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Good morning, siblings!
Today’s readings are Job 29-31
Click here to read today’s passages on BibleGateway.
Rabbit Trails
Ricky and I wrote these notes together so if the writing style seems to switch from mine to another at points that is why.
We immediately find Job reminiscing about the former blessings and societal status he used to have (Job 29: 2-6) and how he desperately desires to return to that status.
For someone in his position, that is completely natural. How many times in your life have you said something similar to yourself or have been around a friend or acquaintance who has said this? He was respected. He helped people in need. His righteousness “clothed” him. Job 29:14
For us as the reader, chapter 29 gives us great insight into the type of man Job was and how he lived his life. He helped the needy, he fought injustice, he was highly regarded and respected. He was a good man in the eyes of the world but, more importantly, in the eyes of the Father. If the world thinks we’re groovy and the Father sees us as living in opposition to Him, what good is the world’s esteem to us? Remember, we are to be wholeheartededly seeking the Father. 90% seeking His approval and 10% seeking the World’s approval will not work. And how many of us, being honest with ourselves and our creator, can say we only put 10% of our effort into vying for the approval from the world?
Moving on to chapter 30, we find a stark contrast. Everything in Job’s life was as much “opposite” of the way things were before as they could be. Those who were younger than he, the lowest citizens in the class structure, (which likely means most everyone) treated him badly (Job 30:12) Even
the children of those who scorned him also scorned him. This chapter hurts your heart. Job withstood so much abuse from the people and no one was holding back. (Job 30:9-12) This of course has an effect on him and as most (if not all of us) would do, he cries out to God. “You have turned cruel to me: with the might of your hand you persecute me.” (Job 30:21)
In chapter 31, we find Job maintaining his innocence as he insists these horrible things that have happened to him could not have been due to an unrighteousness or deceit.
“If I have walked with falsehood and my foot has hastened to deceit; Let me be weighed in a just balance, and let YHWH know my integrity!” Job 31:5-6
All the way up through around verse 10 Job is basically saying, If I have done any of these things (walked false with deceit, turned aside from God, adultery) then may I be punished justly for these sins. This is Job making his case before YHWH. He knows that he did nothing to merit these devastating events and this is why he is making his case on this basis. Much of this chapter is spent with similar examples in this same theme and at the end of it the simple statement we get is “The words of Job are ended.”
This will be the last we will hear from Job….until YHWH shows up.
Hang in there – we are coming up on that soon. He will respond to both Job AND his “friends”.
For additional thought, you might enjoy this Sidebar:
Living Like Job – Job 29:11-16
Test everything, hold tight to what is good.~ 1 Thess 5:21
We are saved by Grace alone: Obedience is not the root of our salvation, it is the fruit!
May YHWH bless the reading of His Word!