Bildad pulls no punches with Job, does he? He shifts the wind of blame from Job to Job's children. Now, the hair on my neck stands up and the claws come out with that. You can mess with me all you want but don't mess with my children. I was very surprised that Job did not respond to Bildad's accusation. Perhaps he did not because he knew down inside that Bildad was right. Job knew he had offered sacrifices on behalf of his children. But still, that was a low blow.
Bildad's tone is strong but I will have to admit, I am glad I have a friend or two in my life that will call a spade a spade. Out of their love for me, they will give me straight and honest answers to try to help through a problem. On the flip side, sometimes I have to be the "strong voice of truth" to my friends. I have learned that tone is everything. We don't have the privilege of hearing the tone of the friend's responses to Job but we do have the privilege of knowing their hearts. Remember they grieved in silence with him for seven days. If that isn't love, I don't know what is. I think it is important to keep this in mind as we read the remaining dialogues.
I believe Job's heart is softening. He seems to be little less angry with God, at least for a moment or two. Did you notice the brief connection to Psalm 139 in 10:9-12? (If you have not read Psalm 139 lately or ever, you must today.)
Zophar tells Job to confess and get rid of his sins. It makes me wonder: do his friends really know him all? How well do our friends really know us? Job vehemently claims his innocence. Job must have had an exemplary repudation in the community. But we all have secret sins, closet sins that even our best friends don't know about. Zophar's advice was right on. He tells Job to prepare his heart, lift his hands before God, confess and leave the sin behind. I can say from experience, preparing your heart, lifting your hands before God, confessing and leaving your sin behind is sound advice to give anyone who is troubled. For me, it is a rare day that I don't have at "least one" thing to confess and leave behind. Can I get a witness?
Girls (and guys) this is a tough book to read through. Hang in there. I was talking to Jesus today about how tough the book of Job is for me. He reminded me that my goal is not have a complete understanding of everything written but to grab a nugget of truth and apply it to my life. I got a nugget. I trust you did, too.
I believe Job's heart is softening. He seems to be little less angry with God, at least for a moment or two. Did you notice the brief connection to Psalm 139 in 10:9-12? (If you have not read Psalm 139 lately or ever, you must today.)
Zophar tells Job to confess and get rid of his sins. It makes me wonder: do his friends really know him all? How well do our friends really know us? Job vehemently claims his innocence. Job must have had an exemplary repudation in the community. But we all have secret sins, closet sins that even our best friends don't know about. Zophar's advice was right on. He tells Job to prepare his heart, lift his hands before God, confess and leave the sin behind. I can say from experience, preparing your heart, lifting your hands before God, confessing and leaving your sin behind is sound advice to give anyone who is troubled. For me, it is a rare day that I don't have at "least one" thing to confess and leave behind. Can I get a witness?
Girls (and guys) this is a tough book to read through. Hang in there. I was talking to Jesus today about how tough the book of Job is for me. He reminded me that my goal is not have a complete understanding of everything written but to grab a nugget of truth and apply it to my life. I got a nugget. I trust you did, too.
12 Comments:
Wendy,
You're right it is so important that we have friends that can be strong and tell us straight whether we like it or not. Being bruttally honest is not easy, but I'm working on because it does have it's place.
I too liked the part of preparing our hearts - a great reminder of an act we continual need to do.
I also liked 10:10-12! A nice reminder that we were made on pupose.
Have a great day.
Blessings, Lynn - OR
Job 9:33 foreshadows Jesus...once again our great God shows us His plans. "If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together."
It's been great reading this together, and when the reading gets even tougher, we'll muddle thru together!
Morgen - MN
I am thanking God for my "voices of truth"! I pray that I am prepared by the truth of His Word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit to be that voice for my friends in Christ. Difficult at times, but always worth it! I love Psalm 139!
Having a great time reading through the Bible and am so encouraged by everyone's comments. I feel like I am on a team! Thanks Wendy!
This story is very close to my heart because I can relate to Job's grief. I confess it was difficult reading Job’s raw grief without tears, and I had made up my mind “not to go there”… which is why you haven’t heard from me. How can I share God’s faithfulness if I remain silent?... Job certainly didn’t remain silent - literally!! :-)
At age 32, I accepted Christ, three days later my husband and son accepted Christ… three weeks later our son died in an accident. I was grieving in blind faith – trusting a God I didn’t know. Yet, like Job, I clung tenaciously to what I believed… God was my lifeline that kept me from drowning in a sea of sorrow. And that lifeline was a strong cord of three when my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and laid to rest next to our son six years later. God is faithful… His grace is sufficient… His peace surpassed all understanding… His love is deep enough to cut through the pain, and if you opened my body you would find a shattered heart bound together with a cord of three (God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit).
Clinging to His promises,
Susan
Job's first speech 3:1:26 is the agony of grief.
"Why?..." "Why is life given to those who have no future... what I dreaded has come true. I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble comes."
Job's second speech 6:1-7:21 is despair of grief.
"I, too, have been assigned months of futility, long and weary nights of misery."
"My bed will comfort me; and sleep will ease my misery, but then you shatter me with dreams and terrify me with visions. I would rather be strangled - rather die than suffer like this. I hate my life and don't want to go on living."
Job's third speech 9:1-35 is the bitterness of grief.
I say bitter, because in my mind it was never supposed to happen like this. My son was young, he had his whole life ahead of him. My husband loved the Lord – he was faithful, kind and good… why him, and not someone who is abusive and evil?
"So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with Him?"
"If I decided to forget my complaints, to put away my sad face and be cheerful, I would still dread all the pain, for I know you will not find me innocent, O God. Whatever happens, I will be found guilty. So what's the use of trying?"
“What do you gain by oppressing me? Why do you reject me, the work of your own hands, while smiling on the schemes of the wicked?”
Job’s fourth speech 12:1-35 is the surrender to grief. (yes, I read ahead)
Job may not understand the why, but he knows the Who. Job didn’t just explain God, he claimed God!
“… for I call on God and expect an answer.”
“For the life of every living think is in His hand, and the breath of every human being.”
“He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; He brings light to the deepest gloom.”
I agree with Morgen, thank God we have Jesus Christ as our mediator! He everliveth to make intercession for the saints. When I'm in distress or facing a trial it comforts me to know Jesus is praying for me, so I come in agreement with him through the scriptures and we always come out triumphantly!
Debbie - North Carolina
I want to get a "nugget" each day from reading thru Job...and trying to place myself in their shoes, Job and that of his friends...I was thinking about this morning if it helped Job at all to forget about his physical pain and suffering, to be using his mind as he was listening to his friends and crying out to God and answering them. I did notice also that there were good things that his friends were speaking to him, and lots of times I've heard to "take the good" of what someone says and dismiss the rest...I did notice Ps. 139 too. Great to hear what everyone has to share!!
Blessings on your day!! It's 30 degrees in Iowa today~YIPEE! Looking forward to spring!
Raylene
Thanks for your encouragement! My soon to be 10 year old daughter once said that she really didn't like the story of Job. It is very hard for anyone to take when bad things happen but especially when they happen to good people. It really is a test of faith. I pray that we all have the faith to trust God fully in any bad circumstances we may be facing.
Thanks,
Shelley - MI
Dearest Wendy,
Thank You for this wonderful bible study. How God is speaking to me through his Word. The thoughts of these different women are just wonderful and open up your mind to so much. Blessings to you Wendy and all the women participating in this study.
December Rose- Your beautiful! How much Strength and Courage The Lord has given you. God is Faithful and He will bless you! Hugs,
Debra In No. Ca.
I couldn't help but read Job 10 and notice Job's extremes. It is so like me.
First, I decide I am tired of everything so I am going to throw myself a pity party. So I complain. In the midst of the complaining, I realize that I do have some good things, thanks to God. Yet, overwhelmed again, I resume the pity partying.
Like many of you, I want to get to the end of Job, too. This is challenging reading. Like a good movie though, I know there's a great ending. Keep on keeping on.
First of all, December Rose, as I read your testimony I am weeping. God uses you!!! I love your words, keep 'em coming!
Second of all, is anyone going to the girls day out tomorrow in Houston with Lysa and Renee?? If so, I'd love to meet you, see your face and hug your neck...Okay don't let that last part scare you, I won't hug you unless you let me :)
Now, about Job, I am trying to get the big picture a little more clearly here. I love Job's first response to God was "to worship" I wrote about that today even though it was in our reading a few days ago. I am still processing and pondering his friends. I like how Wendy says tone is everything. Maybe I'll imagine this in different tones and see what God reveals...
December Rose
God is using you today in the hearts of many. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. What a blessing to see your heart. I loved reading the scriptures you used. They some how seemed different in the light of your story and away from the rest of the chapter.
You are a treasure to your Father.
Although my heart was filled with sadness through much of today's reading for many reasons, I am holding to the following verse: "He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." Job 8:21
Choosing to look ahead and hang on,
Joy
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