A Grumbleing Job

 

Job 16:7-14

 

“Even if I speak, my suffering is not relieved, and if I hold back, what have I lost?  Surely He^[ has now exhausted me.  You have devastated my entire family.  You have shriveled me up—it has become a witness; My frailty rises up against me and testifies to my face.  His anger tears at me, and He harasses me.  He gnashes His teeth at me.  My enemy pierces me with His eyes. They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with contempt; they join themselves together against me.  God hands me over to unjust men; He throws me into the hands of the wicked. I was at ease, but He shattered me; He seized me by the scruff of the neck and smashed me to pieces.  He set me up as His target; His archers surround me.  He pierces my kidneys without mercy and pours my bile on the ground.  He breaks through my defenses again and again; He charges at me like a warrior.”

 

Job has come to this conclusion, whether he complains or keeps quiet his suffering is the same, so why not grumble?  He is going to speak about his suffering and hope that God takes mercy on him.  It seems Job is switching from third to the second person, my study Bible states that’s not uncommon in Hebrew poetry.  For those, who like me learned very little from my English teacher, let me share this definition of the first, second, and third person. “If the first person is someone telling you his or her story, and the second person is you being told how you should do something, then a third person is more like a camera recording events. That's not to say it's necessarily an objective point of view.  A third-person narrator can be highly subjective.”

 

In verses 7-8, it seems as if Job has moved from the third person to the second person.  It seems to me that Job is telling his 3 buddies that he is defenseless against what God has allowed to take place in his life, and in his family.  Job wonders, has God become my enemy, does he not see my pain?  

 

What happens when a man of integrity fails in business, do we not see those who despised him come out of the woodwork?  Job also is encountering such men.  It is hard for anyone to be mocked, and especially a man who has great power and wealth as Job.  That is what is happening, those who always had contempt for Job are now being bold in words and actions.  When our Vice President said he needed to pray and seek God’s direction on the Coronavirus, those evil ones in both the democrat party and the press mocked him, that is a great example of what was taking place in Job’s life.  Job expresses to his so-called friends that God had given him up to the unjust and the wicked.

 

Job tells his friends that God is like a leader that sends a vast army against him and they have shot their arrows and his vital organ has been hit.  He compares himself to a city under siege.  Job who has lost his children, his wealth, and his dignity does not understand what is taking place in heaven and God’s protection of his life.  When we allow feelings and human logic to rule in our lives it’s easy to lose focus on how much we are loved by God, and that Satan has no authority over a child of God unless the Lord allows him to sift us like wheat.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

Miserable Comforters

 

Job 16:1-5

 

 

“Then Job answered: I have heard many things like these. You are all miserable comforters.  Is there no end to your empty words?  What provokes you that you testifying?  If you were in my place I could also talk like you.  I could string words together against you and shake my head at you.  Instead, I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.” 

 

My pastor often tells the staff that the most important part of the ministry is just showing up, if you are to speak the Lord will tell you what to say.  I’ve witnessed people saying some of the dumbest things to a family that has suffered loss or in great sorrow.  These three did so well they showed up, and for seven days they were quiet, great job, but after Job spoke all this changed.  I agree with Job they are miserable comforters.  

 

Job asked a question that should be asked of all of us: “Is there no end  to your empty words?”  I am guilty of not giving thought to my words, and in Proverbs 10:19, we are told the following; “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”   I’m asking the Lord to change me into a wise man who does not try to entertain or even speak without giving thought to my words.  To be careful and discreet with the words that come from my mouth.  I do not ask you to pray for me often, but I do hope you will remember me in this area of my life.

 

Job’s so-called friends were mocking and showing contempt for a man they once were honored to say they were his friends by the shaking of the head.  Friends do not do that, and a follower of Christ being led by the Spirit of God will never do so.   We see that in Galatians 5:22,23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”

 

Job is stating that it takes no wisdom to do what you are doing, but if I were in your place and you were in mine, I would do this: “Instead, I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.”  That’s what love does, and God is Love.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

Be on Your Guard for the Person who has all the Answer

 

Job 15:17-35

 

Today, as I read this Scripture many thoughts fill my very small thinker, first and foremost be very careful of the person who has all the answers.  Often they are full of themselves or very insecure.  We can bet the farm on this absolute that God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.  In fact, it matters not how gifted or intelligent a person is, how much book learning, no one that is created thinks at the level of God, He has made that clear that His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts or higher than ours.  With that stated, let’s examine some parts of Eliphaz's long-winded proclamation to Job.

 

“I will show you; hear me, and what I have seen I will declare (what wise men have told,
 without hiding it from their fathers, to whom alone the land was given, and no stranger passed among them). The wicked man writhes in pain all his days, through all the years that are laid up for the ruthless.  Dreadful sounds are in his ears; in prosperity, the destroyer will come upon him.” (Job 15:17-21)

 

First, it seems to me that’s not the way to address a man, woman, or child.  I’ve been guilty of doing so to my daughter when she was not paying attention to my desires for her when she was young.  Often Eliphaz comes across as one arrogant all-knowing man who seems to be acting as a spokesman for God.  It is stated in my study Bible that he is relying on traditional wisdom and experience.  I do believe Eliphaz had a box he designed to keep God in, and it is based on traditional wisdom, what he learned in his experience, and from those, he looked up to.  It seems at one time Job was one that he admired, and you and I must be careful of doing so to the point of seeing them as infallible.  Often we are not kind to our fallen heroes, those that disappoint us!

 

The English Standard Study Bible titles this chapter in this way, “Eliphaz accuses: Job does not fear God” and by stating such he is declaring Job a fool, who has no understanding of the ways of God.  He put Job in the mix of the wicked and states Job had no right to what God had blessed him with, that his home was excessive, and not only that he was wicked, God was bringing judgment on him.  That’s a Bob interpretation, not anything I read, so be very careful using it as a teaching.  It seems to me that Eliphaz was jealous of Job’s wealth, in the good times he had enjoyed telling people that he and Job were tight, but now all that has changed.  

 

One would be wise to take heart to the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1-3, “Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure, you use it will be measured to you.  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” 

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A desire to be heard - To make a Statement - Not asking Questions

 

Job 15:1-6

 

 “Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:  “Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?  Should he argue in unprofitable talk, or in words with which he can do no good?  But you are doing away with the fear of God^[ and hindering meditation before God.  For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.  Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; your own lips testify against you.”

 

When someone asks a rhetorical question, they are not looking for a reply and in this case, Eliphaz questions were asked in order to create a dramatic effect and to make a point rather than to get an answer.  Eliphaz is implying that Job is full of hot wind, that his defense was empty and self-serving.  He is suggesting that Job does not fear God and such a person cannot have wisdom.

 

This so-called friend has been insulted that Job did not take the counsel of his three friends, and his only conclusion is that Job is guilty of many sins and is doing his best to cover up his miss deeds.

 

Job 15:7-16

 

“Are you the first man who was born?  Or were you brought forth before the hills?
Have you listened in the council of God?  And do you limit wisdom to yourself?  What do you know that we do not know?  What do you understand that is not clear to us?
Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, older than your father. Are the comforts of God too small for you, or the word that deals gently with you?  Why does your heart carry you away, and why do your eyes flash, that you turn your spirit against God and bring such words out of your mouth? What is man, that he can be pure?  Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?  Behold, God puts no trust in his holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in his sight; how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks injustice like water!”

 

It may be that Eliphaz is being sarcastic, once more asking questions that he does not expect to be answered.  What I believe is Eliphaz is very prideful and arrogant and came with no knowledge or understanding but may have already made a judgment before he even saw Job sitting in the ashes.  He is implying that if Job’s father was there he would also condemn his actions.

 

He has claimed that Job's own words have shown his anger against God and then Eliphaz tells Job if angels are not trustworthy how much less a man.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

 

September 9, 2020

 

Ecclesiastic 5:8-9

 

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor

If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.  But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. 

On December 15, 1791, the Congress of  The United States of America added amendments to the Constitution, they are titled the “Bill of Rights.  There were 10 amendments, at that time, and today I’m only addressing the 1st and 2nd amendment.

Amendment I “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of  religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The Constitution and those 10 Bill of Rights have been the foundation of our Nation that has been used by God to bless many Nations and defeat evil governments, such as Germany under Adolf Hitler, and set free the nations grabbed by Soviet Russia after WWII.

Solomon hit the nail on the head in his assessment of government, and that is why we have the Second Amendment.  “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

In 2020, we have seen the mayors, governors and some in Congress both state and federal want to do and doing in regard to the freedom to Worship as Solomon has stated.  Nowhere in our Constitution does it give any government leader the right to stop worship in public or private homes for any reason, yet those haters of good and God, have done so.

Now we have a political party that has stated they will ignore the Second Amendment and take away our rights to own guns, just like Hitler and Russia and other governments have done.

But we have weapons that are more powerful than guns, they are offensive weapons, and they are the Word of God, and Prayer, it is time to choose whom you will serve Government or God?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

 

When Hope is gone

 Job:16-22

 

“For then you would number my steps; you would not keep watch over my sin;  my transgression would be sealed up in a bag, and you would cover over my iniquity.”

 

“But the mountain falls and crumbles away,  and the rock is removed from its place;
 the waters wear away the stones; the torrents wash away the soil of the earth; so, you destroy the hope of man.  You prevail forever against him, and he passes; you change his countenance and send him away.  His sons come to honor, and he does not know it; they are brought low, and he perceives it not.  He feels only the pain of his own body, and he mourns only for himself.”

 

 

In verses 16 and 17, let's sum up what Job is asking of God, forgiveness, and grace; this side of the Cross it is something a follower of Christ often takes for granted.  Job was a very wise man in regard to his observation of nature in verses 18-19, but very ignorant in regard to God’s love.  When a man like Job walks in integrity before God and man as God as so stated, they are pleasing to God.  Job had no understanding of the affairs taking place in heaven!  You may be thinking, it did not work for Job, but it did, you just have not finished the story of Job.  Now at that moment, it looks as if this statement in verse 19 is true in Job’s life; “you destroy the hope of man.” 

 

 It is important to state that anytime you or I as followers of Christ ignore our Father's commandments He will not allow us to do so long term, and if you do not experience discipline then Scripture states you are not a member of His family.  Look at Hebrews 12:4-6,  ^“In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son?  It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and everyone he accepts as his son.”

 

In my short life on planet earth, I’ve discovered there is more I’m ignorant about than I know and understand.  I’m learning to judge not the thoughts and words coming from a person in pain and depression.  In Job’s state of depression, he saw God as oppressive, not as merciful and good.  He had lost all hope of any good that might come to him and only looked to a painful future.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

 

Job's Hope

 Job 14:7-17

 

“For there is hope for a tree if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant.  But a man dies and is laid low; man breathes his last, and where is he?  As waters fail from a lake and a river wastes away and dries up, so a man lies down and rises not again; till the heavens are no more he will not awake or be roused out of his sleep.
Oh, that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath be past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!  If a man dies, shall he live again?  All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal^[b] should come.  You would call, and I would answer you; you would long for the work of your hands.  For then you would number my steps; you would not keep watch over my sin;  my transgression would be sealed up in a bag, and you would cover over my iniquity.”

 

We need to be aware to whom Job is addressing, his Creator, and his God, and with that reminder shall we explore these eleven verses.  Being a person who likes to grow plants and trees, Job’s analogy of the tree being cut down and its stump dies and begins to deteriorate, and yet though the stump is almost gone if it gets the water its roots bring twigs like a sapling.  Job wants his Creator to know that he has an understanding of mankind and their time on earth is like a mist, here one day and gone the next. They are not coming back for a second chance.  It seems as if Job has no hope of eternal life, but in the next verse, he has a hope that death may not end for mankind.  

 

In verse 14 thru 17, Job begins with this question to God; “If a man dies, shall he live again?”  Job wonders could I rise from the grave, could I have fellowship with God?  We must recall that Job is on the other side of the cross and is looking forward to a Messiah that would take his case before a Holy God.  In that, you and I are this side of the cross and have had Jesus take our place we find rest in these words of Jesus. In John 14:1-3, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice