January 31st Readings: by Mrs.Oz

Today's readings from the Chronological Plan are from Job 40:6-42:17. You can read online here.
Key Verse:
"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
Therefore I retract,
And I repent in dust and ashes."

Job 42:5-6
"There are eyes in the tongue of the soul. 'Taste and see that the lord is good'. Five seconds of honey on the tongue will teach you more of sweetness then ten hours of lecture about the scientific distinction between sweetness and sourness. Until God gives you a taste in your soul of his goodness, you can read listen and study and never be changed." John Piper

God speaks to Job from the storm. He tells him he will ask Job and Job will instruct him. A most humbling statement follows as the instructor steps aside from the pulpit and in essence says "you teach me if you think you are so smart!". It's sarcastic and therefore funny to us as we read but it also tells us of the frustration of God with Job at this point. Thankfully God does not sin in His frustration, He just gets busy working his purpose in us. He goes on to challenge Job to "spend a day in his shoes" so to speak and take over the job of being God. "Then I will also confess to you, That your own right hand can save you." (vs.14) The absurdity of it shows the point He means to make with Job.
He then goes on to talk about the Behemoth (I'd love to hear a creation scientist insight right here or if anyone knows of any links please share because it's a fascinating topic especially realizing that the story of Job took place not too long after the flood) describing his powerful characteristics, the greatest of land creatures made by God. Then, in the sea, he tells of the mighty Leviathan and revels for a few moments in the fierceness of this creature asking Job some mocking questions he all ready knows the answers to, to get him to think.
Much of he language from Elihu had to do with hearing and Job's ears hearing the truth. Now God wants to open the eyes of Job's soul. He wants him to see who He is and who Job is in light of Him. The lights have been turned on, God has stepped in and given Job a taste of Himself. The largest of the large, the mightiest of the mighty in creation are used by God to reflect His glory to Job. This work can only be done by Almighty God and the final act belongs to Him. When man truly sees God for who He is, and sees himself for who he is, there is only one result and that is repentance. Job repents. Job use to esteem his righteousness quite highly (though more as a matter of fact than of pride it would seem) until he saw God and Job went face down. The wisdom he had before looks now to him like ignorance and he states: "I have uttered that which I did not understand" (42:3)
"God is after broken hearted child-like joy and faith whatever it takes. It's the most valuable thing he can give you." John Piper
Job is not yet healed however.
In Job 42:7 we have a crucial part of the story where God rebukes Eliphaz and his two friends. It is very important to note that Elihu is not rebuked. The three men were rebuked by God for their bad theology (vs.7) so we could conclude from this that Elihu's theology was right on in what he said to Job. God was pretty put out with these men to make a point in scripture of their rebuke so it would seem that he would have included Elihu had he displeased Him. This is an argued point among respected Christan men however, so we'll just leave it there:). God confuses us a little here by saying that the three friends were wrong but what Job said is right. We get stumped because we know that not all Job has said is right. However, when we see the reference is in regard to the complaint God has against these men we see more clearly the point God is making. They said that suffering comes from sin and prosperity comes from righteousness. Job said that the righteous do indeed suffer and the wicked do indeed prosper. God says Job was right. Job had better theology than these men.
The point though is that Job has something huge he has to do here. He has to forgive those who have wronged him. He is still in the pains of illness. He is humbled and repentant but not restored. Job does forgive them and prays for them and God listens to Job's prayer.
THEN the Lord restores Job. It is a picture to us all of God's restoration. For some it may happen here on earth, for others we may pass away in our suffering but God will restore whether it begins here or not. It makes me think of the verse about God restoring the years the locust have eaten. I'm always thankful God restored Job in his temporal world just because of the intensity of his suffering. Though all suffering feels intense to the one who suffers and God does not overlook any of it. Satan's accusations have been proven wrong and God has been vindicated in his assessment of his servant Job. Job has seen and tasted of God and has reaped the spiritual reward of that blessing before any of his physical restoration. We have been blessed by hearing and reading and learning of the story of Job. Now, we pray God will open our eyes to see him so we can be changed and our joy made full.
"Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy" James 5:11

To wrap up the book of Job, a hard book to read and to understand as well as to experience as we hurt for this man of sorrows, I wanted to point out a delight. It helps us feel the fullness of the joy in Job's in his restoration. Job's fortune is given back to him and then some. He has the same number of children as before. (side note: there is no telling of what happened to Job's wife. We do not see that she dies so we must assume that she is the mother of these 10. I think we need to take a moment to remember that this mother lost all she had as well. God does not rebuke her in the end so I hope the story is that she also repented. The fruit of the womb is a reward and I would hope it was for her. I guess we will only know when we get to heaven!) He named his children names that reflected the joy of his heart:
Jemimah: means "day light"
Keziah: means "sweet smelling"
Keren-happuch: describes a beautiful color ladies used to paint their eyelids.

The treasure he had found in God seemed to bubble over into everything around him. He had tasted and seen that God was good and wise and it poured out of him in praise and gratitude even in the names of his children.

I look forward to feasting with this man one day, seeing the joy in his eyes and hearing the story straight from him. I'm sure there will be many songs of praise sung to God from Job's table in eternity.


Tomorrow's readings are in Exodus 1-2:25; 1 Chronicles 6:1-3; Exodus 3-4:17. Go here to read online.