January 20, 2025 -But to Be Like Job

JOB 5:1-7:21

One Year Bible Audio & Daily Reading (oneyearbibleonline.com)

Job 5:8 “If I were you, I would go to God

    and present my case to him.

9 He does great things too marvelous to understand.

    He performs countless miracles.

10 He gives rain for the earth

    and water for the fields.

11 He gives prosperity to the poor

    and protects those who suffer.

It makes me sad to think that Job's friends are always given such a bad rap. When I look at Eliphaz and his advice, I can't say that I wouldn't say the same thing. All these things are true but that does not mean God heals every sickness or provide prosperity to every person who asks. He doesn't bring rain on every field or protection to everyone who is suffering. I think these words of advice are not bad as long as they are given with the understanding that God can do these things but He does not have to do any of them. This is where the providence of God needs to be trusted. We can speak truth to people who are suffering and even though it is true that God can do exactly what we would want the prayer of our heart needs to be thy will be done because I trust you even if I don't like it.

Job 6:5 Don’t I have a right to complain?

    Don’t wild donkeys bray when they find no grass,

    and oxen bellow when they have no food?

Job is honest with God. Why not He knows what we are thinking and how we are feeling. He says to Eliphaz "don't I have the right to complain?" because every human who is in the midst of great suffering will be overwhelmed with emotions and be unhappy. We can't hide it from God and we should not need to hide that from our friends. But to be like Job means to be honest with God but to not blame Him or turn away from His word.

Job 6:8 “Oh, that I might have my request,

    that God would grant my desire.

9 I wish he would crush me.

    I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.

10 At least I can take comfort in this:

    Despite the pain,

    I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

In his honesty with God and His friend he asks God to take him out of this world and end his suffering. But to be like Job means to be honest with God but to not blame Him or turn away from His word.

Job 7:20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,

    you who see everything we do?

Why have you made me your target?

    Have I become a burden to you?

21 Why do you not pardon my offenses

    and forgive my sins?

For I will soon lie down in the dust;

    you will search for me, but I will be no more.”

He asks God what he has done wrong to deserve this and why he isn't doing what Job knows He can do. I think this is a common question that comes from our limited perspective. We want to have a logical reason for everything but because we can't see the whole picture, the heavenly perspective, it makes no sense to us. But to be like Job means to be honest with God but to not blame Him or turn away from His word.