Daily reading assignment: Job 10-13
In Job 10 we find Job attempting to make sense out of all he has suffered. While he declares his confidence that God is just; he is nevertheless left wondering why calamity has come upon him.
Some reading this devotional can identify with Job’s sorrows. You find yourself wrestling with some of the same questions, trying to make sense out of the trials that have befallen you. While you are confident God is sovereign and good, you wonder, “Why [God] ‘contendest [strive] with me?’” (10:2).
Job wondered, why are destroying me? “Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb?” (10:18). In essence, “Why was I born?”
Had Job known all he was suffering was in response to Satan assailing his character, he might not have agonized so; however, that was not for Job to know. God had purposed for him to pass through fiery trials to the end he would one day say, “But He [God] knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).
With friends like these, who needs enemies? (Job 11)
Having heard the judgment and condemnation of two “friends”, Eliphaz and Bildad, Job finds himself suffering the observations and criticisms of yet another, the Naamathite named Zophar (11:1).
Rather than pity and compassion, Zophar “goes for the kill” with cutting words, accusing poor Job of being a mocker and scoffer (11:3). Filled with pride, Zophar indicted Job suggesting he was spiritually shallow, ignorant of God (11:5-12), and too stubborn to repent (11:13-20).
Job’s response to his accusers, specifically Zophar’s judgments, is recorded in chapters 12-14.
Job 12:2 seems to imply that Job’s friends were older than he and therefore presumed themselves to be wiser by the course of years. Job, however, reminded his friends that the source of wisdom is God (12:12-13), not man. In other words, youth does not have the market on foolishness. Indeed, one might just as easily be an old fool as a young fool.
While not knowing why so much suffering had befallen him, Job nevertheless declared the sovereignty of God over nature and man (12:14-25).
Job’s defense continues in chapter 13 as he asserts his innocence and reproves his “friends” for their hypocrisy (13:1-12). Job rebukes them for daring to speak for God apart from His revelations (13:7-11).
His sons and daughters are dead; his home, servants, possessions, and flocks lost; his body is afflicted with sores; his wife taunts him to “curse God”, and his “friends” condemn him…yet, Job declares an amazing statement of faith:
“Though He [the LORD] slay me [kill; put to death], yet will I trust [hope; wait] in Him” (13:15).
Copyright 2020 – Travis D. Smith