Day Thirty-Eight -- So who's in the right? Job? His friends? Or. . .?
Job 25:1 to Job 42:34
The back-and-forth arguing comes to an end as Job concludes his defense of himself and the friends "had nothing more to say." There then enters another character, Elihu, who chastises the three friends for failing to prove Job's arguments to be false. Elihu takes on Job's charge that God does not listen or answer Job's complaints. Elihu declares, "God does speak . . . though no one perceives it." To Job's listing of his good works, Elihu responds that righteous (or wickedness for that matter) do not affect God; they only affect 'humans like yourself." Finally he challenges Job to stop and consider God's wonders.
When the LORD finally breaks his silence it is clear that he has been paying attention. The LORD speaks to Job like a prosecutor conducting a cross-examination: "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?" "Does the eagle soar at your command and build its nest on high?" When the LORD has completed his words, Job backs down: "I have spoken of things I did not understand . . . My ear had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." In the end God restores Job to health and prosperity, not for his righteousness but for his confession of the sovereignty of the LORD.
Whew! There's a lot here to mull over. God never said that Job wasn't righteous in his actions. And Job didn't bring all those bad things on himself. When they came upon him, however, was it his attempt to justify himself that extended his suffering, or perhaps his questioning the ultimate goodness of God? Go ahead - jump into the timeless debate and let me know your thoughts.
(Note to readers: I stretched today's reading assignment in order to finish the Book of Job. It was only one short additional chapter, and tomorrow will begin the Book of Psalms).
The back-and-forth arguing comes to an end as Job concludes his defense of himself and the friends "had nothing more to say." There then enters another character, Elihu, who chastises the three friends for failing to prove Job's arguments to be false. Elihu takes on Job's charge that God does not listen or answer Job's complaints. Elihu declares, "God does speak . . . though no one perceives it." To Job's listing of his good works, Elihu responds that righteous (or wickedness for that matter) do not affect God; they only affect 'humans like yourself." Finally he challenges Job to stop and consider God's wonders.
When the LORD finally breaks his silence it is clear that he has been paying attention. The LORD speaks to Job like a prosecutor conducting a cross-examination: "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?" "Does the eagle soar at your command and build its nest on high?" When the LORD has completed his words, Job backs down: "I have spoken of things I did not understand . . . My ear had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." In the end God restores Job to health and prosperity, not for his righteousness but for his confession of the sovereignty of the LORD.
Whew! There's a lot here to mull over. God never said that Job wasn't righteous in his actions. And Job didn't bring all those bad things on himself. When they came upon him, however, was it his attempt to justify himself that extended his suffering, or perhaps his questioning the ultimate goodness of God? Go ahead - jump into the timeless debate and let me know your thoughts.
(Note to readers: I stretched today's reading assignment in order to finish the Book of Job. It was only one short additional chapter, and tomorrow will begin the Book of Psalms).
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