JOB’S REBUKE
Today, the Lord God led me to His Word, spoken in Job:
“Then Job replied: “Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you! But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?” Job 12:1-3 NIV
Dear child, I have a special relationship with all Christ-followers. I want me children to turn my Holy Word, the Sacred Scriptures. Not to man’s wisdom, which is wholly lacking.
THE BACK STORY
Job, a righteous man is suffering intense hardship (loss all family, health, and property), despite unwavering faith in God. In this passage, Job responds to friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who have been offering their interpretations of why Job is suffering. Their main assertion is that Job must have done something wrong to deserve his hardship, a viewpoint that represents a overly simplistic understanding of God’s justice.
QUESTION THOSE WHO TEACH GOD’S WORD
Job’s reply is sharp and sarcastic. He implies that his friends think they are the only ones with wisdom, as if their understanding of God’s ways is comprehensive and beyond questioning. His words, “Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you!” is a direct jab at their presumption and arrogance.
Many who teach God’s word have similar pride and arrogance, when they presume they know what God is doing in your life. Go direct to the source: God himself. If you can’t discern what God is telling you, spend more time listening to Him.
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1 NIV. I want my people to come directly to me, the source of all knowledge and wisdom. Come to me daily. I will give you the Bread of Life.
QUESTION YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING OF THE “WHY” OF GOD’S HAND
Job asserts his own understanding and wisdom. “But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you.” Job is stressing that he is their equal, not less than them, and capable of the same thought and discernment. He is rejecting their notion that they are somehow superior or have more insight into his condition or God’s ways.
Friends, God’s ways are not our ways. Not only should you question those who presume to know God’s will for you, and the reason things are happening to you, question your own understanding as well.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV. Worship Christ Jesus alone. Then, all these things shall be given to you.
WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE DON’T KNOW
When Job says, “Who does not know all these things?”, he is expressing the universality of their observations and suggesting their words are common knowledge, not unique wisdom. Job implies that they are not telling him anything new or helpful in understanding his situation.
These verses provide a view into Job’s resilience and intelligence, and his refusal to simply accept his friends’ simplistic understanding of God’s justice and human suffering. It shows Job’s struggle not just with his hardship, but also with the misguided comforts of his friends.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV. Some day my child, you shall know all, even as I now know all. For now, trust me, and my Holy Spirit that lives inside of you. Learn to listen to me, directly, and I will guide you every step of the way through this life, and to with me in Eternity.
BEWARE OF FRIENDS
While friends, colleagues, and even the seemingly Godliest ministry leaders may claim to understand God’s intentions, plans, and direction for your life, it’s essential to approach these assertions with caution. Rather than solely relying on secondhand interpretations, make it a priority to seek divine wisdom directly. Engage with God, the ultimate source of knowledge and wisdom, to gain a more profound, personal understanding of your life’s path.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV. This is your anthem. Make this your way you follow me. You will not be disappointed and have great love, joy, and peace. Mine.
CONCLUSION
In the face of suffering and life’s intricate mysteries, the book of Job offers timeless wisdom. It invites us not to simply accept the understanding of others, not even those who teach God’s word. Neither are we to take our own comprehension of God’s actions at face value. Instead, we are reminded to question, to dig deeper, to engage directly with the Divine source of all knowledge and wisdom, seeking guidance through sincere prayer, reflection, and active listening.
Through the story of Job, we understand that human insight, no matter how well-intended, has its limitations. The declarations of Job’s friends, their explanations and justifications, may sound familiar in our own lives. We may even recognize ourselves in them, offering comfort, advice, or even judgement from our limited understanding. This should serve as a caution for us.
The counsel and wisdom of others, while well-meaning, can often fall short of God’s divine wisdom. The narrative of Job inspires humility, reminding us of the profound truth in Isaiah 55:8-9, that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours.
In the midst of trials and tribulations, we are invited to embody the resilience of Job, seeking our own relationship with God, turning to His Word for divine understanding and wisdom. As echoed in Proverbs 3:5-6, let us trust in the Lord with all our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding, but submitting to His guidance.
By doing so, we don’t discard the wisdom of others or our own discernment, but we position them in their rightful place, acknowledging that they are reflections of a greater truth. Like Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 13:12, we currently see a reflection as in a mirror, but one day, we shall see face to face. Until then, we continue to walk by faith, trusting in the infinite wisdom of God, who lovingly guides us in our journey towards full understanding and union with Him.
Let Job’s story serve as an enduring reminder of our journey as Christ-followers – a journey that encourages inquiry, seeks divine wisdom, and places unwavering trust in the Lord. As we navigate our own hardships and blessings, may we continually seek the face of God, listening for His voice, discerning His will, and finding comfort in His eternal promise of love, joy, and peace.
Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M.
God is my Judge
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent conversation with God blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English (Spanish is coming soon). If you ever want to chat, reach out at Daniel@SOLIDpastors.org. My Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily Conversations with God.
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