We have seen much in Job, I will not recapitulate, but if there are any doubts about what has been covered, I would direct the doubters to the book of Job. If there is not enough time for that, I would then provide direction to the prior blog postings.
Here, in today's reading, Job 40:1-42:17, God questions Job rather extensivly. God Contrasts his justice, arm, and thundering voice with Job's. He proclaims his creation of powerful creatures and ultimately his ownership of the universe. Isaiah chapter 40 also illuminates contrasts between God and man. God clearly illustrates how Job is powerless in contrast to His abundent power. He points to Job's need for salvation in v14.
God will question us someday about where our hope, faith, and trust is placed for our salvation. (Jesus Blood and righteousness).
After Job's suffering and God's training by questioning, Job realizes that God can do all things and that no plan of God can be thwarted. Job admits to his limited perception and repents in dust.
God had anger against Job's 3 friends. God demanded Job's friends go to Job with 7 bulls and 7 rams to offer as a burnt offfering. God stated that his servant, Job, would pray for his 3 friends and that Job's prayer would be accepted and his friends would not be dealt with according to their folly.
Job prayed.
After Job prayed, The Lord blessed Job abundantly. His daughters were subsequently granted an inheritence. That did not happen in Job's time for only males were allowed to own property.
Some thoughts follow:
Where do we turn; to the fleeting things of this world; or to the eternal: powerful: living God:: who gave His Son to die in our place for our sin?
Job was questioned by God, we too will be questioned by God about our acceptence or rejection of His plan for savation.
God in His mercy, provided a plan for salvation of Job's friends. The plan involved sacrifice and Job's obedience. One can only speculate what would have happend to Job's friends had Job not prayed. We are blessed, sealed by the Spirit and can pray by/with/through the Spirit. Job in contrast did not have a sealing with the Holy Spirit, however one might speculate that it was the Spirit's work that allowed this ordinary person to deal extraordinarally with his circumstance. God appreciates obedience more than sacrifice and He listens to prayer...The Spirit leads us.
To what do you cling to in your challenge, trial, failure, and weakness? Also, and perhaps more importantly: What do you cling to in your success, triumph, and strength. If you cling to anything other than the Eternal God, you are hanging on to an idol. (also spoken about in Isaiah 40). One may have a larger challenge with triumph than failure. Our limited perception can blind us to pride, see Proverbs 16:18 .
Do we look for and cling to God in all situations? Pray...Job did...God is listening right now.
With the help of the Spirit, live your life as a prayer.
Die to sin.
In Christ
David P
No comments:
Post a Comment