FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES

Sam AwedaTuesday, October 16, 2012
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USA

ANNOUNCE THIS ARTICLE
TO YOUR FRIENDS

WHY DOES THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER? (17):
CLOUD OF WITNESSES (7) JOB

Continued from Part 16


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t is the turn of Job today, in continuation of our excursion of Bible characters who have experienced trials and temptations in their life time. The aim is to learn from their courage, patience and endurance in their moment of difficulties.

Job: He was considered righteous, not by man, but by the Almighty Himself. Hear what God said about him to Satan; "There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth (abstains from) evil" (Job 1:8).

Are you like Job, then, you are a good choice candidate of affliction or trial in the hands of the devil.

The devil touched his substance in one single day. His substance included 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 she Asses and a great house hold.

He was the greatest of all the men of the east. He had 7 sons and 3 daughters (1:2-3).

Job was not the kind of person who took chances or take things for granted. He wasn't the careless type. At the end of every celebration of each of his children when they gathered to feast, he offered burnt offering very early in the morning, saying: "It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts" (1:5). Of course this behaviour was sufficient to provoke the devil further and in one single day, Job lost all the afore mentioned substances.

As if these were not enough, the same very day, in the house of the eldest brother where the ten children were merrying, the walls of the house collapsed on them and they all perished (1:14-19).

One will think the devil was finished with Job. One will think the storm he had blown on Job was enough on one single fellow. But since Job was unbroken, neither committed any sin despite all the calamities, Satan couldn't be satisfied nor finished with him yet (1:22;2:1-3). "So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd (a piece of broken pottery) to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes". (2:7-8).

The condition of Job was so pathetic that even his wife suggested it to him to curse God, so that he could die and put an end to his miserable life (2:9). The report of the pitiful condition of Job reached his friends who were far off. So, they appointed a date when to arrive at Job's place to commiserate with him. They too were grieved at seeing Job. They could not even recognize him immediately. They were moved with sympathy. They wept. They tore their clothes. They sprinkled dust upon their heads. They sat with him on the ground for 7 days and nights without speaking a word. (2:11-13). But they at last turned to be unprofitable guests because when it was time to talk they claimed knowledge (falsely though) as to why Job was going through all the ordeals. "It couldn't be any other reason but for his (Job's) sins", was their conclusion. One of the friends, Zophar told Job "�.Listen ! God is doubtless punishing you far less then you deserve!" (11:6).

Another friend, Eliphaz charged Job as someone�. "who is corrupt and sinful, drinking in sin as a sponge soaks up water!" (15:16). Elsewhere, he queried, "Is it because you are good that He is punishing you? Not at all! It is because of your wickedness? Your sins are endless! For instance, you must have refused to loan money to needy friends unless they gave you all their clothing as a pledge - Yes, you must have stripped them to the bone. You must have refused water to the thirsty, and bread to the starving. But no doubt you gave men of importance anything they wanted, and let the wealthy live wherever they chose. You sent widows away without helping them, and broke the arms of orphans. That is why you are now surrounded by traps and sudden fears, and darkness and waves of horror". (22:4-11). Eliphaz even claimed that these statements were truth, given to him in secret as though whispered in his ear. It came to him in nighttime vision as others slept (4:12-13). This behaviour of Eliphaz is the vogue in these days of ours when flamboyant preachers will proclaim in all seriousness, "Thus, says the Lord", when God really, hasn't spoken a word to them. They have only proclaimed their wild fantasies. Are you being judged cruelly in your difficult moment? You will not be the first. Job had been.

Another friend Elihu, gave "arrogance, spending much time with evil men, rebellion and blasphemy" (34:7-9,37) as reasons for his affliction and Job "Should be given the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked to God". (34:36). But haven't these friends come to comfort and console him? (2:1). Instead they have constituted themselves into juries and judges and God's solicitors who know the mind of God towards Job. They know about Job more than Job's creator (God) Himself.

Job himself described them as 'mockers' (17:2). They were surely, unprofitable visitors who worsened Job's affliction. They no doubt caused him much mental pain and agony.

But at last, God gave His verdict. He was angry with the friends and He reprimanded them and ordered them to go with 7 young bulls and 7 rams to Job, to offer burnt offering for themselves and for Job to pray for them, so that He (God) might not destroy them for their failure to speak rightly concerning Job (42:7-8).

May God help everyone reading this book to guide his mind and tongue from passing uncharitable comments about other people who are going through one suffering or the other so that he/she may not become guilty before God and get destroyed.

It is rather unfortunate that Christians of today are quick to pronounce judgement and find reasons as to why another Christian is having whatever problem he is having. They are quick like Eliphaz to rope God into it as the One who gave them the utterances when God hadn't said anything to them.

To be contd.

Sam Aweda is President & Snr. Pastor, Jesus for the World Revival Mission (Peoples' Church)

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