book of Job – Page 8

Job 7:6-21 – Cry Out to God!

Read Job 7:6-21

We finally hear the cry of Job’s heart calling out to God. These words have played over and over for Job, and he is still at a loss for what has happened to him. We sense Job’s misery, it’s palpable. My heart goes out to Job, and my maternal instincts want to take him in my arms and comfort him like only a mother can.

Job realizes that we as humans are so limited by space and time. Our lives are but a flash in the scheme of things. For Job to make such an observation shows he is able to tap into his great wisdom. He is certainly not telling God anything that God doesn’t already know. Continue reading “Job 7:6-21 – Cry Out to God!”

Job 6:1-7:5 – Job Lashes Back

Read Job 6:1-7:5

Job’s response to Eliphaz didn’t surprise me, did it you? He felt totally exposed and blamed by Eliphaz. Job was suffering greatly, and it did not help him at all to feel like he was being reprimanded by his friend. After all that Job had endured, he felt like he had a “right to complain.” I agree with Job on that.

People complain all the time about one thing or another. Like the weather for instance. Either it’s too hot, too cold, too humid, too rainy, too sunny, you get the idea. People are never content. But Job’s contentedness, or lack thereof, had nothing to do with something so trivial as the weather. Yet people get away with complaining all the time, why couldn’t Eliphaz let Job vent a little bit? Continue reading “Job 6:1-7:5 – Job Lashes Back”

Job 5:1-27 – Where’s Eliphaz Coming From?

Read Job 5:1-27

Job’s friend Eliphaz has a lot to say. But Job may or may not be ready for all that Eliphaz unleashes in this speech. I don’t think Eliphaz is properly equipped to be a grief counselor giving Job advice. Eliphaz all but calls Job a fool, guilting Job for all the success he once had.

Eliphaz makes a lot of assumptions here. First that there are only two human conditions, righteous and wicked. Based on what has happened to Job, he must now be wicked. Also, that getting right with God is the answer. Suggesting more introspection and self-discovery about his own sinfulness will only push Job further into despair. Continue reading “Job 5:1-27 – Where’s Eliphaz Coming From?”

Job 4:1-21 – Was it Helpful?

Read Job 4:1-21

Eliphaz has heard Job’s cry and wants now to bring his own perspective into play. After seven days of silence, Job’s friend has much to say to Job, whether he has permission to speak or not. He gets Job’s attention saying, “Will you be patient and let me say a word? For who could keep from speaking out?”

I suppose Eliphaz was trying to bring Job out of his “funk,” when he first reminded Job about his past and how helpful and respected Job had been. Apparently, Job had always been the rock everyone else relied on when they had their own problems. Eliphaz seemed surprised that Job had failed to take some of his own “medicine” when it came to dealing with his tragedy. It’s not always that easy. Continue reading “Job 4:1-21 – Was it Helpful?”

Job 1:1-5 – Who is Job?

Read Job 1:1-5

We’re about to journey through a book in the Bible that is one of a kind. It’s about a man named Job. He’s not a prophet like Jeremiah or a king like David. Job was just a regular guy. We’re going to get up close and personal with Job as he walks through some very difficult times.

I picture Job as someone I would look up to, even though I am probably his “elder” in terms of my age versus his age. But we’re told he was “ blameless—a man of complete integrity.” What a respectful way to be remembered. I feel integrity may be becoming a lost art, especially when it means standing up for the truth of Scripture versus the other messages of the world tempting us with their attractiveness. Continue reading “Job 1:1-5 – Who is Job?”