07/26/2024 – Day 054 – Job – Chapters 15 – 16 / Once again, Fellowship generating questions attached, it takes a “village”/”community”.
Last cycles post dated 04/22/20222 zeroed in on verse 16:20.
Today, I am going to start with the 10,000 foot view of these chapters by way of excerpts from “Halley’s Bible Handbook”:
“Chapter 15. Eliphaz’ Second Speech. His sarcasm becomes bitter. They become excited and angry. Job’s eyes flash (12). He tore himself in his anger (18:4). They shook their heads at him (16:4).
“Chapters 16, 17. Job’s Fifth Speech. If you were in my place, I could shake my head at you (1 6:4). Job continues his complaint. His eyes red with weeping (16: 16). His friends scoff at him (16:20)…”
Now, I am switching to verse commentary from “The Apologetics Study Bible”:
“What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous? If God puts no trust in his holy ones and the heavens are not pure in His sight, how much less one who is revolting and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?” Job 15: 14-16
Commentary:
“Eliphaz’s philosophical rambling that nothing is pure in God’s eyes does not reflect the Bible’s full teaching on the subject. Those who truly believe and exercise total trust and faith in God are counted as righteous (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4). Made righteous in God’s sight through Christ’s atoning death (Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:25) and taken into union with Christ (Colossians 1:27), believers can live virtuous and faithful lives through Christ who lives through them (Galations 2:20).”
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A portion of Job’s reply: “My face is grown red with weeping, and the shadow of death covers my eyes, although my hands are free from violence and my prayer is pure.” Job 16:16:17
I would submit that his prayer indeed may have pure intentions but it is not “pure” or perfect. I also believe that he has accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior before the end of this story, thereby, God the Father looks at him as “pure” and as “white as snow”. The incarnation does not take place for another millenium+, but that does preclude him from being “saved”. Only God can read a heart.
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“If I await, “Sheol as my home, spread out my bed in darkness, and say to the Pit: You are my father, and to the worm: My mother or my sister. Where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me?” Job 17: 13-15
Commentary:
“Job’s remarks stemmed from his despair and do not contradict the biblical teaching on life after death (1 Corinthians 15: 12-58; 2 Corinthians 5: 1-8).”
Here again are our questions that might trigger spiritual growth through fellowship:
- What does the text reveal about God’s character?
- How has this reading generated prayer for you and/or us?
- What themes stand out to you in this bible study?
- How does our reading fit into the bigger picture (creation, the fall, restoration, etc.)?
- What verse(s) jumped out at you like never before? Is it explainable at this point?
- Do you have any questions you would like to put before the group as to how to interpret any particular verse(s) in our reading. Let scripture testify to scripture: Share with us where you sense contradiction between passages elsewhere.
- What did you find convicting and inspiring at the same time? Share with us how the Spirit of God is working within you as a messenger, both within and outside of our fellowship group.
- Share with the group how our study is calling or confirming to you a new mission to glorify God in our times.
Soli Deo Gloria!