Now begins the back and forth dialogue between Job and his friends. Much of it unhealthy. Communication while it must have truth, must also have grace. Job’s counsellors miss this second attribute.
Job 5:
1 "Call now; is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?
2 Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple.
3 I have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his dwelling.
4 His children are far from safety; they are crushed in the gate, and there is no one to deliver them.
5 The hungry eat his harvest, and he takes it even out of thorns, and the thirsty pant after his wealth.
6 For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground,
7 but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.
8 "As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause,
9 who does great things and unsearchable, marvellous things without number:
10 he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields;
11 he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.
14 They meet with darkness in the daytime and grope at noonday as in the night.
15 But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth and from the hand of the mighty.
16 So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts her mouth.
17 "Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.
18 For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal.
19 He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you.
20 In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword.
21 You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.
23 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
24 You shall know that your tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
25 You shall know also that your offspring shall be many, and your descendants as the grass of the earth.
26 You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
27 Behold, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good."
Job 6: Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 "Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass, or the ox low over his fodder?
6 Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?
7 My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me.
8 "Oh that I might have my request, and that God would fulfill my hope,
9 that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
10 This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?
13 Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me?
14 "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away,
16 which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.
17 When they melt, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18 The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope.
20 They are ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are disappointed.
21 For you have now become nothing; you see my calamity and are afraid.
22 Have I said, 'Make me a gift'? Or, 'From your wealth offer a bribe for me'?
23 Or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless'?
24 "Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.
25 How forceful are upright words! But what does reproof from you reprove?
26 Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind?
27 You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.
28 "But now, be pleased to look at me, for I will not lie to your face.
29 Please turn; let no injustice be done. Turn now; my vindication is at stake.
30 Is there any injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?
Things to think about…
Eliphaz’s tirade continues against Job. He calls him a fool, Job 5:2 and his children were far from safety, vs 4 – “crushed at the gate, none to deliver them”. Can you imagine how this counsel would have felt for a man crushed himself with the recent loss of his children. It was through with the house collapsing in on them, the logic is - surely God wanted them dead. Eliphaz’s logic is that Job must have not been morally upright before the Lord. Understanding how people are feeling when they are under such grief I am sure is a gift from God. Sadly very few possess this gift. May it not be so with us.
Self-righteous justification is the salt in the wound. Eliphaz says if he were in Job’s position he would “seek God, and to God would I commit my cause..”, vs 8. Job by God’s testimony was “there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil”, Job 1:8. If God had declared him such, surely Eliphaz was ignorant, even wicked in his counsel. We are made righteous through Christ. Let’s act with that identity.
Eliphaz speaks some marvellous truth in Job 5:15-27. But the sad truth is that it is all misapplied with respect to Job. As a result, such words were cruel.
Job acknowledges the arrows of pain have ultimately come from the Lord, Job 6:4. But we know Satan was the one who sent the disasters. Is Job correct in saying they came from the Lord? In an ultimate sense we have to say yes. But as we know, just because he ordains the use of evil, does not mean He is the author of evil. Jesus calls Satan “the father (patros) of lies”, John 8:44. As such I don’t think it’s a stretch to say he is the father of evil as well.
Job then gives Eliphaz (and the others) advice, Job 6:15ff. He says “my brothers are treacherous…”. This was a true statement. They lacked empathy, grace and understanding in the face of immense grief and loss. As such their self-righteous counsel is cruel. May it not be named among us. It would have been better if Job’s friends had remained silent for another seven days than offer their clouds of comfort without the rain of restoration. Job then adds “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”, Job 6:14. We know that Job’s friends would need to be restored to the Lord for their misguided counsel.
Job says their counsel is unjust to one who has lost everything and has nothing. As such he says of them “You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend”, Job 6:27. He is saying they would even take as a slave the fatherless or a friend should they have the opportunity, such is their pitiless counsel. Paul exhorts us to “weep with those who weep”, Rom 12:15. May we have the grace and discernment to do so when the situation calls for it.
Vision Point for Cell groups
CBC's Vision "To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission".
Cell group questions from Sunday morning’s sermon “Done decently and in order” Ex 37.
1. We see much rebellion to God’s order in the world. The BLM movement and riots in America. We have also experienced the same in Australia. These 2 countries were established with the gospel. The ancient Israelites were no different in setting up the gold calf even though they were the Lord’s people and had experienced such a mighty deliverance from God’s hand from Egypt. Discuss.
2. The ancient Israelis were restricted morally through the ordered structure and worship with the tabernacle and it’s furnishings. Jay said on Sunday that you cannot legislate morality. Do you agree?
3. The Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand and the Altar of Incense all have spiritual significance and are in some way reflected in the ministry of Christ, or the church or Christians. Discuss how this is so and what the original furnishings were used for.
4. The cry of the world is for the freedom to do what it wants when it wants. But perfect freedom is found in Christ, John 8:32. How is this so and how is it maintained through the spiritual disciplines? Discuss what some of these are.
5. Christians can only be effective in the Great Commission if they have a good understanding of Christ and His word. Pray for each other that you grow in your knowing of the scriptures and are given the grace and boldness to share your faith. Pray for the things listed in the prayer points.
Prayer Points
1. Zac’s dad, Mark Torrington still in a Coma. Pray as he undergoes a lumber puncture operation and his subsequent recovery. Pray for recovery and more time with family.
2. Gary and Christine said goodbye to their sister/sister in law Diane to a long battle with cancer. Pray for Diane’s husband, Evan that his heart softens to Christ.
3. Pray for those who are struggling with health issues in the church.
4. People who have visited the church that they settle in.
4. Others who are struggling in their commitment to Christ and relationship strain/choices.
5. Sunday’s messages. The message this week – “Who needs enemies” Job 3-10, Jay.
7. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
8. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times.
Praise Points.
1. More visitors on Sunday.
2. Our worship team on Sunday – thanks Dan, Suzanne, Zac and Jean.
3. Molly and Katelyn did a great job with visuals and streaming.
4. Young Life will be using our facilities on Friday afternoons. Zach Lipp heading this up.
5. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
6. Praise God for all those who serve at CBC. Thanks again to Helen, Angelo, Catherine, Yuki, Doug, Maddison and many others who go about making CBC an amazing place to worship.
Announcements
1. Carols Sun 20thDec 6pm. Start with a meal. Carols to start after the meal around 7pm.
2. AGM – 16th November after the morning service. Open for all.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Kids Church activity sheets provided – either in the house or church.
