In the previous chapters, Job’s friends gave him their unsolicited opinions concerning his sufferings, and in response Job maintaining his innocence expressed his hurt and displeasure with their words. Not to be deterred in their attack of his character Job’s friends continue defending their position with more accusations and verbal abuse.
Still believing Job’s suffering was the result of sin Eliphaz the Temanite begins the second cycle of debatable speeches. He questions Job’s wisdom and accuses him of haughtiness and heresy.
Job addresses his unsympathetic friends by telling them he would be a better comforter to them if they were in his position than they are to him. He shares with them his physical pain and what he feels God is doing to him. He ends with a plea for an intercessor on his behalf.
Then Bildad the Shuhite accuses Job of insulting their intelligence and thinking they were ignorant. He compares Job’s downfall to a beast that is hunted and caught in a trap and further states that because of his wickedness, he will not be remembered in the earth.
The opinion voiced by his friends that he was a sinner frustrated Job, and he tells them they have no proof of this claim and their friendship is questionable. He also shares with them his loneliness for his brethren, kinfolk, and friends who are no longer present in his life and the actions of his household members who no longer treat him with respect. Despite all the opposition and emotional turmoil that Job felt he was able to declare this hope, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 19:25-26).
Not to be stopped from speaking his thoughts Zophar the Naamathite rehashes the fate of the wicked, their short period of happiness, the dooming results of sin, and the violent end of the sinner.
In his last reply in this second cycle of debatable speeches, Job unwilling to accept the fate predicted to sinners as stated by his friends declares his belief that the wicked spend their days in wealth and die peacefully. Job is bewildered about his condition, in continuous physical pain and wants things to end.
I conclude these chapters with these reflections:
- Many believe the wicked are punished, and the righteous are blessed.
- People can misjudge you and falsely accuse you.
- Treat people like how you want to be treated.
- Under pressure, you may experience jumble thoughts and fluctuating emotions.
- Don’t be hasty to jump to conclusions based on opinions rather than facts.
- During your time of suffering, people may turn their back on you.
- Don’t place your confidence in the flesh.
- In life, everyone needs someone to intercede on their behalf.
- Sometimes silence is golden.
- It is not necessary to respond to everything people say to you.
As I recorded in my previous blog, Satan is no longer in the picture. Job is now in the hands of his dear friends who sat with him for seven days without uttering a word; however since he voiced his sentiments (Job 3) his friends feel at liberty to speak.
As it is in all our lives when we experience problems, we question “why” and we try to determine what happened in our lives to bring about the problems. We not only do this to ourselves but to others that we see are experiencing hardship. Job’s friends will now begin to express their feelings on why Job is in this predicament.
Job chapter four through thirty-one shares three cycles of debatable speeches that take place between Job and his three friends, and for the next several weeks I will share a synopsis of each one of these cycles starting with the first cycle which is found in chapters four through fourteen. In these debates, each one of Job’s friends expresses their opinion of Job’s suffering with Job responding to what he heard.
Eliphaz the Temanite who is believed to be the eldest of Job’s friends addressed Job first by reminding him that when others were in trouble Job would give them counsel and now it was his turn to receive it and to apply the council he had given to others to himself. Eliphaz suggested since the innocent did not suffer Job must be guilty; therefore, he recommends Job to repent of his sins so that God would restore him. Also, he supports his opinion with a fearful vision that he previously experienced about God’s supremacy over man.
Job believed Eliphaz was condemning him because of the sentiments he voiced, and he expresses his disappointment with his friends’ inability to emphasize with him. Again he declares his innocence and ends his response talking about the physical pain he is experiencing, his wish to die and asking God to reveal to him his sins.
Next to speak was Bildad the Shuhite who implied Job’s children died because of their sins; however, if Job was righteous, his suffering would soon end for God does not pervert justice. He recommended Job seek God who embraces the guiltless and rewards them accordingly.
Job responded to Bildad by acknowledging God’s justice and man’s sinfulness and states his belief that God destroys both the wicked and the innocent. Job ends his response to Bildad maintaining his innocence while further appealing to God for mercy, lamenting over being born and welcoming death.
Finally, Zophar the Naamathite who was the youngest of the friends severely reproves Job by telling him the suffering he experienced should have been greater for the sins he committed, and he encourages Job to repent which will cause God to forgive, restore and banish his fears and sufferings.
Job ends this cycle of debate telling his friend their words were not comforting, and they were forgers of lies, physicians with no value, and deceitful defenders of God. Then Job addresses God emphasizing his mortality and weakness and request God not to leave him. He makes a declaration that all of us need to adhere to in chapter 13:15a, “Thou He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Additionally, he makes me believe two crucial statements in chapter fourteen. The first speaks to the life of every individual born on this earth, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (14:1) and the second is wise council “If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come” (14:14).
I conclude this blog with these reflections:
- Our conclusions to “why” is often wrong.
- Friends are not always comforting.
- Don’t despair and lose faith in God.
- Humans are frail beings.
- Left to our thoughts and devises, we will go astray.
- When we are in trouble, we want to hear from God.
- Though God may be silent, he is still present.
- God does not necessarily respond to us during our time of suffering.
- Suffering and righteous exist simultaneously.
- Desolation can be magnified over time.
- Trouble will come into everyone’s life.
- Don’t give up but patiently wait for change to come.
In life, we often credit Satan for any problems that we may be experiencing, but as I examined the Word, I have come to realize that many of our problems are not orchestrated by Satan but by us human beings with our sinful natures. In chapters, one and two of Job God gives Satan permission to afflict Job with various calamities and suffering, and if you read my blog for those chapters, you will understand how Satan meant to destroy Job through the spirit of oppression, for he piled the problems on deliberately and methodically.
For the remainder of the book of Job, Satan is no longer in the picture, and Job is now in the hands of his dear friends. Following the customs of the time, Job’s three friends sat with him for seven days without uttering a word and waited for Job to speak before they engaged him in conversation. It is in chapter three that Job starts speaking with cursing the day he was conceived, and seven times in this chapter he asks the question that most of us ask when there is upheaval in our lives, “why.”
As he laments and voices the sentiments of his heart, there appears to be a downward progression of his thoughts, starting with a conception wish. All who greatly suffered can attest to the fact, experiencing painful events is often unbearable and leads many to suicidal ideations and wishing they were never born. This is the point Job is at; he wishes he was never conceived nor born and that his day of birth was taken out of the calendar. However, since he was born, why didn’t he die during the delivery due to complications or mishandling? Also, Job felt any happiness about his conception or birth by God or parents should be discarded for these were in essence times of gloominess, darkness, and void of light. Plus, to take it a step further, he wished the world was not created, and then for sure he would not exist.
In his present excruciating painful experiences Job, wonders, why he hasn’t died for life in pain is not worth living, and he believed there was a degree of rest for the deceased; therefore, we welcomed death. Job concludes his lamenting with this revealing statement, “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came (Job 3:25-26). Apparently, Job feared something disastrous was going to happen in his life despite his efforts to live a godly life, and now his fears had come to fruition.
I conclude this chapter with these reflections:
- Create an environment in which people feel safe to express themselves.
- Allow grieving and hurting people to voice their pain without criticism or judgment.
- Sometimes all you must do is sit and listen.
- Guard your heart and mind for the enemy wants to create chaos in them.
- When you speak, your speech should always respect God.
- Pain and loss can lead you to despair and a death wish.
- Some prefer death to release them from their anguish.
- Sometimes we wish we were never born.
- Death comes to all; there is no escape from it.
- Some believe after death; there is no pain.
- Fear must be rejected, or it will control your life.
- Every living person will experience trouble in their life.
Since God is omniscient, He knew how Job would respond to Satan attacks; He knew despite his suffering Job would remain faithful. Satan who is limited in his knowledge; assumed Job would react negatively and curse God; however, this, as he predicted, did not happen. In chapter one, Satan attempted to oppress and overwhelm Job with a series of calamities which he grieved and then worshipped God.
Chapter two opens with another scene in heaven where once again, Satan is present with other angelic beings. God questions Satan concerning his activity and receives the same response as in the previous chapter. Once again, God affirms Job’s righteous character and admits He had no cause to harm Job. Wanting to be right in his estimation of man and still not convinced of Job’s integrity, Satan said, “Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face (Job 2:4-5). God grants Satan his desire to afflict Job physically but restrains him from killing him. Consequently, Satan smites Job, and loathsome sores cover his whole body, causing Job to go and sit near a pile of dung ashes and garbage outside the city.
Instead of offering comfort and encouragement, Job’s wife added to his agony by lamenting, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die.” Job rebuked his wife, acknowledged that man could receive both positive and negative things from God, and he remained faithful in not sinning with his lips.
The chapter ends with the visitation of three friends: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Upon hearing the calamities that Job had experienced his friends traveled from abroad to console and comfort Job. When they saw him, they were dismayed; thusly, for seven days, which is custom of that day, they sat with Job silently in a sympathetic act of grief.
I conclude this chapter with these reflections:
- Satan has access to heaven.
- Satan must report his activities to God.
- Unbeknownst to mankind, God is talking to Satan about him.
- Sometimes God allows Satan to attack believers without a just cause, and he can only do what God permits.
- Sin may not be the reason why you are experiencing suffering.
- Satan believes man will willingly sacrifice everything dear to him if it means his life is spared.
- Satan believes a man can accept various calamities without much complaining, but if his body is touched, he will react negatively.
- Under extreme circumstances, the closest person to you may foolishly encourage you to reject God.
- No matter what happens, steadfastly maintain your integrity.
- When comforting and consoling a grieving person, it is good just sit and not speak.
- Sometimes your presence being seen is better than your voice being heard.
Though the book of Job is placed with the books of poetry, many biblical scholars believed the story of Job possibly took place during the patriarchal period. No matter when it took place I believe God inspired the writer to record Job’s life and allowed it to be included in the bible so that we the readers could gain insight into how to respond to oppression, ridicule, and suffering.
Job a perfect and upright man who feared God and avoided sin lived in the land Uz. Job and his wife had ten children (seven sons and three daughters) for whom Job consistently offered burnt offerings to cover them if perchance they had sinned or cursed God during their times of incessant feasting and family celebrations. Furthermore, Job was known to be a wealthy man for he had land, servants, and livestock.
As the story went God questioned Satan’s activities when he and other angelical beings appeared before Him, and after hearing his response, God speaks to him about the righteous character of Job which Satan then attributes to God’s provisional hand of favor, protection and blessings in Job’s life. God permits Satan to attack all that belongs to Job, and thus in his maneuvers, Satan stole, killed, and destroyed as Jesus said in John 10:10.
The definition of the word oppression is to crush or burden by abuse of power or authority, to burden spiritually or mentally, to weigh heavily upon, physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects, to smother, crush, to keep down by force, and to make sad or gloomy. Other words that relate to oppression are to be overwhelmed, bothered, burdened, dejected, depressed, discouraged, dispirited, encumbered, hampered, bullied, exploited, and harassed. Consequently, as told in this chapter, Satan employed these tactics of oppression in the life of Job by orchestrating a series of calamities.
All in one day, a firestorm from the west (Mediterranean) burnt up his sheep, marauding nomads from the south (Sabeans) and north (Chaldeans) stole his oxen, asses, and camels, and a whirlwind from the east (desert) collapses the home of Job’s oldest son and kills all of his children who were assembled together. Additionally, all the servants are killed except one from each incident who escapes and reports the disastrous news to Job. Job life was attacked from every direction, and he no doubt was overwhelmed.
However, upon receiving all of the life-altering news, Job assumes the stance of an individual who is grieving, but he also worships and blesses God. Plus, he recognized God gives and takes, he was born with nothing and he will die the same way. The last verse of this chapter ends stating, “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” If only we believers could do the same!
At the end of each blog that I do in this Job series, I will conclude with some reflections. So, here are my reflections for chapter one:
- You can live a godly and righteous life.
- Being godly does not exempt you from suffering.
- The godly will suffer persecution at the hands of the enemy.
- You may never know why you have been targeted to suffer.
- In the end, everyone will be held accountable for their actions on earth.
- God is omniscient. He knows if you are trustworthy.
- Satan is limited; he is not omniscient, nor omnipresent.
- Satan is on the move.
- Satan must get permission from God to interfere in your life.
- Satan questions man’s motives for serving God. He believes man is a mercenary.
- God is our protector and provider.
- Despite what you are going through, bless, and worship God.
Nehemiah chapter 12 opens by listing the priest, and Levites who accompanied Zerubbabel from Babylon to Jerusalem and then it shares the preparation and dedication ceremony of the Jerusalem wall.
Prior to the dedication, a ritual purification was done by the priests, Levites, people, and to the gates, and the wall. Following this, the celebrants from the entire province which included the princes of Judah, leading authorities, Levites, singers and a vast concourse of people were organized into two processions. Ezra led one group and Nehemiah led the other. Ezra and his group marched on the right side of the wall, while Nehemiah and his group went in the opposite direction on the left side of the wall with both groups engaged in united praises and meeting up and assembling in the vicinity of the temple. Upon their arrival, a joyous, celebratory dedication service of great sacrifices and thanksgiving commenced with singing and the playing of cymbals, psalteries, and harps. It was also noted that the rejoicing of this service was so great it was heard even afar off.
The chapter ends with attention being once again given to the maintenance of the temple personnel which consisted of priest, Levites, gatekeepers, porters, and singers with offerings, first fruits, and tithes by appointed overseers.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- When goals have been achieved, and things are successfully completed, it is time for a joyous celebration.
- Remember to give thanks.
- Offer praise thankfully and joyfully.
- Don’t be a spectator; be a participant.
- Everyone should worship not just worship leaders.
- See that none is excluded in worship; let the whole family be included.
- Everyone has a right to enjoy the fruits of their active labor.
- Work done by all should be celebrated by all.
- To receive the complete benefits of worship, and to effectively worship, it is necessary for self-purification.
- Levites had appointed singing assignments.
- When building, build strong.
- Build your walls strong enough to handle the weight of the people.
- Your enemies will both see and hear you when you praise God publicly for what He has done.
- Believers should willingly give to the support of the ministry.
- Everyone is not qualified to handle the treasury, appoint responsible persons to do the job.
- Your actions live on beyond your lifetime; think generationally.
The surrounding walls which would protect Jerusalem were rebuilt; however, as previously stated in chapter seven, Jerusalem was large, spacious, and barely occupied. So, to assist in the reestablishment of Jerusalem and to join the political and religious leaders that were dwelling there it was decided by the casting of lots which families (with the percentage being one in every ten) would come and live within the city. Also, others made a sacrifice and volunteered to join this group
The list of families that are recorded in this chapter is basically the same as found in 1 Chronicles 9:2-17. Plus, in this chapter, the inhabitants of the countryside are listed by their villages.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- People are needed to preserve and guard a city.
- There are people that will sacrifice themselves for the interest and well-being of others.
- Everyone has an assigned location and a purpose.
At the close of chapter nine, the Israelites renewed their commitment to obey God’s covenant, and now chapter ten reveals the terms of the covenant and those that sealed it.
The leaders that sealed the covenant were: Nehemiah, Zidkyah his secretary, twenty-one priest, seventeen heads of Levitical households, forty-four heads of leading families and the rest of the people who were not named.
The terms of the covenant stated they agreed to keep the laws given to Moses by God, they would abstain from intermarriage with Gentiles, they would keep the Sabbath day and Sabbatical year obeying the restrictions set forth for that day and year, they would give offerings (wood, firstfruits, firstborn) to the temple for its maintenance, they would give tithes and offerings to the priest and Levites, and lastly they would not forsake the house of their God.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- Leaders lead; they are to be the first partakers.
- True knowledge and understanding promote action.
- People should act according to their knowledge and understanding.
- Loyal followers will follow leadership.
- Believers are in this world but not of this world; there must be a separation.
- Believers are to support the work of the ministry.
- After all, is said and done, don’t forsake the house of our God.
In this chapter, the people have willingly separated themselves from individuals who were not of their lineage, and now it is the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month, the second day after the Feast of the Tabernacle and the people are engaged in a solemn fast. For three hours, they listened to the reading of the law, and for the next three hours, they worshipped God, prayed and confessed the past sins of their forefathers and their present sins. During this time eight Levites interceded, while another eight exhorted the people to bless the Lord.
This chapter contains one of the longest prayers in the bible which the Levites prayed to God. It rehearsed in the hearing of Israel significant events in their history, which highlighted God’s awesome power and continual unfailing mercy toward them despite their repeated rebellion and stubbornness. It spoke of the call of Abraham and God’s promise to him, Israel’s deliverance out of Egypt and their journey through the wilderness with divine provisions, the giving of the commandments, laws, and statues which Israel disobeyed, conquering and possession of Canaan, and the period of the judges and prophets. Verse 34 – 35 summarizes this chapter best, “Neither have our kings, our princes, our priest, nor our father, kept the law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them. For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.” Accordingly, the prayer ends with a request that God would look on their afflictions and once again deliver them.
Furthermore, the chapter concludes with the people humbly making a renewed commitment to obey the Law of Moses.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- Humbling oneself is a valuable component of fasting.
- Let your voice be heard praising God.
- Levites encourage people to praise God.
- Without God, nothing would exist; He is our Sustainer.
- God is a giving God.
- God sees our affliction, and He hears our cries.
- God will make Himself known to the heathen.
- Believers can go through areas safely while their enemies fall into disaster.
- God’s direction is available all day long.
- God will provide direction for your success.
- God stands ready to forgive
- God supplies our every need.
- God will give you the riches that previously belonged to your enemy.
- Delight in God and not in the things that can be obtained in this world.
- God warns us prior to punishing us.
- God will chasten you as needed.
- People who do not learn from failures of the past are subject to repeat them; therefore, learn from history.
- A tragic pattern in the lives of men is forgetting God when they are no longer in trouble.
- When you refuse to heed God’s Word, you suffer.
- God is long-suffering, merciful, and gracious.
- All have sinned; acknowledge yours.
- The result of sin is bondage.
- Kings control your life.
- The key to covenant renewal is understanding God’s nature.
The Teacher's Pick 