January 10 - Job 24-28: Job's Friends Run Out of Ammunition

Today’s Reading: Job 24-28 The Message, English Standard Version

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Job continues, “Yes, there are evil people in the world and they do bad things. They think they are getting off scot-free, but God actually sees them. But why can’t we see God’s judgment coming?"
Bildad screams, “God is awesome! We are maggots in comparison!"
Job confusedly responds, “That’s true. But it doesn’t help us here."
Zophar is silent.
Job resumes, “I have been denied justice! The wicked will be swept away. God is sovereign! In God is all wisdom. Where can we have this wisdom? It comes from fearing the Lord."

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Job as a written narrative is beginning to break apart (Bildad’s short reply, Zophar’s silence). It mirrors the breakdown in the conversation going on. Even the book breaks down under the strain of the story.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Job asks why we are kept in the dark about God’s judgment.

Yesterday Job commented that the wicked do not see ruin and the righteous do not see vindication. Today, he continues this vein of thought. It’s a hard part of living a godly life. If God sees all that goes on, why don’t we have proof of that? As with other difficult questions in this book, there is no answer.

Bildad’s short attack and Zophar’s silence shows his friends are running out of ammunition.

They have tried everything they know to prove Job is getting his just desserts. Nothing has been successful.

"Fear-of-the-Lord – that’s Wisdom, and Insight means shunning evil" (28:28, The Message).

Respect of God and staying away from evil – recipe for a righteous life.

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.