Bible Pathways - June 17, 2005
June 17
In Today's
Job acknowledges God's justice; his weariness of life; Zophar's accusation; Job's affirmation of faith in God's wisdom
All of us will benefit by listening carefully to the spiritual discernment of Job, whom God said was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil (Job 1:1).
Recognizing that life is not always a "bed of roses," Job said: Are not his (man's) days also like the days of a hireling (hired worker)?As . . . a hireling looks for the reward of his work: So I am made to possess months of vanity (delusions, emptiness), and wearisome nights are appointed (allotted) to me (7:1,3). His friend Bildad incorrectly believed that God had appointed wearisome nights of suffering only for sinners, so his response to Job was critical and cynical: How long will you speak these things? . . . If you were pure and upright; surely now He would awake (rouse Himself) for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous (8:2,6).
Bildad concluded that those who enjoy good things in this life are righteous and that all suffering is the result of sin. But, in a parable given by Jesus, the rich man who built bigger barns for "greater blessings" did not please the Lord (see Luke 12:18,20). Another time, Jesus revealed that it was not because of sin that a man was born blind, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him (John 9:2-3).
Job's suffering led him to experience deep, spiritual maturity as he recognized God as far superior to himself and he spoke with confidence, saying: Remember . . . that You have made me as the clay. . . . You have granted me life and favor, and Your visitation has preserved my spirit (Job 10:9,12).
However, Job knew that he and God could not meet on the same level for He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, and we should come together in judgment (court). Neither is there any daysman (arbitrator) between us (9:32-33). Job expressed the desperate need for a mediator, someone who could stand in the gap between the Holy God and sinful man. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only Mediator who can restore man's broken fellowship with God (see Romans 5:8-10). There is One God, and One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (I Timothy 2:5). We now have access to the Father through our Mediator Jesus Christ, who has entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us (Hebrews 9:24).
Christ Portrayed:
Through the daysman (mediator) Job longs for (Job 9:33). Christ is the only Mediator between God and sinful men (I Timothy 2:5).
Word Studies:
9:9 chambers = constellations; 9:34 rod = chastisement; 10:11 fenced = knit; 11:6 exacteth = demands; 11:14 tabernacles = tents; 11:19 make suit unto thee = seek your favor; 12:19 spoiled = stripped and plundered.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in honor of Bonnie Wilhite · BPM Staff: Mary Kay Wagner · Government Officials: Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH) and Rep. John Murtha (PA) · Country: Cape Verde (405,000) 15 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 390 miles off the coast of Africa · Major languages: Portuguese and Crioulo · Religious freedom · 91% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Depend upon the Holy Spirit to help you in your prayers (Romans 8:26-27).
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