Scriptures:
Tests for Job
Job 1:12
The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."
-This shows that God allows suffering to happen to Job.
Job 1:20-22
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart. [c]
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
-God has allowed his belongings to be taken away but he didn’t not question God and give thanks and glory for what God has gave and takes away from him.
Job 2:6
The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.
-This shows that God allows illness to happen to Job.
Job 2:10
He replied, "You are talking like a foolish [b] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
-Job submits to God in obedience did not blame God for his illness.
Job 3:20-23
20 "Why is light given to those in misery,
and life to the bitter of soul,
21 to those who long for death that does not come,
who search for it more than for hidden treasure,
22 who are filled with gladness
and rejoice when they reach the grave?
23 Why is life given to a man
whose way is hidden,
whom God has hedged in?
-This shows part of Job’s crying out while going through the sufferings that God has allowed it to happen. He started to question God why this suffering is happening to him.
Application: Suffering does not come from the Lord but He allows it to happen to us for a good reason. And it is test to our faith whether we can keep relying and believing in our problems and difficulties. With Job’s experiences, we can learn to take hardship and suffering that comes to us and submit according to God’s will despite whether good or troubles.
Eliphaz Speaks Out
Job 5:17-18
Blessed is the man whom God corrects;
so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
For he wounds, but he also binds up;
he injures, but his hands also heal
this shows that God chastise to discipline Job cause He is our Father, He loves us and He wants us to be a blessing to Him.
Job 6:14
A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends,
even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
Job 6:24-25
Teach me, and I will be quiet;
show me where I have been wrong.
How painful are honest words!
But what do your arguments prove?
Job rebuked Eliphaz. When Job was giving up God, his friends turn away from him. They were fickle-minded and hypocrites. Job was willing to learn and to correct his mistakes.
Application: Sometimes being quiet is better to say too much of words. However, if we know that our friends are doing the wrong thing, we should correct them and help them to turn back and learn from their mistakes. As an imperfect human, we tend to complain a lot about our troubles and forget to give thanks for our blessings. We should be appreciative of our little little blessings. Turn to God if we are unable to bear the circumstances we face, and He will give His strength to guide us through.
Response:
Father, thank You for your Word which has been my guidance of my daily walk with You. Thank You for what has happened to me all this years of my life. Help to apply my experiences for the things that may come to me and to be more fruitful and devoted to You. For You are my pillar of strength, Lord. Teach me to rely on Your strength, Lord. All this I asked in Jesus name, Amen.
