Our study continues this month with the life of Job -- a righteous man whom Satan tried to destroy with intense sorrow and suffering. His three friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar are sitting with Job outside the city at what was probably the garbage dump and they are offering their advice and "comfort".
In the style of the East these discussions occur in order with Job answering each man. So far they have had one complete "round" with little comfort to Job or help in answering his main question--"What have I done to deserve all this?" They have been both subtle and blatant in accusing Job of sin he hasn't committed. This has aroused Job so much that in desperation he has accused God and declared he will defend himself before the Almighty!
We continue now with......
Day 1- Eliphaz uses the weapon of sarcasm now and presents what seems to
be true- i.e.. He did not think a man could be righteous before God.
Job
15: 1-35
Day 2- The Devil often uses half truths to keep us blind. While it is
true that sinful man cannot stand before God on their own merit, God in His
love had made a way. In the days of Job this was through sacrifice. You'll
remember that Job had offered sacrifice and thus knew in his heart that he had
access to God and walked before Him in integrity and truth.
Job 1:5
Day 3- In our day a man or woman can come before God when we take our
place with Christ on the Cross. His death in our place makes us a "new
creation" that is able to come before God.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore Eliphaz's argument is not right.
Job calls them all "miserable comforters". We become the same when we assume someone is being punished by God when they suffer. It is perhaps more accurate to see suffering as God's gift to bring us into deeper fellowship with Himself.
Day 4- After complaining of the hard dealings of his friends Job knows
he is in the hand of God.
Job 16:1-18
Day 5- Although Job was completely humiliated, he persistently clung to
the fact that God knew his life, and would vouch that he walked with
integrity.
Job 16:19-22
Day 6- Job seems to now turn from his friends and reminds himself that
it doesn't matter much what they say or think - his "spirit" is broken (Job
17:1). Slowly we see Job cease from struggling and come to a place of rest. As
long as we writhe in our afflictions we prolong them.
Job 17:1-16
Day 7- Bildad describes again for Job the fate of the ungodly. His total
idea of blessing from God is prosperity in his home, for his family and his own
personal circle!
Job 18:1-21
Day 8- Job sees that all of Bildad's descriptions are directed towards
himself and asks how long they will continue to torment him.
Job 19:1-6
Day 9- Job had been advised to set his heart right and cry to God. He
had done this and was not heard. Job was acutely aware that it was God who was
dealing with him and leaving him in a straightened place.
Job 19:7-13
Day 10- Not only did God seem far but Job felt he had put others against
him so that he had no one.
Job 19:14-19
Day 11- Job does not understand why God should have allowed all this but
he knew his conscience was clear and that his friends should give pity and
sympathy.
Job 19:20-22
Day 12- It is often when we are in our darkest hour that some little
seed of faith is able to burst forth from within us. It is like a glimmer of
hope given by the Holy Spirit. So it happened with Job as he answers his own
question--"If a man die, shall he live again?"
(Job 14:14) Job 19:23-27
Day 13- Job ends with a warning to his friends that there will be
judgement for all their harsh words.
Job 19:28-29 / James 4:11-12
Day 14- Zophar feels indignant with Job. If Job were suffering because
of a hidden sin it was folly to talk of seeing God at a future time. He keeps
emphasizing the fact that the wicked will have their portion in this present
world.
Job 20:1-29
Day 15- In reply to Zophar Job presents an entirely contrary picture of
the wicked in this world. We cannot assert that the righteous will always
prosper and the wicked will always suffer.
Job 21:1-26
Day 16- Job then calmly accuses his friends. They have not comforted him
and their answers have been all false.
Job 21:27-34
This ends the 2nd round of talks by Job and his friends.
Day 17- Eliphaz felt he must deal in a more direct way with Job since
Job refuses to acknowledge his sin. He puts before Job some possible ways that
he has grieved the Lord. His favorite weapon is sarcasm.
Job 22:1-11
Day 18- Then he accuses Job of saying in his heart that God did not know
all of this and categorizes Job with wicked men.
Job 22:12-20
Day 19- Finally he pleads with Job.
If....if.....if...Then......then..... then.....then......
Job 22:21-30
Day 20- Job doesn't reply directly to Eliphaz at once. The accusations
of wrong doing and exhortations to put away sin are more than he can handle. He
groans and talks aloud. He holds to his position that he is an upright man but
also faces the fact that God has broken him down on every side. God has hidden
Himself and Job doesn't know why.
Job 23:1-9
Day 21- At this moment of deep despair Job is suddenly anchored afresh
on the rock and speaks a remarkable word of faith. If he can't see God, God can
see him and that is enough. From this moment that Job has seen his Redeemer he
realizes that God is testing him and not punishing him as his friends have
said. He begins to be at peace with his situation and sees that gold must
always be purified by fire.
Job 23:10
Day 22- Seeing all this, Job has a new boldness of faith.
Job
23:11-14
If our hearts do not condemn us we can have a boldness towards God.
I John 3:21
Day 23- Although Job knows now that God is refining him he is afraid at
what it will mean in further suffering.
Job 23:15-17
Day 24- Job further ponders about all the evil happening around him with
God seemingly silent toward the praying victims. At the same time these evil
men seem to have prolonged lives! This observation is in direct contrast to
what his friends have been saying- i.e. that the righteous are blessed and the
wicked cut off.
Job 24:1-15
Day 25- Bildad speaks only a few inappropriate words. He's still
considering the question that Eliphaz asked earlier, "How can a man be just
before God!?" If God is almighty how can a mere man ever hope to be clean in
his sight?
Job 25:1-6
Day 26- Job reproaches Bildad. If he didn't know how a man could be
right with God what right did he have to make negative allegations to a man in
affliction? Bildad's "How" is answered by the power of God. If God can work all
these things in nature, isn't it possible that He has control over man -- his
noblest of creatures? Surely God is able to devise means by which man can be
restored to Himself?
Job 26:1-14
Day 27- Job then returns to what he has been saying before Bildad began
speaking. He affirms that he will hold fast to his integrity till the very end.
Job 27:1-6
It is Zophar's turn to speak but he remains silent so Job continues and says HE will teach them concerning God! (Job 27:11)
Day 28- It is not true that suffering was will always the fruit of sin,
but it was true that God would eventually punish the wicked.
Job 27:7-23
Day 29- Job describes the great trouble that men go through to find the
things on earth that make them rich but do they know the greater value of
wisdom and knowledge and where to find it?
Job 28:1-13
Day 30- Wisdom's value is above all the precious things in the earth and
can't be bought with gold. Only God knows the way to it. What does Job
conclude? (vs.28)
Job 28:14-28
| Studies In Order Of Being Written | Back to Seeking God Daily Home Page | TOPICAL TABLE OF |