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Heart of the problem… (2 points)
- 1st – Answering Eliphaz – Chapter 6
- REMINDER: Hebrew POETRY…
- Hebrew POETRY does not attempt to RHYME words – it is not based on similar sounds…
- Hebrew POETRY is formed by the COMPARING or CONTRASTING ideas…
- An idea will be stated – then a number of verses will be dedicated to COMPARING it…
- OR we will see the idea CONTRASTED – a RHYME of COMPARING or CONTRASTING ideas!
- 1st – JUSTIFYING rash words… vs. 1-3
- Then Job answered… vs. 1
- Job RESPONDS to the ACCUSATION of Eliphaz…
- The SECOND section of Job – Chapters 3-37 – the Wisdom of Men…
- Is broken up into FOUR rounds of debate – THREE between Job and his THREE friends…
- After each FRIEND gives their OPINION – Job will respond and defend himself!
- Then a final FOURTH section when a young man named Elihu gives his opinion…
- After which God will give His TRUTH – which is the THIRD and final section of the Book!
- Oh – that my GREIF were fully weighed… vs. 2-3
- GREIF – from the VERB [כָּעַס] – meaning to be ANGRY…
- All the TERRORS that had happened to Job – FILLED him with raging ANGER…
- If someone were to put it on the SCALES and WEIGH it…
- It would be heavier than the sand of the sea!
- The point Job is making is he has been CRUSHED under the weight of his SORROW!
- The loss of his WEALTH – HEALTH – and most especially his CHILDREN!
- There are NO limits to what God will allow to get our attention…
- The question is are we willing to fall on Him – admit our need – and be BROKEN…
- Or do we insist on going our own way – He falls on us – and we are CRUSHED!
- Luke 20:18 – “Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder…”
- Therefore my words have been RASH [impulsive]…
- Job JUSTIFIES his comments – Job 3 – by saying they were a reaction to his suffering…
- While his PAIN is certainly understandable – our suffering does not excuse our WORDS!
- Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth…”
- If we have to JUSTIFY something – more than likely – we should NOT have said it…
- It is easy to RATIONALIZE harsh words said in a moment of angry or hurt…
- But that does not EXCUSE us – we should GUARD our LIPS!
- Psalm 141:3 – “Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.” (NLT)
- Then Job answered… vs. 1
- 2nd – The RIGHT to complain… vs. 4-7
- The Almighty has struck me down with his arrows – their POISON infects my SPIRIT… vs. 4
- We now come to the HEART of the problem – Job blamed God for what happened…
- The ALMIGHTY [שַׁדַּי] – a generic name for God that expresses His ultimate POWER…
- Struck Job with his ARROWS – taking away his WEALTH – HEALTH – and FAMILY…
- Infecting his SPIRIT [literally dirking it up] with POISON [wrath]!
- Job was ANGRY with God – because of what had happened to Him!
- And he believed he had the RIGHT to be ANGRY!
- Do I not have the RIGHT to complain [NLT] … vs. 5
- Donkeys bray when they find no grass – and oxen bellow when they have no food… vs. 6
- People complain about unsalted food – [who eats] the tasteless [purslane] … vs. 7
- My appetite disappears [piel] when I look at it – I gag at the thought of eating it! [NLT]
- Purslane [not egg yolk] – is a tasteless vegetable – we would say SALAD…
- You have to admire the passion with which Job despised SALAD [gag]!
- If donkeys and oxen can COMPLAIN when they have no FOOD…
- Or if people can COMPLAIN because their food does not taste good…
- How much more did Job have a RIGHT to COMPLAIN about his life being destroyed!
- When BAD things happen in life – it can be easy to want to BLAME God…
- He is after all – ALMIGHTY – He could have provided / kept us safe…
- Therefore EVERYTHING that happens to us – we CAN blame Him for allowing!
- BUT by blaming God – we are saying God made a MISTAKE…
- It means we think we are SMARTER – and know BETTER than He does!
- The better response is to come and ask God – WHY He allowed it…
- We may not UNDERSTAND why BAD things were allowed to happen…
- But we believe by FAITH – everything God does in our lives is for our GOOD!
- Romans 8:28 – “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God.”
- The Almighty has struck me down with his arrows – their POISON infects my SPIRIT… vs. 4
- 3rd – No more STRENGTH… vs. 8-13
- Oh – that I might have my request – God would GRANT me the thing I LONG for… vs. 8-9
- That it would PLEASE God to crush me [piel] – He would LOOSE His hand and CUT me off!
- The thought is – God FINISH the job – COMPLETE what you started…
- God had taken EVERYTHING else from Job – why not take his LIFE as well…
- Do NOT hold back – let loose your hand and CUT [piel] me off – KILL me!
- At least I can take comfort [jussive] in this – despite the pain…
- I have not denied [piel] the WORDS of the Holy One [NLT] … vs. 10
- Job assumed because he had not SAID anything contrary God – he was INNOCENT…
- But it is NOT just about WORDS and ACTIONS – I Samuel 16:7
- It is ALSO about what is in our HEART – that is where SIN begins!
- What strength do I have [left] that I should hope… vs. 11
- What is my end that I should prolong my life…
- Is my strength the strength [made from] of stones – or is my flesh [from] bronze… vs. 12
- We are to be wise as a SERPENT [satan] – but gentle as a DOVE [Spirit] – Matthew 10:16
- I had a good friend once add – being a CHRISTIAN also means having the skin of a RHINO…
- Because we are going to go through trials – and need THICK [bronze] skin!
- No – I am utterly helpless – without any chance of success [NLT] … vs. 13
- Job had NOTHING left to give – there is ONLY so much one man can SUFFER…
- He was not made of STONE – his skin was not as think as BRONZE…
- He was DEVASTATED – and had no HOPE for a better tomorrow – and just wanted to DIE!
- When we try to be STRONG – when we try to depend in OUR power – we will FAIL…
- But it is in our FAILURE we look up – and find true POWER…
- When we realize we are WEAK – we learn to depend on the POWER of God…
- There are ONLY two resources in life we can draw from to live for God…
- We can depend on OUR strength to TRY and make us HOLY…
- Or we can depend of the strength of GOD – that WILL make us HOLY!
- II Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient… for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
- Oh – that I might have my request – God would GRANT me the thing I LONG for… vs. 8-9
- 4th – UNFAITHFUL friends… vs. 14-30
- To an afflicted friend – show PITY and FEAR the Lord – do NOT forsake him… vs. 14
- Job expected his FRIENDS to give him COMFORT – not ACCUSATIONS… vs. 15-20
- He likens them to a seasonal STREAM – where one hopes to get WATER [be refreshed]!
- In the SPRING the STREAM overflows its banks from snow melt…
- Meaning it provides LOTS of water – in cooler months – when it is NOT needed…
- But when the summer comes – when it gets REALLY hot…
- The STREAM dries up – there is no WATER when it is needed most…
- The traveling caravans stop by – hoping for WATER – and die of thirst!
- They are disappointed because they were confident – come and are confused… vs. 20
- It is easy to SAY – just let me know what you NEED…
- But when the NEED comes – who is ACTUALLY there to HELP…
- People often have the BEST intentions – but they are not DEPENDABLE – all are sinners…
- They are clouds that promise rain – but have NO water – Jude 1:12
- Which is why we do not try and be the answer people need – we point them to Jesus!
- You are nothing – you see TERROR and are AFRAID… vs. 21-23
- Not ONLY were the friends of Job NOT helpful – they were AFRAID…
- They were AFRAID Job might ask for HELP from them – ask for MONEY…
- But Job NEVER asked them for ANYTHING – not for MONEY or HELP!
- There may have been ANOTHER reason why the THREE friends were AFRAID…
- If this happened to Job – it could also happen to them!
- Teach me [imperative] – and I will hold my tongue… vs. 24
- Cause me to understand [imperative] where I have [sinned]!
- RIGHT words have POWER – but what does YOUR argument prove… vs. 25
- You intend to REBUKE – but your speeches are like the [empty] WIND… vs. 26
- Now therefore – LOOK at me [presumably the friends had turned away in protest] … vs. 28
- I would NEVER lie to your face!
- Stop assuming my guilt [imperative] – for I have done no wrong [NLT] … vs. 29-30
- Is there iniquity on my tongue – I can taste the difference between right and wrong!
- Was Job innocent – NO – he did NOT sin with his actions or words…
- But there was an issue in his heart – but ONLY God could change that…
- We tend to get into a lot of trouble thinking we can somehow FIX people…
- And if we try to – more than likely all we will end up doing is upsetting them…
- RIGHT words DO have POWER – the POWER is in pointing people to the WORD!
- II Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
- To an afflicted friend – show PITY and FEAR the Lord – do NOT forsake him… vs. 14
- REMINDER: Hebrew POETRY…
- 2nd – Answering God – Chapter 7
- 1st – Life is HARD… vs. 1-5
- Having given his ANSWER to Eliphaz – Job turns his attention back to God…
- Knowing he had NOT sinned – as Eliphaz had accused him of…
- He is looking for answers as to WHY all this happened to Him!
- Is there not a time of hard service for man on earth… vs. 1-2
- His days [are] also like the days of [worker] – like a servant who EARNESTLY desires shade…
- And like a hired man who EAGERLY [piel] looks for his wage!
- If you have ever worked in the CAMPO – you know what it means to PANT for shade…
- ANYONE who has every worked – knows what it means to eagerly DESIRE their salary!
- In the same way Job was EAGERLY waiting for his SUFFERING to END!
- I have been allotted MONTHS of futility – wearisome nights have been appointed to me… vs. 3-5
- When I lie down I say – when shall I arise and the night be ended – tossing till dawn!
- Job could NOT escape his SUFFERING even in SLEEP…
- For MONTHS [time frame] he had been tossing and turning all NIGHT…
- Unable to SLEEP because of his PHYSICAL pain!
- My body is covered with maggots and scabs – my skin breaks open – oozing with pus! [NLT]
- A graphic picture that reveals just how MUCH and how LONG Job had been sick!
- During a heart checkup a number of years ago – the doctor told me I was going to DIE…
- Not because of my heart – that was healthy – but SOMETHING was going to get me!
- Life is HARD – these bodies we live get OLD – and start to wear out…
- If we live LONG enough – we will look forward to the day when we get to trade them in!
- II Corinthians 5:1 – “We know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heaven.”
- Having given his ANSWER to Eliphaz – Job turns his attention back to God…
- 2nd – Life is SHORT… vs. 6-10
- My days are swifter than a weavers shuttle – and are spent without HOPE… 6-7
- Remember [imperative] that my life is a breath! My eye will never again see good!
- LIFE is HARD – but Job also notes LIFE is SHORT…
- And the best years were BEHIND him – he would never seem GOOD again before his death!
- Interesting that Job uses a weavers [needle] to express the shortness of LIFE…
- EVEN a small RUG – 3m x 4m – takes over FIVE months for a weaver to make!
- But the closer you get to completion – the faster the NEEDLE seems to move!
- When we were YOUNG time seemed to move at a VERY slow pace – days seemed like years…
- As we get OLD time seems to SPEED up – years seems like days!
- You see me now – but not for long – you will look for me – but I will be gone… vs. 8-10
- As the cloud disappears – so he who goes down to the grave [שְׁאוֹל] does not come up…
- He shall never return to his house – nor shall his place know him anymore!
- LIFE is SHORT – like a cloud – we are here today and gone tomorrow…
- And we ONLY get once chance – when we DIE – there is no coming back – Hebrews 9:27
- Time is the MOST precious and limited resource we are given in this life…
- We do not know how much time God has given us here on this earth…
- The question is what we are going to do with the time God has given us!
- Ephesians 5:16 – “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
- My days are swifter than a weavers shuttle – and are spent without HOPE… 6-7
- 3rd – WHY me… vs. 11-16
- Every part of Job cried out to God… vs. 11
- I will not restrain my mouth [BODY] I will speak in the anguish of my SPIRIT …
- I will complain in the bitterness of my soul [MIND]!
- There is nothing wrong with crying out to God in despair…
- We cannot fool God – we can say we are OK – but He sees the heart…
- Better to be honest with the Lord – talk to Him when we are hurting!
- Philippians 4:6-7 – “Let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
- Why did THIS happen… vs. 12-16
- Am I a great WHALE [תַּנִּין] in the sea – that You set a guard over me… vs. 12
- In other words – are you HUNTING me like some great prize catch!
- When I say – my bed will comfort me – my couch will ease my complaint… vs. 13-14
- Then You scare me with dreams – and terrify me with visions…
- The Lord would NOT give Job any REST – even his DREAMS were terrifying!
- To be fair – that may NOT have come from the Lord…
- When we go through tragedy – our mind will often relive those moments in our DREAMS!
- I would rather be strangled – rather die than suffer like this… [NLT] vs. 15-16
- I hate my life and do not want to go on living – leave me ALONE for my few remaining days!
- Every part of Job cried out to God… vs. 11
- 4th – WHAT is my SIN… vs. 17-21
- WHAT is man… vs. 17-18
- What is MAN – that You should exalt him – that You should set Your heart on him…
- That You should visit him every morning – and TEST him every moment!
- MAN – [אֱנוֹשׁ] – the generic word for MANKIND…
- Interestingly is comes from the root VERB meaning – INCURABLE or WICKED…
- EXALT [piel] – to intensely magnify – to FOCUS on…
- So much so – God visits us EVERY morning – TESTS us EVERY moment!
- The answer to this is POWERFUL – look at where the LORD invests His time…
- He MAGNIFIES us – HE comes to VISIT us daily – TESTS us every MOMENT…
- Wherever your treasures are – there will your heart be also – Luke 12:34
- What are we [MEN] to God – we are the MOST important thing to His HEART!
- Psalm 139:17 – “How precious are your thoughts about me… they cannot be numbered!”
- WHAT have I done… vs. 19-20
- How long – will You not look away from me – and let me alone till I swallow my saliva…
- We might say – at least let me catch my BREATH!
- From one devastation to the NEXT – my WIFE says curse your God and die…
- Then my so-called FRIENDS – try and accuse me of HIDDEN sin!
- Have I sinned? What have I done to You – O watcher of men?
- Why have You set me as Your target – so that I am a burden to [You]?
- When people make accusation against us – it is EASY to dismiss them…
- And they very well may be WRONG – especially if they are judging our MOTIVES…
- But maybe they are RIGHT – perhaps there is something we have overlooked…
- It never hurts to ask – WHAT HAVE I DONE – reflect on our words / actions!
- II Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you.”
- WHY not pardon… vs. 21
- Why not just FORGIVE my sin – and take away my guilt?
- For soon I will lie down in the dust and die – when you look for me – I will be gone!
- Many people will NOT find forgiveness – because they do NOT ask…
- When we are willing to ask – WHAT HAVE I DONE – we find there is forgiveness!
- WHAT is man… vs. 17-18
- 1st – Life is HARD… vs. 1-5
I John 1:9 – “If we CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and just to FORGIVE us our sins…”
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