Jan 11: Job 29-31

Jan 11, Job 29-31

Chapter 29. Job begins by reminiscing about the good old days. Part of the reason that they were so good - because it seemed that God was with his entire household. This was not a prosperity reflection - i.e. he had it good so it was good. No, he is reflecting on the fact of his closeness with God that made it so good. But the truth is, he was wealthy as well. And because of Job’s wealth, it added to his ability to give and that made him happy, and his life complete. Job was obviously honored by man for his wisdom, influence, and money. I like how again, Job speaks with irony, in referring to comforters and how his friends were not. Prior to this whole debacle - Job used to be a comforter to others.

Chapter 30. Good feelings (Job 29) gone, Job is back to reality. The reminiscence is over and now Job looks at what the present situation is and lament is the keyword starting with ‘But now’… He is no longer honored, he is oppressed, and his hope is becoming incredibly dismal. Job revisits some of his grief and still senses that he is unanswered from God. But Job also takes a side turn and realizes in verse 11, that Job has indeed been humbled in all that he had recently gone through. Job is crying for help again. At least he is still turning to God.

Chapter 31 is Job’s final appeal. He starts off (in verse 1) with a covenant that he has made, that I believe every man (and woman) should make if they are serious about their faith - no wimps allowed! “I have made a covenant with my eyes to not look lustfully at a woman.” This is a personal commitment that Job has made and he is reminding himself and us about what it was (I personally have also made this commitment before my God and my family, and it is on my wall in my house because it is in my heart). Job continues on explaining that he is living a life of wisdom and that his heart is for the Lord as his list of ‘ifs’ reflect his choices and obedience to God as choosing wisely. One last time, Job begs for an audience with God to have an answer for his offenses.

To sum it all up:

• Decide what you are going to stand for and do it. Job stood for God, and even when everything was taken away, he still knew what he believed. Job stood for sexual morality, and reaffirmed that in Job 31. What are you standing for? Another old saying is that you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything… So, what are you standing for? In other words - are you standing for the truths of God or your own truths that suit your circumstances?
• Our culture is going to agree more with the philosophy of Job’s good old days and will encourage us to strive for that. Not for the closeness to God, but Job’s wealth and happiness, regardless of how he got it. Culture will also push that Job 31 isn't necessary for your happiness. Well, I don't think we should be more concerned with our happiness over God’s satisfaction with out lives. Take a stand like Job did. Desire to have intimacy and unity with God. Flee from sexual immorality on all occasions. Make God proud of you, so much that He will be bragging about you and say, “Have you considered my servant _______, lately?”