In this chapter, Zophar continues talking to Job. Zophar asks Job, “Do you not know…that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment?” (Job 20:4). I imagine Zophar is using this as a direct attack on Job’s life. To Zophar, he believes that one’s works will determine their place in life. Since Zophar does not believe that Job was genuinely doing the will of the Lord, I imagine he wanted to tell Job that his worldly success was built on the foundation of evil and not serving God. From a practical standpoint, it is surprising that someone who claims to be a friend of Job would equate Job’s success in life to the “exulting of the wicked” (Job 20:4).
Job 21
In this chapter, Job refutes Zophar’s bold statements. …show more content…
In this short chapter, he explains how men cannot be righteous. Bildad writes, “How then can a moral be righteous before God? How can one born of a woman be pure?” (Job 25:4). This chapter aligns with the verse in Romans that states, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Bildad explains a point that contradicts the earlier accusations of Job not being right before God. Throughout previous chapters, Job’s friends claimed that his state was due to his wickedness towards God. However, here Bildad claims that no-one can be righteous before God. This logically leads to a conclusion that anyone could have justly experienced Job’s circumstances since no-one is fully righteous before a perfectly good and holy …show more content…
Reading this chapter reminded me of how quickly one’s circumstances can change. Most of Job’s former state involves people’s opinion of him. This shows how quickly people’s opinions can change. Reading this passage, I was reminded that God’s character does not change when people’s opinions change and when earthly circumstances change. God does not promise that life will be easy or that his children will be esteemed in the eyes of the world; God promises that he will be with those who love him. I think it is important for Christians to understand that God’s presence is not contingent on how one feels. I have heard the analogy of God’s presence being like the sun shining in the day. Throughout the day, the sun does not leave the sky, but if one goes into a building the rays of the sun might not be felt. God’s character is not contingent on how his children feel, and his children should trust his character and promises rather than potentially worldly
Job 21
In this chapter, Job refutes Zophar’s bold statements. …show more content…
In this short chapter, he explains how men cannot be righteous. Bildad writes, “How then can a moral be righteous before God? How can one born of a woman be pure?” (Job 25:4). This chapter aligns with the verse in Romans that states, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Bildad explains a point that contradicts the earlier accusations of Job not being right before God. Throughout previous chapters, Job’s friends claimed that his state was due to his wickedness towards God. However, here Bildad claims that no-one can be righteous before God. This logically leads to a conclusion that anyone could have justly experienced Job’s circumstances since no-one is fully righteous before a perfectly good and holy …show more content…
Reading this chapter reminded me of how quickly one’s circumstances can change. Most of Job’s former state involves people’s opinion of him. This shows how quickly people’s opinions can change. Reading this passage, I was reminded that God’s character does not change when people’s opinions change and when earthly circumstances change. God does not promise that life will be easy or that his children will be esteemed in the eyes of the world; God promises that he will be with those who love him. I think it is important for Christians to understand that God’s presence is not contingent on how one feels. I have heard the analogy of God’s presence being like the sun shining in the day. Throughout the day, the sun does not leave the sky, but if one goes into a building the rays of the sun might not be felt. God’s character is not contingent on how his children feel, and his children should trust his character and promises rather than potentially worldly