Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+005
CHAPTER 5 (ESV)
17 “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves;
therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.
18 For he wounds, but he binds up;
he shatters, but his hands heal.
19 He will deliver you from six troubles;
in seven no evil shall touch you.
20 In famine he will redeem you from death,
and in war from the power of the sword.
21 You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue,
and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh,
and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.
23 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field,
and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
24 You shall know that your tent is at peace,
and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
25 You shall know also that your offspring shall be many,
and your descendants as the grass of the earth.
26 You shall come to your grave in ripe old age,
like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
27 Behold, this we have searched out; it is true.
Hear, and know it for your good.”
REFLECTION:
There was some merit to Eliphaz’s saying: suffering could help us to be more mature. It was sound advice for people who were facing difficulties and loss. Job did not know the reason for his suffering therefore his faith to God needed an opportunity to grow. On the other hand, we should not make the same mistake as Eliphaz did. It does not mean that God will keep us away from any trouble when we follow Him closely. Similarly, good deeds does not guarantee reward of success. The power to reward the good and punish the bad was in God’s hands and He has his own arrangements. Satan’s work is to make us doubt the grace of God. Eliphaz’s saying could be sound advice but it was not applicable to Job’s situation. We knew from the beginning of the Book of Job that Job’s suffering was not because of his sin. From this it showed that even if we gave others sound advice, the advice would be useless or even harmful if it was not applicable to them. We should thoroughly understand people’s situation before we try to comfort them with God’s Word.
PRAYER:
God, please help me understand that I will still face difficulties and setbacks when I follow You. These are trials You give me to help my spiritual growth. I want to live out good deeds not to earn Your rewards, but so that people may see my good deeds and give glory to You.
HYMN:
I Will Rise – www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzBFv3Bzn3o
