Chronological Reading Plan for Jan 8

Today's readings are Job 17-20. Tomorrow's are Job 21-23. 

Most of us are familair with the popular worship song, "I Know My Redeemer Lives". Did you know the lyrics were based on Job 19:25, an Old Testament passage? What's going on here? Christ, the redeemer will not show up for another 12 centuries or so!

Job's trials have driven him further into the depths of despair. As he slowly begins to turn to God for his answers, we see glimmers of hope rising up in Job. He is not yet, as we will see, ready to accept his situation and be happy with it. But, at least at this point, he has a level of trust in God that, one day, he will be redeemed. His confidence is founded in a heart that longs to please and trust in God, even if it doesn't understand all that is happening and is somewhat confused.

We see the titanic inner struggle Job is experiencing in his complaints in ch 17 coupled with his frustration in the beginning of ch 19. They are contrasted with the hope we hear at the end of ch 19. Sandwiched in between are the comments of Bildad, who has now joined Eliphaz and Zophar in accusing Job of outright sin in Job 18. Job has already accused his friends of being miserable counselors (Job 16:2). Even as we watch Job slowly turn to God and away from his friends, we can see their frustration and anger with Job growing.  

Zophar, in ch 20, now openly confesses the he is insulted by Job's comments and demeanor. Along with the accusation of Job's insults, Zophar begins to levy his own insults against Job.

Job is insisting on his innocence, pleading for God to show him why he is being unjustly treated, even as he proclaims trust in Him. His friends are getting more and more angry at him. Accusations are beginning to fly. 

We have to pause for a moment and ask if this ever occurs in our own lives. Are we ever Job's comforters, getting frustrated with the apparent sins of our close friends and loved ones? Are we ever Job, believing God has a purpose but getting frustrated becasue God is not allaying our sufferings or answering our prayers? Is Job justified in his impatience? Is it possible that God is still teaching Job and being far more patient with Job than Job is being with God?

As we continue, note Job's developing attitude and the hearts of his friends. Keep in mind, we haven't heard from God since ch 2. Yet, it is God who has set all these events in motion by pointing Job out to Satan, then giving Satan explicit instructions as to what may or may not be done with Job. 

While Job laments and expresses his frustration, his friends continue down their paths of false accusation. Meanwhile, as we will see, God is still on His throne, still watching, still in sovereign control. Job may not have the evidence he's looking for yet. But he will. 

So, how does Job speak of a redemption that will not come for two nearly millennia? Somewhere, deep inside Job is the echo of faith that led him to walk as a blameless and upright man, a faith that endures, in spite of unimaginable suffering, a faith that is a faint shadow of the one that will suffer and sacrifice once for all. Job's faith is imperfect. But he trusts that God will, one day, provide the perfection Job so desperately needs. God will, in His only Son, Jesus Christ.