“And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. ” Matthew 15:33-37 ESV Sometimes…
“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.” Job 38:1-3 As Elihu was speaking to Job in Chapter 37, a thunderstorm arose, and when the storm was over, God spoke out of the splendor of the sky. Job had challenged God to speak and now he is taken at his word. God asked Job a series of questions, instructing him like a child in how man was unable to understand God’s ways, and reminding him of God’s loving care for him. During his time of suffering, the Lord had not forgotten him. After listening to all God had to say, Job humbly admits in Job 40:4-5 “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. “Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.” It seems as if God saw that Job was still trusting in himself, verse seven, “Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto…
“If only someone would listen to me! Look, I will sign my name to my defense. Let the Almighty answer me. Let my accuser write out the charges against me.” Job 31:35 NLT It appears that at this point Job realizes that someone must have gone to God and accused him of sinning. As we read the book now, we know that this is true. Satan did ask God for permission to try Job and prove he was the man that God thought he was. In Chapter 31, Job looks back over his life and lists all the good things that he had done, all the ways that he had lived to please God and to bless others. He had treated his servants and employees well and had shown benevolence to the poor and needy. He had walked in integrity and purity. He then throws out a challenge that if these claims were not true, he would be punished. Verse 22 “Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.” He appeals to God and asks for a reply. Then ends his arguments with these words “The words of Job are ended.”…
“Then Job answered and said, Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.” Job 23:1-6 In this chapter we see Job admitting that his complaints seemed rebellious, but can we blame him after…
“Then Job answered and said, I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.” Job 16:1-5 We know from the way the Lord described him in the opening chapter of the book that Job was a man of integrity, and perfect in all his ways. Yet these men who came to visit him were sure that God was chastising him for sins he had committed and if he would just repent the Lord would forgive him and make everything right. In Chapter 22, they accused him of taking away the clothing of the poor, forbidding food to the hungry, and refusing to help the widows and orphans. Oxford Dictionary defines a friend as a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection. It is someone willing to listen to us, and although they may not…
“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” Psalm 33:18-22. My Scripture reading this week has been in the Book of Job. How depressing this book would be if we did not know how the story ends. It is hard to imagine anyone facing all the troubles that Job did in such a brief time. We know now that God was allowing Satan to test Job, but God did not reveal this to Job, and we can understand how discouraged and frustrated he must have felt. Three of his friends came to visit him, and for seven days and nights, they just sat on the ground saying nothing. Can you imagine this scene? What must have been going through their minds? Then Job broke the silence and cursed the day that he had been born. “What I always…