Job 11-15
Our reading today starts with Zophar’s reply to Job’s defense of his righteousness.
Job 11:1-6(NLT) Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:
2 “Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words?
Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?
3 Should I remain silent while you babble on?
When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?
4 You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’
and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’
5 If only God would speak;
if only he would tell you what he thinks!
6 If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,
for true wisdom is not a simple matter.
Listen! God is doubtless punishing you
far less than you deserve!
Job fires right back at Zophar with a defense of his words and his position.
Job 12:1-5(NLT) Then Job spoke again:
2 “You people really know everything, don’t you?
And when you die, wisdom will die with you!
3 Well, I know a few things myself—
and you’re no better than I am.
Who doesn’t know these things you’ve been saying?
4 Yet my friends laugh at me,
for I call on God and expect an answer.
I am a just and blameless man,
yet they laugh at me.
5 People who are at ease mock those in trouble.
They give a push to people who are stumbling
Job continues to plead with the comforters and God that he has no iniquity in him for God to judge him so harshly. As the book goes on, we see these themes repeat with the “comforters” replying.
Job 13:20-24(NLT) “O God, grant me these two things,
and then I will be able to face you.
21 Remove your heavy hand from me,
and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.
22 Now summon me, and I will answer!
Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
23 Tell me, what have I done wrong?
Show me my rebellion and my sin.
24 Why do you turn away from me?
Why do you treat me as your enemy?
Job 15:1-6(NLT) Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
2 “A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk!
You are nothing but a windbag.
3 The wise don’t engage in empty chatter.
What good are such words?
4 Have you no fear of God,
no reverence for him?
5 Your sins are telling your mouth what to say.
Your words are based on clever deception.
6 Your own mouth condemns you, not I.
Your own lips testify against you.
The direction that all these discourses are going is to bring us to an understanding of what is the essence of the book. Job is without “sin” it says in Chapter 1. Job 1:1(NLT) “There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.” But this verse focuses on the works of man in relationship to God, not the righteousness of God and the justice that His righteousness demands from us. We can never accomplish by our own effort or will the goodness or perfection of the righteousness of God. We have a rebellious sin nature that needs to be paid for and atoned for. In order to have a relationship with the just God we need to be changed from what we are. Today we see this section of Isaiah 53 fulfilled in our lives because Christ is the way that God has made payment for our rebellious nature. Only by being changed in Christ can we overcome the crushing defeat of our best efforts to be good. Our lives thankfully are subject to God’s mercy and grace in all we do.
Isaiah 53:10-12 But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him
and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.
12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.
Praise God for the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ that has given us new life in him. Have a great day with God today.
-Tom Siderius
Questions for reflection:
Do you understand the statement about our “bent” nature and what does that mean (hint Rom 7:17-20)?
How can we start to see God in all His grace and mercy today?
Seek Grow Love 