Posts Tagged ‘Job 25-28’
Scripture reading for May 28th: Job 25-28
Job’s friend Bildad, probably inspired by the worms eating at his friend Job’s sores, makes one final attempt to discourage Job. Bildad viewed God as so powerful and beyond man’s comprehension that man could never be considered righteous before Him. He did understand a basic principle of Scripture–original sin. The Bible states that man is sinful from birth. (Job 25:4) But Bildad neglected another basic principle: man is made in God’s image and likeness. Bildad’s final statement likened man to a maggot or lowly worm!
Our view of life and understanding of who we are is vital to victorious living. Many people are beat down because of parents, peers, or siblings who put them down and called them names. Satan tries to steal the truth about who we are and whose we are very early in life. Satan is the accuser and finds those he can use to speak these lies. If we believe that God is so distant that He doesn’t care about us and that we are no better than a maggot in His sight, why even try to approach God? If we believe that He is so big and powerful that He doesn’t care about us, why should we believe in Him? Such are the lies of the enemy of our souls! We find that many people believe this way and that allows them to do whatever they feel they can get away with.
But the truth is that God loves us and we are made in His image and likeness. (Genesis 1:27) Although He is so powerful that He created the vast universe and hung the earth on nothing, He personally knows each of us by name, even numbering the very hairs on our head. (Job 26:7) (Luke 12:7) He desires none to perish, but all to come to repentance and a knowledge of the truth. He so loved us that He sent His only son, Jesus Christ, to become sin for us that we might be free from sin and know God as Father! (John 3:16) (Romans 8:15-16) We are now a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that we might show forth the praises of Him who brought us out of darkness and into His marvelous light! (1st Peter 2:9) Aren’t you glad you’re not a maggot?
Scripture reading for May 28: Job 25-28
Bildad opened his final argument by citing the power and dominion of God. He then questioned that in light of God’s greatness, how can man who is born of woman be right with God? (Job 25:4) This is a good question and finds the answer implied by Bildad in other writings of Scripture. Romans 3:10 says that there is none righteous, not even one (Psalm 14:1) . Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The problem with Bildad’s statement is in his understanding of God and man’s relationship. Bildad stated that man was like a maggot in God’s sight, only a worm. (Job 25:6) This view is neither encouraging or accurate!
Job refuted Bildad by asking him what spirit was speaking through him! Job’s counter-argument was that he would continue to trust God, even if he didn’t understand! (Job 27:2-6) God was his only source of hope and encouragement! God’s character and wisdom were worth more to Job than anything this earth had to offer. Finding this wisdom is not easy! (Job 28:12-13)
The bottom line for Job was that the fear of the Lord was wisdom and understanding was to depart from evil! (Job 28:28) Let’s think about this for a minute. Respecting God and His power and authority is the very core of wisdom. We can only live our life successfully if we have this wisdom in operation in our life. Respecting God is the character trait of humility. God, Himself, is humble! Jesus Christ taught his followers to come and learn from Him, because he was humble of heart! (Matthew 11:28-30) By respecting God and being humble we are able to follow God and live successfully by faith and not be destroyed by our sight! We know from God’s word and character that there is a definite “good” and a definite “evil”. We walk in understanding when we depart from evil and do good!
God is the most precious one in our life. Job came to this conclusion as he was forced by the circumstances of a trial to live by faith. He did not have all the answers, but he knew the one who did and who would help him! He steadfastly held on to what he knew and persevered! We can, too! What a precious Lord we have! Don’t let go!