book of Job – Page 6

Job 18:1-21 – Fate of the Wicked

Read Job 18:1-21

Watch out Bildad! Who are you calling wicked here? It sounds like Bildad is pointing fingers at poor Job. Bildad doesn’t get it. Despite Job’s attempts to clear his name over and over again, Bildad must believe Job is guilty of something awful. Friends, of all people, should understand and trust Job’s integrity. They must not know him very well or God just knows Job that much better.

Where does Bildad come up with all these observations about what happens to wicked people? Are wicked people being struck down in his time? Knowing how the Israelites displeased God with their wicked ways, Bible accounts would indicate many of the vilest were probably the wealthiest and most powerful. In our day, there are plenty of wicked people in the news and in our neighborhoods. Why is it we don’t see any of this doom raining down on them? Continue reading “Job 18:1-21 – Fate of the Wicked”

Job 17:1-22 – Defensive Yet Hopeful

Read Job 17:1-16

Sadly, we often judge people by their appearance. Job must have looked dreadful. His body has wasted away, he must have almost been unrecognizable. Do you think his friends’ responses were in any way affected by the way Job looked?

Job described himself a bit in this passage. What do we know about Job’s appearance? His eyes were swollen from weeping, and he had lost a lot of weight. Job believed he was being scoffed by the virtuous and righteous, probably some of those friends he used to have. Rejection. Job’s friends had rejected him. Don’t we tend to get defensive when we feel abandoned and rejected? Job was feeling such pressure. Continue reading “Job 17:1-22 – Defensive Yet Hopeful”

Job 16:1-22 – Encouraging Words

Read Job 16:1-22

In case you’re counting, this is Job’s fifth speech. Job is hurting, and he finally tells his friends their words aren’t helping. Job even tells them what it would look like if the tables were turned and they were the ones suffering. Job would be an encourager.

Those are good words for us to hear as caregivers in our day. We may rush to a loved one’s side offering all sorts of “help.” Sometimes, we’re in “fix” mode and words of wisdom come spewing from our mouths, just like Job’s friends did. The problem is “our” perspective isn’t always helpful. What will help most to alleviate the pain is encouragement. Continue reading “Job 16:1-22 – Encouraging Words”

Job 15:1-16 – Round Two Begins

Read Job 15:1-16

Eliphaz gets a second turn and begins the next cycle of dialogue. He largely revisits his earlier comments but in a more serious tone. Eliphaz can’t begin to fathom that Job was truthful about being innocent. You don’t call someone a windbag if you don’t think they’re saying too much of the wrong thing.

Job’s friend seems a bit cynical when he is asking Job to let everyone know what sin has been committed. I’m sure Job would oblige if only he knew himself. Friends should challenge each other, but I think Eliphaz takes that a little too far in his attack on Job. Continue reading “Job 15:1-16 – Round Two Begins”

Job 13:20-14:6 – Have I Messed Up?

Read Job 13:20-14:6

Job mustered up a lot of courage in our last reading, and now he boldly takes his stand before God. Job covers a lot of ground. Is there anything we can learn from how he approached God?

Job starts by asking for two things. “Remove your heavy hand from me, and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.” It’s helpful to remember that Job has never wavered in his awe of the LORD. Job wants to understand what has happened to him and why. Continue reading “Job 13:20-14:6 – Have I Messed Up?”