Day: January 7, 2021

Job 14-16

~ Patricia ~ 7 Comments

WHY is this book written?  WHY has God chosen to write this in length?  I use to think it was too long, now I think it is not long enough.

As early as the days of Job, people hold to a belief in retribution theology. Retribution theology is basically the idea that you get what you deserve.  What goes around comes around.  (Ouch, I have said that)

If Job were living today and had a social media account it might have been tagged #blessed.  He had a huge family, a great job, and a successful business.  However, Job was chosen because of his integrity to dispute this theology so that we can have comfort in our suffering.  He is a righteous sufferer.  He (and his friends) do not have the knowledge of why this is happening. When Job speaks, He asks God why, but always defends God’s Sovereignty.  As the friends speak, they adhere to a “You must have done something to deserve this”.  So why is this book 42 chapters?  Because it is important that we hear all the bad theology from his friends so that we can recognize bad theology today.

So as you read this book, God is letting us know the wicked will prosper in this life, and sometimes the righteous will suffer in this life (we will see it throughout the entire Bible).  The key is ‘in this life’.  Every person, wicked or righteous will ultimately be judged by a God that is just and right.

Job still speaking:

Chapter 14:-Amazing Chapter.

One scripture that gives me hope is that my life is in God’s hands, not the enemy.

v4: 5 A person’s days are determined;
    you have decreed the number of his months
    and have set limits he cannot exceed.

(Go back to Chapter 1, what was the one thing Satan was NOT allowed to do?)

Job 14:17 and you will see Hope starts to rise up (pun intended 😂).  Through nature, Job has seen a tree cut to a stump, but at the scent of water, it regrows.  Job speaks to God, if only you will remember me the same way,  if only I will be resurrected.

13 “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!
14 If someone dies, will they live again?
    All the days of my hard service
    I will wait for my renewal to come.
15 You will call and I will answer you;
    you will long for the creature your hands have made.
16 Surely then you will count my steps
    but not keep track of my sin.
17 My offenses will be sealed up in a bag;
    you will cover over my sin.

Chapter 15- Even though Job has begged them to remain silent, they will each make another speech.   Eliphaz now attacks his character and basically says Job has lost everything because he lived in rebellion against God and a self-indulgent life.

I am skipping to Chapter 16 because it is so good I am unglued!

Job’s advice-givers decided to use this as an opportunity to “teach” “preach” or “rebuke” Job.  And in chapter 16, Job starts with “You windbags!  If this were happening to you, I would comfort and console you!” (paraphrase of course).

Now for the GOOD part. Job recounts his suffering but knows in the end, he will be restored.  Maybe not in this life. 

The Foreshadow of Christ.

16:19 Even now my witness is in heaven;
    my advocate is on high.
20 My intercessor is my friend
    as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God
    as one pleads for a friend.

22 “Only a few years will pass
    before I take the path of no return.

What should we do when someone is mourning?  Love them.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:14-16

and Pray with them.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.