Thought to Guide Your Reading
Job gives the most difficult aspect of following God. Yet he still trusts in His judgment.Summary in 100 Words or Less
Job complains, “Listen, friends, you can mock me later. Why does God allow some wicked to succeed? They live fancy lives then have fancy funerals. What you say is wrong."Eliphaz retorts, “Are you trying to give God advice? Do you think because you are righteous God is punishing you? Let us tell of your sins. You are a rich man who persecutes the poor. Escape comes only if you change your ways!"
Job replies, “I won’t change my plea. I only wish I could find God. Then I would be able to appeal to him. But I cannot."
How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right
Not all of the wicked perish. Not all righteous prosper.
This may be the most difficult part of following God. We know that God punishes those who do not obey him. But it is so hard to obey God when we know there are others who openly practice evil and get away scot-free. It’s not fair. It’s not just. There is no answer. But this book isn’t meant to give answers.Eliphaz’s lists of sins against Job would make a list we use to judge businesspeople today.
Eliphaz calls Job a “first-class moral failure" (22:5, The Message). The list is quite extensive and not pleasant. They would also make a good list for us to judge businesses today. If they did such things we should punish them.Job continues to suggest his salvation comes from a fair hearing with God.
Despite all of what Job has lost, despite Job’s wife turning on him, despite all his friends have accused him of, Job continues to believe this is a complete misunderstanding. He refuses to believe God is unjust and punishing him for crimes he did not commit. How awesome to see someone not give up on God. I only wish I had that faith!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.
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