book of Job – Page 3

Job 33:1-33 – The Youngster Speaks

Read Job 33:1-33

Interesting how Eliju took a whole chapter just to prepare us for his speech, and here we discover what the “youngster” has to say about things. A different generation may not look at Job the same as a peer. Who are Job’s peers? He had grown children living separate lives. I have grown children with lives apart from me (that’s the hardest part of missionary life)! Job would be my peer, or at least in the same “season” of life as me. I can’t imagine losing everything like he did. Does a younger person even begin to imagine such loss?

What do you think of Eliju now? Has your opinion changed? Or is Eliju just a little too “cocky” or sure of himself. Eliju is someone that God loved and used for a purpose. We don’t have to like guy to respect him. Continue reading “Job 33:1-33 – The Youngster Speaks”

Job 32:1-22 – It’s Elihu’s Turn

Read Job 32:1-22

Out of nowhere, a new “friend” makes some noise after respectfully waiting his turn. Elihu now begins his rant about Job’s known dilemma. Did you find it helpful? Do you think Job did? Perhaps Job was so surprised by Elihu’s words that he needed time to process what was just said.

Elihu seemed a bit arrogant at first, but then I appreciated his restraint and respect. So many young people these days would have blurted out what they were feeling with little regard for their elders. (Disclaimer: Not all youth are included in this generalization!) Continue reading “Job 32:1-22 – It’s Elihu’s Turn”

Job 31:1-40 – I’m Innocent!

Read Job 31:1-40

Job’s protest of innocence here gives us a picture of what behaviors he finds to be offensive to God. Job asks over and over, “have I” this or that, believing that if he had done any of those things there would be reason for the calamity he’s endured. It’s as if Job is challenging someone to step forward and finally make an accusation.

We can glean a lot of wisdom from Job in this reading. We can take Job’s words about sinfulness and examine our own lives. Have our own actions and thoughts caused us to be guilty in any of these sins against God? Continue reading “Job 31:1-40 – I’m Innocent!”

Job 30:1-31 – Anguish

Read Job 30:1-31

Job goes from remembering his glorious, “mountain top” experience kind of past, to the speak of his present life-changing anguish. Even the outcasts mock him and take advantage of his situation. We can see a bit closer the kinds of agony Job is enduring.

There was no easy transition from Job’s happy life to the desolate one. It was in an instant. Like when natural disasters strike. The last town where David and I lived before moving to Mexico was a small town in Iowa. Less than two years before arriving at this congregation, an F5 tornado had ripped through that community. The scars were and will always show from how their lives changed in an instant. They would understand Job better than most of us. Continue reading “Job 30:1-31 – Anguish”

Job 29:1-25 – Memory Lane

Read Job 29:1-25

It’s good to remember that the book of Job is considered to be poetic in nature even though it contains dialogue. Here Job is taking quite a walk down memory lane describing his past successes and blessings. It’s hard for us to picture such a lavish lifestyle for Job, now so lost and abused by his friends.

If you had first met Job when he was living the life he describes here, how would you have helped him in his distress? I imagine the friends we have heard from previously dealt with that very problem. However, we haven’t been told anything particular about the basis for these friendships or been given details about the friends’ backstory. Continue reading “Job 29:1-25 – Memory Lane”