Job 6 – 9

In Job 6, Job responds to Eliphaz’s words, his accusation that these calamities would not have assailed Job if he had been living righteously. Job just wants God to put  him out of his misery. He asserts that “Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.”

Job, in chapter 7, really gives an indication of what he is going through:

1. He has terrible boils all over
2. He scrapes these boils with pottery shards
3. His body is covered with maggots and scabs
4. His skin breaks open, oozing with puss
5. He is having nightmares (Job 7:14)

After talking with Eliphaz, Job talks directly to God, asking him to put an end to his misery. He certainly recognizes that God can forgive his sin and take away his guilt. I can’t imagine what I would be like if I were Job and all of this happened to me. I guess it’s a natural thing to think it’s because of something we have done wrong. But, as Job said to his wife: “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” 

Ephesians tells us “give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Note it doesn’t say everything good; it means everything good and bad. If you are like me, praising God for the good is much easier than for the bad.

Of course, then Job’s other friend, Bildad the Shuhite has to put in his two cents. He sounds a lot like Eliphaz “But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home.” Have you ever said in jest tome someone -- “wow, you must have done something good to be so lucky” or “you must have ticked someone off to have such bad luck.” 

Job says God destroys both the blameless and the wicked and there is no way he can argue with God or take Him to trial. Listen to this: Job 9:33 – If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together.” Thank God for this verse in I Timothy 2:5  “There is only one God and one Mediator between God and humanity- the man Christ Jesus.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Job 10-13.

Kale for Dinner

Tonight, I made some kale to go with my cubed steak – it was really delicious. Amazing though how I started with a huge bag and ended up with a small bowl of greens.

Until next time…