Day: January 6, 2021

Job 10-13

~ Patricia ~ 8 Comments

We know that Job had a wonderful habit of worship, but I wonder if his suffering has brought to the surface true worship.  I reflected on my very weak prayer life this morning.  But when times get tougher, I speak to God more frequently.

Chapter 11 is short because Zophar is blunt.  Zophar- the know it all!  I am going to call my husband Zophar and see if he laughs😂   Zophar is saying, Job actually deserves worse,

5 If only God would speak;
    if only he would tell you what he thinks!
6 If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,
    for true wisdom is not a simple matter.
Listen! God is doubtless punishing you
    far less than you deserve! NLT

Zophar is the man with the plan.  He gives Job the “steps” to the solution stating in 11:13

  1. Yet if you devote your heart to him
  2. stretch out your hands to him
  3. you put away the sin that is in your hand
  4. allow no evil to dwell in your tent,

then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;
    you will stand firm and without fear.

Although not bad advice, Zophar assumed he knew “why” this was happening.  No one knew of the interaction God had with Satan.  Not every trial and suffering is from a sin we committed.

What should his friends look like?

Proverb 15:1 says:

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

1 Peter 3:15 says:

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

Job’s response to Zophar: 😂 (I love sarcasm)

“You people really know everything, don’t you?
    And when you die, wisdom will die with you!

Job’s description of God in Chapter 12:13-25 gave me chills (and I got to use the preacher’s voice again!).

Again, Job turns his voice away from his “friends” and speaks to the Lord:

22 Now summon me, and I will answer!
    Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
23 Tell me, what have I done wrong?
    Show me my rebellion and my sin.
24 Why do you turn away from me?
    Why do you treat me as your enemy?

Again, I ask: what do we have that Job doesn’t?  We have the Holy Spirit.  Job is sitting in silence on the inside, and hearing false accusations on the outside.

Well, you met the 3 friends.  It’s a good time to reflect on how you counsel others or are being counseled.   Moreover, who is THE Counselor?!

Round 1 is over and I think it is worth noting that all 4 of them do agree on one thing: God is Almighty,  and worthy of our praise, regardless of the circumstances we are in.