Job
chapter 25 essentially consists of a single question from
Bildad the Shuhite. This is the last comment from Job’s three
friends. He asks again, “How
then can a man be righteous before God?“.
I think this is a question many have asked. Some have asked it in
despair. Others have asked it with a desire to be made clean.
Bildad asked it with a gleeful condemnation of Job.
I am reminded of the reaction to Jesus on the cross In Luke 23. The
crowd mocked Him, the soldiers tormented Him, and one of the thieves
crucified with Him hurled insults. But the other criminal desired
mercy. He said, “Don’t
you fear God… We are punished justly, for we are getting what our
deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember
me“.
Jesus heard that man and answered him, “I
tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise“.
How do you react to the cross of Christ?
Job
chapter 26 begins his lengthy reply to Bildad with sarcastic insults.
“How
you have helped the powerless! How you have lifted the arm that is
feeble!”
Job again points out his friends failure. With these few words Job
questions their Lack of action, lack of compassion, lack of
understanding and lack of empathy. Job is basically saying you
can’t possibly understand my situation.
I believe that one of the reasons God allows us to go through
difficulties; it gives us the ability to help others. One of the
greatest experiences we can have is being part of a group that
ministers to someone in need. Inevitably this is lead by someone
that has been there and can anticipate the needs. Job understands
that God is bigger than His creation, but He is near enough that
“Before
a word is on my tongue You know it completely”
(Psalm 139:4).
Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Jesus was born into humanity to
demonstrate He can understand your situation.
“For
we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without
sin“.
The
chapter closes with Job describing the greatness of God. “He
spreads out the northern skies over empty space… He wraps up the
waters in His clouds… He marks out the horizon on the face of the
waters… By his power He churned up the sea“.
Job
describes
the goodness of God “By
His breath the skies became fair; His hand pierced the gliding
serpent“.
And yet Job acknowledges he cannot comprehend every aspect of God,
“these
are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear
of Him!“.
Job ends with a question of his own. “Who
then can understand the thunder of His power?”
I believe that God desires for us to pause periodically to hear His
voice. Remember the prophet Elijah was scared and felt completely
alone. God revealed Himself to Elijah, not in the great wind, nor
the earthquake, nor the fire, but in a “still
small voice”
(1 Kings 19:12). The noise of our lives can prevent us from hearing
God. Don’t forget to find time to be still and spend quiet time in
His Word.