Read: Job 20:1-22:30; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 22:2-4
Today, Zophar speaks up defending him and his friends. He says he hears a rebuke that dishonors him and inspires him to reply. He explains how the life of the wicked is brief on the earth and only lasts a moment. He implies that this is Job’s plight and that his pride has brought him to this judgment. Job’s reply is to beg them to listen to him before they continue their mocking. He admits that he is terrified about what has happened to him but he argues that they can’t judge him by the outcome of his life because many wicked people live a very full and long life and don’t receive their judgment till they die. He continues that God is sovereign and who can figure him out or his ways.
Eliphaz takes his turn asking Job why he thinks he is so important to God. Is God rebuking him because of his righteousness? (Eliphaz almost got it!) Interestingly, no one has mentioned Satan in their speeches. Everyone believes in God…even atheists but few believe in a devil. All of Job’s friends say some great nuggets of truth, it is just not true about this situation.
Paul writes his second letter to the Corinthians. He speaks of the Father of compassion and the God of comfort. Times were very hard and persecution was rampant so Paul urged them to receive God’s comfort and then give it to those who needed it. Paul and his men had come close to death but God brought them through it. He wanted to comfort them with his story.
That is what life is all about. We lift each other up with our story of redemption. We are being saved everyday from some temptation, fear, sorrow, etc. We always have a reason to rejoice and help someone else.
Lord, thank you for the comfort of your words. Our Proverb says that humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life. That is true comfort! May we be bringers of comfort to others today.
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