"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
I don't know who first said it, and extremely glad I'm not going there! No matter how inconsistent I may be! I'd made notes while reading through Job and thought I'll post...later. Now that I'm done with the book. :-D
I'll at least try to be sequential with my review.
Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
I made a note - he's (Satan) not idle. We know that right? Satan is mentioned 14 times in the book of Job!
Satan - H7854 - From H7853; an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) Satan, the arch enemy of good.
- H7853 - A primitive root; to attack, (figuratively) accuse.
We know he's the accuser of the brethren...right? Do we also remember he masquerades as an angel of light? Quotes scripture?
1Pe_5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
2Co_11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co_2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
G4567 - Of Chaldee origin corresponding to G4566 (with the definite article affixed); the accuser, that is, the devil.
Eph_6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Jas_4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
It is imperative beloved of the Lord that we be diligent, on guard, ready warriors against the wiles of the enemy and accuser of the brethren...nor that we be used as a flaming arrow in thought, word or deed.
My next note was about Job's wife and her apparent distress over the loss of her children, their livlihood and what must have appeared to her, the impending death of her husband.
Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
Some take a negative view of her little faith - yet, how many of us would or could withstand such an onslaught and not be distraught? Careful how thou judges! (Yes we are to judge - another post for another time!). Job rebukes and covers his wife:
Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Yet, at a certain juncture he's cursing the day of his birth - it is extremely difficult sometimes to look at how someone else is handling adversity and think ill of how they are standing (or falling) in the trial. Perhaps our best mode would be more prayer and fasting for them and the situation?
I can see this post might get lengthy...my next note is in chapter 5.
Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Which reminded me of this passage:
Heb_12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
My Bible cross referenced:
Psa 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
I thought I had more notes, especially as I remember cross referencing some of the 'admonishments' given by Job's three friends...they actually said some Biblical stuff...but obviously not with the right heart motive. Which makes me wonder, how often has something been said which 'lined up Biblically' yet wasn't what God REALLY wanted said at the moment? How much do we reflect the spirit of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar versus Elihu? Whom did God say Job needed to make a sacrifice?
Job 31:33 If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:
That's saying a lot isn't it? Before conversion and even now don't we sometimes do the same thing as Adam? Can we say ouch?
Speaking of Elihu:
Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
I was curious about his family linage - and got off on a rabbit trail. I perused several sites and found things to like and question on several. I especially liked this one from the Biblical Evangelist:
"He understood what God was doing (36:4). Job thought God was pouring His wrath out upon him, and his friends presumed God was punishing some sin in Job’s life. Elihu, on the other hand, suggested to Job that the Lord was simply trying to teach some important truths to him in a very special way (33:14). He proposed to Job the three ways God speaks to us: through dreams and visions, through pain and suffering, and through messengers or intermediaries (33:14-28). He told Job that God’s purpose was disciplinary, not punitive (36:5-10), and God was perfecting Job through his affliction (36:15)."
Liked this comment from Quill and Nail:
" A quick note is that it is possible to confront someone in a way that is not helpful to them, and that this doesn’t serve God."
Some interesting 'discussions' on Bible Hermeneutics Stack Exchange. NOTE: I browse many sites, some I agree with and some I don't, sometimes both! I particularly am NOT a fan of John Piper (mentioned or compared in one article). Be diligent when reading any site or article or blog - be a Berean!
The next note...maybe I should break this into parts? LOL!
Job 32:22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
Which made me think of all the titles and alphabet soup man gives and demands as a sign of accomplishment - even in the 'visible' church. Thinking specifically of the hierarchy within the Roman Catholic (false) Church...pope, bishops, etc.
God doesn't want us to elevate ourselves, rather to glorify Him, regardless of the situations, circumstances or people in our lives. Is it difficult yet, can we rise above it by ourselves, no. Does He give us grace to endure while He's heating the 'hell' out of us? Yes.
How encouraging (or discouraging) are we to friends, family, co-workers, strangers even with our counsel or advice? Are we speaking His words in HIS timing? Lord help us to be more like Elihu, giving You glory and honor. Speaking not in our time, but in Yours. Help us Lord to lovingly admonish one another in ways that bring glory to You and draw others nearer and more intimate with You.
1Pe_5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
2Co_11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co_2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
G4567 - Of Chaldee origin corresponding to G4566 (with the definite article affixed); the accuser, that is, the devil.
- G4566 - Of Hebrew origin [H7854]; Satan, that is, the devil.
Eph_6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Jas_4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
It is imperative beloved of the Lord that we be diligent, on guard, ready warriors against the wiles of the enemy and accuser of the brethren...nor that we be used as a flaming arrow in thought, word or deed.
My next note was about Job's wife and her apparent distress over the loss of her children, their livlihood and what must have appeared to her, the impending death of her husband.
Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
Some take a negative view of her little faith - yet, how many of us would or could withstand such an onslaught and not be distraught? Careful how thou judges! (Yes we are to judge - another post for another time!). Job rebukes and covers his wife:
Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Yet, at a certain juncture he's cursing the day of his birth - it is extremely difficult sometimes to look at how someone else is handling adversity and think ill of how they are standing (or falling) in the trial. Perhaps our best mode would be more prayer and fasting for them and the situation?
I can see this post might get lengthy...my next note is in chapter 5.
Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Which reminded me of this passage:
Heb_12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
My Bible cross referenced:
Psa 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
I thought I had more notes, especially as I remember cross referencing some of the 'admonishments' given by Job's three friends...they actually said some Biblical stuff...but obviously not with the right heart motive. Which makes me wonder, how often has something been said which 'lined up Biblically' yet wasn't what God REALLY wanted said at the moment? How much do we reflect the spirit of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar versus Elihu? Whom did God say Job needed to make a sacrifice?
Job 31:33 If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:
That's saying a lot isn't it? Before conversion and even now don't we sometimes do the same thing as Adam? Can we say ouch?
Speaking of Elihu:
Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
I was curious about his family linage - and got off on a rabbit trail. I perused several sites and found things to like and question on several. I especially liked this one from the Biblical Evangelist:
"He understood what God was doing (36:4). Job thought God was pouring His wrath out upon him, and his friends presumed God was punishing some sin in Job’s life. Elihu, on the other hand, suggested to Job that the Lord was simply trying to teach some important truths to him in a very special way (33:14). He proposed to Job the three ways God speaks to us: through dreams and visions, through pain and suffering, and through messengers or intermediaries (33:14-28). He told Job that God’s purpose was disciplinary, not punitive (36:5-10), and God was perfecting Job through his affliction (36:15)."
Liked this comment from Quill and Nail:
" A quick note is that it is possible to confront someone in a way that is not helpful to them, and that this doesn’t serve God."
Some interesting 'discussions' on Bible Hermeneutics Stack Exchange. NOTE: I browse many sites, some I agree with and some I don't, sometimes both! I particularly am NOT a fan of John Piper (mentioned or compared in one article). Be diligent when reading any site or article or blog - be a Berean!
The next note...maybe I should break this into parts? LOL!
Job 32:22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
Which made me think of all the titles and alphabet soup man gives and demands as a sign of accomplishment - even in the 'visible' church. Thinking specifically of the hierarchy within the Roman Catholic (false) Church...pope, bishops, etc.
God doesn't want us to elevate ourselves, rather to glorify Him, regardless of the situations, circumstances or people in our lives. Is it difficult yet, can we rise above it by ourselves, no. Does He give us grace to endure while He's heating the 'hell' out of us? Yes.
How encouraging (or discouraging) are we to friends, family, co-workers, strangers even with our counsel or advice? Are we speaking His words in HIS timing? Lord help us to be more like Elihu, giving You glory and honor. Speaking not in our time, but in Yours. Help us Lord to lovingly admonish one another in ways that bring glory to You and draw others nearer and more intimate with You.
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