Job Chapter seven
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Job's friends believe that God relates to human beings primarily in a royal or legal way: God rewards righteousness and punishes wrongdoing. Job steadfastly refuses to believe that he was either being rewarded or punished. How, then, does he conceive of his relationship with God?
When we read the book of Job, we are told about a deep relationship between a man and God. And not only a deep one but a special one and not many men could develop such a relationship in the Bible. This event could only make it stronger as God recognizes his faithfulness by rewarding him and it is the best recognition. I don’t how it is possible to argue it. Job is rewarded and he must pray God for his three companions who spoke badly.
When we read the book of Job, we are told about a deep relationship between a man and God. And not only a deep one but a special one and not many men could develop such a relationship in the Bible. This event could only make it stronger as God recognizes his faithfulness by rewarding him and it is the best recognition. I don’t how it is possible to argue it. Job is rewarded and he must pray God for his three companions who spoke badly.
https://www.olivetree.com/blog/big-questions-from-the-book-of-job/
Is it wrong to be angry with God?
No. The problem comes when legitimate feelings of anger are not handled correctly and lead to inappropriate bitterness and rebellion which sometimes accompany anger. The Bible realistically portrays the frustration and anger of God’s people when things go wrong or when they cannot understand why certain things happen. This was the reason for Job’s anger. Not only did he feel he was being treated unjustly by God, but he could get no explanation from Him.
Jonah’s anger over Nineveh’s repentance and the death of the shade-giving vine was inappropriate (Jonah 4). Twice the Lord questioned him, Have you any right to be angry? (Jonah 4:4, 9). The prophet Jeremiah grew angry with God because of his persecution and the lack of response to his preaching. But he went too far when he accused God of lying (Jer. 15:18). Immediately, God told him to repent and stop uttering foolish words (15:19).
Ultimately, that is where Job ended up. Though his suffering caused many questions and anguish, he went too far when he insisted that he had a right to an explanation. In the end, God spoke to Job and set him straight: God had the right to question Job, not the other way around (38:1–3). Job realized he had been arrogant and that his anger was unjustified. When confronted by the awesomeness of God, Job repented (42:6).
I disagree, it is wrong to be angry with God because what he does is always connected with a purpose. Of course, we may suffer because we live on this earth which is still dominated by the devil. Job’s case is a special one because he has a special relationship with God and the devil wanted to show he could destroy this special relationship meaning he could do the same with any human being. Of course, if the devil could take away every human being from God, he would be satisfied. I don’t think Job went too far or was arrogant. We may think so if we forget the special relationship he had with God: this is the CENTRAL POINT! Job just wants to discuss with God and he wants to explain himself! He repented because he understood there are things that human beings can’t understand!
Is it wrong to be angry with God?
No. The problem comes when legitimate feelings of anger are not handled correctly and lead to inappropriate bitterness and rebellion which sometimes accompany anger. The Bible realistically portrays the frustration and anger of God’s people when things go wrong or when they cannot understand why certain things happen. This was the reason for Job’s anger. Not only did he feel he was being treated unjustly by God, but he could get no explanation from Him.
Jonah’s anger over Nineveh’s repentance and the death of the shade-giving vine was inappropriate (Jonah 4). Twice the Lord questioned him, Have you any right to be angry? (Jonah 4:4, 9). The prophet Jeremiah grew angry with God because of his persecution and the lack of response to his preaching. But he went too far when he accused God of lying (Jer. 15:18). Immediately, God told him to repent and stop uttering foolish words (15:19).
Ultimately, that is where Job ended up. Though his suffering caused many questions and anguish, he went too far when he insisted that he had a right to an explanation. In the end, God spoke to Job and set him straight: God had the right to question Job, not the other way around (38:1–3). Job realized he had been arrogant and that his anger was unjustified. When confronted by the awesomeness of God, Job repented (42:6).
I disagree, it is wrong to be angry with God because what he does is always connected with a purpose. Of course, we may suffer because we live on this earth which is still dominated by the devil. Job’s case is a special one because he has a special relationship with God and the devil wanted to show he could destroy this special relationship meaning he could do the same with any human being. Of course, if the devil could take away every human being from God, he would be satisfied. I don’t think Job went too far or was arrogant. We may think so if we forget the special relationship he had with God: this is the CENTRAL POINT! Job just wants to discuss with God and he wants to explain himself! He repented because he understood there are things that human beings can’t understand!
https://www.kevinathompson.com/37-questions-answers-book-job/
7. What would have happened if Satan won the bet?
I’m not sure. Of course there was probably no chance of this happening since God said Job would be faithful. God would not be wrong.
If he could have destroyed Job’s faithfulness he could have done with any human being and the same with the angels. It is similar to discussing God’s authority on human beings while pushing Adam and Eve to go away from God and saying that human beings don’t need God as if they could direct their path by themselves and so the angels ! But the more we go ahead the more we see a world out of control without any pilot !
7. What would have happened if Satan won the bet?
I’m not sure. Of course there was probably no chance of this happening since God said Job would be faithful. God would not be wrong.
If he could have destroyed Job’s faithfulness he could have done with any human being and the same with the angels. It is similar to discussing God’s authority on human beings while pushing Adam and Eve to go away from God and saying that human beings don’t need God as if they could direct their path by themselves and so the angels ! But the more we go ahead the more we see a world out of control without any pilot !
Should there be a concern that this leads us to pursue a relationship with God only during suffering and then ignore him when things are good?
Coming to know God through suffering should result in us seeking him in times of ease. While human tendency is to ignore God when things are good, this is an illogical approach. The same God who controls our darkest days also controls our brightest days. This fact should cause us to seek him at all times.
He is the creator of the universe, there is no one like him in the universe, he is the source of knowledge that’s why we need to learn from him at all times and we we want to live in his kingdom we have to serve him all the time !
Coming to know God through suffering should result in us seeking him in times of ease. While human tendency is to ignore God when things are good, this is an illogical approach. The same God who controls our darkest days also controls our brightest days. This fact should cause us to seek him at all times.
He is the creator of the universe, there is no one like him in the universe, he is the source of knowledge that’s why we need to learn from him at all times and we we want to live in his kingdom we have to serve him all the time !
Is suffering necessary for proper perspective and appreciation of life?
I think so. It’s hard to know since suffering is a part of the human experience. We don’t know of life apart from suffering. However, we do know that it is in suffering in which God most often makes himself known.
Let’s think about physical pain : it is an alarm indicating something is wrong ! Now when something is wrong, we can just ignore it but then it comes back again and again and stronger till there is nothing to do and it is too late ! So suffering indicates that something must be done ! Are we still in peace with ourselves ? I don’t think so and we must react and do something !
I think so. It’s hard to know since suffering is a part of the human experience. We don’t know of life apart from suffering. However, we do know that it is in suffering in which God most often makes himself known.
Let’s think about physical pain : it is an alarm indicating something is wrong ! Now when something is wrong, we can just ignore it but then it comes back again and again and stronger till there is nothing to do and it is too late ! So suffering indicates that something must be done ! Are we still in peace with ourselves ? I don’t think so and we must react and do something !
Based on Job 1, does Satan have control over Mother Nature?
I don’t know. We do know from Job 1 that natural events were used to accomplish what Satan desired. To what extent Satan is allowed to use natural events is unknown.
We can be sure that human activity is responsible for many troubles on earth and will be responsible for more and it is increasing faster and faster ! That’s a reality ! The Bible tells us that God will get rid of those who destroy the earth !
I don’t know. We do know from Job 1 that natural events were used to accomplish what Satan desired. To what extent Satan is allowed to use natural events is unknown.
We can be sure that human activity is responsible for many troubles on earth and will be responsible for more and it is increasing faster and faster ! That’s a reality ! The Bible tells us that God will get rid of those who destroy the earth !
After repentance and forgiveness comes blessings.
In Job 42, Job made a burnt offering for his friends and prayed for them as God commanded Him to do. God accepted Job’s prayer for them and THEN Job’s fortunes were restored WHEN he prayed for his friends!
Isn’t this an interesting connection? Job forgave his friends BEFORE he knew how blessed he was about to become. It was Job’s prayer that released blessings!
In Job 42, Job made a burnt offering for his friends and prayed for them as God commanded Him to do. God accepted Job’s prayer for them and THEN Job’s fortunes were restored WHEN he prayed for his friends!
Isn’t this an interesting connection? Job forgave his friends BEFORE he knew how blessed he was about to become. It was Job’s prayer that released blessings!
“The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning.”
~Job 42:12
~Job 42:12
Thus we show that we really want to please God and that we really want to develop a good communication with him ! To communicate with someone means from both sides it is necessary to listen and to speak but if we don’t listen carefully how can we expect God to listen to us ! That’s why we need to read the Bible carefully and regularly and we need to think about deeply not superficially ! That’s why we need to be active readers and not just passive ones !
How We Die
10 # Short Commentary and Lesson from Job 14.1-14
There is a lot of talk today about "dying with dignity." It runs rampant among the courts, the talk shows, and the best-seller lists. Unless our death is sudden and unexpected, we will all face the moment when we realize that our life on earth is over. And most of us have a concern about "dying well."
Is there a secret to dying well? It truly is no secret because it was revealed long ago - for our dying hand to be in the grasp of the living Christ is the secret to dying well. Not the lack of pain, not the presence of family and friends, and not the compassion of a kind doctor. It is love of God that puts the fear of death in its place.
When we try to do our best to learn about God and to live according to his principles and to encourage people to get to know him and his word and do the same, our mind is full and our heart is full and dying is not a problem! Like Jesus says dying is like going to sleep till we wake up again!
10 # Short Commentary and Lesson from Job 14.1-14
There is a lot of talk today about "dying with dignity." It runs rampant among the courts, the talk shows, and the best-seller lists. Unless our death is sudden and unexpected, we will all face the moment when we realize that our life on earth is over. And most of us have a concern about "dying well."
Is there a secret to dying well? It truly is no secret because it was revealed long ago - for our dying hand to be in the grasp of the living Christ is the secret to dying well. Not the lack of pain, not the presence of family and friends, and not the compassion of a kind doctor. It is love of God that puts the fear of death in its place.
When we try to do our best to learn about God and to live according to his principles and to encourage people to get to know him and his word and do the same, our mind is full and our heart is full and dying is not a problem! Like Jesus says dying is like going to sleep till we wake up again!
https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/blog/three-lessons-from-the-book-of-job/
First lesson from the book of Job:
We don’t have all the answers
But when we read carefully the Bible, we can get to know many things. We can know what God really wants from us! And we know he has a purpose! We just have to prepare ourselves so when he replaces the actual human society, we will be accepted in his world and we can participate to make a paradise of the earth! God’s timing is always different from human timing!
First lesson from the book of Job:
We don’t have all the answers
But when we read carefully the Bible, we can get to know many things. We can know what God really wants from us! And we know he has a purpose! We just have to prepare ourselves so when he replaces the actual human society, we will be accepted in his world and we can participate to make a paradise of the earth! God’s timing is always different from human timing!
3. God’s Purpose in your Life will Always Stand
When people don’t believe in God they just live for themselves and try to please themselves! When people believe in God they may try to adapt their lives to God’s principles or according to what they know about them or according to a selection of them such as when you go to a restaurant and you choose what you want to eat from a menu! When people put God in the first place in their lives God’s purpose is always present in their minds and they not only live according to God’s principles but they prepare for the future and they don’t do like the Israelites when they went out of Egypt and they were a complete disaster and God wanted to eradicate them like rats! Only Moses was able to calm down God but they paid a high price because all died in the desert except the two spies who put their faith in God!
When people don’t believe in God they just live for themselves and try to please themselves! When people believe in God they may try to adapt their lives to God’s principles or according to what they know about them or according to a selection of them such as when you go to a restaurant and you choose what you want to eat from a menu! When people put God in the first place in their lives God’s purpose is always present in their minds and they not only live according to God’s principles but they prepare for the future and they don’t do like the Israelites when they went out of Egypt and they were a complete disaster and God wanted to eradicate them like rats! Only Moses was able to calm down God but they paid a high price because all died in the desert except the two spies who put their faith in God!
#6 - Sometimes you don't know, and you will never know why
Even though in the end God faced and spoke to Job, corrected him, forgave and restored him, He never revealed to Job the reason for his suffering! You don't always have to know the "why" in order to heal properly and to move on successfully. Job never found out why he suffered and yet he lived a happy and full life after this terrible episode in his life.
Heaven will not be for remembering or finding closure for earthly trials. Heaven will be for experiencing the awesome presence of God without the restrictions of sin and doubt. Knowing the why will not be needed when we will be glorified and exalted to the right hand of God with Jesus Christ.
« Living on the earth forever wouldn’t be bad either ! Human beings were created to live on earth but not like what it is today but it will be possible to turn the earth into a paradise as it is God’s purpose ! It is always possible to communicate with God and have a special relationship to him ! In the future it will be possible to build stronger relationships with God and work for him forever ! It’s just incredible to think about that when we think about what we live today in this contaminated world ! »
Even though in the end God faced and spoke to Job, corrected him, forgave and restored him, He never revealed to Job the reason for his suffering! You don't always have to know the "why" in order to heal properly and to move on successfully. Job never found out why he suffered and yet he lived a happy and full life after this terrible episode in his life.
Heaven will not be for remembering or finding closure for earthly trials. Heaven will be for experiencing the awesome presence of God without the restrictions of sin and doubt. Knowing the why will not be needed when we will be glorified and exalted to the right hand of God with Jesus Christ.
« Living on the earth forever wouldn’t be bad either ! Human beings were created to live on earth but not like what it is today but it will be possible to turn the earth into a paradise as it is God’s purpose ! It is always possible to communicate with God and have a special relationship to him ! In the future it will be possible to build stronger relationships with God and work for him forever ! It’s just incredible to think about that when we think about what we live today in this contaminated world ! »
Looking for Job
Job 6:
Reconsider, please – do not misjudge me -
Yes, reconsider, for my righteousness is yet intact,
- It is quite easy to misjudge probably mainly because of appearances or because of bad experiences or lack of experiences!
-The first word of this word is essential “Reconsider”!
- We may have or take the wrong approach or let influence but it better to recognize it and change it if or when necessary!
- Think about how you would react at the same situation at different ages of your life or even during the same day at different times of the day!
- Just thinking about reconsidering may change everything and sometimes your whole life!
- There are always different options!
- Of course, sometimes we need to hurry but even!
Job 6:
Reconsider, please – do not misjudge me -
Yes, reconsider, for my righteousness is yet intact,
- It is quite easy to misjudge probably mainly because of appearances or because of bad experiences or lack of experiences!
-The first word of this word is essential “Reconsider”!
- We may have or take the wrong approach or let influence but it better to recognize it and change it if or when necessary!
- Think about how you would react at the same situation at different ages of your life or even during the same day at different times of the day!
- Just thinking about reconsidering may change everything and sometimes your whole life!
- There are always different options!
- Of course, sometimes we need to hurry but even!
Looking for Job
Job 7:
What is mortal man that you should concern
yourself with him
And fix your attention on him?
Why do you inspect him every morning
And test him every moment?
Will you not look away from me
And leave me alone long enough to swallow
my saliva?
If I have sinned, how could I harm you, the Observer of mankind?
- That’s the first time that Job speaks about God!
- He knows that what has happened to him is abnormal!
- He sees a strategy against him!
- Everything is made to destroy him!
- He doesn’t know it is the devil so he thinks it’s God!
- That’s why he can’t understand!
- Moreover we don’t know how the relationship between God and Job works, we only know it is a very strong link!
- We can imagine that something is wrong as if it was cut, as if the link was cut!
- Imagine the relationship between God and Adam, they used to speak directly, how would Adam react if it disappears?
- Imagine all the faithful ones connected with God through visions or dreams and then nothing!
- How would they react?
Job 7:
What is mortal man that you should concern
yourself with him
And fix your attention on him?
Why do you inspect him every morning
And test him every moment?
Will you not look away from me
And leave me alone long enough to swallow
my saliva?
If I have sinned, how could I harm you, the Observer of mankind?
- That’s the first time that Job speaks about God!
- He knows that what has happened to him is abnormal!
- He sees a strategy against him!
- Everything is made to destroy him!
- He doesn’t know it is the devil so he thinks it’s God!
- That’s why he can’t understand!
- Moreover we don’t know how the relationship between God and Job works, we only know it is a very strong link!
- We can imagine that something is wrong as if it was cut, as if the link was cut!
- Imagine the relationship between God and Adam, they used to speak directly, how would Adam react if it disappears?
- Imagine all the faithful ones connected with God through visions or dreams and then nothing!
- How would they react?
Job 10:1 My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
Notice the words “my soul” (twice), “my life,” and “my complaint.” Job’s soul was weary of, or loathed, his life. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul informed us that Christians are of a dual nature: the new man and the old man. The new man is in the vessel of the old man. Stated another way, the new creature has a monkey on his back. Although Job did not realize the duality in quite the same way that Christians do, he felt the conflict. He was making a distinction between his soul and his life—his experience in the flesh. He was weary of the experience he was having in the flesh, which was taking him downhill. One perspective of Job’s saying, “I will leave my complaint upon myself,” was that he felt like giving up. The NIV is closer to the thought: “Therefore I will give free [loose] rein to my complaint.” When a rider wants his horse to gallop, he loosens and flaps both reins. Job would now do what he feared to do a little while ago. He would give free rein about his present situation.
Job 10:2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; show me wherefore thou contendest with me.
It is hard to see from the written statement that Job’s mood was beginning to change. He was softening under his experience and getting into a tender mode. Unfortunately, the various translations do not bring out the tenderness. “I will say unto Eloha”—not only to God in the singular (instead of Elohim) but to God in an “Abba, Father” mode. Job was appealing to God as 73 a Father but almost in a feminine gender. About 60 years ago, Brother Kirkwood gave a talk entitled “The Mother Love of God.” Certainly God is complete just as, on a much lower scale, Adam was complete and had a fullness before Eve was taken from him. The Heavenly Father has these traits, and even the Apostle Paul got in that mode when he yearned for those he had been privileged to bring into the truth, likening them to a fetus in the womb.
Under the crucible experience, Job was becoming a little more tenderized, and he was appealing to God something like Moses did. When God said to Moses, “Step aside and let me wipe out the Israelites,” Moses interceded and reasoned, “Oh no, do not do that. If you destroy the Israelites, people will say that you brought them out of Egypt but were not able to bring them into the Land of Promise.” Moses and Job were very unusual personages.
Job 10:3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
Knowing what is coming in this chapter, we would like to word verse 3 a little differently: “Is it good for thee that thou shouldest crush me, that thou shouldest disregard [me] the work of thine hands, and shine [with favor] upon the counsel of the wrong?” The word “wicked” is a little too strong. In the New Testament, the term “the wicked” sometimes means “the lawless,” a lesser degree, and here Job was talking about the counsel of his comforters. He was not saying that they were wicked persons but that they were giving wrong counsel, bad advice. When Job’s comments are softened, another perspective is given; namely, he was beginning to emerge from the crucible as a different person.
Job 10:4 Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth? (5) Are thy days as the days of man? are thy years as man’s days, (6) That thou inquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin? The answer to the rhetorical questions of verses 4-6 is, “Of course not.” Similarly, Paul asked, “Should we sin so that the grace of God may abound?” (Rom. 6:1 paraphrase). (7) Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand. (8) Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.(9) Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?
The wording in verses 7-9 is tender, as some other translations bring out. Job was talking about the skill with which the Heavenly Father made man and the delicate operation of bringing all the functional parts together in such a marvelous fashion. It was like David’s asking, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psa. 8:4). To a certain extent, David and Job glorified even the physical creation that God had made.
Job was trying to reason with God but not in a combative mood. “There is none [and Job included himself] that can deliver out of thine hand. Thine hands have shaped me and knit me together like a garment. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as clay, and to dust wilt thou again bring me?” Job was pleading, and his sense of judgment was beginning to set in that there was some reason for his experience. His faith was groping for a handle on the matter. He was getting closer and closer to a realization but was not satisfied yet. He felt that 74 he was innocent and that God knew of his innocence.
Job 10:10 Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? (11) Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.
Job was talking about his own bodily appearance and shameful experience. He felt as if he had been poured out like milk and curdled like cheese; that is, he felt exposed. Some commentators give a very technical explanation about the body itself and how wondrously man is made, but Job was talking about himself, as some ensuing verses will verify.
Imagine seeing Job as he was speaking. We should keep in mind that he had not eaten any food for seven days, and now he was speaking for the second time. Since he had a disease, his skin was probably wrinkled, and his sinews showed. Depending on the circumstance, someone who is starving may have either a swollen belly or the opposite. In this case, Job was apparently skin and bones. When a person loses a lot of weight, the skin takes on a rather strange appearance. And Job’s skin was darkened somewhat (Job 30:30). Therefore, in verses 10 and 11, he was recognizing his deplorable state.
Notice the words “my soul” (twice), “my life,” and “my complaint.” Job’s soul was weary of, or loathed, his life. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul informed us that Christians are of a dual nature: the new man and the old man. The new man is in the vessel of the old man. Stated another way, the new creature has a monkey on his back. Although Job did not realize the duality in quite the same way that Christians do, he felt the conflict. He was making a distinction between his soul and his life—his experience in the flesh. He was weary of the experience he was having in the flesh, which was taking him downhill. One perspective of Job’s saying, “I will leave my complaint upon myself,” was that he felt like giving up. The NIV is closer to the thought: “Therefore I will give free [loose] rein to my complaint.” When a rider wants his horse to gallop, he loosens and flaps both reins. Job would now do what he feared to do a little while ago. He would give free rein about his present situation.
Job 10:2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; show me wherefore thou contendest with me.
It is hard to see from the written statement that Job’s mood was beginning to change. He was softening under his experience and getting into a tender mode. Unfortunately, the various translations do not bring out the tenderness. “I will say unto Eloha”—not only to God in the singular (instead of Elohim) but to God in an “Abba, Father” mode. Job was appealing to God as 73 a Father but almost in a feminine gender. About 60 years ago, Brother Kirkwood gave a talk entitled “The Mother Love of God.” Certainly God is complete just as, on a much lower scale, Adam was complete and had a fullness before Eve was taken from him. The Heavenly Father has these traits, and even the Apostle Paul got in that mode when he yearned for those he had been privileged to bring into the truth, likening them to a fetus in the womb.
Under the crucible experience, Job was becoming a little more tenderized, and he was appealing to God something like Moses did. When God said to Moses, “Step aside and let me wipe out the Israelites,” Moses interceded and reasoned, “Oh no, do not do that. If you destroy the Israelites, people will say that you brought them out of Egypt but were not able to bring them into the Land of Promise.” Moses and Job were very unusual personages.
Job 10:3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
Knowing what is coming in this chapter, we would like to word verse 3 a little differently: “Is it good for thee that thou shouldest crush me, that thou shouldest disregard [me] the work of thine hands, and shine [with favor] upon the counsel of the wrong?” The word “wicked” is a little too strong. In the New Testament, the term “the wicked” sometimes means “the lawless,” a lesser degree, and here Job was talking about the counsel of his comforters. He was not saying that they were wicked persons but that they were giving wrong counsel, bad advice. When Job’s comments are softened, another perspective is given; namely, he was beginning to emerge from the crucible as a different person.
Job 10:4 Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth? (5) Are thy days as the days of man? are thy years as man’s days, (6) That thou inquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin? The answer to the rhetorical questions of verses 4-6 is, “Of course not.” Similarly, Paul asked, “Should we sin so that the grace of God may abound?” (Rom. 6:1 paraphrase). (7) Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand. (8) Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.(9) Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?
The wording in verses 7-9 is tender, as some other translations bring out. Job was talking about the skill with which the Heavenly Father made man and the delicate operation of bringing all the functional parts together in such a marvelous fashion. It was like David’s asking, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psa. 8:4). To a certain extent, David and Job glorified even the physical creation that God had made.
Job was trying to reason with God but not in a combative mood. “There is none [and Job included himself] that can deliver out of thine hand. Thine hands have shaped me and knit me together like a garment. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as clay, and to dust wilt thou again bring me?” Job was pleading, and his sense of judgment was beginning to set in that there was some reason for his experience. His faith was groping for a handle on the matter. He was getting closer and closer to a realization but was not satisfied yet. He felt that 74 he was innocent and that God knew of his innocence.
Job 10:10 Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? (11) Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.
Job was talking about his own bodily appearance and shameful experience. He felt as if he had been poured out like milk and curdled like cheese; that is, he felt exposed. Some commentators give a very technical explanation about the body itself and how wondrously man is made, but Job was talking about himself, as some ensuing verses will verify.
Imagine seeing Job as he was speaking. We should keep in mind that he had not eaten any food for seven days, and now he was speaking for the second time. Since he had a disease, his skin was probably wrinkled, and his sinews showed. Depending on the circumstance, someone who is starving may have either a swollen belly or the opposite. In this case, Job was apparently skin and bones. When a person loses a lot of weight, the skin takes on a rather strange appearance. And Job’s skin was darkened somewhat (Job 30:30). Therefore, in verses 10 and 11, he was recognizing his deplorable state.
Thanks for the text: I have read it and I will have to read it again and again to think about it and speak about! First, I like the part speaking about Moses and Job when it says they were very unusual personages, I would say incredible characters, or unbelievable characters! They tell us so much about what is faithfulness! Just incredible! Such a strong relationship!
I also like the part telling that “Job was trying to reason with God but not in a combative mood”. In fact, it tells us what a strong relationship with God is, something like freedom of speech and the ability to express oneself without the feeling that one is going to be judged!
I also like the part telling about Job not having eaten for seven days combined to his disease and how he looked like! We can also think about his weakness because of that and yet he had a fighting spirit! Impressive!
I also like the part telling that “Job was trying to reason with God but not in a combative mood”. In fact, it tells us what a strong relationship with God is, something like freedom of speech and the ability to express oneself without the feeling that one is going to be judged!
I also like the part telling about Job not having eaten for seven days combined to his disease and how he looked like! We can also think about his weakness because of that and yet he had a fighting spirit! Impressive!
Looking for Job
Job 9:
He passes by me, and I cannot see him;
He moves past me, but I do not discern him.
- God’s creation tells about god himself!
- We don’t understand his creation: that’s one thing!
- But God himself: no way, he is unbelievable!
- We can only approach his nature through his creation looking down!
Job 9:
He passes by me, and I cannot see him;
He moves past me, but I do not discern him.
- God’s creation tells about god himself!
- We don’t understand his creation: that’s one thing!
- But God himself: no way, he is unbelievable!
- We can only approach his nature through his creation looking down!
Looking for Job
Job 10:
“I loathe my life.
I will give vent to my complaints.
I will speak out in my bitter distress!
- On the one hand, Job “loathe” his life, he can’t bear being away from God!
- On the other hand, the only thing left to him is to “vent” his complaints!
- That’s what makes his strength in spite of his condition!
- He wants to speak to God about his own feelings and open his hearts to him as he has always done it!
- That’s the only thing he gets!
- And nobody can take it from him!
Job 10:
“I loathe my life.
I will give vent to my complaints.
I will speak out in my bitter distress!
- On the one hand, Job “loathe” his life, he can’t bear being away from God!
- On the other hand, the only thing left to him is to “vent” his complaints!
- That’s what makes his strength in spite of his condition!
- He wants to speak to God about his own feelings and open his hearts to him as he has always done it!
- That’s the only thing he gets!
- And nobody can take it from him!
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