Good afternoon, everyone!
Today I read Job 5-7.
In today's reading, Job's friends are reproaching him for whatever sin he must have committed in order for God to turn from him in such a way.
Job's friends are wrong, of course. And Job corrects them. Quite eloquently.
Job 6:9-13 - "Would that God were willing to crush me, that He would loos His hand and cut me off! But it is still my consolation, and I rejoice in unsparing pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. What is my strength that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should endure? Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze? Is it that my help is not within me, and that deliverance is driven from me?"
Job 6:14-16 - "For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; so that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty. My brothers have acted deceitfully like a wadi, Like the torrents of wadis which vanish, which are turbid because of ice and into which the snow melts."
Job calls his friends on their behavior. Instead of praying with him and trying to lift him up, they have reproached him. They do not believe that he has not done anything to deserve this.
Then, Job cries out to God. Fervently.
Job 7:17-21 - "What is man that You magnify him, and that you are concerned about him, that you examine him every morning and try him every moment? Will You never turn Your gaze away from me, nor let me alone until I swallow my spittle? Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself? Why then do You not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust; and You will seek me, but I will not be."
How powerful. Job's lament. Job's prayer. How powerful.
When we are troubled we cry out to God as Job did.
"I don't understand." "What have I done to deserve this?" "I can't bear this any longer."
And even when we don't understand, God has a plan, and it is always for our good. When we cry out to Him, He always listens. And He always answers.
Wait to see how God answers Job.
But first, tomorrow we'll get to see his friends' answers. I hope you'll join me as I read Job 8-10.
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