A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – May 20, 2019
Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.” He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart. (Genesis 50:20, The Message Bible)
There has been so much misunderstanding and misuse of the Book of Job. Universal religious doctrines have been created and taught about God that has no resemblance to the truth. If I had to guess I would guess that the book of Job is Satan’s favorite book in the Bible because it’s so easy to manipulate and misunderstand.
We have religious doctrines, teachings, and even contemporary Christian songs that extract and use statements by Job in an attempt to create universal doctrines. Examples of such statements include “shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” and “though He slay me I will trust in Him” and “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” The problem with these three examples was that there is no evil in God; God was not trying to slay him (Satan was); and the gifts of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29).
In the end, Job recognized his errors, repented, and said, “I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye seeth thee (Job 42:5).” Job’s heart was obviously for God and God knew that because He called Job a perfect and upright man that feared God and hated evil (Job 1:8). Was Job perfect in his theology? No! But, he was perfect in his heart towards God and God always looks at the heart versus outward appearances. Job loved God with all his heart, mind, and soul and that means everything to God!!!
Let’s look at a few scattered statements made by Job that reveal his heart and his respect towards God in the face of unimaginable grief, the threat of deadly depression, and the constant condemnations and accusations from his supposed religious friends:
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? (Job 9:4)
Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you? (Job 13:11)
My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. (Job 16:20)
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: (Job 19:25-26)
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)
There were a lot of words spoken by Job, and by his supposed religious friends. In the end, what was Job’s assessment of his own words? What was God’s assessment of all the words?
…I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. (Job 42:3-7)
In the end, God turned the entire situation around and blessed Job with twice as much as he ever had.
Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm
107:8)
