Bible Chapter: Job 19 & 20

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Job asked his companions how long they were going to torture him.  They had insulted him over and over and should be ashamed for treating him the way they did.  Even if he had sinned, it was his issue, not theirs.  Job expressed the thought that God counted him among his enemies.  He was in deep despair and it caused him to wrongly think that God was causing his pain.  It appears that Job believed God was delighting in bringing torment and agony to his soul.  Yet we see from the text that Satan was the cause of his endless troubles.
    In the middle of all Job’s complaints and misunderstanding of the cause of his sorrow, he makes a powerful prophetic statement of his belief and trust in God.  Job declared “I know my redeemer lives” and he also said “Yet will I see God”.  This shows his heart was trusting in God even as he was suffering and saying that God had abandoned him.
    Then Zophar the Naamathite had to open his mouth.  He said he was enduring Job’s insults and had to respond.  He said that it has always been that wicked people have a short life and will suffer the consequences.  They will vanish and their memory will fade.  God will reward the wicked for what they do.  The continual attacks against Job and the accusations of his supposed wickedness did not let up.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Job’s ability to declare his faith in his redeemer in the middle of his unbelievable suffering is a stirring challenge to anyone going through any kind of trial.  The potent statement that he knew his redeemer and that he would see him in the end is a powerful uplift.  I also need to be reminded of the failure of these comforters to see beyond their shortsightedness.  They figured that the only explanation for Job’s trials was that he was a secret sinner and God was making it public.  This is poor theology that shows up from time to time.  I can’t get caught up in that when someone is going through a test.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I need to be ready to encourage and help people through trials and tribulations.  If they need to repent of something, let God direct that conversation and not assume they are trying to hide some secret sin.