Chapter 8: Boo to Bildad. It’s a good thing I’m not Job—or Bildad’s friend during my time of great loss. I think his comments in Chapter 8 may have earned him a karate chop or two. Don’t worry, I don’t karate chop my friends, but putting myself in Job’s shoes here–I have a JIE-NOR-MOUS (big;) amount of respect for him for letting Bildad finish his opinion. The minute he popped out, “Your children’s death was deserved because of their sin”…that would have just been the first karate chop. (Watch out people—Andrea is in rare form tonight…Job is just too much for me;).
Chapter 9 and 10: Job’s response is understandable and honest toward God, and I think this may be one chapter that is worth a few “re-reads”. I think the Holy Spirit is just amazing how He writes scripture and takes you through Job’s feelings—and as I read this chapter I felt like better understood a perspective that many unbelievers argue and keep them from trusting and following the Lord. “Why plead to God either way—God is going to do what He is going to do…God allows bad things to happen to bad people–and good people…right?” I don’t get it. Why believe? Why follow? How would you answer those questions? I think it’s really important, as believers, for us to really soak in some of Job’s questions and frustration here. He was a strugglin’ man who loved the Lord. He had experienced His goodness and grace. Job knew His heart. What was it that Job isn’t getting here? Job clearly understands God for who He is—but like so many of us, He is confused by why things happen the way they do some times.
Chapter 10: Zophar. I have no words for Zophar’s response. Other than…he deserves a karate chop too. And after all those karate chops…I am officially tired. And although it is good to identify with Job and try to understand his plight…I think we need a little pick-me-up…don’t you?!
by admin
Love the pictures! Thanks for the encouragement to keep reading…Job has been tough!
Job is killing me. I want to jump in there and give his friends a piece of my mind OR a karate chop or two 🙂
Love the pics. I am not a photographer, but I love great pictures. Your pics are so good.
Blessings,
Amy
well let me just say that you have a gift for photography! LOVED the pictures and it made me miss the beach!
Shannon Tanner!!! Love the pics! I have some similar ones myself. 🙂
keep the photog tips and encouragement comin’! I love it!
Yes, I’m still with you… in case you’re wondering! I keep reading at night, so I don’t often get to be part of the conversation. But I’m still here. 🙂
Although my anger does tend to flare up a bit while reading the supposed “help” Job’s friends offer, lately I’ve been trying to put myself in their position. Who knows the mind of God? They see before them a man they all have looked up to, possibly envied their whole lives… and he is broken beyond imagination. They are desperate for answers, not only for him but for themselves, to somehow save themselves from whatever judgment or trial Job is enduring. They don’t understand… heck, Job doesn’t understand… so his friends are grasping at any and all explanations, ANYTHING that will explain it, give an answer… no matter how unthinkable (or completely WRONG, as we see with the benefit of hindsight, knowing that God is orchestrating this story ultimately for His glory) that answer may be. And Job… even though I know the huge rebuke that’s coming at the end of this book, I still admire his faith in many ways. He rails, he questions, he demands answers, perhaps a bit arrogantly at times… but somehow he does not recant his faith. He is still a model for his friends… whether they see it or not at this point.
I hope that made sense. It’s still early out west, and I wrote most of that with a two-year old sitting on my lap! 🙂
“JIE-NOR-MOUS (big)” –> hehee! =) That made me laugh! Chapter 8: “You’re getting what you deserve” is basically what Bildad is telling Job. Perhaps the most insensitive of all comments you can say to someone suffering. But Bildad doesn’t know the whole story. Only God knows the circumstances behind the suffering. Our main concern when someone is suffering is to offer them comfort and support. Oh Lord, please guide the thoughts in my head and the words of my mouth to be ones of love and comfort, not accusation!
Chapter 9: I just have to quote the commentary on my Bible, because it speaks volumes. “When we feel that God isn’t being fair, we should remember that if he were, we would neer be able to enter his presence. When God is “unfair,” it is always on the side of mercy.”
“Job lamented the absence of a mediator to stand between himself and God. We do have such a mediator – Jesus Christ. We can take our case directly to God because Jesus’ death and resurrection gave us access to God’s presence.”
Wow…doesn’t that make you grateful once again for Christ making the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf?
Chapter 10: Job felt hopeless and couldn’t imagine any sort of a future or happy ending. He was enveloped in darkness. We know better though, because we have Jesus’ promise: “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know where I am going and how to get there.” John 14:1-4
Chapter 11: Zophar was mistaking Job’s quest for reason for opposition against God. God allows us to meditate on our suffering. Although sometimes we are not meant to know the reason, the important thing is that we learn from our trials and trust God rather than complain. My Bible commentary (so good) ends this chapter by saying, “Zophar was mistaken because his theology could not allow the possibility that Job could suffer and still be righteous.”
Again…these are difficult chapters to read. Stick to it because the reward is great! Look how much we are learning already!
Love the photog tips…I’m still dealing with my simple point and shoot (although hubby promised a good one before Africa)…do you have any tips for me? I have a major hobby with photography, but I don’t even know where to begin with my little Nikon.
Thanks for walking us through this again…difficult chapters, I know.