June 17, 2004
Read Job 9 - 12
In Today's Reading:
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)? . . . So I am made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me (7:1,3). His friend Bildad incorrectly believed that God had appointed wearisome nights of suffering only for sinners, and 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 all suffering is the result of sin. But, in a parable given by Jesus, the rich man who built bigger barns for "greater blessings" was not one who pleased the Lord (Luke 12:18,20). Another time, Jesus revealed that it was not because of sin that a man was born blind (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 would 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 (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.
Pray For:
Staff: Mary Kay Wagner · Government Officials: Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH) and Rep. John Murtha (PA) · Country: Estonia (2 million) northeastern Europe · Major languages: Estonian and Russian · Religious freedom · 38% Protestant; 20% Estonian Orthodox; 1% Roman Catholic; 1% Muslim
Prayer Suggestion: If the words of God abide in you, whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive (John 15:7).
Prayer Suggestion: If the words of God abide in you, whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive (John 15:7).
Optional Reading: Galatians 6
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 1:17