Meditation Tuesday, July 2, 2013 Revived by His Word - chapter of the Job 6 Job: My Complaint is Just 6 Then Job answered and said: 2 “Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, And my calamity laid with it on the scales! 3 For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea— Therefore my words have been rash. 4 aFor the arrows of the Almighty are within me; My spirit drinks in their poison; bThe terrors of God are arrayed cagainst me. 5 Does the dwild donkey bray when it has grass, Or does the ox low over its fodder? 6 Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? 7 My soul refuses to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me. 8 “Oh, that I might have my request, That God would grant me the thing that I long for! 9 That it would please God to crush me, That He would loose His hand and ecut me off! 10 Then I would still have comfort; Though in anguish I would exult, He will not spare; For fI have not concealed the words of gthe Holy One. 11 “What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life? 12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze? 13 Is my help not within me? And is success driven from me? 14 “To hhim who is 1afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 15 iMy brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, jLike the streams of the brooks that pass away, 16 Which are dark because of the ice, And into which the snow vanishes. 17 When it is warm, they cease to flow; When it is hot, they vanish from their place. 18 The paths of their way turn aside, They go nowhere and perish. 19 The caravans of kTema look, The travelers of lSheba hope for them. 20 They are mdisappointed 2because they were confident; They come there and are confused. 21 For now nyou are nothing, You see terror and oare afraid. 22 Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’? Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’? 23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of oppressors’? 24 “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 25 How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove? 26 Do you intend to rebuke my words, And the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind? 27 Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, And you pundermine your friend. 28 Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; For I would never lie to your face. 29 qYield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my rrighteousness 3still stands! 30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my 4taste discern the unsavory? Comments Job is answering his friends wishing for a fair trial. He wishes his positive joys and negative turns could be placed in the scale together, one on this side and the other on the opposite side. Job says that because there is a lack of a proper “judgment” of his life (bad deeds and good deeds) the result is that “my grief is heavier than the sand of the sea.” That is why Job is in a combat mood and sees that God’s arrows are against him (vv. 3,4). Job asked if a donkey and ox is taken care of, will it call out to be fed? Can one eat flavorless food without salt? Job’s situation is so bad that he together with the homeless is almost ready to eat living things and even pigs, but refuses to even touch them (vv. 6,7). He has a firm view of God’s ability to help him (vv. 8-9). He studied well the Word of God and practiced it in his daily life (v.10). Is there a better day for him? Is the answer within him? (vv. 11-13). Is there no kindness to be brought to him from a friend (v. 14) even if such a friend has lost the fear of the Almighty? Job’s brothers were deceitful and like a river flowed away (v. 15). They are like a ground covered with snow and when it melts, they turn aside and vanish. Travelers expect directions from them but they are gone (vv. 17-19). They see terror and themselves are afraid (v. 21). Job never asked possessions from friends or help against an enemy or an oppressor (vv. 22-23). But he implores his friends to tell him how he has erred (v. 24). They thought their words were needed discipline for their wicked friend, and that his words were a typical response of one who suffers for his wickedness (v. 26). His friends do not have a good reputation (v. 27). With a smile on their faces, they finish off a friend and are pleased when he bows low (v. 28). But Job wants his friends to come back and listen to him. He will not lie to their face (v. 28). Since there is no wrong in him (v. 29), he is able to discern crafty devices (v. 30). Even though Job is in financial straights, he is determined to keep his lifestyle proper and mirror his ability to discern right from wrong in other aspects of life as well (v. 30). Dear God, provide us also with a life of discernment and a quest for righteousness and right doing as Job. Knowing enough about Satan’s role, we are secure for You are in full control of our lives. Amen Koot van Wyk Kyungpook National University Sangju, South Korea
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 13:48:34 +0000
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