Job 5

Scripture   “But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him.”

Job 5:8 NIV

 

Observation-What does it say?   Eliphaz the Temanite, Job’s friend, was trying to comfort his friend through his suffering, but failed miserably. In this chapter, the encouragement he was offering assumed a few things about Job’s situation:

1. Job did something wrong and God is correcting/disciplining him. (Verse 17)
2. Job’s faith is not strong enough. (Verse 8)
3. Blessing is associated with outward blessings, not inward renewal. (Verses 24-25)-Side note: Eliphaz needed to hear Pastor’s sermon on Sunday. 

Understanding-What does it mean?  There are times when the innocent must suffer, but for a greater purpose to bring God glory, not because they did something wrong or as a consequence of sin.

In Job’s case, God allowed Job to suffer because He trusted him to remain blameless and faithful through it all. The devil was trying to challenge God on His servant, but God was so confident in His servant, so he allowed him to suffer.

 

Life Application  

Don’t bring suffering upon yourself by disobeying God. It is better to suffer for doing good, than for doing evil. 

 

“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.” 1 Peter 3:13-14aFor it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:17    If you were to go through your life from the past to today, what would you attribute most of your suffering to? Sin or Innocence?  There are times where suffering is a direct result of sin. The Bible speaks on this. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden because they ate the fruit. King David and Bathsheba lost their son because of their affair and because David killed her husband. Moses didn’t get to see the promised land because he hit the rock for water, instead of speak to it like God commanded him to. Abraham had to banish his first born, Ishmael from his life. He was not conceived the right way, through his wife Sarah, as God promised and his descendants were not going to come through him.  The Bible also has countless examples of how the innocent must suffer, such as Job when he lost his home, possessions, family, health and even compassion/faith from wife and friends; Jesus when He was mocked, beaten, betrayed by closest friends, separated from the Father on our behalf; Jesus’ disciples when all, but John, were martyred for their faith; King David when he was surrounded by enemies (completely separate from the consequences of his sin); Joseph, when he was sold into slavery by his brothers because of their jealousy, etc. In all these situations, God was with these men (except for Jesus when He had to turn His face from Him on the cross due to our sin), and the purpose was to bring honor and glory to His name.

Dear Lord, when I stand face to face with you on judgment day, I pray that most of my suffering would be because I was innocent, not because I did something wrong against You. In all situations, You always turn things around for Your good, however, if I don’t have to suffer for doing bad, then why pursue that? Holy Spirit, I pray that You would guard my mind and heart for Your purposes alone. Amen.

 

-Michelle Gaddi