In Job 8, we have the first speech of Bildad. Its theme
is very straightforward. Sin leads to suffering (Job 8:4). Obedience
leads to prosperity (Job 8:5-7). This teaching is presented in a
heavy-handed way. In Job 8:20, we have an attack on Job’s character:
“Certainly, God does not reject a person of integrity or give a helping
hand to wicked people.” When this statement is applied to Job, it has
the effect of saying to him, “You’re not a person of integrity. You’re a
wicked person.” There’s a problem with Bildad’s words. He doesn’t
recognize that there is an eternal perspective within which the divine
judgment is set. Here, on earth, the wicked may be prospering, but the
time of judgment will come. It may not be in this world, but it will
come, in God’s final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Here, on earth, the
righteous may suffer much, but their suffering will not be forever. The
day of salvation will come. There will be “a great reward in heaven!”
(Matthew 5:10-12). Our suffering is “for a little while now”, but it
will not last forever: “Your faith is more precious than gold, and by
passing the test, it gives praise, glory and honour to God. This will
happen when Jesus Christ appears again” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Featured post
The Lord has sent His Spirit of power to live in us.
We read about Elijah in his high-points of strength - the triumph over the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:36-39) - and his low-points of ...
-
More of these Bible readings notes can be found at God's Word For Every Day . Matthew 4:12-17 Having overcome His enemy, Jesus b...
-
In true ministry, there is both the Word of God and the Spirit of God. God’s Word is spoken to us in the power of the Spirit, so that we ...
-
We already know about Judas - what He was planning to do. Of the other eleven disciples, Peter wasn't the only one who failed the Lord ...
No comments:
Post a Comment