In the previous lesson, on of Job's friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, broke the seven day silence of Job and offered his opinion as to why God was allowing Job to suffer such great pain and loss. His conclusion was that God would restore everything to Job that he had lost; but first He made the accusation that Job wasn't as righteous as he appeared to be and that he had some unconfessed sin God was punishing him for, after all we all "reap what we sow", right? Well, sometimes we do, but sometimes God allows us to suffer so that through us He may be glorified. The scriptures are full of example after example of this being the case. In one such example, before Christ Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4)
Everything we go through, whether we feel it's good or bad, we should go through it in such a way that it brings glory to God. Our goal as Christians should always be, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) No matter how dark things may seem, our light should always shine because we have the light of Christ Jesus in us. It doesn't mean we'll always be happy, laughing and smiling. God never tells us not to feel what we're feeling, but He does tell us to keep our hope and trust in Him and faith in His Son, Christ Jesus.
So how did Job respond to Eliphaz? “Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, and my calamity laid with it on the scales! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea— therefore my words have been rash. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass, or does the ox low over its fodder? Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? My soul refuses to touch them; they are as loathsome food to me. (Job 6:2-7)
“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant me the thing that I long for! That it would please God to crush me, that He would loose His hand and cut me off! Then I would still have comfort; though in anguish I would exult, He will not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One. What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life? Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze? Is my help not within me? And is success driven from me? (Job 6:8-13)
Well, as to be expected, Job was not dealing too well. He was so overwhelmed by grief and pain that he wished God would crush him and cut him off, in other words, end his life. Job could not see what the end of his suffering would accomplish in him and through him. Most of us can't see that either when we're going through suffering, but we have to believe that God's will is to bring about a greater purpose that will bring glory to Him and lead others to Christ Jesus, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
Job continued, “To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, like the streams of the brooks that pass away, which are dark because of the ice, and into which the snow vanishes. When it is warm, they cease to flow; when it is hot, they vanish from their place. The paths of their way turn aside, they go nowhere and perish. The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope for them. They are disappointed because they were confident; they come there and are confused. For now you are nothing, you see terror and are afraid. Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’? Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’? Or, ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of oppressors’? (Job 6:14-23)
“Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove? Do you intend to rebuke my words, and the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind? Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, and you undermine your friend. Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; for I would never lie to your face. Yield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands! Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory? (Job 6:24-30)
Job addressed Eliphaz's accusation dead on, and lets him know that he is wrong. Job said his righteousness still stands, but even if he had forsaken the fear of the Almighty, his friend still should have shown him kindness, and not start accusing him of not truly being the kind of person he appeared to be. Let this be a lesson to all of us. We don't know why certain things happen to certain people, so let's not make assumptions. “Judge not, and you shall not bejudged. Condemn not, and you shall not becondemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37; Matthew 7:1) But... the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:... in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ,... (Romans 2:5-16)
Job went on, “Is there not a time of hard service for man on earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hired man? Like a servant who earnestly desires the shade, and like a hired man who eagerly looks for his wages, so I have been allotted months of futility, and wearisome nights have been appointed to me. When I lie down, I say, ‘When shall I arise, and the night be ended?’ For I have had my fill of tossing till dawn. My flesh is caked with worms and dust, my skin is cracked and breaks out afresh. (Job 7:1-5)
“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope. Oh, remember that my life is a breath! My eye will never again see good. The eye of him who sees me will see me no more; while your eyes are upon me, I shall no longer be. As the cloud disappears and vanishes away, so he who goes down to the grave does not come up. He shall never return to his house, nor shall his place know him anymore. (Job 7:6-10)
“Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Am I a sea, or a sea serpent, that You set a guard over me? When I say, ‘My bed will comfort me, my couch will ease my complaint,’ then You scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions, so that my soul chooses strangling and death rather than my body. I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone, for my days are but a breath. (Job 7:11-16)
“What is man, that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart on him, that You should visit him every morning, and test him every moment? How long? Will You not look away from me, and let me alone till I swallow my saliva? Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself? Why then do You not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust, and You will seek me diligently,
But I will no longer be.” (Job 7:17-21)
But I will no longer be.” (Job 7:17-21)
Job went from telling off his friend, to questioning God, "What? Why? How long?" He understood that what was happening to him was an attack from Satan, but it was God Who allowed it to happen. He still did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:1) He sincerely stated his complaint and begged God to answer Him. That is what we're supposed to do! Many good intentioned people would say, "don't question God. Just accept whatever He allows." But that's not necessarily the right way for us to respond to suffering.
Most of the Psalms is King David asking God, "Why? When? How long?" Job had not yet gotten to the point that he was able to see the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:11) But King David, in the midst of going through a trying time prayed a prayer that should encourage us when we go through. He asked God why, but then he concluded by praising God. How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalm 13:1-6) AMEN!
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