Day 8 | Job 17-20
Job 17: Job’s Final Plea to Friends / A Witness in Heaven
Job’s emotional appeal to his friends before ultimately turning his focus entirely to God.
Job 17 Highlights:
1. Job’s spirit faints (v. 1). We see a description of an inner collapse. He feels his vitality slipping away amid his suffering.
2. Job sets his eyes on God and appeals for a witness and a pledge (v. 3). At this point, Job looks beyond the cold comfort of his friends. He focuses on God. He requests divine witness to his innocence. This request echoes Job 16:19-21, from yesterday’s reading. Job seeks a pledge of protection.
3. Job acknowledges that his friends have been mocking him and that they seem to take pleasure in his calamity (v. 5). He notes that their scorn, so far, has worsened his pain.
4. Job contrasts the expected outcome of his righteous journey with that of the wicked (v. 9-16)
5. Job ends the chapter with a rhetorical question: Amidst his sleepless nights does hope remain for him?
Job 17 Summary:
Job highlights his expected strengthening in righteousness even amid his suffering. He points out his friends’ flaws and how they mirror the wickedness they accuse him of. Job’s lament in this chapter marks a transition. He shifts from appealing to his friends. Now, he trusts solely in God’s witness and vindication.
Job 18: Bildad’s Scathing Response
Bildad harshly responds to Job, intensifying accusations and ominous warnings
1. Bildad scornfully dismisses Job’s reasoning and implores him to be more sensible (v. 2-3).
2. Bildad describes the life of wicked persons as fleeting as candles which are soon snuffed out (v. 5-6). He continues to imply that Job’s suffering signifies that he is wicked.
3. Bildad describes the trap of self-destruction for the wicked much like entanglement in a hunter’s trap (v. 7-10). Here, Bildad is painting a vivid picture of evil devouring itself, insinuating that Job is caught in his sinful trap.
4. Bildad asserts that the terrors of disease and despair are bound to surround the wicked (v. 11-14).
5. Bildad concludes that in the end, the wicked are forgotten, like roots that wither and branches that are torn (v. 15-17). Bildad is asserting here that since Job is wicked, his legacy will crumble and be erased from memory.
Job 18 Summary
Bildad accuses Job of hidden wickedness and utters ominous warnings of darkness and destruction that will unfold because of it.
Job 19: Job’s Defiant Response – Redemption Amidst Ruin
Job’s powerful rebuttal to Bildad, affirms hope in God’s redemption.
Job 19 Highlights:
1. Job cries out against his friends’ relentless attacks, declaring that they are piercing his soul (v. 2-3). He implores his friends to cease accusing him as their words cut him deeper than his physical suffering.
2. Job asserts confidence in his ultimate vindication (v. 5-6).
3. Job acknowledges God’s hand in his suffering (v. 7-12).
4. Job expresses feelings of abandonment by close friends, family, and servants (v. 13-19). Job feels isolated amid his suffering.
5. Job cries out for pity from God! (v. 20-22). Job is appealing directly to God’s compassion as he seeks redemption and healing.
6. Job utters a powerful and prophetic declaration: “ I know that my Redeemer lives…” (v.25). Job is affirming his unwavering trust in God. He believes that God will vindicate and resurrect him (v. 25-27).
Job 19 Summary:
Job’s robust response in this chapter embodies his defiance against false accusation. It shows his trust in God’s redemption amidst suffering. Additionally, he holds hope in vindication and resurrection.
Job 20: Zophar’s Final Rebuke – Swift Destruction for Wicked
Zophar’s last harsh words to Job paint vivid pictures of the punishment reserved for the wicked.
Job 20 Highlights:
1. Zophar describes the short-lived joy for wicked persons and how brief is their delight before destruction strikes (v. 4-11).
2. Zophar compares wickedness to poisonous food which once consumed, destroys from within (v. 12-19).
4. Zophar asserts that God’s treasure of outpoured wrath awaits all wicked persons (v. 20-29).
5. Zophar affirms God’s judgment on wickedness. He is implying that Job is facing the consequences of hidden evil (v. 29).
Job 20 Summary:
Zophar’s final rebuke intensifies accusations of Job’s secret wickedness. It provides vivid descriptions of impending divine wrath. The rebuke dismisses Job’s innocence as self-deception.
Day 8 | Devotional
Holding fast to the hope of redemption amidst suffering and unjust accusations
When unjust accusations cut to the core, the story of Job resonates profoundly. His journey is a poignant reminder of how friends can misjudge our journey in times of suffering. Job cried out in his despair. He felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. He experienced profound isolation (Job 17). Even in his darkest moments, he held onto a glimmer of hope. He believed in God’s redemptive power. He had faith that his innocence would ultimately be acknowledged (Job 19:25-27).
In moments of suffering, accusations may assail. Inner doubts may arise. Through it all, we can hold onto Job’s testament! God witnesses our innocence and we can trust in His redemption. Isolation, though painful, fades in the light of His divine presence. You are not alone! Our Redeemer lives and He will resurrect our hope and restore our spirit.
Prayer
Lord, amid the darkness of suffering and the sting of misplaced accusations, anchor me in Your redeeming love, Amen.
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