Tag: Devotions

Reflections on Job 22-24

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Eliphaz continues to insist that Job needs to return to the Lord.  Job still wants to present his case to God.

  • Treasure – Eliphaz calls for Job to make God his treasure – to delight in God (22:25-26). Job later says he treasures God’s words (23:12).  What is your treasure?  Do you treasure God?  How does that show in your life?  Do you treasure his words?  How does that show in your life?
  • Poor – Both Eliphaz and Job speak of how the rich oppress the poor. Eliphaz notes it as an accusation against Job – a reason he may be suffering.  Job says that God often doesn’t punish oppressors, sometimes they prosper in this life.  Regardless of how God may deal with each oppressor in this life, are you oppressing the poor in any way?  How can you help those with less than you?

Reflections on Job 18-21

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Bildad and Zophar continue the theme that the wicked are judged and perish.  Job retorts that often the wicked prosper.  Meanwhile he has been alienated from everyone because of his suffering.

  • Redeemer – In the midst of his speech decrying his alienation from everyone, he proclaims that his Redeemer lives – and one day Job will see him. In your suffering, will you remember your Redeemer?  Do you look forward to seeing him?
  • Retribution – Job’s friends believe that wickedness brings suffering; therefore Job must be wicked because he is suffering. While this is often true, Job points out that the wicked do not always suffer in this life.  And it is clear from the first chapters that even righteous people like Job can suffer in this life.  There are many reasons people suffer.  We cannot be like Job’s friends and judge people because of their suffering.

Reflections on Job 15-17

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Eliphaz continues to argue that wickedness leads to suffering.  Job speaks of his suffering and a lack of hope in death.  Note:

  • Weeping – Job’s face is red with weeping (16:16), and his friends have proven to be miserable comforters (16:2). When have you wept?  Who has comforted you?  How did they do it?  How might your experience help you comfort others?
  • Hope – Job finds no hope in his death, for he seeks God’s restoration to show his innocence. While Job found no hope in death, what hope do you have in death because of Christ?  Where do you seek hope in your trials?

Reflections on Job 11-14

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Zophar bluntly tells Job that he is guilty and needs to repent.  Job responds by saying that God reigns over all and brings death to all.  Consider:

  • God holds life – God holds the life of all in his hand (12:10). He has numbered our days (14:5).  We exist by his power and will.  Let us flee proud thoughts of our own sufficiency, and let us humble ourselves before our Creator.
  • God’s wisdom – God has wisdom, counsel, and understanding, and he has might to carry out his wise plans (12:13). In the midst of trials, will we trust his wisdom instead of leaning on our own understanding?

Reflections on Job 8-10

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Bildad argues that sin leads to suffering, and so Job must repent.  Job again claims his innocence, wondering who can contend against God.  He feels as if God is contending against him.  Observe:

  • Great God – Job wonders how he can contend with God, going on to describe God’s greatness in his control over creation. Wander outside and ponder God’s great power over creation.
  • Mediator – Job longs for a mediator between God and himself (9:33). Jesus came to be that mediator (I Timothy 2:5) through whom we can approach God.

Reflections on Job 4-7

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Eliphaz argues that Job must have sinned and is being disciplined by God.  Job should accept the discipline (acknowledging his sin) so that he might be restored.  Job denies that he has sinned, continuing to struggle with questions, and wishing God would let him die.

  • “Can mortal man be in the right before God?” – This question in 4:17 has three contexts to consider. In the context of Job, Job is indeed upright before God in a general sense.  He is suffering for his righteousness, not his sin.  In the context of all of Scripture – we cannot on our own be perfectly right before God – we all sin.  But in the context of the cross, our sins are forgiven so we can be perfectly right before God.  May we strive to be upright before God in the general sense in response to the cross!
  • God’s greatness – God does great, unsearchable, marvelous things (5:9). Where have you seen God’s great work in your life?  Praise him!

Reflections on Job 1-3

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Job is an upright man who feared God.  God allows Satan to bring suffering upon him.  Note Job’s response:

  • Trust/Submission – Job begins by showing an incredible trust in God – accepting both blessing and suffering. He worships God, submitting his life to him.  In what situations do you need to trust God and submit your life to him?
  • Questions – And yet, in his pain Job struggles with questions of why. He even wishes he wasn’t born!  Job is a real person struggling with his suffering.  Have you ever struggled like this?  How might that trust and submission Job showed earlier help in the midst of questions?

Reflections on Song of Solomon 5-8

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Today’s passage speaks of love within marriage.

  • Delight in one another – These chapters speak clearly of the couple’s delight in one another. Why is this important in marriage?  If you are married, in what ways do you delight in your spouse?
  • Strength of love – Real love is strong; it cannot be quenched (8:6-7). Real love endures.  How is this truth an important complement to the book’s focus on love as a desire for one another?  If you are married, how do you need to apply both romance and endurance to your marriage?

Reflections on Song of Solomon 1-4

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Song of Solomon begins with a time of courtship leading ultimately to the wedding in chapter 4.

  • Awakening romantic love – Twice, we are called not to awaken love (the feelings and desires of romance) before it is time (2:7, 3:5). Why is this teaching more helpful than just “don’t do it”?  How might this teaching have helped you in the past?  If you are single, how might this teaching help you now?  Practically, what does living this out mean for you?
  • Wedding – The husband comes to the wedding (3:6-11). He is enraptured with his bride (4:1-15).  Following the wedding, the marriage is consummated (4:16-5:1).  What truths does this passage speak to our culture?  The church?  You?

Reflections on Ecclesiastes 10-12

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

The writer continues to share wisdom, finally coming to his conclusion.

  • Remember your Creator – We are to remember our Creator (12:1). We ought to enjoy the good days that God gives us, and live in the reverent fear of God who will judge us (11:9).  If we begin this in our youth, it will help us later when days are tough.  Are you living each day remembering your Creator?  In what ways?
  • Fear God and keep his commands – What is life all about? Apart from God, all is vanity (12:8).  The conclusion is to fear God and keep his commands (12:13).  Live your life in reference to God.  In what ways are you doing this?  This is the path of wisdom and satisfaction.