- Job is Tested
- Job’s second Test
- Job Speaks
- Eliphaz (the first Friend)
- Job’s response
Click here for the reading
This story is written as a narrative so I think it is very easy to “picture” the reading. The verse that popped off the page for me was vs. 5 Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom. Hmmm, the Lord keeps talking about the state of the heart TO ME.
In the first 2 chapters God tests Job not just once but twice, and he did not sin against the Lord. Then we meet Job’s 3 friends:
- Eliphaz the Temanite, he is a descendant from Esau (yes of course we will read this in genealogy pages later ) No wonder he gives bad advice, look at Esau!.
- Bildad the Shumite, a descendant of Abraham so he will appeal to family traditions
- Zophar the Naamathite, not sure where from, will use his own point of view to explain God.
Today we read the first conversation with Eliphaz who suggests that Job is suffering because he is being punished from a sin he must have committed, and that if he takes his case to the Lord and repents all will get better. Don’t think for a minute we can’t be Eliphaz! Job is in the pitt of his life and Eliphaz is pointing out all the possible stuff that may have gotten him there. Eliphaz says “Who, being innocent has ever perished?” God eventually will rebuke Eliphaz for his false advice.
There is a difference between Trial and Consequence for Sin. The Bible repeatedly talks about purification through fire (trial) ! Burn out the impurities! It refines us! Pure gold when in a fire, becomes more valuable, and yet moldable by its handler!
A craftsman was once asked when purifying silver “How do you know when the metal is Hot enough in the fire” The craftsman said, “when I look at it and can see my own image in the reflection” God is the craftsman.
No comments:
Post a Comment