Job and Bildad converse – more cruel barbs directed Job’s way.
Job 17: Job Continues: Where Then Is My Hope?
1 "My spirit is broken; my days are extinct; the graveyard is ready for me.
2 Surely there are mockers about me, and my eye dwells on their provocation.
3 "Lay down a pledge for me with yourself; who is there who will put up security for me?
4 Since you have closed their hearts to understanding, therefore you will not let them triumph.
5 He who informs against his friends to get a share of their property--- the eyes of his children will fail.
6 "He has made me a byword of the peoples, and I am one before whom men spit.
7 My eye has grown dim from vexation, and all my members are like a shadow.
8 The upright are appalled at this, and the innocent stirs himself up against the godless.
9 Yet the righteous holds to his way, and he who has clean hands grows stronger and stronger.
10 But you, come on again, all of you, and I shall not find a wise man among you.
11 My days are past; my plans are broken off, the desires of my heart.
12 They make night into day: 'The light,' they say, 'is near to the darkness.'
13 If I hope for Sheol as my house, if I make my bed in darkness,
14 if I say to the pit, 'You are my father,' and to the worm, 'My mother,' or 'My sister,'
15 where then is my hope? Who will see my hope?
16 Will it go down to the bars of Sheol? Shall we descend together into the dust?"
Job 18: Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:
2 "How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and then we will speak.
3 Why are we counted as cattle? Why are we stupid in your sight?
4 You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for you, or the rock be removed out of its place?
5 "Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine.
6 The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp above him is put out.
7 His strong steps are shortened, and his own schemes throw him down.
8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks on its mesh.
9 A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare lays hold of him.
10 A rope is hidden for him in the ground, a trap for him in the path.
11 Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase him at his heels.
12 His strength is famished, and calamity is ready for his stumbling.
13 It consumes the parts of his skin; the firstborn of death consumes his limbs.
14 He is torn from the tent in which he trusted and is brought to the king of terrors.
15 In his tent dwells that which is none of his; sulfur is scattered over his habitation.
16 His roots dry up beneath, and his branches wither above.
17 His memory perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the street.
18 He is thrust from light into darkness, and driven out of the world.
19 He has no posterity or progeny among his people, and no survivor where he used to live.
20 They of the west are appalled at his day, and horror seizes them of the east.
21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, such is the place of him who knows not God."
Things to think about…
Job is broken. He says no-one will go as a pledge and be a guarantor for him Job 17:3. No-one will plead his case. Job says he is upright against them – the godless, but he is done. There is some intimation in Job 17:5 that Job’s friends may have been informing against him to get some of his property. People often see a victim and seize on an opportunity to benefit from their calamity. If true this adds to their evil counsel against Job. His strength fails, Job 17:6-8. It is never wrong to know when you are right and say it as such. It is not a spirit of pride when it is the truth and done with an integrity and humility before the Lord. Some will never hear the truth regardless. If people scorned a Man (Jesus) who was blameless and without sin (undefiled), how much more will be the case with His representatives.
Job says they keep coming at him relentlessly, Job 17:10 – yet there is no wisdom among them. I must confess arguing with people who are relentless in their pursuit without any grace or fruit of the Spirit. To be in that position is incredibly frustrating, draining and discouraging. In the end only God’s grace can change the heart to see the truth and apply it into their lives.
Job says if he dies “where then is my hope”, Job 17:15. The only hope in death as we know is only found in Christ. Job declares this to be true in tomorrow’s reading.
In Job 18:16-18 there are four critical verses that describe how Job is considered by Bildad “His roots dry up…his branches wither”, vs 16, “His memory perishes…he has no name”, vs 17 and “He is thrust from light”, vs 18 and “He has no posterity or progeny”, vs 19. Such a pointed barrage of assaults from a close friend can only be called abuse. Praise God our Lord says “I will never leave you, nor forsake you”, Deut 31:6; Heb 13:5. Our Saviour King sticks closer and is more faithful than any other relationship we have on the earth.
Consider the horror of Bildad’s counsel in Job 18. The cruellest barb is left to the end “such is the place of him who knows not God”. Wow! When people are so critical of other Christians to the point where they say ‘You are not saved’ mercy, grace, love and understanding end! May it never be so at CBC!
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 “Who needs enemies” Job 4.
1. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt that you didn’t have any friends. Jay shared being picked last in his “Continuous Cricket” example. Often these situations happen as we grow up, but not always. Discuss.
2. Some of the words directed towards Job by Eliphaz in Job 4 were true, but misapplied. Discuss some examples.
3. Job calls God his accuser, Job 9:13, and he cries out for an arbitrator between him and the Lord, Job 9:32, 33. Have you ever felt like the Lord was being unjust to you?
4. In Job 19:25 Job testifies that he knows his Redeemer lives and that He will one day stand on the earth. Paul says to Timothy ““For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” 1Tim 2:5,6. Discuss the meaning of this verse and how it has applied to you in the highs and lows of life.
5. Prayer and praise points below.
Prayer Points
1. Zac’s dad, Mark Torrington responding well to treatment. Lumber puncture not required. He is off oxygen and responding. Not out of woods. Pray against infection.
2.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 – “God’s got this” Job 19, 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 Rod, Molly, Riley, Dan. Sounded amazing.
3. Rin did a great job with visuals and streaming.
4. Young Life will be using our facilities on Friday afternoons. Zach Lipp heading this up. Contact Jay for more details.
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 20th Dec 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.
