PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Job 3-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” (Job 4:8)
All scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) but not every word is God’s word.
The bible includes words from Satan, as well as limited human perspectives.
God speaks through these stories and perspectives to point us to Jesus.
In this passage Job’s friend Eliphaz tells Job he gets what he deserved.
Even Paul mentions reaping what we sow (Galatians 6:7)…
I’ve heard Christians use this ‘truth’ as well, but is it God’s truth?
In this case, Eliphaz is wrong; and God does not approve of what he says.
But more than that, in Jesus we discover how we do NOT get what we deserve.
As we read Job, we need to be careful not to take it as gospel truth.
As we will see, God is in charge, not the law of ‘karma’.
I see Jesus as the key or filter for reading the bible (Matthew 5:38-39).
This is why I spend most of my time in the gospels, to soak myself in Jesus.
What might Jesus say to Job, and what could he be saying to us through Job?
Thankfully, because of Jesus, we do NOT reap what we sow (or we’d be in trouble).
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for the deep, deep truth of grace which sets us free from the law of sin and death. Help me to stay centered in your truth as I read the bible.
Lord I am not innocent and yet you have not let me perish! Help me change for the better every day and reveal the things that I have missed!
“Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?” I know not one of us is perfect – fully righteous on our own before Jesus. Yet there are biblical heros of faith – Enoch – Noah – Job – Abraham and the prophets – they did not perish – and we do not perish – not because we are so upright or innocent – but because of Jesus – and yes – he is the innocent one that suffered a criminal’s death on the cross – and the people thought he was destroyed – but not so. I too will lose my earthly life – but I won’t perish – because of Jesus. Job’s friends didn’t know that the answer is yes in Jesus.
The words of Eliphaz are not words of comfort for he basically says that Job must have done something wrong to deserve all the pain/agony. Job was a person of integrity living before the Lord. God is in control and He is with His own as He was with Job. Christ is with His people – Emmanuel. And in Him I see His handiwork and power and saving grace each day and in that power I continue my journey, living for Him.
Lead me oh lord, won’t you lead me
I am tired and I need thy strength and power
To guide me over my darkest hour
For just open my eyes that I may see
Lead me oh lord, won’t you lead me