Job 4
July 15th, 2008 by Cass -- Posted in Bible Study |There are a couple things here I noted. First off, Eliphaz says, “If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary?”
And then, though no answer is given, he launches in to what becomes a pretty scathing diatribe against Job.
He begins by noting that Job has been pretty consistent in helping those who falter, edifying and building up those in need of comfort or assistance. Evidently, Job is well respected for wisdom as well as integrity. He is an example of right living, and it’s been noticed by those around him, not just by God. But then Eliphaz turns around and says that Job’s troubles must be his own fault, must be because he has done something wrong.
I”m interested to see what he adds in chapter 5, but I am going to hold off reading it, and just think on this lesson today:
How often are we like Eliphaz? When something bad happens to a brother or sister in Christ, we may jump to the conclusion that God must be trying to teach a lesson. There must be some hidden sin. Because, surely, God protects all those who serve Him from all bad things. Perhaps, we even go on our way feeling a little superior because we aren’t having any problems just this minute. Pastor like to say, “let me assure you, if you are not having any problems in your life, then you have just come through a problem or are about to have some.” We do this to ourselves, too,
when we are facing trouble. We assume like Eliphaz that trouble only comes as a result of sin, and so we must be doing something wrong. Maybe sometimes, but maybe not.
There are a couple of things here: sometimes bad stuff happens just because we live in a fallen world. We are told in the epistles that the earth itself groans because of the ramifications of the fall. Life sometimes sucks just because life sucks. The other thing touches on what we discussed yesterday–perhaps God really is protecting us from something much worse. For example, when Drama was so little, and she stopped eating, so I had to take her to the emergency room, right? And they were ready to release us when she stopped breathing? Her not eating, was in reality a good thing, because what if I had put that baby to bed?
July 15th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
And the reason for our living isn’t for happiness. It is to glorify God. No where does God ever promise us that life will be a rose garden. Life will just suck sometimes and despite that we are to praise Him.
We all easily fall into the trap that Eliphaz does. Pointing fingers and feeling all smug. But that is exactly the situation that God will turn into a learning time for us. I think that we forget that we shouldn’t judge lest we be judged. Society is all about gossip and pointing out the worst in people and speculation about the things that someone did or did not do. We get all wrapped up in that even though as Christians we shouldn’t. How disappointing we must be to God.