Highlights:
The humiliation and anguish of Job's present state is outlined in chapters 30 — 31. Job accepts that wisdom begins with, resides in, and ends with God. Our innocent Savior suffered humiliation and anguish for us. The younger man, Elihu gets angry and tells others what he thinks (chap. 32 — 33).
No one in biblical history, other than Christ, suffered so much public humiliation and intense physical and emotional pain as Job did. He had held the chief administrative position in his country and had dwelt as a king (Job 29:25). I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. . . . I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out (29:12,15-16). In chap. 31 he listed 12 common sins that no one could accuse him of committing. Yet, in his time of need, no one expressed compassion or a kind word to him.
For Job, there seemed to be no end to the cruelty of the people who made his suffering even more painful and miserable: They push away my feet. . . . Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud. And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me (30:12-17). But, by far, the most troubling to Job was that it seemed that God did not care and was not hearing his prayers: I cry unto Thee, and Thou dost not hear me (30:20).
At such times our faith is put to the test, for we walk by faith (II Cor. 5:7) and are not dependent upon "the things that are seen" (Heb. 11:1). We are to trust the Lord and the promises of His Word. Faith does not originate with us but it is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8).
Job's three friends mistakenly judged his relationship to God, but he did not allow them to destroy his faith. As we consider Job, whom God declared the most perfect man on earth (Job 1:8), should we be surprised when we are falsely criticized? The most devoted Christian often suffers the worst indignities and humiliation from thoughtless, inconsiderate people — even from some who profess to be Christians.
So that we ourselves glory in (speak proudly of) you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations (afflictions) that ye endure: Which is a manifest (visible, evident) token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer (II Thess. 1:4-5).
Thought for Today:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution? . . . Nay, in all these things we are (can be) more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Rom. 8:35,37).
Christ Revealed:
Through the ridicule and affliction which Job suffered (Job 30:10-11). Christ was afflicted and spat upon. After Pilate delivered Jesus to the Roman soldiers, they flogged Him, hit Him with an open hand and spat on Him — and then they crucified Him (Mark 15:15-20; also Is. 50:6; 53:2-5; Matt. 27:26-31; John 18:22; 19:1-3).
Word Studies:
30:2 whereto =how; 30:4 mallows =plants of the salt marsh; 30:14 wide breaking in =wide break in the wall; 30:27 My bowels boiled =my heart is continually troubled; affliction prevented =every day brings more suffering; 31:10 grind unto =be a slave to; 31:40 cockle =thorny weeds; 32:19 belly =feeling in my heart.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Mike Moore • Government Officials: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (CA) and Rep. Adam Schiff (CA) • Country: Niger (10 million) in west-central Africa • Major languages: French and Hausa • Christian evangelism is limited • 89% Muslim; 10% animist; .4% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayers to the Lord as incense before God (Rev. 8:3-4).
Optional Reading: Ephesians 5
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 3:18