September 24, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Job? Here’s today’s reading:
Job 5 (NIV)
1“Call if you will, but who will answer you?
To which of the holy ones will you turn?
2 Resentment kills a fool,
and envy slays the simple.
3 I myself have seen a fool taking root,
but suddenly his house was cursed.…..Continue Reading
Eliphaz continues his counsel and his evaluation is a good one, however, still assuming Job has done something to deserve such a trial as this. But for most of us this advice would be true. Like Eliphaz says trouble doesn’t typically spring up from nowhere but rather is a response to something we have done, said, or some wrong thinking on our part. We should appreciate correction, like Eliphaz is trying to show Job, as it is God getting us back on track and our response should be to go to God, pray, repent, and turn away from whatever we are doing.
Eliphaz has good intentions, is providing good counsel, and trying to be a good friend but certainly is unaware of the bigger picture at play in Job’s life.
Job 5. Here is my conundrum with the book of Job. Which part of it is God, and which is the opinion of man? Here, Eliphaz continues his opinions, seemingly to prove that evil happens to evil, and good to the good. At least, that’s how I receive it.
Yet, I can link much of his narrative to Psalms, Proverbs, in principle to Scriptures elsewhere. I have trouble separating truth and error here.
We know how Job ends, God admonishes them all. This implies that some of what we read is wrong advice. Kinda like Satan using Scripture to tempt Jesus. Mt 4 & Luke 4.
It must be “how” the words, advice are cobbled together to prove a wrong perspective. Keeping my eyes open. -gy
Job 5
Day 10 of 10 days of prayer Luke 21;28.
I agree Gordon it does make us think when God rebuked Job`s friends. We have to consider the words used and there context. Is it worldly wisdom or wisdom from God. Also it would be wise to consider the source which is Eliphaz who looked down on anyone the had trials. He felt that he was above that for he didn`t have trials. I say that because if he had he would had understood Job`s sufferings and not assumed that Job had sinned. I made a comment yesterday in Job 4 about Eliphaz character. Something one must consider when reading the comments. Also considering the scriptures we should know how it lines up with other scripture. God can do anything He pleases but He also chooses how, and when, or not at all. Sometimes He allows the wicked to prosper and the just to go through trials and sufferings. But there is a final judgement to come. So the opinion that Eliphaz gave would be bad advice in verses 11-27. Some of it might be true that God will do such things but God`s will is different for each person. It is also true that God blesses the human race with such things as rain, etc. It is also true that some of the earlier verses may be true about the foolish man but we should be guarded when the advice is from Eliphaz and the other friends. So when reading Job we need to be aware of all the factors involved especially when Eliphaz is coming with his own assumptions and his own pride. What is that old saying. Take it with a grain of salt. I hope I explained this well enough. Anyways this is my understanding and it can be a hard book to read because of the worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom mixed together. God bless us all as we desire to grow in Him and learn together.
Job 5
And we are off. In our finite minds to sit high on a pedestal and look down in those that are hurting thinking we have all the answers. That everything is black and white. The older I get and the wiser I get. I realize I know very little. If someone is hurting and under attack. Let’s pray all night if needed. I would welcome that without judgement My ways are not your ways says the lord. Acknowledge him in all things and he will make your path straight
Job 4
Job 5
I agree it’s difficult to comment on Job, especially his “friend’s” advice.
“But as for me, I would seek God,
And to God I would commit my cause—
Who does great things, and unsearchable,
Marvelous things without number.”
Like Job isn’t seeking God.
Job 5