In this chapter, Eliphaz reminds Job of God’s promises. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “You may cry for help, but no one listens. You may turn to the angels, but they give you no help. Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple. From my experience, I know that fools who turn from God may be successful for the moment, but then comes sudden disaster. Their children are abandoned far from help, with no one to defend them. Their harvests are stolen, and their wealth satisfies the thirst of many others, not themselves! But evil does not spring from the soil, and trouble does not sprout from the earth. People are born for trouble as predictably as sparks fly upward from a fire.
“My advice to you is this: Go to God and present your case to him. For he does great works too marvelous to understand. He performs miracles without number. He gives rain for the earth. He sends water for the fields. He gives prosperity to the poor and humble, and he takes sufferers to safety. He frustrates the plans of the crafty, so their efforts will not succeed. He catches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness, so that their cunning schemes are thwarted. They grope in the daylight as though they were blind; they see no better in the daytime than at night. He rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong. He saves them from the clutches of the powerful. And so at last the poor have hope, and the fangs of the wicked are broken. (Yes, Lord!)
“But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the chastening of the Almighty when you sin. For though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal. (Wow! This is so true! God, you are amazing, and like we discipline our children, you discipline us with love. However, in Job's defense, Eliphaz is assuming that Job has sinned, but he has not.) He will rescue you again and again so that no evil can touch you. He will save you from death in time of famine, from the power of the sword in time of war. You will be safe from slander and will have no fear of destruction when it comes. You will laugh at destruction and famine; wild animals will not terrify you. You will be at peace with the stones of the field, and its wild animals will be at peace with you. You will know that your home is kept safe. When you visit your pastures, nothing will be missing. Your children will be many; your descendants will be as plentiful as grass! You will live to a good old age. You will not be harvested until the proper time!
“We have found from experience that all this is true. Listen to my counsel, and apply it to yourself.” (Job 5)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us stand firm on your Word, and the promises you have made to us. As Eliphaz has indicated, your Word is true! Help us embrace, apply, and live by your Word each and every day. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
コメント