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Today’s reading starts the cycle of Job’s friends making the same mistakes. This does not mean the passages are less important, but I do not want to bore you with the same observations day after day.
Today’s reading starts the cycle of Job’s friends making the same mistakes. This does not mean the passages are less important, but I do not want to bore you with the same observations day after day.
Thought to Guide Your Reading
Job remarks on the resurrection. Take note—it’s worth a good look.Summary in 100 Words or Less
Job continues crying out to God, “Man’s life is only a few days and only sorrow! So kill me and get it over with! But you will come and rescue me in the resurrection! That’s when our sin will be removed forever."Eliphaz replies, “Man’s life is short because they spend them on evil! Why are you going on and on like this?"
Job answers, “You windbags, stop trying to comfort me! I’m innocent and God is punishing me! Surely there is something in the world that can save me from this horrible fate!"
How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right
Job expects his salvation to come either in this life or in the resurrection.
To Job, salvation is not limited to a clean conscience. Salvation means his sins and the punishments that come from them are thrown into the sea. This is why he begs God to kill him. He knows the end will only bring joy and reconciliation.Eliphaz sounds like a “Negative Gospel" minister.
“Negative Gospel"—a term I have made up for ministers known for having negative views of everything and use all of their energy combating “false doctrines." Take this example, “They have sex with sin and give birth to evil. Their lives are wombs for breeding deceit." Ouch! I’m glad he’s not on the right side! God cannot make things right if we only focus on how man has perverted that plan.
What else did you see reading this passage? Questions? Comments? Leave a comment in the section below or on the Sonoma Mountain Parkway Church of Christ Facebook page.
I also noticed in chapter 16 that Job makes a reference to an advocate and intercessor pleading for him before God. It sounds a lot like something John wrote much later (although John was speaking specifically about sins while Job is wanting relief from suffering):
ReplyDelete"...and if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous..." 1 John 2:1