Good morning, everyone!
Today I read Job 11-13.
Today, Job's friend Zephar, the Namathite, speaks up.
Job 11:2-3 - "Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, and a talkative man be acquitted? Shall your boasts silence men? And shall you scoff and none rebuke?"
He doesn't believe Job is innocent either. Rather, he believes Job's declarations of his innocence is boasting, and that it is provoking God.
Job 11:5-6 - "But would that God might speak, and open His lips against you, and show you the secrets of wisdom! For sound wisdom has two sides. Know then that God forgets a part of your iniquity."
Job's friends are idiots. Not one of them understands the nature of God. And this one, Zephar, is trying to curse Job with his words, whether he knows it or not. "Would that God might speak, and open His lips against you..."
Don't ever say something like that to your friends. Entreat God for them if you believe they are wrong. Speak to them if you feel you need to, but don't call them on a lie without proof. And never pray that God would speak against them.
Remember, Job's friends have no proof of his guilt, because he isn't guilty!
Job 12:1-4 - Then Job responded, "Truly then you are the people, and with you wisdom will die! But I have intelligence as well as you; I am not inferior to you, and who does not know such things as these? I am a joke to my friends, the one who called on God and He answered him; the just and blameless man is a joke."
Job goes on to say that even the animals understand the things his friends have been telling him about God. And then he declares God's power, and the many things that He can do.
Job 13:1-11 "Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it. What you know I also know; I am not inferior to you. But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue with God. But you smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians. O that you would be completely silent, and that it would become your wisdom! Please hear my argument and listen to the contentions of my lips. Will you speak what is unjust for God, and speak what is deceitful for Him? Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God? Will it be well when He examines you? Or will you deceive Him as one deceives a man? He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality. Will not His majesty terrify you, and the dread of Him fall on you?"
Job rebukes his friends. He tells them that they would be wiser to keep silent, that it is foolish for them to contend for God, to pass judgement in His stead.
Job tells his friends to be silent and let him speak, and that he will take whatever consequences of his inquiries of God.
Job 13:18 - "Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated."
Job knows he is innocent and that he will be saved.
Job's words are so powerful. His faith is unshakable, even though he doesn't understand why these things are happening to him. It's amazing!
I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Job 14-16.
No comments:
Post a Comment