In Today's
Job declares that wicked men sometimes prosper; Eliphaz accuses Job of sin; Job's desire to plead his case before God
Few men in Bible history are so highly esteemed by God as Job. God said of him: There is none like him in the earth, a perfect (blameless) and an upright man, one that feareth (reveres) God, and escheweth (shuns) evil (Job 1:8). His friends mistakenly 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!
It is shocking to read how wrong Eliphaz could be with his blunt, critical, and cruel condemnation of Job, saying: Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace. . . . Receive, I pray thee, the Law from His mouth, and. . . . put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles (22:21-23). In striking contrast, God said to Job's friend Eliphaz: Ye have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job hath (42:7).
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 experience difficulties or sickness. Job's faith was unshakable because he could truthfully say: His way have I kept, and not declined. 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). He believed that, since God was faithful to His Word, He also would be faithful to His obedient servant.
We often do not understand why we face disappointments, sufferings, or being misunderstood. But, we can believe and trust in God, since He always gives His best to all who desire to do His will.
The 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 God and His Word, the only true source of guidance.
It seemed to Job that God was nowhere to be found. But, regardless of this, Job said: He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10).
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 for the Father's will to be done (Luke 22:42).
Word Studies:
21:2 consolations =b> comfort; 21:3 Suffer =b> Allow; 21:8 seed =b> children; 21:10 gendereth =b> breeds; casteth not =b> does not miscarry; 21:29 tokens =b> testimony and experience; 24:5 rising betimes for a prey =b> seeking early, earnestly, diligently for food; 24:21 evil entreateth =b> cruelly took advantage of.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in memory of Iva Ann McElroy · Staff: Karen Hawkins · Government Officials: Rep. Phil English (PA), Gov. Linda Lingle (HI), and Rep. George Radanovich (CA) · Country: Bahamas (284,000) in the northern portion of the West Indies · Major languages: English and some Creole · Religious freedom · 72% Protestant; 26% Roman Catholic; 1% Afro-American spiritist · Prayer Suggestion: Wives, ask the Lord to give you a submissive spirit to your husbands as if it were to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22).
Optional
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 1:2