Category: Job–BibleTrekToday
The Best is Yet to Come!
Scripture reading for August 24: Job 42:8, 10-12 “Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And My servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken what is right, as My servant Job has.” . . .”And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece money and a ring of gold. And the Lord blessed the later days of Job more than his beginning.”
For me, a good story has an interesting beginning and a happy ending. The story of Job is one of the oldest recorded in the Bible, set before the time of Abraham. Job was a man of faith and prosperous and known for his righteousness and generosity. Satan, the villain, comes before God and accuses Job of serving God for what benefits God blessed him with. God allows Satan to afflict Job, taking first his family and possessions, and then his health. His wife becomes bitter and his friends turn against him by accusing him of harboring sin or wickedness as the cause of his sickness and trials.
But God did not fail Job, even in these trials He had allowed Satan to bring. God gave Job faith to stay true. He revealed to Job answers to his deepest needs for a Redeemer and an Advocate. He showed him that even after death, resurrection would occur and he would behold His Redeemer with his own eyes on the earth. (Job 19:25-26) In the end, He answered Job’s prayer to meet with God by coming near and questioning him. The questions were to reveal to Job God’s greatness, power, and eternal plans and to bring Job to new levels of faith and prayer. After repentance and praying for his friends, Job was restored double all that he lost! Even in this, we see God’s amazing mercy. Job had more children–the same amount as he lost. This implied that he would see his children he lost again in heaven! The best is yet to come! Amen!
Job’s Repentance
Scripture reading for August 21: Job 42:1-6 “Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear but now my eye sees You; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Job had requested an audience with God and God had appeared to him and began asking him questions that revealed Job’s total lack of understanding and wisdom. Although Job had maintained his faith, he had made statements that were not right and were presumptive. Through God’s amazing questions, Job began to see his own shortcomings and presumption. Job also saw more clearly the vast wisdom and power of the Lord and how His plans and purposes were established. Nothing could stop God Who knows everything and is all-powerful.
Whenever anyone draws near to God or God reveals His presence and holiness, man’s response should be humility and repentance. As we go through the trials of sickness and demonic attack, it is good to stay humble and teachable. God wants us to come to Him and recognize Him as all-knowing and all-powerful. We should be careful of how we speak, remembering that our words have power and Satan wants to get us into doubt and unbelief. Paul encouraged the Philippians to focus on God–He alone is good and excellent and worthy of praise. We must practice this positive focus after giving all our concerns to God in prayer. He hears and will answer us, sometimes with questions that help us know His power and ability better. Amen!
Job’s Friends
Scripture reading for August 20: Job 16:1-2 “Then Job answered and said: “I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. Shall windy words have and end? Or what provokes you that you answer?” Job 16:20-21 “My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God that He would argue the case of a man with God, as as a son of man does with his neighbor.”
Revelation 12:10-11 “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of the testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
As we walk with God through times of sickness, often our friends and even our family think that they are encouraging us with their blunt analysis of our condition and the reasons behind it. Job’s friends were no different. They suggested that Job was hiding some unknown sin and God was punishing him. One suggested that he was even getting far less than he deserved. Friends like this became for Job (and us!) miserable comforters. They test our faith and become tools of the accuser, Satan. Job longed for one like a “Son of Man” to intervene for him and plead his case. His longing was answered by God in the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ.
John, in Revelation 12, saw that the accuser of the brothers had been cast down to earth. Those trusting in God and His Mediator, Jesus Christ, had an advocate Who would defend them. They overcame the accuser and his accusations by pleading the shed blood of Jesus and testified to their faith in God’s mercy through Him. They stood firm in their faith against all accusations, even becoming martyrs for their stand of faith.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending one like a “son of man” in Your Son Jesus to be our advocate for us in heaven. We love You and have committed to a stand of faith, even unto death. Amen!
Living by God’s Word
Scripture reading for August 19: Job 23:10-12 “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.”
Matthew 4:4 “But He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Job’s trial of extreme loss and then sickness approaching death was allowed by God to prove that Job served God for Who He was, not just for the benefits God gives those who trust Him. God knows everything about us, including the genuineness of our faith. We don’t have all the inside information of why God allows these tests, but they bring out of us amazing faith and confessions. Job confessed that God knew all about his walk of faith. Job was confident that when the test was over, he would come out like gold from the fire–free from impurities.
He had sought to walk closely with God and to keep His commandments. He stated that he treasured God’s Word more than his portion of food. This reminds us of Jesus’ confession when Satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread after a forty day fast. Jesus stated that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) (Deuteronomy 8:3) Faith also comes by hearing God’s Word. (Romans 10:17) Job was revealing where his faith came from and how he knew his faith was genuine.
As we go through various trials, Peter tells us to rejoice in the testing of our faith. Faith is more precious than gold that is perishing as it is part of creation. Faith in God leads to eternal life and eternal joy–kept in heaven for us and soon revealed in Jesus’ return. “Come, Lord Jesus!” is the last prayer of the church recorded in Scripture! (Revelation 22:17, 20) Amen!
“I Know My Redeemer Lives”
Scripture reading for August 18: Job 19:25-27 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me.”
John 11:25-6 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Over two thousand years separate the faith confession of Job and the truth Jesus declared to Martha, the sister of Lazarus, who had been dead for four days. Job was in the midst of a trial of sickness that he felt could take his life. Satan had obtained permission to test his faith and God had agreed. Satan threw his worst attack on Job’s health and faith through accusations from his wife and friends as well. Job maintained his integrity and did not blame God or curse Him.
But God was at work behind the scenes as well. Job’s faith was maintained through revelation knowledge of the unseen world. God had revealed a Redeemer Who would one day stand upon the earth and be made visible to those of faith. Job had a revelation that even if he died and his flesh and skin was destroyed, yet he would behold this Redeemer for himself and his own eyes would see Him. The only way Job could know this was if God revealed it to him. This has been God’s mercy towards those who humbly seek Him and trust in Him.
Jesus Christ stood at Lazarus’ grave and declared that He was the resurrection and the life. He was that Redeemer, that whoever believed on Him would live, even if dead. Those that lived and believed would never die! What amazing revelation knowledge revealed by Jesus, Son of God! The real question for us all, “Do you believe this?”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your great mercy in revealing Jesus Christ, Your Son, as the way to live forever and find assurance that even in death, we will be made alive in Him! With Job of old, ‘How my heart burns within me!’ Amen.
Our Witness in Heaven!
Scripture reading for August 17: Job 16:19-21 “Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, and He Who testifies for me is on high. My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God, that He would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 “Since then we have a great High Priest Who passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Job next testifies of his faith in God’s ability to help him by a Witness in heaven. Just like a son of man would vouch for his neighbor, so God would provide a Mediator to argue Job’s case in heaven. Job’s neighbors and friends were not helping him as they should. Satan was using them to bring scorn and accusation against Job that he had hidden sins and deserved more punishment than he was getting. They were ‘miserable comforters’ to Job. But Job again focused on the unseen realm of Heaven and God’s justice for those trusting in Him.
The writer of Hebrews mirrors Job’s statement of trust under the New Covenant of grace through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ became all believers great “High Priest” and the only Mediator between God and man. He had identified with sinful man and experienced all our temptations and weaknesses, but without sin. We can come boldly with confidence to God’s throne to find grace to help us in any time of need. Our ‘Witness’, one like a Son of Man, the Son of God, is in heaven seated at God’s right hand and interceding for those who believe!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for showing us mercy through Jesus Christ our Great High Priest. I come confidently today because Jesus is my Mediator and has argued my case successfully. He testifies that His blood has redeemed me and by His stripes I am healed. (1 Peter 2:24) Amen.
Declaring Hope in God’s Goodness
Scripture reading for August 14: Job 13:15-17 “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him; yet I will argue my ways to His face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before Him. Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in Your ears.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
True faith and trust in God is not based on what we can see in the natural realm. As Job went through this physical trial where he experienced severe affliction and accusations from family and friends, his anchor was in the goodness of God. Even though he did not understand why this affliction was happening to him, he refused to blame or curse God. He also refused to blame himself and repent for something he did not do just to please his friends. In fact, he declared his faith in God in the face of what was happening to him in the natural realm. He kept his confession of hope in God and prayed trusting that God would hear him.
In the New Testament, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul made a similar statement of hope in God in the midst of affliction and suffering. He encouraged himself and the Corinthian believers with a statement of faith in God’s goodness to work suffering and affliction for eternal good and glory. In order to truly grasp this, Paul explained that his focus was not on what was happening in the natural realm. Instead he focused on the unseen realities of God’s eternal purposes and power to work all things for good to those who love Him. He knew that the present afflictions and suffering were light and momentary, transient and passing away. He knew that God’s eternal promises were the ultimate reality and those who trusted in them would triumph by faith.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Holy Spirit to help me today to declare Your unseen realities which are eternal. Deliver me from fear and slavery to my senses and flesh. Even when my body is wasting away, I know You are working eternal glory for me. Amen.
Responding to Sickness
Scripture reading for August 13: Job 2:7-10 “So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”
The story of Job in Scripture gives us insight into the unseen world of spiritual conflict between Satan, the accuser of the brothers, and Job, a man who loved and trusted God. God had allowed Satan to take Job’s health from him in order to prove that Job served God with integrity, not just for benefits God bestows on those who trust him. Job was afflicted with open sores all over his body. His response was to sit in ashes, a sign of mourning and repentance. He also took a piece of broken pottery and scraped the sores to get some relief. The broken pottery likely reflects how Job was feeling after this terrible attack on his body.
But even worse, Satan used his wife to bring the attack to a new level. She questioned how her husband could maintain his integrity of trusting God when God would allow something like this to happen. Her suggestion to “Curse God and die” was a path to eternal destruction and Satan was behind it. The term for ‘curse’ was the same word used for ‘bless’ in the Hebrew. She was suggesting that Job’s ‘blessing’ of God would not keep him from death. He should just do whatever he felt like.
But Job did maintain his integrity and rebuked his wife for her foolish advice. Job knew that the righteous path was to trust God in good times and in bad times. God would work things out for his good. He kept a good confession with his lips, although the temptation to loose it and turn to accusation of God and self-pity was certainly strong.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for keeping Job through faith in Your justice and goodness. Help me during trials of sickness to trust You to work everything out for good! (Romans 8:28) Keep me from sin with my lips. Amen.
Unseen Accusations!
Scripture reading for August 12: Job 2:3-6 “And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse You to Your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, only spare his life.”
We come to the ancient book of Job and the story of Job’s life and trust in God in the days before Abraham. The story reveals a conflict between God the Father and Satan, the fallen angel. This conflict was during a gathering of the ‘Sons of God’ and Satan came along with them. The ‘Sons of God’ is a term used to describe created heavenly beings who serve God and do His will. Satan was once part of that group until iniquity was found in him and he was removed from his position of authority under God. His name, Satan, (‘hassatan’ in Hebrew) means ‘adversary’ or ‘prosecutor’ or ‘accuser’ and is a title rather than a name. Although cast out of the heavenly angelic band, he was still given access to God’s throne on occasion.
In this passage, we find God speaking to Satan and bringing to his attention His servant Job a second time. God’s assessment of Job was that he stood alone among those on earth as blameless and upright and fearing God. Job had passed the first test of keeping steadfast faith in God as sovereign even after losing his flocks, servants and even his children and their families. Now Satan accused God of protecting Job’s health as he had of his wealth the first time. Satan’s accusation was that if Job’s life was threatened, he would curse God. God allowed Satan to take Job’s health, just not his life. God was confident that Job would remain true to Him.
As we learn from Scripture to trust God in all circumstances, we can learn from Job’s example and the unseen and unknown accusations behind the health circumstance. There are forces of evil trying to destroy us and our faith. But our Lord Jesus has power to sustain those committed to Him. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Response to a revelation of God’s holiness
Scripture reading for July 17th: Isaiah 5-8
In the presence of the Lord there is an awesome awareness of God’s holiness and glory and of our sinfulness and need of cleansing. The stories of encounters with the Lord in Scripture record humbling effects on those so blessed to experience a personal visitation. It is always by God’s initiative that He reveals Himself to a man or woman. We can’t command a visitation although we can ask humbly. Job asked to have an audience with His maker and found himself unable to answer and repented following the encounter. (Job 42:2-6) Isaiah had a visitation and confessed his sin quickly.
During Isaiah’s encounter, he beheld the Lord on a throne with His robe filling the temple. Above and around Him were heavenly being called seraphs, or “burning ones”. They had six wings and used these to fly and cover their faces and feet. They were calling to each other “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of His glory.” (Isaiah 6:3) When they spoke, their voices shook the doorposts and thresholds of the temple and smoke filled the house. This ‘smoke’ was the tangible glory of God!
Isaiah himself began to cry out in terror of judgment in the presence of this Holy One and His burning angels! He immediately knew his sin would bring judgment and death. He understood that all people among whom he lived were also sinful and were in danger of judgment! Seeing God’s great white throne would spell disaster! (Revelation 20:11-14) God saw his heart and repentance and heard his confession. He sent one of the seraph’s with a burning coal from the altar and applied it to the prophet’s mouth. His sin was taken away and atoned for.
After cleansing, Isaiah heard the Lord’s personal call: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for Me?” Isaiah quickly responded with “Here am I, send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) God told Isaiah that He was sending him to a people whose hearts were calloused and their ears were dull. They had become hardened and would become harder as they refused to listen to God’s prophet! (Isaiah 6:9-10) Jesus quoted these verses as He spoke to the religious people of His day. (Matthew 13:13-15)
In summary, the open heaven Isaiah experienced brought revelation of God’s glory. This led to awareness and confession of his sinfulness and cleansing by God’s grace through fire from the altar. After cleansing he heard God’s call and obeyed! Why not ask God for a fresh revelation of His holiness and glory?