Bible Pathways 06/20/2002
June 20
Read Job 21 -- 24
In Today's Reading:
Job declares that wicked men sometimes prosper; Eliphaz accuses Job of sin; Job's desire to plead before God.
Verses for Today:
Job could truthfully say: His way have I kept, and not declined (turned aside). Neither have I gone back from the Commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food (23:11-12). Because of this, he could also say: Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive Him. . . . But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold (23:8,10).
In Bible history no one is so highly esteemed by God as Job. It is recorded: There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that [fears] God, and escheweth (turns away from) evil (Job 1:8). However, few men have suffered so much as Job. His friends supposed that all his problems were the result of his secret sins. They assumed that wicked men are miserable, and, since Job was exceedingly miserable, he must be very wicked! In striking contrast, God later said to Job's friend Eliphaz: [You] have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as [My] servant Job has (42:7).
It is shocking to read how wrong Eliphaz could be with his blunt, critical, and cruel condemnation of Job when he said: Acquaint now [yourself] with Him, and be at peace. . . . Receive . . . the Law from His mouth, and lay up His words in [your] heart. If [you] return to the Almighty, [you shall] be built up (restored) . . . put away iniquity far from your tabernacles (tents) (22:21-23).
There are still self-righteous, overbearing, opinionated people like Eliphaz who are quick to pass judgment on anyone who doesn't believe as they do or who experiences difficulties or sickness. Regardless of circumstances, Job believed that God was faithful to His Word and would be faithful to His servant.
By reading through the Bible, Christians come to realize that they often do not understand why they face disappointments, sufferings, or times of being misunderstood. But, we can believe and trust in God since He always gives His best to those who desire to do His will.
Job had proven Satan to be a liar. Job's faith did not rest on experiences, feelings, or circumstances, but on the God of all creation, Who uses everything in our lives, including our trials and sufferings, for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).
The godly devotion of Job should be an inspiration to all of us who are not as concerned about knowing the "reason" for our suffering as with knowing the Word of God, the only true source of guidance and comfort.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . It is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter . . . . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Romans 8:35-37). If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7).
Christ Revealed:
Through Job's faithfulness to God throughout his suffering (Job 23:10-12). Christ's faithfulness to the Father is seen as He prayed: Not My will, but Thine, be done. . . . Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example (Luke 22:42; 1 Peter 2:21).
Word Studies:
21:2 consolations = comfort; 21:3 suffer = allow; 21:8 seed = children; 21:10 gendereth = breeds; casteth not = does not miscarry; 21:29 tokens = testimony and experience; 24:5 rising betimes for a prey = seeking diligently for food; 24:21 evil entreateth = cruelly took advantage of.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. Phil English (PA), Rep. Van Hilleary (TN), Rep. George Radanovich (CA), and Rep. Adam Schiff (CA) · Pray for your Church · Country: Jordan (5 million) in southwestern Asia · Major languages: Arabic and English · Religious tolerance · 93% Muslim; 5% Christian · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to forgive you of all ill will, grudges, or hatred you may hold in your heart toward another person (Matthew 6:14-15).
Optional Reading: Ephesians 3
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Timothy 3:17
