Read 260.) Job 25:1-31:40. Chapter 25 is just 6 verses. Bildad didn't get to say much, nor did he improve on his, or any of the other's, previous remarks. All that he said was true, but he did so in such a manner as to put Job down again for justifying himself as he had done. This was also a truth, but this was no time to be getting into all of that, and Job was in need of that comfort and encouragement that truly loving friends can bring… and these have not.
Chapters 26 thru 31 is all Job! For the next 6 chapters Job is going to reply! The first 4 verses are dripping with sarcasm! Many have marveled at the scientific accuracy of verse 7. See that? Who knew such things that long ago? Chapter 27 continues Job's discourse. And what is it that Job says here? Is he not speaking much like his friends have? Is he not also espousing a kind of theology or philosophy that says a person gets his justice in this life while he yet lives? Isn't that the very argument his friends had been using against him to explain why he had come to such a complete and utter ruin? It looks the same to me. Will chapter 28 make any better sense? For the first 11 verses he speaks of that which pertains to mining and securing natural resources from out of the earth. He's going somewhere with this, because it was a metaphor to illustrate what it takes to derive wisdom and understanding. He goes on to relate how that because of its value, the picture of mining resources is a poor one. Wisdom is of so much greater value than any of those things. The chapter ends on a true gem, the one that Solomon also stated: "The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding." He is so right; so it is!
On to chapters 29, 30 and 31. 29:4 is a thing of beauty. How we should all experience this! Job rightly described his life before all his ruin. He was a chief and a prince among men. But chapter 30 relates what had most recently befallen him. And see his words of verse 20. This is that very thing, going back to 5:8 and 8:5 that we have not read of. He says he has cried out to God, but we have not seen that! All that we have read so far has only been between Job and his 3 friends! And when he mentions God, he maligns Him! So we come to chapter 31. Verse 1 is a keeper. It aligns with that last verse of chapter 28. The remainder of the chapter, from verse 5 to the end is Job's self-justification. It may all be entirely true, but it is not for a man to say of himself. It is to be said of him by others. Silence would have been the better course of wisdom. We are not through. Another friend arrives, Elihu by name. If these last 6 chapters were all Job, so the next 6 entire chapters will be all this fellow, Elihu. Will he be any better? Will wisdom, understanding, comfort and encouragement come from his mouth? It's what the Book is all about!
ForeverKingdom,
Harold F Crowell
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