting to see how Jacob's blessings for his sons play out in our story. It might be a good idea to put a paper clip on those pages so we can easily flip back, especially to the part about Joseph's bones.
Be sure to read the section about Job right under the date: THE ACCOUNT OF JOB.
Job was from Uz, the land of Edom, modern-day southwestern Jordan and southern Israel. The scriptures tell us Job was blameless and a man of complete integrity. One translation even says "the man of perfect integrity." (HCSB-Holman Christian Standard Bible) Well, the words blameless and perfect intimated me. I can't identify with that standard. If you remember Noah was also described as blameless. I researched the word blameless. According to Blue Letter Bible blameless in the text means: complete, perfect, one who lacks nothing in physical strength, beauty, etc. sound, wholesome an ordinary quiet sort of person, morally innocent, having intergrity one who is morally and ethically pure. After reading this definition I realized that I could identify with Job, the "an ordinary person" part. Commentaries suggest that it was the fear of the Lord that kept Job from evil. This is another way I can identify with Job. I most definitely stand in reverent fear of my Lord.
We see in our reading that even the devil himself is subject to the Lord. The Lord dictated what he would allow satan to do and not do to Job. I am amazed that the Lord would even have conversation with satan. (I just can not capitalize his name.) Were you? I also noticed that satan is roaming the earth watching everything that is going on. We have a real enemy who is watching us, setting traps, and using his own band of "angels" to manipulate circumstances that will cause us to stumble. His desire is for us to curse God and turn from him. Sound familiar? Job's "supportive" wife offered this advice to Job. Yes, we have real enemy but we have a real God who is also watching everything that is going on and allows only that which will make us more like him happen to us.
I chuckled when I read that Job's friends did not say a word for seven days and seven nights. Yes, that would be a bunch of men. Had Job been a woman seven seconds would not have passed by without an "Awwww. Bless your heart. Can I get you something to eat? You need to keep your strength up." These friends did not offer and warm fuzzies but they mourned with their friend. They tore their clothes and threw dirt (ashes, more literally translated) over their shoulders. They truly grieved with their friend.
After Job's "I curse the day I was born and everything about it" fit, Eliphaz decides to start the intervention. This was the start to several exchanges between Job and his friends. The story gets quite interesting. I can't wait to read on.
Thank you for all the kind words to me and prayers for me. I truly am blessed to be walking this journey with you and serving you through cyberspace. I am so appreciative of this assignment and to be welcomed in your inbox.
16 Comments:
Hi, Wendy. You're right! It was 3 degrees here over the weekend!
Wendy, as I am doing the NIV Chrono Bible (it goes differently in order for some reason), I just finished the book of JOB and am starting back in the middle of Genesis.
Just as an encouragement to the gals reading Job now, stay with it! Literally, Job's friends made my brain hurt. But God has treasures of Truth all throughout the book. (and I couldn't wait to get to the end where GOD speaks!)
I just posted about my time in Job about treasuring the words of His mouth (Job 23:12): joyinthetruth.blogspot.com
Blessed reading!
Good morning all! What spoke to me in today's reading was the ability of the 3 friends to mourn with Job for 7 days in silence.(I realize they should have stayed silent!) I would like to be more comfortable in silence around others; especially in a situation where I feel the need to help. There can be comfort in silence. I pray for God's direction in this.
Morgen - MN
In Wisconsin, our low was -16, but it seems once you hit 0--you can't really feel the difference. It's just plain cold!!
My thoughts on the reading. I want to support my husband in his difficulties with strong faith in a good God that turns all things for good to those who love Him.
satan definately has limits put on Him by the all powerful One. I am praising God for that, and taking comfort in that fact.
Job's friends started out by comforting him with their presence...and then they started "preaching."
I keep thinking about when we first started reading.."Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” The challenge to be spotless and blameless, to be a woman of integrity...Jesus is coming soon! I love that God does use the "ordinary": Acts 4:13
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
I want people to notice I've been with Jesus!!
Thank you Wendy for all the points that you make, which challenge me to work on "Lord, change ME!"
Raylene
Boone, IA
I liked what Luanne said, "Job's friends started out by comforting him with their presence...and then they started "preaching."
It made me wonder, were they praying for a miracle for Job for those seven days of silence? After seven days did they decide a miracle was not forthcoming? Was it then that they in their "human" wisdom decided that Job must have done something to deserve his circumstances? I may never know the answers to those questions, but they gave me pause.
How long do we, do I, pray for something before I give up? If I have a friend who is hurting and I don't see God responding the way I think He should (grin - at my humanness here), do I then judge my friends life to see if they are in need of confession, repentance, or a life change.
My prayer is that I will not judge, but rather that I will be found faithful to continue to pray and offer comfort and be a blessing to my friends in their time of need; and not begin to preach.
Another great reading providing "food for thought."
It is not the testimony of men that is worthy of my attention, but the testimony of God that matters! God testified on behalf of Job, what an awesome place to be in. Lord help us to strive to have the testimony of our forefathers and of your son Jesus Christ, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.
Debbie - North Carolina
I love looking into Jobs life. It reminds me to be calm in the middle of life's storms. Regardless of what was thrown at him...his desire to please the Lord was most important. I pray that the Lord can bring me to that same place during life's difficult times.
Thanks gals for all your insight....it really helps me to delve deeper into what I have read!
Julie
I love the story of Job. In my youth, I belonged to a group who studied Job. Job is steadfast. He is convicted in his belief of God. No matter what. How awesome is that?!
As life's challenges happen, and I've been through some rough ones, I always go back to the teachings of Job. His steadfastness to believe. And, it so true. You can't go around and about the events of life, you have to go through them -- be steadfast in your beliefs and convictions.
I can't wait to read more!
I don't think I have read Job entirely before, and how good it is. What faith! Blameless in God's eyes. How awesome is that? Since we have the blood of Jesus, is that still attainable for us who are human and flawed (to be blameless in His sight). Hmm Regardless it's something I want to strive for in my life.
Wendy thanks so much. I am enjoying this so much. Your insight and everyone elses just gives it so much more than that which I can get on my own.
Lynn - OR
Lynn
Don't forget Job was human, too. He was born with a sin nature just like us.
Because of the blood of Jesus and God's amazing grace, we can live a blameless life. The Holy Spirit is in us so that we can live a life that strives to hold steadfastly to the truths of the Word. Blameless does not mean perfect, praise God!
The two verses that stuck out to me were the comments that Job himself made. In his situaion, I truly do not know how he could say these, had it not been for his complete trust and reverence for God. I also love that he still showed his emotions (tearing his robe), but did not let them overtake his confidence in God.
Here is what he said:
"The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!" Job 1:21
"Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" Job 2:10
I pray that as life occurs, I can repeat those words in true worship to my Jesus,too.
Have a great day girls!
Sorry, it should read "situation," not "situaion." I really wish Blogger had spell check! :)
Hi Wendy! I am really enjoying our reading and your comments.
What caught my attention in todays reading was where it said that Job offered a burnt offering for each of his children to purify them. How many times do we as parents, (hopefully daily), intercede to God on our childrens behalfs.
May God help me be faithful to pray for my children and grandchildren daily.
Debbie - Indiana
Well, I struggled with today's reading. I wrote and re-wrote my post several times. My head was telling me one thing while my feelings were running all over the page.
I think what touches me most in this story is that Job was just a man. He was no super-human. He was like you and I. “There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz” (Job 1:1). That could be the beginning of my story today or your story today. There was a woman named _____ who lived in the land of ______. Job’s story could be our story.
We read there was a man, then, there was a day. A day like no other. A day when life crashed down so hard the living of it seems unimaginable. Job's life is the personification of misery. A misery that God allowed. Here is a good man, a godly man, a faithful husband, a loving father, then, seemingly senseless tragedy invaded his life. So underserving. No warning. No understanding. A strange cosmic agreement between God and Satan. There is just no comprehending.
Job got up one morning and his life changed forever. We too can have Job moments in our lives. A phone call. A Doctor's report. A knock on the door. No one is exempt from tragedy. On a broader scale we see 9/11, drive-by shootings, childhood abuse, the list is endless. All scream of life being unjust.
I struggle with my response to Job's life. I struggle with the anxiety of wondering if God would ask such a trial of me. I don't want it. Is it bad that I can't surrender and say with Paul, I want to know You in Your suffering? I think these next two weeks as I journey with Job are not going to be easy. Knowing how at any moment, if not for God's grace, Job's life could be mine. That possibility held a shadow over my head today. I know it is not God's intent. I pray for His peace. I don't want to live in the worry of potential hardship. I need God to so captivate my mind and fill me with Himself that fear isn't my response. I pray that I will be able to accept the mystery of God's love.
Being honest,
Joy
what I found so amazing about Job(an ordinary man who fears God) was that when all his servants come and deliver devestating news...he tears his robe and falls to the ground in worship...worship. not mourning not grief but worship. may i do the same when He gives and when He takes away.
I do love the seven days of silence. I think this is such great advice when someone is in such deep pain that I may have never had to experience such as the loss of a child or a late term miscarriage or a divorce. Just being there speaks volumes.
ooooo I just love, love the rich comments today. I am so trying to wrap my head around Job, and your comments are giving me much to ponder...thank you, ladies
Today's reading spoke quite loudly into my life in two ways:
I have been going through a leadership training about how to comfort the sick and the grieving, so Job's friends empathizing with him (taking his loss as their own)and sitting with him in silence for seven days held my attention. I prayed over that before moving along.
Also, I have been involved in praying protection over many people of late - people setting out on missions, people who have had breakthroughs of healing and enlightenment. The enemy is on the prowl and he has a plan for us. We who are close to God are his favorite prey and very vulnerable to his attacks. Job is a perfect example of this truth. I prayed over that message as well.
Mostly, I rejoiced today for the reminders from our God that he is forever with us. Not only will he always send us sources of comfort and protection during the tough times, but always He Wins! The enemy is defeated! Amen to that!
Liz
the one "pin" in AK on Wendy's map
*sometimes 12 degrees is very cold*
Post a Comment
Home