Job 20-21

Dear RTB’ers,

Zophar, the third friend now offers his second speech. Nothing new here, just the standard claim that the wicked will always get their due: The heavens will reveal his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him. (v. 20:27) Unstated, but suggested is that Job is hiding his sin and that he is among those wicked and that he is suffering his just desserts.

Job says no, the wicked flourish in life and die in peace! Their houses are safe from fear, and no rod of God is upon them. They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to Sheol. (v. 21:9, 13) His friends believe that the wicked suffer in this life, “For you say, ‘Where is the house of the prince? Where is the tent in which the wicked lived?’” (v. 21:28) But Job sees just the opposite, that reality shows otherwise: …that the evil man is spared in the day of calamity, that he is rescued in the day of wrath? (v. 21:30) He closes with a strong accusation against their non-friendship: How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood. (v. 21:34) Ouch…!!

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 20 (2022) / Job 20
• February 21 (2022) / Job 21
• September 1 (2023) / Job 18-21

Job 18-19

Dear RTB’ers,

Today we have the second of Job’s friends, Bildad giving his second speech. This second speech is the shortest that we have seen from Job’s friends. And he has little to say. After initially chastising Job, he spends the rest of his time responding to Job’s desire to die with his own soliloquy on death. For Bildad, death is not attractive. Even man’s name, his reputation, memory of him are gone: His memory perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the street. (v. 18:17) He closes with a harsh word for Job, implying that Job denies God and that an evil fate awaits him: Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, such is the place of him who knows not God. (v. 18:21)

Job is insulted by Bildad’s remarks and responds accordingly: These ten times you have cast reproach upon me; are you not ashamed to wrong me? And even if it be true that I have erred, my error remains with myself. (vv. 19:3-4) Job continues to blame God for his troubles: He has kindled His wrath against me and counts me as His adversary. (v. 19:11) But finally, a light of hope for Job, a (temporary?) turning point in this book: For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. … yet in my flesh I shall see God… (vv. 19:25, 26b) So, is this a real transition for Job??!! It’s hard to wait one more day to see what’s next!

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 18 (2022) / Job 18
• February 19 (2022) / Job 19

Job 15-17

Dear RTB’ers,

I hope you’ve been reading through John’s “See also…” comments. They are very good – much better than mine!

Today, three chapters in Job, one of our longer daily readings as we begin a second round of Job’s friends’ speeches. First up, Eliphaz again. Although his first speech was probably the least critical of the three friends in his belief in Job’s unrighteousness, he continues in the road that he began, but magnifies his charges against Job. In the last portion of this speech, beginning with “The wicked man writhes in pain all his days…” (v. 15:20a), Eliphaz paints a caricature of a wicked man using a variety of metaphors, essentially tying Job to that caricature. His harshest words depict a wicked man who “has stretched out his hand against God and defies the Almighty, running stubbornly against Him…” (v. 15:25a) Does Eliphaz really believe that Job is actively defying God? Harsh words…!

Job responds again in today’s last two chapters. I love his beginning: …miserable comforters are you all. (v. 16:2b) He argues that if the shoe were on the other foot that he would be that good friend, that gentle comforter. (vv. 16:4-5) Then he continues to argue for his own innocence and believes that God has made him His target: I was at ease, and He broke me apart; He seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; He set me up as His target; His archers surround me. (vv. 16:12-13a) He yearns for death in the hope that in the afterlife he might have an advocate who will argue for him before God: Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he who testifies for me is on high. (v. 16:19) Sadly, Job must wait for death to meet that “witness”.

The contrast is dramatic. Those of us on this side of the Cross do have that “witness” that Job is hoping for, our own advocate in Heaven, Jesus! But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (I John 2:1b) See also Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25, 9:24. Still feeling sorry for Job…!

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 15 (2022) / Job 15
• February 16 (2022) / Job 16
• February 17 (2022) / Job 17

Job 13-14

Dear RTB’ers,

Job continues his response to Zophar from yesterday. Job is tired of hearing his friends smear him; he suggests that they will have a difficult time when they themselves appear before God. Even though Job was blaming God yesterday for all his troubles, he maintains his faith. I really appreciate this one verse: Though He slay me, I will hope in Him; yet I will argue my ways to His face. (v. 13:15) He still wants an audience with God. Job is not arguing that he is sinless. But he does not believe that any sin that he committed is worthy of the troubles that he is enduring. He wants God to tell him what he has done wrong: How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin. (v. 13:23)

In the next chapter, though it is not totally clear Job seems to be yearning to die. The chapter provides an excellent discourse on the topic of death, especially contrasting nature’s “death” with man’s. He also seems to be accepting the fact that no mediator, no audience with God is possible, so he will simply live out his miserable existence until he dies: All the days of my struggle I will wait until my relief comes. (v. 14:14) As with my earlier close, Job is not a happy man.

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 13 (2022) / Job 13
• February 14 (2022) / Job 14
• August 30 (2023) / Job 11-14

Job 11-12

Dear RTB’ers,

A third friend, Zophar speaks and essentially repeats what the first two friends have said, that Job has sinned and needs to repent. But Zophar’s “repent and all will be well” is a bit far-fetched: If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away …you will be secure and will not fear. You will forget your misery;… And your life will be brighter than the noonday;… And you will feel secure, because there is hope;… You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor. (vv. 11:14-19). God is not a light switch that we can turn on and off. Yes, repentance is a good thing, but the sinful seeds that have been planted may continue to yield unrighteous fruit.

Job is not an easy target for his friends’ accusations, their presumption of his sin. He begins chapter 12 with sarcasm (vv. 12:2, 3b) and claims himself to be their equals (v. 3a). He continues to maintain his innocence, even arguing for his righteousness, now turned upside down by his misfortune: I, who called to God and He answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock. (v. 12:4b) He closes his speech with a dozen verses (vv. 12:13-25) arguing that God will do what God will do, that He is not predictable in His actions, often doing the exact opposite of what we might expect – kings, priests, nations all undone at His whim. Thankfully, on this side of the Cross we can all repeat Jesus’ words, “Your will be done.” And it is done.

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 11 (2022) / Job 11
• February 12 (2022) / Job 12

Job 9:25-10:22

Dear RTB’ers,

One of our shorter Job readings today – Job continues to reply to Bildad from yesterday. He continues to see God as all-powerful and makes Him out to be his adversary, with no one who can stand up to God on his behalf.

The contrast between two sections in chapter 10 is striking. First we have Job speaking lovingly of God’s creation of him: Your hands fashioned and made me,… You have made me like clay;… You clothed me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and Your care has preserved my spirit. (vv. 10:8-12) Then he reverses that love a few verses later, wishing that he had never been born: Why did you bring me out from the womb? Would that I had died before any eye had seen me and were as though I had not been, carried from the womb to the grave. (vv. 10:18-19) In between these two sets of verses Job claims that God is against him, whether he is guilty or innocent, whether he does right or does wrong.

Today’s reading closes with Job asking God to just leave him alone: Are not my days few? Then cease, and leave me alone, that I may find a little cheer before I go … to the land of darkness and deep shadow… (vv. 10:20-21). I feel sad for Job.

Blessings!

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See also: February 10 (2022) / Job 10.

Job 8:1-9:24

Dear RTB’ers,

A second friend appears. Bildad the Shuhite speaks – but he is not much of a “friend” and certainly not a comforter. His first words are harsh, “How long will you say these things…?” and he cuts deep when speaking of the death of Job’s children: If your children have sinned against Him, He has delivered them into the hand of their transgression. (v. 8:4) However, he softens a bit as he speaks further. He becomes more of a friend as he ends his speech, actually predicting Job’s future blessings: He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with joyful shouting. (v. 8:21)

Job replies again with frustration, believing in his innocence yet irritated that he cannot deal directly with God: If one wished to contend with Him, one could not answer Him once in a thousand times. (v. 9:3) He speaks wonderfully of God’s power and wisdom (vv. 9:4-10, 19), yet to Job He is essentially invisible and unavailable: Behold, He passes by me, and I see Him not; He moves on, but I do not perceive Him. How then can I answer Him, choosing my words with Him? Though I am in the right, I cannot answer Him… (vv 9:11, 14-15a). And Job continues his reply…, tomorrow.

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 8 (2022) / Job 8
• February 9 (2022) / Job 9

Job 6-7

Dear RTB’ers,

Another two chapters in Job – in the first Job is replying to Eliphaz’ comments from yesterday, while in the second he seems to be speaking to God. With poetry it’s never clear to me!

Job is clearly not happy with Eliphaz’ comments – or his friendship! Job wants sympathy, consolation, understanding, but what he is getting is condemnation. Job believes that he is innocent of any big wrongdoing, but Eliphaz has laid it on hard to Job that he is guilty and needs to repent – if he were innocent, he would not be suffering! Much of chapter 6 is Job complaining about his friends’ treatment of him: For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not abandon the fear of the Almighty. My brothers have acted deceitfully… (vv. 6:14-15a) He compares his friend’s treatment of him to a dried-up stream (a wadi), where travelers are looking for refreshment but instead find only sand and dirt. (vv. 6:15-21a) By contrast, what Job says in verse 10 is commendable: But it is still my comfort, and I rejoice in unsparing pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. He has not denied God. Recall his wife’s encouragement to “Curse God and die.” (v. 2:9) But Job, at least for now, appears to be steadfast in seeking God.

In fact, in the next chapter Job speaks directly to God. He is not happy and he vents: Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Leave me alone, for my days are only a breath. Have I sinned? What have I done to You, Watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target…? (vv. 7:11, 16b, 20a) Job is not happy!

Again, I strongly encourage you to read John’s posts from 2022 and 2023. They are very good!!

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 6 (2022) / Job 6
• February 7 (2022) / Job 7

Job 4-5

Dear RTB’ers,

Happy 4^th, y’all!! I’m taking a holiday today, no comments on today’s reading. However, in the past I’ve encouraged you to read John’s “See also…” passages. I strongly recommend those while we are in Job. Back in 2022 RTB did the Psalms and the Wisdom literature. John was the person who posted on Job – chapter by chapter. His comments back then (and again in 2023) are seriously worth reading. So when I post on these Job readings, make sure that you also go to John’s “See also…” passages and read his comments.

Again, HAPPY 4^th!!

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 4 (2022) / Job 4
• February 5 (2022) / Job 5
• August 27 (2023) / Job 3-5

Job 1-3

Dear RTB’ers,

Today we begin the book of Job. I recall reading that Job (the book) is the oldest written text in all of Scripture. The STS and my Study Bible introductions did not mention that, but I recall reading it somewhere in times past.

Today we have two chapters of prose and one of poetry, all of it fairly easily understood. Typically I am not a good reader of or commenter on poetry. John sends along his “See also…” comments every day; I am confident that his 2022 comments on Job will be more fruitful than whatever I have to say! So I encourage you to read his comments every day, but especially so while we are reading the book of Job.

Job is wealthy, seen by God as “blameless and upright” (v. 1:8). Satan claims that Job is good only because he has been blessed in his wealth and that Job has been protected by God from difficulties. So God lets Satan test Job and Job loses his property and his children. Job remains faithful: In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. (v. 1:22) Then Satan askes to torment Job further. So Satan affects Job physically. He … struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. (v. 2:7b) Still Job does not curse God, in spite of his wife’s encouragement to do so. Finally, three friends arrive to console Job, sitting silently and waiting to speak. In Job’s first words (chapter 3) he regrets that he was born, but then, acknowledging that his birth happened, wishes further that he had been stillborn and would be at rest with kings and counselors and infants and (even!) prisoners – the small and the great (v. 3:19). Job is not a happy man!

Blessings!

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See also:

• August 26 (2023) / Job 1-2
• Introduction to Job
• February 1 (2022) / Job 1
• February 2 (2022) / Job 2
• February 3 (2022) / Job 3