Job displays some hope in his situation one day being relieved, but still has many questions regarding life after death.
Job 13: Job Continues: Still I Will Hope in God
1 "Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.
4 As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.
5 Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!
6 Hear now my argument and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him?
8 Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God?
9 Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?
10 He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality.
11 Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you?
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defences are defences of clay.
13 "Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.
14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand?
15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.
16 This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.
17 Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears.
18 Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right.
19 Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.
20 Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face:
21 withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me.
22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.
23 How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?
25 Will you frighten a driven leaf and pursue dry chaff?
26 For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks and watch all my paths; you set a limit for the soles of my feet.
28 Man wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
Job 14: Job Continues: Death Comes Soon to All
1 "Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.
2 He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not.
3 And do you open your eyes on such a one and bring me into judgment with you?
4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one.
5 Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass,
6 look away from him and leave him alone, that he may enjoy, like a hired hand, his day.
7 "For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease.
8 Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil,
9 yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant.
10 But a man dies and is laid low; man breathes his last, and where is he?
11 As waters fail from a lake and a river wastes away and dries up,
12 so a man lies down and rises not again; till the heavens are no more he will not awake or be roused out of his sleep.
13 Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath be past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!
14 If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal should come.
15 You would call, and I would answer you; you would long for the work of your hands.
16 For then you would number my steps; you would not keep watch over my sin;
17 my transgression would be sealed up in a bag, and you would cover over my iniquity.
18 "But the mountain falls and crumbles away, and the rock is removed from its place;
19 the waters wear away the stones; the torrents wash away the soil of the earth; so you destroy the hope of man.
20 You prevail forever against him, and he passes; you change his countenance, and send him away.
21 His sons come to honour, and he does not know it; they are brought low, and he perceives it not.
22 He feels only the pain of his own body, and he mourns only for himself."
Things to think about…
Job finally says it. I need to have my case dealt with directly by God, Job 13:3. He says of his counsellors that they are ‘whitewashed’ and ‘worthless physicians’. Even a fool is considered wise if he opens not his mouth, Prov 17:28. They should have remained silent even after the seven days.
In yesterday’s reading we mentioned that Job’s counsellors were precursors to the Pharisees. In Job 13:4 we see Job telling them “you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all”. Jesus of course called the Pharisees “blind guides”, Mt 23:16 and “white-washed tombs”, Mt 23:27. Just because someone has a high position in society or the church does not make them worthy of imitating. Some are there because of tradition or promotion through carnal means. May we have open accountability in the church regardless of who is in leadership.
The first ray of light dawns for Job “Though he slay me, I will hope in him”, Job13:15. This is the point we all need to understand, that whatever our lot is – it is well with our souls. In our God there is hope. Hallelujah! This verse points to the future ministry of Christ and in many ways Job is a type of Christ with his suffering and final blessing. Our hope is in Jesus and no other.
Job is not unaware of his sin or without a conscience. He says, “God you make me inherit the iniquities of my youth”, Job 13:26. We all have sin and a great amount of it from our youth generally. As such we all need forgiveness and grace that only comes from the Father, through the Son, via the cross.
Jobs statement is simple yet profound in Job 14:1 “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.” This is echoed by James in James 4:14 that life is like a vapour, here and then gone. As such may we number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom, Ps 90:12, before the Lord.
Job knows that his present suffering will pass. He asks in Job 14:14 “If a man dies, shall he live again?” There is more in his statement. He trusts and believes that one day he will be restored, Job 14:14 “All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal should come.” This is the hope of all believers who are secure in Christ.
Job understands we are here for a short season, Job 14:1,2 and that we all are unclean, vs 4 and our days are determined, vs 5. Job goes on to say a chopped tree may sprout again, but what hope is there for man in death, vss 7-11. Job asks if he will live even after death, vs 14. He says when God marks against sin there is no hope, vss 16, 17. Praise God we know our hope comes from the resurrection of Christ and that we live in Him.
What happens to us in the throws of death and just after? It seems Job has some insight in Job 14:20-22. Even though mourners come around a death bed, the one who is in the bed is consumed by his pain and not those at the bed. But this may allude to even after death. Those without Christ face a horrible eternity. Like the rich man described by Jesus in Luke 16:19-31, it says he was in anguish in the flame, Luke 16:24. This is not allegory in my understanding. Man is destined to does once and face judgement. May we share and show the light of Christ and boldly proclaim his gospel of salvation.
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 – “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 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 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.
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4. Kids Church activity sheets provided – either in the house or church.
