Weekly message: God uses suffering to purify righteous (Job 1-20) Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Weekly message: God uses suffering to purify righteous (Job 1-20)

Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 

What is the reason and the purpose for Job’s suffering  ?

 The book of Job wrestles with the age-old question: Why do righteous men suffer, if God is a God of love and mercy? It clearly teaches the sovereignty of God and the need for man to acknowledge such. Job’s three friends gave essentially the same answer: all suffering is due to sin. Elihu, however, declared that suffering is often the means of purifying the righteous. God’s purpose, therefore, was to strip away all of Job’s self-righteousness and to bring him to the place of complete trust in Him.

Recognizing Satan’s test; the Definition of Satan  

Satan’s name means “adversary” characterizing his basic nature, which is to oppose God’s person, His plan and His people. It is clear from this passage that Satan is a person, not just an evil influence. Consistently, throughout Scripture Satan is presented as both a real person and a spirit being.

 (1) He conversed with the Lord, which requires intellect.

(2) He was antagonistic toward Job (vv.9-110, showing that he has emotions.

(3) He purposed to destroy Job and disgrace God (1:11;2:4-5,7), therefore demonstrating Satan has a will.

(4)    Satan’s activities, however, are limited by the sovereign control of God (1:12;2:6).

Satan’s first attack to Job

•       First was against Job’s possessions. It was designed to expose Job’s true motives for serving God, which Satan contended were selfish. This test took place only after God gave Satan permission to try Job.

•       Job recognized God’s hand in his affairs and evidenced a proper attitude toward his possessions. They were a gracious gift from God, not things he had earned and therefore had a right to keep.

•       Therefore he said,

 

Satan’s second test to Job

•       Second test was against Job’s person.  “Skin for skin”.

•       Job’s condition was characterized by several symptoms. The skin covering his entire body was affected(v.7),

•       His skin itched intensely (v.8), and he was in acute pain (v.13).

•       His flesh attracted worms and became crusty and hard (7:5). It oozed serum and turned darker in color (7:5;30: 30).

•       Job also experienced fever and aching bones (30:17:30). He may have had elephantiasis or leukemia of the skin.

•       The good will of God included physical suffering for Job at this time, as it does for many today.

The dialogues with Job; Job’s lament

•       In it Job says some things that move his friends to break their long silence and suggest to him why he may be suffering.

•        Job speaks out of great physical and mental anguish. His own basic presupposition, that God always blesses the righteous and afflicts the wicked, has proven faulty. If he judges by his experience, he must conclude that his theology is wrong, for he cannot put what he believes to be true of God together with what is happening to him.

•       Though at times Job reacts with hostility, he always turns back to God. Much of what he says later is exaggerated, untrue, and virtually blasphemous, but he never renounces God.

Eliphaz’s speech

 

Bildad’s speech

Job’s prayer

Job’s faith and hope is in the Lord

 Implication/Application of Job chapter 1- 20

1)              1) God use suffering to purify us and self-righteousness.

2)      We need to recognize God’s purpose.

3)      Submitting to God’s affliction in meekness.

4)      Repentance of sins, ask God search our hearts, whether there is sin.

5)      Have faith in God, our redeemer living, he wounds, he also bind up, He injures, he also heals. 

Invitation for repentance and search your hearts

 My friends, may the Lord our God searches you, and knows your heart, cleanses you, comforts you,

 vindicates for you. As a hymn named, " Cleanse Me" we sing today, it says, 

1)  Search me, O God, and know my heart today; try me, O Savior , know my thoughts I pray.

See if there be some wicked way in me' cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

2) I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin; fulfill Thy Word, and make me pure within.

Fill me with fire, were once I burned with shame; Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.

3) Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine; Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine. 

Take  all my will, my passion, self, and pride; I now surrender, Lord in me abide.

4) O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee; send a revival, start the work in me.

Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need; For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

             May God Father and our Lord Jesus Christ search your hearts, pardons and cleanses your

 sins. He wounds, He also binds up, He injures, but His hands also heals. Learn from Job, kept faith

 in God. In God's timing He will vindicate for you. 

           There are four characteristic that in God's eyesight about Job, he is a righteous man,

 blameless, upright, fear God and shun evil.  Therefore, the Lord protected his life from Satan, 

vindicated for him,  and restored his life from illness and blessed him abundantly provision after

 Satan's test. In Christian's life journey, we will not free from suffering, we will also face 

Satan's attack and test, as Jesus was tested by Satan after his 40 days fasting. Be aware of Satan's 

scheme, reject him, and shun evil, don't be deceived nor be led into disgrace, and shameful sins.

 keep practicing integrity, upright, reverence before God and fear God. 

Bibliography,

        Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986 

Bible in one year 7/30/2022 Job Chapter 18- 21 Job’s second debate to his friends’ speech By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible in one year 7/30/2022  Job Chapter 18- 21 Job’s second debate to his friends’ speech

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 

Chapter 18 Bildad’s Second Speech

            Bildad paints the fate of “wicked” Job as being consumed by death’s firstborn (v.13;i.e., deadly disease), as going into oblivion (vv.16-19) and as being cursed by God (burning sulfur, v.15, was a symbol of this; Gen.19:24;Deut.29:23). He concludes in  surely such is the dwelling of an evil man, such is the place of one who knows not God.” He said,

            “ When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk. Why are we regarded as cattle and considered stupid in your sight? You who tear yourself to pieces in your anger, is the earth to be abandoned for your sake? Or must the rocks be moved from their place?”(vv.2-4).

“ The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out; the flame of his fire stops burning. The light in his tent becomes dark; the lamp beside him goes out.(vv.5-6).

The vigor of his step is weakened; his own schemes throw him down. His feet thrust him into a net and he wanders into its mesh. A noose is hidden for him on the ground; a trap lies in his path. Terrors startle him on every side and dog his every step. Calamity is hungry for him; disaster is ready for him when he falls.(vv.7-12).

It eats away parts of his skin; death’s firstborn devours his limbs. He is torn from the security of his tent and marched off to the king of terrors. Fire resides in his tent buring sulfur is scattered over his dwelling. (vv.13-15)

His roots dry up below and his branches wither above. The memory of him perishes from the earth; he has no name in the land.(vv.16-17).

He is driven from light into darkness and is banished from the world. He has no offspring or descendants among his people, no survivor where once he lived. Men of the west are appalled at his fate; men of the east are seized with horror. Surely such is the dwelling of an evil man, such is the place of one who knows not God.”(vv.18-21).

 

Job’s second reply to Bildad

            Job, isolated from those dearest to him, longs for affection.(vv.13-22). Job, despairing of justice in his lifetime, wishes that his case could be written on a scroll. Then, realizing that ordinary writing is perishable, he desires that it be cut on a leaden tablet or on a rock.(vv.23-24). Job believed in a living God who would vindicate his case even after his death. In the end. In the future. Upon the earth. Lit., upon dust, referring to the dust on the earth or to the dust of Job’s grave. In my flesh. Although the Hebrew preposition, min, sometimes means “without” (in which case Job expected vindication in a disembodied state), when it is used with the verb “ to see” it may indicate the vantage point from which a person sees (in which case Job expected to be in a body when he was received in the resurrection). The last phrase of verse 27 is an exclamation something like, “ I’m overwhelmed at the thought.” This great expression of hope marks the turning point in Job’s attitude. He has seen his suffering in the perspective of certain future vindication of his case. He replied,

            “How long will you torment me and crush me with words? Ten times now you have reproached me; shamelessly you attack me. If it is true that I have gone astray, my error remains my concern alone. If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and use my humiliation against me, then know that God has wronged me and drawn his net around me. (vv.1-6).

            Though I cry, ‘ I’ve been wronged! I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice. He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; he has shrouded my paths in darkness. He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head. He tears me down on every side till I am gone; he uproots my hope like a tree. His anger burns against me; he counts me among his enemies. His troops advance in force; they build a siege ramp against me and encamp around my tent. (vv.7-12).

            He has alienated my brothers from me; my acquaintances are completely estranged from me. My kinsmen have gone away; my friends have forgotten me. My guests and my maidservants count me a stranger; they look upon me as an alien. I summon my servant, but he does not answer, though I beg him with my own mouth. My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own brothers. Even the little boys scorn me; when I appear, they ridicule me. All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me. I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth.(vv.13-20).

             Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. Why do you pursue me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh? Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet, in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes-I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!(vv.21-27)

            If you say, “ How we will hound him, since the root of the trouble lies in him, you should fear the sword yourselves; for wrath will bring punishment by the sword, and then you will know that there is judgment. (vv.28-29).

 

Chapter 20 Third friend Zophar’s Second Speech

            Zophar, see thing with anger because of Job’s warnings (19:28-29), tells Job that a wicked man’s prosperity is brief (v.5). He attempts to make suffering Job appear to be sinning Job. In verse 19 apparently Job’s friends could not produce any proof of Job’s guilt, so the best Zophar can do is accuse him of land-grabbing and oppressing the poor. There is no evidence that Job did these thing.(v.19). He said,

            “ My trouble thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed. I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply.”(vv.2-3). Surely you know how it has been from of old, even since man was placed on the earth, that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment. (vv.4-5).Though his pride reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’ Like a dream he flies away, no more to be found, banished like a vision of the night. The eye that saw him will not see him again; his place will look on him no more. His children must make amends to the poor; his own hands must give back his wealth.(vv.6-10).

            The youthful vigor that fills his bones will lie with him in the dust. Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue, though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth, yet his food will turn sour in his stomach; it will become the venom of serpents within him. He will spit out the riches he swallowed; God will make his stomach vomit them up. He will such the poison of serpents; the fangs of an adder will kill him. He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream. What he toiled for he must give back uneaten; he will not enjoy the profit from his trading. For he has oppressed the poor and left them destitute; he has seized houses he did not build.(vv.11-19).

            Surely he will have no respite from his craving; he cannot save himself by his treasure. Nothing is left for him to devour; his prosperity will not endure. In the midst of his plenty, distress will overtake him; the full force of misery will come upon him. When he has filled his belly, God will vent his burning anger against him and rain down his blows upon him. Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze tipped arrow pierces him. He pulls it out of his back, the gleaming point out of his liver. Terrors will come over him; total darkness lies in wait for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent.  The heaven will expose his guilt; the earth will rise up against him. A flood will carry off his house, rushing waters on the day of God’s wrath. such is the fate God allots the wicked, the heritage appointed for them by God. (vv.20-29).

Chapter 21 Job’s second reply to Zophar

Job takes the initiative, demands the attention of his accusers. Contrary to Zophar’s thesis, the wicked often prosper. Verse 13means, prosperous to the end, the wicked sometimes die without a struggle. In verse 16 Job acknowledges that even the prosperity of the wicked comes from the Lord who governs all men. Verse 17 is a skeptical question. How often, Job asks, does this really happen? The punishment of a man’s iniquity is often borne by his children. Verses 32-33 Even the repulsiveness of death is softened for the prosperous wicked man. He replied,

“ Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation your give me. Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, mock on. Is my complaint directed to man? Why should I not be impatient? Look at me and be astonished; clap your hand over your mouth. When I think about this, I am terrified; trembling seizes my body. (vv.1-6).

Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? They see their children established around them, their offspring before their eyes. Their homes are safe and free from fear; the rod of God is not upon them. Their bulls never fail to breed; their cows calve and do not miscarry. They send forth their children as a flock; their little ones dance about. They sing to the music of tambourine and harp; they make merry to the sound of the flute. They spend their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace. Yet they say to God, ‘ Leave us alone!’ we have no desire to know your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? But their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stand aloof from the counsel of the wicked. (vv.7-16).

   Yet how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? How often does calamity come upon them, the fate God allots in his anger? (v.17). How often are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a gale? It is said, ‘God stores up a man’s punishment for his sons.’ Let him repay the man himself, so that he will know it! Let his own eyes see his destruction; let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. For what does he care about the family he leaves behind when his allotted months come to an end? (vv.17-21).

Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judge even the highest? One man dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease, his bones rich with marrow. Another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good. Side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both. (vv.22-26).

I know full well what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me. You say, ‘ Where now is the great man’s house, the tents where wicked men lived? Have you never questioned those who travel? Have you paid no regard to their accounts- that the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, that he is delivered from the day of wrath? Who denounces his conduct to his face? Who repays him for what he has done? He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over this tomb. The soil in the valley is sweet to him; all men follow after him, and a countless throng goes before him. So how can you console me with you nonsense? Nothing is lift of your answers but falsehood!(vv.27-34).

 

 

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986 

 

 

Bible in one year 7/29/2022 Job Chapter 15- 18Job’s second reply to his friends’ speech By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 7/29/2022  Job Chapter 15- 18 Job’s second reply to his friends’ speech

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 

 Chapter 15 Eliphaz’ Second Speech

             Elipha’s second speech from verses 1-16, he directly censorious, accuses Job of being a windbag(vv.1-6), of ignoring the wisdom of age (vv.7-13), and of ignoring the sinfulness of man (vv.14-16). God’s consolations (v.11). Eliphaz’s description of his own ministry of comfort to Job! From verses 17 to 35 Eliphaz debates Job’s statement (12:6) that wicked men prosper. Rather, he says, they experience pain(v.20), threat of calamity(v.21), anguish (vv.22-24), and premature death (v.32). He numbers Job among this group. He said,

             “ Would a wise man answer with empty notions or fill his belly with the hot east wind? Would he argue with useless words, with speeches that have no value? But you even undermine piety and hinder devotion to God. Your sin prompts your mouth; you adopt the tongue of the crafty. Your own mouth condemns you, not mine; your own lips testify against you.” (vv.1-6).

            “ Are you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills? Do you listen in on God’s council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself? What do you know that we do not know? What insights do you have that we do not have? The gray-haired and the aged are on our side, men even older than your father. Are God’s consolations not enough for you, words spoken gently to you? Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash, so that you vent your rage against God and pour out such words from your mouth?”(vv.7-13).       

 “What is man, that he could be pure, or one born of woman, that he could be righteous? If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes. How much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water!”(vv.14-16).

Listen to me and I will explain to you; let me tell you what I have seen, what wise men have declared, hiding nothing received from their fathers (to whom alone the land was given when no alien passed among them): All his days the wicked man suffers torment, the ruthless through all the years stored up for him. Terrifying sounds fill his ears; when all seems well, marauders attack him. He despairs of escaping the darkness; he is marked for the sword. He wanders about food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand. Distress and anguish fill him with terror; they overwhelm him, like a king poised to attack, king poised to attach, because he shakes his fist at God and vaunts himself against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield.” (vv.17-26).

“Through his face is covered with fat and his waist bulges with flesh, he will inhabit ruined towns and houses where no one lives, houses crumbling to rubble. He will no longer be rich and his wealth will not endure, nor will his possessions spread over the land. He will not escape the darkness; a flame with wither his shoots, and the breath of God’s mouth will carry him away. Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return. Before his time he will be paid in full, and his branches will not flourish. He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree shedding its blossoms. For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who love bribes. They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit.”(vv.27-35).

 

Chapter 16 Job’s second reply to Eliphaz

            Job spurns the comfort of his friends (vv.1-5) and again Job describes his desperate situation (vv.6-17) And his innocence cries for vindication(v.18), he longs for  a divine helper (v.21).        Job replied,

            “ I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all! Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake  my head at you. But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.(vv.1-5)

            “Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away. Surely, O God, you have worn me out; you have devastated my entire household. You have bound me and it has become a witness; my gauntness rises up and testifies against me.. God assails me and tears me in his anger and gnashes his teeth at me; my opponent fastens on me his piercing eyes. Men open their mouths to jeer at me; they strike my cheek in scorn and unite together against me. God has turned me over to evil men and thrown me into the clutches of the wicked. All was well with me, but he shattered  me; he seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target; his archers surround me. Without pity, he pierces my kidneys and spills my gall on the ground. Again and again he bursts upon me; he rushes at me like a warrior.”(vv.6-14).

            “I have sewed sackcloth over my skin and buried my brow in the dust. My face is red with weeping, deep shadows ring my eyes, yet my hands have been free of violence ad my prayer is pure.  O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest! Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend. Only a few years will pass before I go on the journey of not return.” (vv.16-22).

 

Chapter 17 Job’s second reply to Eliphaz

            Job asks God to be the pledge with Himself of Job’s innocence (vv.3-5). And again Job expresses his longing for death (vv.13-14). He replied,

 “ My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave awaits me. Surely mockers surround me; my eyes must dwell on their hostility. Give me, O God, the pledge you demand. Who else will put up security for me? You have closed their minds to understanding; Therefore you will not let them triumph. If a man denounces his friends for reward, the eyes of  his children will fall.” (vv.1-5).

            God has made me a byword to everyone, a man in whose face people spit. My eyes have grown dim with grief; my whole frame is but a shadow. Upright men are appalled at this; the innocent are aroused against the ungodly. Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.(vv.6-9).

            But come on, all of you, try again! I will not find a wise man among you. My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart. These men turn night into day; in the face of darkness they say, ‘Light is near.’ If the only home I hope for is the grave, if I spread out my bed in darkness, if I say to corruption, ‘ You are my father’ and to the worm, ‘ My mother’ or ‘ My sister,’ where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me? Will it go down to the gates of death? Will we descend together into the dust?(vv.10-16).

 

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986 

 

Bible in one year 7/28/2022 Job Chapter 11-14 Zophar’s first speech and Job’s reply By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 7/28/2022  Job Chapter 11-14 Zophar’s first speech and Job’s reply

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 

Chpater 11 Zophar’s first speech and concludes about Job

 

            Zophar’s speech is more blunt and harsh than the other two friends, he also concludes that Job is suffering because of his sins. In fact, he says that God has given Job only a fraction of what he deserves (v.6). To his simple way of thinking, all Job needed to do was repent and everything would change(vv.13-15). Zophar’s authority was not religious experience or tradition, but intuition or common sense. His ultimate authority, therefore, was really himself; what appeared right to him was considered to be indeed right. This kind of person sees all issues as either black or white. Zophar was not interested in probing the mysteries of God’s working. He not only called Job a sinner, but rebuked and insulted him for attempting to understand God’s ways(v.12). Zophar also calls on Job to repent and assures him of rich rewards if he will do so.(vv.13-20). Zophar the Naamathite said,

            “Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated? Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock? You say to God,’ My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.’ Oh,  how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides.  Know this :God has even forgotten some of your sin. Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.” (vv.1-9). Surely he recognize deceitful men; and when he sees evil, does he not take note? But a witless man can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born a man.(vv.11-12).

            

Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor. But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp.” (vv.13-20)

Chapter 12 Job’s reply to Zophar

            Job now replies to his friends. He severely criticizes them (12:1-13:12), declares his own righteousness(13:13-19), and then appeals to God (13:20-14:22).

            Job replied, “ Doubtless you are the people and wisdom will die with you! But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things? I have become a laughingstock to my friends, though I called upon God and he answered a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless! Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping. The tents of marauders are undisturbed, and those who provoke God are secure those who carry their god in their hands.” (vv.1-6). Which means, it is easy for you, living in your comfortable world, to mock me. And the god of robbers is the weapon in their hand.  “ But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” (vv.7-10).

            Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? (v.12) To God belong wisdom and power counsel and understanding are his (v.13). What he tears down cannot rebuilt; the man he imprisons cannot be released. If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land. To him belong strength and victory; both deceived and deceiver are his. (vv.14-16).

            He leads counselors away stripped and makes fools of judges. He takes off the shackles put on by kings and ties a loincloth around their waist. He leads priests away stripped and overthrows men long established. He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders. He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty. He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light. He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations and disperses them. He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he sends them wondering through a trackless waste. They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.(vv.17-25).

 Chapter 13 Job’s reply to Zophar

            Job severely castigates the motives of his friends.Prov.17:28 expresses the same sarcasm as here in verse 5. Job also reminds them (v.9) that they too face a heart-searching God.

         Job said,“ My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.(vv.1-5).

 Hear now my argument; listen to the plea of my lips. Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God? Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive men? He would surely rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality. Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall of you? Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.(vv.6-12).

Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may. Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare come before him! Listen carefully to my words; let your ears take in what I say. Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated. (vv.13-18).

Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die. Only grant me these two things, O God, and then I will not hide from you: Withdraw you hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors. Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply. How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin. Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy? Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff? For you write down bitter things against me and make me inherit the sins of my youth. You fasten my feet in shackles; you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet. So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths. (vv.19-28).

Chapter 14 Job’s reply to Zophar

            In Job’s despair Job claims that the fate of a tree is better than the fate of a man, since a tree can sprout again. Job longs for death as a relief from his present sufferings. If he could hope that beyond Sheol there were some sort of resurrection, then he could endure his present problems. In verse 22 ends the first round of debate between Job and his three friends. They have all concluded that Job is suffering because of his sins. Job has rejected their assumption, seeing death as his only way out. But the ire of his friends has been aroused and they are eager to say more. He said,

            “ Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. Do you fix your eye on such a one? Will you bring him before you for judgment? Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one! Man’s day are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed. So look always from him and let him alone, till he has put in his time like a hired man.” (vv.1-6).

            At least there is hope for a tree: It it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant. But man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last and is no more. As water disappears from the sea or a riverbed becomes parched and dry, so man lies down and does not rise; till the heavens are no more, men will not awake or be roused from their sleep. If only you would hide me in the grave and conceal me till your anger has passed! If only you would set me a time and then remember me!(vv.7-13).

            If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come. You will call and I will answer you; you will long for the creature your hands have made. Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin. My offense will be sealed up in a bag; you will cover over my sin. But as a mountain erodes and crumbles and as a rock is moved from its place, as water wears away stones and torrents wash away the soil, so you destroy man’s hope. You overpower him once for all, and he is gone; you change his countenance and send him away. If his sons are honored, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he does not see it . He feels but the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself.(vv.14-22).

 

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986