DAY 061: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR – JOB 17-18

February 29, 2024

JOB 17-18
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DAY 061: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

In our continuing study of the hardship faced by Job, we are also examining his friends, who show how not to offer comfort to a friend who is suffering. Job’s friends did not truly comprehend the situation. They did not truly comprehend the plan of the Lord. And, most importantly, they did not stop and seek out the Lord before speaking.

Take a few minutes to pray, asking God to share His wisdom with you concerning today’s journey through Job. Read Job 17-18 and let our journey begin.

Job and his friends have each made assumptions about God, about how God rules, and about how justice in the world works. These assumptions are revealed throughout this book. Many of these assumptions continue to be held today!

Job 17-18: Job is speaking as we start our journey today. Job recognized that those who criticized him (his friends) did not understand what was happening. Job suffered, Job was disappointed in his friends, Job was confused, not knowing where God was during his time of calamity and despair: however, Job sought the desire of his heart in the midst of his calamity and despair, Job surrendered his life’s destiny to God. Job expected night to be turned into day. Bildad the Shuhite, a friend of Job, did not understand Job’s circumstances and used the power of strong language as a fear tactic to coerce Job to admit that he was living a sin-filled life. Bildad did not perceive Job had any secret sin he was trying to keep from God. Bildad could not understand that Job needed encouragement and not criticism because Bildad looked at Job’s circumstances and not at Job himself. In fairness to Bildad, it appears that Jewish people of that time viewed a person’s closeness to God based on that person’s material blessings. In light of the fact that all of Job’s family and possessions were taken, it appeared that God was chastening Job. Bildad relied on his own understanding rather than seeking the counsel of God. (Job 17:1-18:21)

Read chapters 17 and 18, and ask yourself these questions: What assumptions about God and the way He rules are being made by Job? What assumptions about God and the way He rules are being made by Bildad? What assumptions have you made about God and the way He rules in your life?

Godspeace!