King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 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.]
Date: Saturday, January 07, 2023
Chapters: JOB 8-12
Study: Turn To God
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
I am not going to lie, it took until well into the afternoon for me to get to the end of this study, and I was pretty much done with it early this morning. Do you know that I have not even gotten all my Christmas decorations down yet? Well, I managed to get most of them down, but the tree in my bedroom is still standing tall, and I am not really ready to take it down yet. You know, I think that the anticipation of Christmas is more exciting than the day. Do not get me wrong, I love spending Christmas with family, but when it is all over, everything just goes back to normal and it is as though it was never here. Do you ever feel that way? Maybe you have one of those families that you dread seeing every year? Maybe you have no family? I have family all around me all the time and yet sometimes I feel like I am all alone. What is it that the Bible says? [Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.]
Sometimes, we do not have family close by, but we do have that one friend who is always there, one that we can turn to when we are feeling down or need some encouragement. What we do not need are friends (or family) that bring more discouragement than encouragement. In fact, Paul said this when he was feeling a bit blue, [But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. – 2 Corinthians 2:1-3]
I am sure that Job felt the same way, I certainly would have felt quite discouraged. As we continue in the reading of Job, it has been seven days since Job’s friends just sat there and watched him as he was in complete pain, not mention mourning the loss of his children. In the seven days that Job’s friends just sat there and watched him, no doubt they whispered to one another and seemed to all agree that these tragic events happened because of some sin. That was why I believe that Job spoke out like he did after Eliphaz responded to his dreading the day that he was even born. Well, if Eliphaz was not discouraging enough, here comes Bildad, what he basically calls him is a liar and a hypocrite.
[Job 8:2-6 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? 3 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice? 4 If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression; 5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; 6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.]
[surely now he would awake for thee,] Does God sleep? God, may rest, but He does not sleep. I can just see God watching down and hearing how arrogant they actually sounded for twisting every word that Job said. I will tell you this, God, does not hear the prayers of those who are not saved. God, does not hear the prayers of the saved who are living in sin where no repentance is in sight. And God does not hear the prayers of the saved who are bashing His people. Watch how Jesus responds to a man bashing one man who thought of himself more righteous than the other, [Luke 18:11,13-14 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.]
Now, Bildad did have some truth to his words, if we are living in sin, we can expect that God would bring judgment, and that repentance would be the best option. However, what he failed to understand is that living righteously does not always keep bad things from happening to us. And Bildad was not done with the insults.
[Job 8:11-13,19-21 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? 12 Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb. 13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish: 19 Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow. 20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers: 21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.]
[God will not cast away a perfect man,] Cast away? Perfect man? I got news for Bildad, there is only one perfect man and that is Jesus Christ, however, God Himself, did say this about Job, [that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man,] Do you think that God really does have a scale and weighs our good deeds on one side and the bad on the other? I am sure glad that He does not work that way because my bad side would have tipped over the scale a long time ago. God, does not nor ever has worked that way, in fact, our good works have nothing to do with what God determines as being perfect. Remember, to be perfect means to be complete, and we all come short of that on our own, [Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:]
Bildad, was way off in his judgment of Job, and ought to be ashamed of himself for such an accusation. At this point, Job does not know how to respond, not one of his friends has anything uplifting or nice to say to him. He actually did not want answers from them, he wanted to know from God why He was fighting with him.
[Job 9:2-4,11-15 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? 3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. 4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? 11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. 12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? 13 If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. 14 How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? 15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.]
[but I would make supplication to my judge.] Job, knows that he is a sinner and that his righteousness were as filthy rags, just like the rest of us sinners saved by grace do. Who was he to ask God why He took everything away from him, especially when He has every right to do as He pleases. Well, since He is our true judge, the only thing we really can do is plead our case to Him, [1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.]
Job, may not have understood why he was going through what he was going through, but he did understand that he only had one judge and that was God. He goes on to say that he is in no way justifying himself because if he did that, then he would only be condemning himself.
[Job 9:20-22,27-28,32-35 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. 21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life. 22 This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked. 27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself: 28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent. 32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. 33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. 34 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: 35 Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.]
[I am afraid of all my sorrows,] It is a known fact that when life is going well our spirit is way up, then when tribulation comes it is that spirit that lifts us up, gets us out of bed, and helps us get through it, [A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. – Proverbs 15:13]. Well, a merry heart becomes a struggle when one thing after another keeps happening, it actually starts to bring our spirit down to the point that it really is hard to get out of bed. We start to question why all of these bad things are happening, and the more faithful we are to God, the more they seem to come. In fact, we are told that we will have to endure much tribulation when walking with Christ, [Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. – Acts 14:22]
[Neither is there any daysman betwixt us,] A daysman is the same thing as an advocate. And we do have an advocate between us, one who speaks to God on our behalf, [1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.]
If we are honest, there is not one of God’s faithful who does not ask Him why He is allowing all these bad things to happen. We do need to understand that it is okay to ask God why, what He does not want us to do is question who He is. He will tell us why eventually, and it is usually after we have finally told Him that we trust Him and it is all in His hands. Sometimes, He may never tell us why, but that we might come to understand that He is the peace that passes all understanding. At this point, Job was really scared and confused, he pleads with God to give him an answer, and even goes on to remind Him that He does know the way that he takes.
[Job 10:1-3,7-9,14-15 My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. 2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me. 3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? 7 Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand. 8 Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. 9 Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? 14 If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity. 15 If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;]
[and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand.] I can recall a time or two when I have gone to God and reminded Him of all the good that I have done, and what I forsook for Him. I was also quick to let Him know that I knew I was a sinner. And then comes the self pity party, which Job goes on to start doing.
[Job 10:18-21 Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me! 19 I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave. 20 Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, 21 Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;]
[I should have been as though I had not been;] I can also recall a time or two when I felt so bad about myself that I would go about telling myself that no one would even know or care if I was gone. It was not long after that that God had to tell me to stop being so dramatic and snap out of it, and in a not so subtle way. We do ourselves and God a disservice when we walk around in self pity. What we need to be doing is reminding ourselves that God has a plan and that He works everything out for good to those who love Him, [Romans 8:27-28 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.]
The problem often comes when we all have this picture in our heads of what God’s purpose is, but it usually is the complete opposite of what we imagined. Of course, that does not stop people from trying to help us out. Now, we have another one of Job’s friends listening to all this, Zophar, well, he not only just called Job a liar, he goes on to tell him that his punishment is not enough.
[Job 11:2-6,11 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? 3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? 4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. 5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; 6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. 11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?]
[God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.] Zophar, accuses Job of saying that he saw himself as perfect, without any sin, and to him this was more sinful than whatever sin he was hiding. Zophar, needs to understand that we are all getting far less of the suffering we deserve. God, certainly does know vain men though, and He will call them out, [Matthew 15:8-9 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.]
Job, may not have understood why God was angry at him, but that never stopped him from having faith in Him. This is where a lot of Christians fall away from God all together, they cannot handle the pressure, blame God, and walk away completely. Well, at this point, Job was beside himself, these men were not more righteous than him, so, who were they to question his values. That is exactly what he told them as he starts describing God.
[Job 12:2-4,9-10,14-15 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. 3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these? 4 I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn. 9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? 10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. 14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. 15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.]
[Behold, he breaketh down,] As Job is speaking he realizes something, God is in control and knew that His hand was in it, and that even the beasts of the earth had more knowledge of God than they did. Now, the one thing that Job did not realize was that God allowed the tribulation to get Him to trust Him, and call out to Him. I imagine if he simply prayed out to God instead of trying to defend himself he would not have had to suffer through it as long as he did. We do God a disservice when we do not call out to Him, He really is right there, waiting for us to just say, [What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. – Psalms 56:3]
And let us praise Him while we are at it, [In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? – Psalms 56:10-13]
Today’s Prayer: God, It is not always easy dealing with situations that bring us suffering, and critical people do not help either. I thank You for always watching over me and protecting me, even when I do not come to You with everything, and I thank You for loving me and not giving up on me. Your hand never lets go of me, You are my only peace and comfort when nothing makes sense. You truly are my friend that sticks closer than a brother. Lord, lead me and guide me, let me live a life that is pleasing to You and be the example so many need to find Your Son. When others criticize and mock me, give me the strength and wisdom to stand my ground and not be ashamed to profess my Jesus to them. I love You and ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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