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Bible Pathways - June 16, 2008

 

June 16

Job 5

Highlights In Today's Reading:

Eliphaz accuses Job of being disciplined by God. Feel Job's deep anguish as he seeks sympathy from his friends requesting comfort rather than prosecution. A suffering Job seeks a moment of relief (7:19), and is then accused of being a hypocrite by Bildad.

Job had suffered complete financial loss; all his children had been killed; his wife had turned against him; and he was experiencing intense physical suffering. Eliphaz was quick to respond: Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty (5:17). After listening to lengthy condemnation, Job replies in a pitiful plea: Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea (6:2-3). In addition to all this, Job's comforters (16:2) were unmercifully accusing him and the hypocrite's hope shall perish (8:13).

For reasons Job did not understand, God was not coming to his defense: My words are swallowed up (6:3). Job's grief seemed more than he could bear — heavier than the sand of the sea. Though shaken, Job remained faithful to God. Then Job expressed his real sorrow: To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend (6:14).

When a child of God understands the reason for suffering, the heaviest load will not crush him. But when tragedy occurs with no sign of God's presence, we are all prone to become discouraged. Too often, "friends" like Eliphaz and Bildad give hasty, harsh rebuke without sensing the intensity of the suffering as, Bildad who expressed no sympathy, saying: If thou wert pure and upright; surely now He would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous (8:6).

Added to our suffering is the fact that we seldom understand the reason for our trials. In our human frailty, there are times when our faith is weak. But God will not allow us to suffer beyond what is best to accomplish His perfect will in our lives. One of the greatest evidences of God's love to those who desire to be like the Master is for them to have affliction (Mark 10:29-30; John 15:18). Even Satan is used as God's tool to develop His gracious purpose in the lives of His children.

God allowed Job to suffer but, it is also a fact that for Christians, regardless of what happens we are more than conquerers through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life . . . nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come . . . shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39).

Thought for Today:

We must be careful how we “comfort” our fellow believers. Satan is the accuser of the brethren and we may be next in line.

Christ Revealed:

Through Job's sorrowful condition (Job 7:1-6). Christ was known as a Man of sorrows . . . acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). On the cross separated from God in His humanity, Jesus felt that pain in addition to all our sins which for all time He bore (Mark 15:34).

Word Studies:

5:12 devices =b> plotting, enterprise =b> intentions; 5:13 froward =b> deceitful; 5:18 maketh sore =b> inflicts pain; 6:3 swallowed up =b> rash; without restraint; 7:21 sleep in the dust =b> be dead in the grave; 8:5 seek . . . betimes =b> seek with earnestness; 8:11 flag =b> reed grass.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by one who is grateful for his salvation • Staff: Al Joslyn • Government Officials: Gov. M. Jodi Rell (CT), Rep. Tim Ryan (OH), and Rep. Todd Tiahrt (KS) • Country: Suriname (431,000) on the northeastern coast of South America • Major languages: Dutch and English • Very limited religious freedom • 27% Hindu; 22% Roman Catholic; 20% Protestant; 20% Muslim; 6% witchcraft and spirit worship • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord for ways to share His love with others (Hebrews 6:10).

Optional Reading: Galatians 5

Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 1:9



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