King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Friday, January 09, 2026
Chapters: Job 18-21
Message: Job: My Redeemer Lives
Hello My Friend,
The world that believes they know of God, including the religious world, prides itself on their good deeds, getting them to heaven. In fact, this is the time of year where all you see and hear are ads about helping the unfortunate by sending monthly support and they eat it up. However, what they fail to understand is that good deeds or works have nothing to do with getting them to heaven and everything to do with Jesus Christ. Job may not have known the name Jesus Christ, but he did know that he had a Redeemer and that he would be with Him as soon as he left the earth. As we continue in the reading of Job, he gets another round of criticism from Bildad.
[Job 18:1-8 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak. 3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight? 4 He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place? 5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. 6 The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him. 7 The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down. 8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.]
In other words, Bildad is telling Job that every time he speaks, he is digging himself deeper into a grave from which he will not escape. The only truth in Bildad’s words is that the wicked do eventually become ensnared by their own devices. Sin does separate us from God, and if we are saved yet carry unrepentant sin, we can expect that God will chasten us until we turn back to Him in repentance, [1 John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.]
Sin does separate us from God and if we are saved and carry unrepentant sin around we can expect that God will chasten us until we do repent. What sin does not do is make one wicked, even though there is a little bit of wicked in all of us. And it does not mean that if we sin we do not know God. Bildad takes his accusations further by suggesting that Job’s confidence will be his downfall and that he does not truly know God at all.
[Job 18:14-18,21 His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors. 15 It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. 16 His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off. 17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street. 18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. 21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.]
n other words, Bildad is suggesting that Job’s wickedness lies in his declaration of righteousness, and that this supposed arrogance is the reason his body continues to waste away. They are essentially sitting there, waiting for him to die, so they can declare that he died a liar and a fraud. These men were not ignorant of the reality of hell or the fate of the wicked. What they were ignorant of was the truth that suffering does not always stem from sin. Bad things do happen to the best of us, and not every affliction is a consequence of wrongdoing. This was the heart of Job’s defense and now he goes on to plead with them to just stop talking.
[Job 19:1-8 Then Job answered and said, 2 How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? 3 These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. 4 And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself. 5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach: 6 Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net. 7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment. 8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.]
I feel Job’s pain especially these past few days suffering with food poisoning after just starting my new job. All I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and just sleep it out, but with a caveman husband that was impossible. And I am not going to lie I asked God several times what I did wrong and what do I need to do to end this. Pain has a way of making us look inward, searching for meaning or cause. Feeling that way does not mean you lack faith. It means you are human. Job wrestled, questioned, cried out, and tried to make sense of what felt senseless. Job, goes on to describe how he feels everyone is against him.
[Job 19:12-17,20-21 His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle. 13 He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. 14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. 15 They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. 16 I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth. 17 My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body. 20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. 21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.]
Job just wanted to hear one word of encouragement, one person to say, “I am her for you.” he did not need to hear constant criticism. What was it that Paul said about not making others feel bad when he already feels bad? [2 Corinthians 2:2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?] This is basically the same thing, although in Job’s case he has some very inconsiderate friends.
God is our judge, and no one else, if we are guilty of something, then it will be God that deals with us. The holier than thou, religious know it all’s will be ashamed for falsely accusing you, which is why they react they way they do when you defend yourself. One thing we must never forget is that we are not alone, Christ is with us. Job, knew that no matter what his friends said about him, He has a Redeemer, and He lives.
[Job 19:22-27 Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh? 23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.]
I love this, every time I read it I feel like no matter how bad I feel in this body one day I will never feel another ounce of pain. If only Job realized that his testimony would be written in the greatest and only living book known to man. Then again we all have a book written about us, [Psalms 139:16-17 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!]
Job, was confident that even though he could not understand why God had him in a net he would see Him one day. However, that did not stop his friends from lashing out at him, in fact, the more he defended himself the worse they got. At this point, Job did not care what they thought about him, all they were doing is making things up because they really did not have an answer, they just assumed the obvious. Now, Zophar lashes out at Job, stating that he is suffering right now because he has been wicked all along.
[Job 20:1-8 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, 2 Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste. 3 I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer. 4 Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? 6 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; 7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? 8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.]
Zophar did not even allow Job to finish speaking before he lashed out, fully convinced that Job had been wicked all along and that the truth was finally being exposed. He goes on to imply that the reason God, his family, and his friends have forsaken him is because they have discovered his supposed sin. In Zophar’s mind, Job’s suffering is simply the evidence of hidden guilt coming to light and goes on to suggest that the reason why God, his family and friends have forsaken him is because they found him out.
[Job 20:12,14,18-20 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; 14 Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him. 18 That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein. 19 Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not; 20 Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired. 23 When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.]
Restitution is a word that is being used frequently today, but not for the right reasons. The true meaning of restitution is the act of restoring to a person some thing or right that has been unjustly deprived. Many people believe that groups such as African Americans or American Indians deserve financial compensation for the years of slavery or the land that was taken from them long ago. Restitution is intended to correct a wrong, not to serve as a blanket solution for every historical grievance. Biblical restitution is always personal, direct, and connected to a specific wrong that can be clearly identified. True justice belongs to God alone, and He sees the heart with perfect clarity. At this point, Job starts to question why the wicked do prosper.
[Job 21:1-9 But Job answered and said, 2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. 3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. 4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? 5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. 6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. 7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? 8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.]
In other words, Job is saying, “If I have wronged anyone it would have come out by now since I would know it in my conscience, especially after all your accusations of me.” Well, people really are good at trying to provoke us into believing that we somehow caused the pain we are in, then quick to cast judgment if we do not agree with them, but the best thing that we can do about them is just let them keep talking, [Proverbs 9:7-8 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.]
Nevertheless, it may seem like the wicked have no troubles and that they are safe from God’s judgment, but that is far from true. Oh, they may prosper for a little while and tell themselves that they do not need God, but when it all comes down to it. As Job starts to think about what he said, he notes that they will learn the hard way just how much they need Him when they discover that He will judge them too.
[Job 21:14-19 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? 16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. 17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. 18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. 19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.]
Right now those who truly are wicked bask in the riches of the world, they care less about God because quite frankly they think they do not need God. Well, it is not God who is blessing them, this is Satan, he will do anything to keep people from turning to Christ, [Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.]
The worldly, the immoral, the politically correct, and the religious, are some of the most wealthiest people in the world yet the most corrupt. They love to falsely accuse us, mock us, and try to stop and destroy our faith, and they care less about God, or the people they claim to be standing up for. They shall indeed have their reward, and Job figured out too that their reward will be their own destruction.
[Job 21:27-32,34 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. 28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? 29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, 30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. 31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done? 32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. 34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?]
When God promises to give us salvation through our faith in His Son, He promises that He will never leave nor forsake us, but He did not promise that every day would be pain free. And suffering does not mean that we do not know God, or that He is punishing us for some wrong we have done. It is a well known truth that faithful Christians will suffer much tribulation, [1 Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.]
Today’s Prayer:God, Thank You for sending Your Son to redeem me, I know I am not saved by any good that I do of my own, but by my faith and trust alone in what He did for me. Because I am redeemed I know that You are always with me, but sometimes I feel like You are no where to be found. I catch myself trying to handle my troubles on my own instead of asking You for help and I, like Job, start to lose hope that things will change for me. Lord, give me Your power to always see past my troubles and look to You, as I do my part, by faith. For I know my Redeemer lives, and I will see Him in the latter days. I ask this in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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