Read Job 17
Highlights:
Job's appeal to God; Bildad's cruel accusation; Job's reaffirmation of faith in a living Redeemer; Zophar's reference to Job as a "wicked man."
For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth (Job 19:25).
Bildad's second speech, the most critical of all, said that Job's sufferings exposed him as a sinful hypocrite who was trapped by his own evils. He said of Job: Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God (18:21). In times like these, it is important to remember who we are to be, through Christ, in our relationships with others. Job's friends were all very critical of him and made false assumptions.
There is no doubt we should not overlook sin when we know it is there. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother (Matt. 18:15). However, there was no proof that Job had fallen into any sin. There was no witness accusing him of doing wrong. There was no evidence that Job had trangressed God's Law in any way. It is recorded, Job sinned not (Job 1:22). Suppose Job did have a moment of weakness that brought him into a place of sin. Were his friends' reactions justified? As Christians, how should we respond? We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves (Rom. 15:1). When we see a friend suffering, we need to offer support and not condemnation. We give them a hand of love to restore them back to the place where they once stood strong for God.
These scathing accusations from Job's friends must have been a bitter blow. But each day's suffering and continued harrassment caused him to move closer to his Lord. Each trial deepened his faith in the eternal Truth: I know that my Redeemer liveth (Job 19:25). This magnificent revelation was uttered by Job when he had no one who cared; and by all outward observation, it appeared that God did not exist. However, he could bear the intense suffering and unjust reproaches because he was living in the expectation of the glorious appearing of his Redeemer. Job was looking ahead to the world to come. The ultimate promise of God for Job and the rest of us is spending eternity with Him. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life (Rom. 2:7).
Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the Word of God is not bound (II Tim. 2:9).
Thought for Today:
When all else fails, we are aware of the everlasting arms of our Heavenly Father.
Christ Revealed:
As the Redeemer (Job 19:25). Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. By His death, He provided the required sacrifice to pay for our sins (Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:13-14; Rev. 5:9). Our Saviour Jesus Christ . . . gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity (Titus 2:13-14).
Word Studies:
17:1 My breath is corrupt, My life is ruined; 17:6 a tabret, an object of contempt, ridicule; 17:14 corruption, decay; 17:16 bars of the pit, unseen state; our rest . . . is in the dust, we are buried; 18:9 gin, snare, trap; 18:20 day, fate; tragic end; 19:3 make yourselves strange to me, wrong me; 19:14 familiar, close; 19:17 strange, unbearable, repulsive; 19:19 inward, dearest, intimate; 19:27 reins, heart.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Barbara Jean Jackson • Government Official: Rep. Trent Franks (AZ) • Country: Iraq (22 million) in southern Asia • Major languages: Arabic and Kurdish • Fierce harassment of non-Muslims • 96% Muslim; 3% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Intercede for your nation and friends in prayer with fasting and a self-sacrificing spirit (Esth. 4:16).
Optional Reading: Ephesians 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Ecclesiastes 12:13