A bunch of us ladies have been reading this from the beginning. If you ever need accountability partners to keep up please do feel free join us. We’re on Facebook & YouTube @Encouraged Through His Promise
Read. Thank you Lord for your promises. Please help me to stay in Your word daily and to put You first in all things. Build in me a heart of compassion. I need You Jesus. Amen
i also just love how everything came together in Job. through his struggles the Lord was near and was listening to Job. to see the Lord gave Job twice as much as before. it just shows how good our God is to us.
““I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.”
Job 42:2 NLT
““I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
Job 42:2 ESV
we serve a mighty God and what He has for each of us. the purpose He set for us can’t be stopped by anyone. my God can do all things!
Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall obtain Mercy.
Job was merciful to his friends, he prayed for them and because of his prayer, God told his friends to go through Job to obtain their own Mercy. And after that, God also had Mercy on Job and gave him twice as much as what he had.
Job 42:2 “I know you can do ALL things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted…”
Job 42:10- After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.
Job 42:12- The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 donkeys.
God, you are a God of restoration and you take delight in blessing your children. You are the real gift and the best gift giver. May we hold onto the hope that you STILL restore and that just like Job said your purpose cannot be stopped or changed. We love you. Thank you. In your name we pray, Amen.
many of us have gone through trials or we are where we will. Trials lead to growth just like stepping out of your comfort zone. Many people say that being a Christian must just make your life easier that is not the truth. Having a relationship with God really doesn’t make anything easier but it makes everything have a purpose. Everything can be good with God
Job 42:1 – I know you can do anything & no plan of yours can be thwarted… Greatest reminder when we go through trials.
Secondly Job said to God : I have heard about you and now I have seen you. May we see God especially in those difficult moments of life.
18For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 19Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
I think our society like to ignore the law of the 10 commandments. But Jesus reveals their depth and endurance/longevity for all generations.
22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6 HCSB
If you’re like me and have fallen behind in this reading plan, or have started later and went back to the beginning to read through, know that it’s ok wherever you are at, at this point. I was struggling with this and feeling like a failure because I’m so far behind but then I read this verse and it reminded me that God doesn’t care if we read through the Bible in a Year. I’m know He is understanding if we skip several days or weeks of reading. Just remember that even when we mess up or forget, if we truly have a hunger for righteousness and His word when we come back, He will bless us. And I believe that He will bless your readings that day, because I definitely felt like He blessed mine today.
10And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
God has a greater plan for all of us -ellie
12-15God blessed Job’s later life even more than his earlier life. He ended up with fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand teams of oxen, and one thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first daughter Dove, the second, Cinnamon, and the third, Darkeyes. There was not a woman in that country as beautiful as Job’s daughters. Their father treated them as equals with their brothers, providing the same inheritance.
—interesting!! This is from the Message translation of Job.
What an ending to Job! How he treated his daughters was an example of the sin( patriarchy of the day that didn’t honor women) falling away when someone has had an encounter with Christ
This is the first time I am posting here! I just wanted to share what I have been going through as I read Job. You see, I have been struggling and wrestling with my inner thoughts as I read Job this month. It seems so trivial, but I’ve been going through some rough times as I study for my DAT (dental admission test) which is this week. I haven’t been getting the scores that I wanted even though I’ve been studying for months and praying for months about this upcoming test.
I was studying 16 hours a day, only leaving my home for church on Sundays. I could not understand why I wasn’t performing to my standards. But as I read Job, I was reminded that God is a sovereign and omnipotent Lord. And because he is a God of love, he has put me through this trial. I felt convicted that this suffering that God has allowed to happen, was actually the most loving thing that he could have done for me. You see, since the new year started, I’ve been praying for God to refine in me what is righteous, but also to break everything that is sinful within me. As I read Elihu speaking to Job, I’ve realized that unbeknownst to me, I had pride. Pride that I went to a prestigious university, pride that I was going to become a dentist, and pride that I was going to do well on the DAT. But it is because God is so loving that he has humbled me through this process and is continuing to renew me. He is breaking down that pride, which I am so grateful for. And, I am continually reminded that although God has set the path of dentistry for me and my future to glorify him, he cares more about the process of becoming one. He cares more about me more than what my future calling is. I know that God will soon deliver me from my sufferings, and that he will provide a place of rest and peace within my heart. Praise our good good Father!
I remember studying for the OAT (optometry school admissions test) last year and how hard and what a struggle it was. It’s so good to have God in your life helping you through this tough time! Keeping you in my prayers as well. He has a wonderful plan for you!
Thank you so much for this. I find myself in a similar situation to yours. I never used to think of myself as being proud. But where I am today, and what you have written just confirmed that I too am going through a process of transformation and I am being humbled everyday.
Job 42:2 shows me that God’s purpose in our lives is undeniable and unstoppable. I am so excited to live out his purpose for my life and just so amazed and grateful for him giving each and every one of us a purpose!
I love Job 42:14- he doesn’t name any of Jobs kids but the girls. In a world where so many try & say that our God doesn’t love women, this verse is extremely powerful! God loves us all!
Matthew 5:22 really spoke to me because my brother is constantly coming up to me and sqeezing, hitting, and slapping me and I often find it hard to love him back. that verse just really spoke to me because even though he is bothering me, I can have a better attitude and even show him the love of Christ.
By the way, if you’re driving or making food etc, The Tim Keller podcast called ‘The Inside Out Kingdom’ on the Gospel in Life series preached on this Matthew chapter and it will totally help you understand it deeper:)
“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you…” (job 42:5)
I bet so many of you can relate, as I can! My whole life I heard of God, believed in Him based on what I learned at church and what others said about Him. But it wasn’t until I experienced some of life’s bigger & more heartbreaking trials that I SAW God. Completely changed my perspective to walk through the dark valley, and even though I’m still in it, I know He’s with me in a way I’ve never felt before. May we not only hear of God but EXPERIENCE Him, ladies. And may we be quick to seek Him in our times of trouble!
The Lord restored the fortunes of Job WHEN HE HAD PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS.
This seems significant to me.
The Lord restored Job after Job had prayed (as instructed) for the people that told him falsehoods and probably made him feel more in despair than he already was, trying to convince him that the Lord his God was angry and punishing.
His friends did wrong by God and by Job – but the Lord forgives them and I guess by praying for them Job’s heart would have been moved towards forgiveness to. Only after praying for his ‘frenemies’ did Job get everything restored to him.
Forgiving others in the midst of our suffering, even if they are the ones that cause the suffering, is important to our healing and restoration. Feels particularly noteworthy as we’re in lent at the moment :)
Susie, this also made me think of the Matthew pass agree read speaking of if your brother has anything against you go and restore that relationship before you come back to the alter.
I know for myself this is so incredibly true. When I am able to communicate with people who have wronged me and forgive them it brings so much peace and healing.
Yes yes yes. This stuck out to me as well!! Praying for our friends, even the ones who hurt us, is a maaaaajor part we often skip over about being a Christian. Great observations!!
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” This verse reminds me of the song “Not Ashamed”. If you have never heard of it, look it up. It’s a very powerful and beautiful song!
Our greatest need is not an explanation for our suffering but a revelation. If I break my wrist, I do not need to know why my wrist is broken I need something for the pain. It’s the same with our suffering. We need God to reveal himself to us to help us cope with the pain. Not a reason as to why we are in pain.
No purpose of God can be thwarted in our lives. Job 42:2. Not the least stroke of a pen until all is accomplished in our lives. Matt 5:18. Job finds rescuing Grace. Rescued from self-swindling and others. God called him a righteous man in the beginning of the story, but through suffering, now Job’s eyes really see his God. Oh! To find Grace.
As I read Matthew 5:17-22, I kept wondering how to interpret this best so as to follow His commands and also understand the salvation we have through Jesus. Does anyone have any insight on this? I know there are many references to the law in Paul’s letters that could shed some light on the subject.
ByHisCreativity, this is Matthew Henry’s Commentary for Matthew 5:17-26:
“Exhortations and warnings. (13-16) Christ came to confirm the law. (17-20) The sixth commandment. (21-26) The seventh commandment.”
17-20 “Let none suppose that Christ allows his people to trifle with any commands of God’s holy law. No sinner partakes of Christ’s justifying righteousness, till he repents of his evil deeds. The mercy revealed in the gospel leads the believer to still deeper self-abhorrence. The law is the Christian’s rule of duty, and he delights therein. If a man, pretending to be Christ’s disciple, encourages himself in any allowed disobedience to the holy law of God, or teaches others to do the same, whatever his station or reputation among men may be, he can be no true disciple. Christ’s righteousness, imputed to us by faith alone, is needed by every one that enters the kingdom of grace or of glory; but the new creation of the heart to holiness, produces a thorough change in a man’s temper and conduct. 21-26 The Jewish teachers had taught, that nothing except actual murder was forbidden by the sixth commandment. Thus they explained away its spiritual meaning. Christ showed the full meaning of this commandment; according to which we must be judged hereafter, and therefore ought to be ruled now. All rash anger is heart murder. By our brother, here, we are to understand any person, though ever so much below us, for we are all made of one blood. “Raca,” is a scornful word, and comes from pride: “Thou fool,” is a spiteful word, and comes from hatred. Malicious slanders and censures are poison that kills secretly and slowly. Christ told them that how light soever they made of these sins, they would certainly be called into judgment for them. We ought carefully to preserve Christian love and peace with all our brethren; and if at any time there is a quarrel, we should confess our fault, humble ourselves to our brother, making or offering satisfaction for wrong done in word or deed: and we should do this quickly; because, till this is done, we are unfit for communion with God in holy ordinances. And when we are preparing for any religious exercises, it is good for us to make that an occasion of serious reflection and self-examination. What is here said is very applicable to our being reconciled to God through Christ. While we are alive, we are in the way to his judgement-seat; after death, it will be too late. When we consider the importance of the case, and the uncertainty of life, how needful it is to seek peace with God, without delay!”
When God says that the friends didn’t speak the truth about him, but Job did — what does that mean in reference to the verses we collect from the chapters where the friends are speaking? I realize there are places the friends seem to be speaking truth, but perhaps their truth is off base and from a prideful position of figuring the world out? Or should I question what they say of God since He declares that they spoke untruthfully? Is humility the answer we learn from Job in comparison to the friends? I think even in trying to discern the truth in Job vs what God says is not true about Himself I can get caught up in my own prideful figuring out how it all works and miss the point of the whole story– God is bigger than all I understand and it is beyond me. My discernment must come from Him or it is pointless because my worldview will never be big enough or wise enough. Just like Jesus meeting the disciples in the boat when he walks out on the water in the storm to them– He will walk with me through the storms of life even when He leads me into them. Some of you already mentioned this point, but I love that He trusts me to walk through the storm with Him– whenever I have difficult times it is because He trusts me to lean on Him through it and to represent Him well as His daughter. That is humbling. I don’t know if I deserve this responsibility knowing how often I want to be like Job’s wife and react emotionally…
“I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” I keep feeling God speaking to me, saying that He is going to do something that seems impossible to me. Verses like this remind me that if He wills it then it will come to pass.
“I heard about you from others; now I have seen you with my own eyes”. There’s a difference between hearing about something … and knowing something to be true. A big difference. Difference between life and death. Or hope and despair.
Not sure about you, but I had to read the Message translation to help me through Job :).
I love how they translated 42:5-6 – “I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears! I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise! I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”
What a powerful statement. Even though he had gone through so much, in an instant, he had such revelation about God and didn’t look back at what he’d just experienced. He hungered to know Him more.
This is also a good reminder to seek Him ourselves, and not just rely alone on a weekend sermon or friend’s opinions. So glad to have this SRT plan and His word to draw closer!
I overall had trouble getting through Job because it seems so long winded, but the last few chapters I really enjoyed.
Believers and nonbelievers alike often ask questions like “if God is able, why doesn’t he stop our suffering?” God’s words to Job don’t directly answer that question, but they do describe God’s awesome power and unlimited wisdom. Sometimes, life really doesn’t seem fair… babies die, millions still starve to death and the most wicked often seem to prevail… but we need to rest assured that God knows better than we do. We are not on His scale, and we couldn’t even begin to comprehend all He knows. He holds the entirety of space and time in His hand.
Like Job, when we see the reality of suffering, instead of criticizing God, or putting words in His mouth, we need to think “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (42:3)
Just dropped a 6lb tub of Crisco on my ankle and thought…ouch! Why me!? I need a good day!
Haha!! Oh how quickly we forget! Just thought I’d share this funny with you girls. So ashamed I had a momentary lapse of judgment and even thought of that as “pain” after reading about Job
I am so thankful that Jesus came to fulfil the law and bring us grace!! I feel like I already fail so many times each day under grace, and I can’t imagine how I would’ve struggled under the law.
“After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has”… How powerful to know that God hears everything, and in the end if our heart is right, He is forgiving and will be our defender! After all said and done, when God shows up, he makes it right (even if it seems like forever!!)…He is so righteous!
How humbling to be put in one’s place, after so much wisdom their friends seemed to feel they had, and bold enough to share…forgetting that God was listening too. God said to them “my servant Job, will pray for you and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly”…what a profound moment… Job was given this task, a mere human, who just admitted his wrong also! God could of just said to the three friends, go to the alter directly and make things right for me, but he told them to have this done through Job. What a way to restore Job’s honor in front of everyone…
Why would God himself find this so important? I mean isn’t it all about God? He could of just focused on Him, and left at that. That would have been just fine. Yet, he is our father…He is our protector!! And fights for us… Even with Job’s friends, he still loved them enough and provided the opportunity to repent. And to think, they could have had a not so humble approach and said “no”…I mean it would seem a bit embarrassing having Job prayed for them, right? So many different angles to look at it, so much to learn…
Thanks for your insightful comments Moni. Because Job was so quick to humble himself and repent in response to God’s lecture (that’s what it felt like to me), it was obvious Job’s heart was in the right place. God honored this by elevating his status with his friends and allowing Job’s light (attitude, humility, reverence) to be the bright, shining example. How quick am I to admit I am wrong when I am confronted? Very convicting!
One other point though . . . I was so thankful when God finally entered this conversation and revealed what minor players we are in His great plan. Who are we to challenge God on any level? Very humbling! So thankful that “there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God.” (Romans 8:39)
This was the biggest statement of that chapter to me as well. In the end, God said that unlike the friends, Job had spoken the truth about Him. I must say, it caused me to stop and say, “What?? I thought we just went over the fact that he didn’t! Remember, the giant dragon description that proved a point?”
Although I’m not entirely sure how to interpret God’s message here, I love how you said that God restored Job to a place of HONOR by charging him to be the one to pray for the forgiveness of his friends! It reminds me of Joseph and his brothers; one who was so belittled by them became the very channel of their redemption.
We serve One who truly does love His kids and is always good.
Now to figure out what God meant about Job speaking the truth about Him…Hm.
I love the picture of Christians being the “salt” in the world. Because you know what? Salt gives food MORE flavor…it makes it LESS boring. I feel like some Christians get tied up in legalism and walk around somber and focusing on making sure everyone is following the rules. But we are supposed to be bringing more flavor into people’s lives! We should have an excitement and passion that draws other to us, so we can draw them closer to Christ!
I love that. I never realized that I struggle with legalism as a Christian sometimes. Creating this list of things I should and shouldn’t do to be a better person. Christ is enough.
Is it just me, but I really wanted to hear a conversation between God and Satan at the end of Job!!?! God also never explained to Job why he allowed hardship to fall on him, but Job didn’t need that explanation. Job wasn’t perfect, but to come out of that in awe of God’s sovereignty and not even care to hear *why* anymore is so beautiful!
The fact that Job’s friends *never* prayed with him OR for him, and then Job was their redeemer and prayed for them and delivered them, oh what a beautiful picture! People may wrong us; however, we are still to pray for them. Matthew 5:21-26 teaches of the danger of holding on to anger.
22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool! ’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You moron! ’ will be subject to hellfire.
I do this so much. Other drivers, politicians, people in my way, celebrities, people who make different decisions, people who make wrong decisions… I call them idiots, whether it’s silently or not.
I WAS TOO! I just had to kick my brother in law out for being such a belligerent drunk in my home and around my kids so often. I’ve been “checked” multiples times in scripture with my lack of love and patience for him. My disapproval of his actions and the way he disrespects women have given me such a judge mental heart that I want to repent from. This was eye opening!
I wonder what the significance of this inheritance is: 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
I think it’s to show how much Job loved his children – daughters were not much better than bargaining chips back in the day, and his daughters being the most beautiful meant he could get a hefty dowry for them. But because they got their own inheritance, they had independence and didn’t have to rely on their husbands. He treasured even his daughters, the least significant in that culture, so much that they never had to rely on the kindness of an unknown man in order to have a happy life. Job treated them equally to his sons – this would have been virtually unheard of.
I wondered the same. We get the three daughters names even and not the sons. Not the norm in the Bible, that’s for sure! But then Job was ahead of his time, already speaking of a savior, so why not equality of women?! (Giggling)
Well, I think there is so much guy talk that God wanted to finish with a reminder of how women are not forgotten and also just as important. Just my little mischievous spin, for fun!
My study bible says that ancient culture dictated that daughters were exempt from family inheritance; but Job, on OT model of righteousness, did otherwise, suggesting equality of sons and daughters. It was also common practice during this time to define wealth by the possessions of livestock and children.
AND! I’m sure many of you have this note in your study bibles: Salt was used to preserve meats, and to slow decay // the WHOLE WORLD is decaying and thats exactly why Jells tells us to not imitate the world! We need to be the ones to preserve the culture around us! Aka “not lose our flavor” !
I seriously need to say this before I even continue to reflect on the readings. In the Beatitudes when Jesus says “You are the light of the world” I am BEYOND humbled.. He’s LITERALLY giving us the same title He gave HIMSELF in John 8:12 and 9:5. That’s a HUGE.. But yet WONDERFUL responsibility we have as believers :)
Jaida, yes a tremendous blessing & responsibility; Jesus said we’d do what he was doing and greater…”“I can assure you that whoever believes in me will do the same things I have done. And they will do even greater things than I have done, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12 ERV)
Thanks for sharing. This verse that you shared is a wonderful reminder that God has amazing plans in store for us. Hard to imagine doing greater things than Jesus though
Yep that is what I gathered too after reading. Dragons existed? Okay, I’m really a princess.
Oh Father, let me not see this as flippant, but what it truly means to be saved from hell and my sins, and to be with You for all eternity. We get God!! How amazing and wonderful and awesome is that?!
I had to look that up! What I read said it could be a mythological dragon as some say, but many scholars believe the creature to be real and that is was a crocodile. It explained that the “fire” from his nostrils was the water that he would blow out coming out of the water after being submerged for a long time. It’s supposed to be metaphorical….its very interesting nonetheless
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Let my light shine before others so they may see my walk in The Word and glorify my Father in heaven.
Unlike a candle that can only light a limited area, our light is carried with us wherever we go. It reflects all we say, do, portray and present. What a huge responsibility! What a blessed gift! What an honor to be a light unto another’s path, to share the beauty of Our Heavenly Father’s love.
God’s faithfulness and forgiveness are amazing to me – and it is such a comfort to know I can be angry and I can ask why and be confused and God doesn’t leave. He may not be happy, but he won’t leave. What a relief.
I was thinking about the story of Job as a whole this morning as I read. About how God knew at the start that Job would remain righteous through trials. I think that’s what Gods heart is for us – when trials come, His attitude towards us is one of pride – we’re His girls, He knows we’ll get through it, He’s on our side! And Matthew 5 in the Message paraphrase confirmed what He was speaking to my heart: “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.” He’s good, even when our circumstances are far from it.
4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of you
but NOW my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Ah I love these few verses! Tozer makes the point in His book “What happened to worship?” that in the space of a few short seconds, the living God can reveal himself to the spirit of a man. It is only when God shows himself to a man or woman that they can say with humility and repentance, I know Him!!! The only rightful response is repentance and worship.
I love you, Jesus ❤️
A bunch of us ladies have been reading this from the beginning. If you ever need accountability partners to keep up please do feel free join us. We’re on Facebook & YouTube @Encouraged Through His Promise
Read. Thank you Lord for your promises. Please help me to stay in Your word daily and to put You first in all things. Build in me a heart of compassion. I need You Jesus. Amen
May others see the light in me today and be pointed to Jesus.
i also just love how everything came together in Job. through his struggles the Lord was near and was listening to Job. to see the Lord gave Job twice as much as before. it just shows how good our God is to us.
““I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.”
Job 42:2 NLT
““I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
Job 42:2 ESV
we serve a mighty God and what He has for each of us. the purpose He set for us can’t be stopped by anyone. my God can do all things!
The humility of Job is astounding! I also love the beatitudes!
Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall obtain Mercy.
Job was merciful to his friends, he prayed for them and because of his prayer, God told his friends to go through Job to obtain their own Mercy. And after that, God also had Mercy on Job and gave him twice as much as what he had.
Job 42:2 “I know you can do ALL things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted…”
Job 42:10- After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.
Job 42:12- The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 donkeys.
God, you are a God of restoration and you take delight in blessing your children. You are the real gift and the best gift giver. May we hold onto the hope that you STILL restore and that just like Job said your purpose cannot be stopped or changed. We love you. Thank you. In your name we pray, Amen.
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Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness- God redeems us
Job 42:2 – I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
What comfort this verse gives! ❤️
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Can’t help but think of everything going on right now… abortions are at an all time high. It is murder! Lord I pray people wake up and look to you.
many of us have gone through trials or we are where we will. Trials lead to growth just like stepping out of your comfort zone. Many people say that being a Christian must just make your life easier that is not the truth. Having a relationship with God really doesn’t make anything easier but it makes everything have a purpose. Everything can be good with God
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Job says “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.” Why? Because of trials.
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16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
5I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
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Job 42:1 – I know you can do anything & no plan of yours can be thwarted… Greatest reminder when we go through trials.
Secondly Job said to God : I have heard about you and now I have seen you. May we see God especially in those difficult moments of life.
Help us be light, Father.
14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
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I love Matthew 5. Always a source of comfort and inspiration❤️
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“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
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18For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 19Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
I think our society like to ignore the law of the 10 commandments. But Jesus reveals their depth and endurance/longevity for all generations.
22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Murder means even being angry with someone! Adultery is looking lustfully. Good to remember and understand the next time I feel angry with someone.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6 HCSB
If you’re like me and have fallen behind in this reading plan, or have started later and went back to the beginning to read through, know that it’s ok wherever you are at, at this point. I was struggling with this and feeling like a failure because I’m so far behind but then I read this verse and it reminded me that God doesn’t care if we read through the Bible in a Year. I’m know He is understanding if we skip several days or weeks of reading. Just remember that even when we mess up or forget, if we truly have a hunger for righteousness and His word when we come back, He will bless us. And I believe that He will bless your readings that day, because I definitely felt like He blessed mine today.
Not one iota of the Law will be changed and how we can murder in our hearts -very convicting and love the light of the world call
Feel like could highlight all of Matthew 5-7
I know you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted. – Job 42:2
10And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
God has a greater plan for all of us -ellie
Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy. Noted for the first time that it is only after Job prays for his friends that God blesses him.
Love this passage of Matthew on the Beatitudes, we are focusing at church this month on Matthew 5:1-16, and it has been such a great series!
12-15God blessed Job’s later life even more than his earlier life. He ended up with fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand teams of oxen, and one thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first daughter Dove, the second, Cinnamon, and the third, Darkeyes. There was not a woman in that country as beautiful as Job’s daughters. Their father treated them as equals with their brothers, providing the same inheritance.
—interesting!! This is from the Message translation of Job.
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I absolutely loved the book of Job ♥️
What an ending to Job! How he treated his daughters was an example of the sin( patriarchy of the day that didn’t honor women) falling away when someone has had an encounter with Christ
Love this!!
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Done❤️
This is the first time I am posting here! I just wanted to share what I have been going through as I read Job. You see, I have been struggling and wrestling with my inner thoughts as I read Job this month. It seems so trivial, but I’ve been going through some rough times as I study for my DAT (dental admission test) which is this week. I haven’t been getting the scores that I wanted even though I’ve been studying for months and praying for months about this upcoming test.
I was studying 16 hours a day, only leaving my home for church on Sundays. I could not understand why I wasn’t performing to my standards. But as I read Job, I was reminded that God is a sovereign and omnipotent Lord. And because he is a God of love, he has put me through this trial. I felt convicted that this suffering that God has allowed to happen, was actually the most loving thing that he could have done for me. You see, since the new year started, I’ve been praying for God to refine in me what is righteous, but also to break everything that is sinful within me. As I read Elihu speaking to Job, I’ve realized that unbeknownst to me, I had pride. Pride that I went to a prestigious university, pride that I was going to become a dentist, and pride that I was going to do well on the DAT. But it is because God is so loving that he has humbled me through this process and is continuing to renew me. He is breaking down that pride, which I am so grateful for. And, I am continually reminded that although God has set the path of dentistry for me and my future to glorify him, he cares more about the process of becoming one. He cares more about me more than what my future calling is. I know that God will soon deliver me from my sufferings, and that he will provide a place of rest and peace within my heart. Praise our good good Father!
Praying for you! God is good and I hope that you keep listening to Him and searching for Him daily. Best of luck with your path.
I remember studying for the OAT (optometry school admissions test) last year and how hard and what a struggle it was. It’s so good to have God in your life helping you through this tough time! Keeping you in my prayers as well. He has a wonderful plan for you!
Thank you so much for this. I find myself in a similar situation to yours. I never used to think of myself as being proud. But where I am today, and what you have written just confirmed that I too am going through a process of transformation and I am being humbled everyday.
Job 42:2 shows me that God’s purpose in our lives is undeniable and unstoppable. I am so excited to live out his purpose for my life and just so amazed and grateful for him giving each and every one of us a purpose!
I love Job 42:14- he doesn’t name any of Jobs kids but the girls. In a world where so many try & say that our God doesn’t love women, this verse is extremely powerful! God loves us all!
Wow, thanks for pointing this out!!
Matthew 5:22 really spoke to me because my brother is constantly coming up to me and sqeezing, hitting, and slapping me and I often find it hard to love him back. that verse just really spoke to me because even though he is bothering me, I can have a better attitude and even show him the love of Christ.
By the way, if you’re driving or making food etc, The Tim Keller podcast called ‘The Inside Out Kingdom’ on the Gospel in Life series preached on this Matthew chapter and it will totally help you understand it deeper:)
Thank you for posting this! I just listened to it and it was such an encouragement!
“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you…” (job 42:5)
I bet so many of you can relate, as I can! My whole life I heard of God, believed in Him based on what I learned at church and what others said about Him. But it wasn’t until I experienced some of life’s bigger & more heartbreaking trials that I SAW God. Completely changed my perspective to walk through the dark valley, and even though I’m still in it, I know He’s with me in a way I’ve never felt before. May we not only hear of God but EXPERIENCE Him, ladies. And may we be quick to seek Him in our times of trouble!
Yeees, amen! So good. And may we never cease to praise and thank Him in our times of joy and fullness as well!
I love this verse! I totally agree with you, Kylee!
The Lord restored the fortunes of Job WHEN HE HAD PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS.
This seems significant to me.
The Lord restored Job after Job had prayed (as instructed) for the people that told him falsehoods and probably made him feel more in despair than he already was, trying to convince him that the Lord his God was angry and punishing.
His friends did wrong by God and by Job – but the Lord forgives them and I guess by praying for them Job’s heart would have been moved towards forgiveness to. Only after praying for his ‘frenemies’ did Job get everything restored to him.
Forgiving others in the midst of our suffering, even if they are the ones that cause the suffering, is important to our healing and restoration. Feels particularly noteworthy as we’re in lent at the moment :)
Susie, this also made me think of the Matthew pass agree read speaking of if your brother has anything against you go and restore that relationship before you come back to the alter.
I know for myself this is so incredibly true. When I am able to communicate with people who have wronged me and forgive them it brings so much peace and healing.
Yes yes yes. This stuck out to me as well!! Praying for our friends, even the ones who hurt us, is a maaaaajor part we often skip over about being a Christian. Great observations!!
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” This verse reminds me of the song “Not Ashamed”. If you have never heard of it, look it up. It’s a very powerful and beautiful song!
Our greatest need is not an explanation for our suffering but a revelation. If I break my wrist, I do not need to know why my wrist is broken I need something for the pain. It’s the same with our suffering. We need God to reveal himself to us to help us cope with the pain. Not a reason as to why we are in pain.
I struggled with Matthew 5:13 and found a wonderful explanation if anyone else struggled: https://bible.org/seriespage/2-mission-possible-matthew-513-16
I’m still working on catching up!
No purpose of God can be thwarted in our lives. Job 42:2. Not the least stroke of a pen until all is accomplished in our lives. Matt 5:18. Job finds rescuing Grace. Rescued from self-swindling and others. God called him a righteous man in the beginning of the story, but through suffering, now Job’s eyes really see his God. Oh! To find Grace.
As I read Matthew 5:17-22, I kept wondering how to interpret this best so as to follow His commands and also understand the salvation we have through Jesus. Does anyone have any insight on this? I know there are many references to the law in Paul’s letters that could shed some light on the subject.
ByHisCreativity, this is Matthew Henry’s Commentary for Matthew 5:17-26:
“Exhortations and warnings. (13-16) Christ came to confirm the law. (17-20) The sixth commandment. (21-26) The seventh commandment.”
17-20 “Let none suppose that Christ allows his people to trifle with any commands of God’s holy law. No sinner partakes of Christ’s justifying righteousness, till he repents of his evil deeds. The mercy revealed in the gospel leads the believer to still deeper self-abhorrence. The law is the Christian’s rule of duty, and he delights therein. If a man, pretending to be Christ’s disciple, encourages himself in any allowed disobedience to the holy law of God, or teaches others to do the same, whatever his station or reputation among men may be, he can be no true disciple. Christ’s righteousness, imputed to us by faith alone, is needed by every one that enters the kingdom of grace or of glory; but the new creation of the heart to holiness, produces a thorough change in a man’s temper and conduct. 21-26 The Jewish teachers had taught, that nothing except actual murder was forbidden by the sixth commandment. Thus they explained away its spiritual meaning. Christ showed the full meaning of this commandment; according to which we must be judged hereafter, and therefore ought to be ruled now. All rash anger is heart murder. By our brother, here, we are to understand any person, though ever so much below us, for we are all made of one blood. “Raca,” is a scornful word, and comes from pride: “Thou fool,” is a spiteful word, and comes from hatred. Malicious slanders and censures are poison that kills secretly and slowly. Christ told them that how light soever they made of these sins, they would certainly be called into judgment for them. We ought carefully to preserve Christian love and peace with all our brethren; and if at any time there is a quarrel, we should confess our fault, humble ourselves to our brother, making or offering satisfaction for wrong done in word or deed: and we should do this quickly; because, till this is done, we are unfit for communion with God in holy ordinances. And when we are preparing for any religious exercises, it is good for us to make that an occasion of serious reflection and self-examination. What is here said is very applicable to our being reconciled to God through Christ. While we are alive, we are in the way to his judgement-seat; after death, it will be too late. When we consider the importance of the case, and the uncertainty of life, how needful it is to seek peace with God, without delay!”
Thank you, Hesaved83 :) I am grateful to learn more about this passage.
When God says that the friends didn’t speak the truth about him, but Job did — what does that mean in reference to the verses we collect from the chapters where the friends are speaking? I realize there are places the friends seem to be speaking truth, but perhaps their truth is off base and from a prideful position of figuring the world out? Or should I question what they say of God since He declares that they spoke untruthfully? Is humility the answer we learn from Job in comparison to the friends? I think even in trying to discern the truth in Job vs what God says is not true about Himself I can get caught up in my own prideful figuring out how it all works and miss the point of the whole story– God is bigger than all I understand and it is beyond me. My discernment must come from Him or it is pointless because my worldview will never be big enough or wise enough. Just like Jesus meeting the disciples in the boat when he walks out on the water in the storm to them– He will walk with me through the storms of life even when He leads me into them. Some of you already mentioned this point, but I love that He trusts me to walk through the storm with Him– whenever I have difficult times it is because He trusts me to lean on Him through it and to represent Him well as His daughter. That is humbling. I don’t know if I deserve this responsibility knowing how often I want to be like Job’s wife and react emotionally…
“I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” I keep feeling God speaking to me, saying that He is going to do something that seems impossible to me. Verses like this remind me that if He wills it then it will come to pass.
These were such good passages to read today! I love how b/c Job stayed faithful, he got double the blessings! Both job and Matthew speak loud.
“I heard about you from others; now I have seen you with my own eyes”. There’s a difference between hearing about something … and knowing something to be true. A big difference. Difference between life and death. Or hope and despair.
Intercessory prayer is an act of humility and it is a powerful tool that God has given to us!
Amen!
Yes, I am learning that so powerfully in this season of my life.
Not sure about you, but I had to read the Message translation to help me through Job :).
I love how they translated 42:5-6 – “I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears! I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise! I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”
What a powerful statement. Even though he had gone through so much, in an instant, he had such revelation about God and didn’t look back at what he’d just experienced. He hungered to know Him more.
This is also a good reminder to seek Him ourselves, and not just rely alone on a weekend sermon or friend’s opinions. So glad to have this SRT plan and His word to draw closer!
I had to read the Message version as well! I feel like it made things more clear.
I overall had trouble getting through Job because it seems so long winded, but the last few chapters I really enjoyed.
Believers and nonbelievers alike often ask questions like “if God is able, why doesn’t he stop our suffering?” God’s words to Job don’t directly answer that question, but they do describe God’s awesome power and unlimited wisdom. Sometimes, life really doesn’t seem fair… babies die, millions still starve to death and the most wicked often seem to prevail… but we need to rest assured that God knows better than we do. We are not on His scale, and we couldn’t even begin to comprehend all He knows. He holds the entirety of space and time in His hand.
Like Job, when we see the reality of suffering, instead of criticizing God, or putting words in His mouth, we need to think “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (42:3)
Yes!
Wow thank you for you insight. It provided me with such clarity
Just dropped a 6lb tub of Crisco on my ankle and thought…ouch! Why me!? I need a good day!
Haha!! Oh how quickly we forget! Just thought I’d share this funny with you girls. So ashamed I had a momentary lapse of judgment and even thought of that as “pain” after reading about Job
Thanks for sharing Libby! I have moments like this daily!
I am so thankful that Jesus came to fulfil the law and bring us grace!! I feel like I already fail so many times each day under grace, and I can’t imagine how I would’ve struggled under the law.
“After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has”… How powerful to know that God hears everything, and in the end if our heart is right, He is forgiving and will be our defender! After all said and done, when God shows up, he makes it right (even if it seems like forever!!)…He is so righteous!
How humbling to be put in one’s place, after so much wisdom their friends seemed to feel they had, and bold enough to share…forgetting that God was listening too. God said to them “my servant Job, will pray for you and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly”…what a profound moment… Job was given this task, a mere human, who just admitted his wrong also! God could of just said to the three friends, go to the alter directly and make things right for me, but he told them to have this done through Job. What a way to restore Job’s honor in front of everyone…
Why would God himself find this so important? I mean isn’t it all about God? He could of just focused on Him, and left at that. That would have been just fine. Yet, he is our father…He is our protector!! And fights for us… Even with Job’s friends, he still loved them enough and provided the opportunity to repent. And to think, they could have had a not so humble approach and said “no”…I mean it would seem a bit embarrassing having Job prayed for them, right? So many different angles to look at it, so much to learn…
Thanks for your insightful comments Moni. Because Job was so quick to humble himself and repent in response to God’s lecture (that’s what it felt like to me), it was obvious Job’s heart was in the right place. God honored this by elevating his status with his friends and allowing Job’s light (attitude, humility, reverence) to be the bright, shining example. How quick am I to admit I am wrong when I am confronted? Very convicting!
One other point though . . . I was so thankful when God finally entered this conversation and revealed what minor players we are in His great plan. Who are we to challenge God on any level? Very humbling! So thankful that “there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God.” (Romans 8:39)
This was the biggest statement of that chapter to me as well. In the end, God said that unlike the friends, Job had spoken the truth about Him. I must say, it caused me to stop and say, “What?? I thought we just went over the fact that he didn’t! Remember, the giant dragon description that proved a point?”
Although I’m not entirely sure how to interpret God’s message here, I love how you said that God restored Job to a place of HONOR by charging him to be the one to pray for the forgiveness of his friends! It reminds me of Joseph and his brothers; one who was so belittled by them became the very channel of their redemption.
We serve One who truly does love His kids and is always good.
Now to figure out what God meant about Job speaking the truth about Him…Hm.
I love the picture of Christians being the “salt” in the world. Because you know what? Salt gives food MORE flavor…it makes it LESS boring. I feel like some Christians get tied up in legalism and walk around somber and focusing on making sure everyone is following the rules. But we are supposed to be bringing more flavor into people’s lives! We should have an excitement and passion that draws other to us, so we can draw them closer to Christ!
I love that. I never realized that I struggle with legalism as a Christian sometimes. Creating this list of things I should and shouldn’t do to be a better person. Christ is enough.
Is it just me, but I really wanted to hear a conversation between God and Satan at the end of Job!!?! God also never explained to Job why he allowed hardship to fall on him, but Job didn’t need that explanation. Job wasn’t perfect, but to come out of that in awe of God’s sovereignty and not even care to hear *why* anymore is so beautiful!
What a beautiful insight! So often I want to know why and Job’s heart and humility didn’t even ask. I have a lot to learn fromJob!
The fact that Job’s friends *never* prayed with him OR for him, and then Job was their redeemer and prayed for them and delivered them, oh what a beautiful picture! People may wrong us; however, we are still to pray for them. Matthew 5:21-26 teaches of the danger of holding on to anger.
Wow! So true
22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool! ’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You moron! ’ will be subject to hellfire.
I do this so much. Other drivers, politicians, people in my way, celebrities, people who make different decisions, people who make wrong decisions… I call them idiots, whether it’s silently or not.
Feeling very convicted.
I WAS TOO! I just had to kick my brother in law out for being such a belligerent drunk in my home and around my kids so often. I’ve been “checked” multiples times in scripture with my lack of love and patience for him. My disapproval of his actions and the way he disrespects women have given me such a judge mental heart that I want to repent from. This was eye opening!
You can still show him love and request that he not be drunk in front of your kids.
I wonder what the significance of this inheritance is: 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
I think it’s to show how much Job loved his children – daughters were not much better than bargaining chips back in the day, and his daughters being the most beautiful meant he could get a hefty dowry for them. But because they got their own inheritance, they had independence and didn’t have to rely on their husbands. He treasured even his daughters, the least significant in that culture, so much that they never had to rely on the kindness of an unknown man in order to have a happy life. Job treated them equally to his sons – this would have been virtually unheard of.
I wondered the same. We get the three daughters names even and not the sons. Not the norm in the Bible, that’s for sure! But then Job was ahead of his time, already speaking of a savior, so why not equality of women?! (Giggling)
Do you think it’s similar that God revers women, too? This couldn’t have been common practice… But we are as much Gods children as men…
Well, I think there is so much guy talk that God wanted to finish with a reminder of how women are not forgotten and also just as important. Just my little mischievous spin, for fun!
My study bible says that ancient culture dictated that daughters were exempt from family inheritance; but Job, on OT model of righteousness, did otherwise, suggesting equality of sons and daughters. It was also common practice during this time to define wealth by the possessions of livestock and children.
My heart lit up when I was reminded of this very thing! I LOVE when the Lord throws in a little new covenant in the old. :)
Thanks for pointing this out! I had just glazed over it
AND! I’m sure many of you have this note in your study bibles: Salt was used to preserve meats, and to slow decay // the WHOLE WORLD is decaying and thats exactly why Jells tells us to not imitate the world! We need to be the ones to preserve the culture around us! Aka “not lose our flavor” !
Cool!
I don’t have a study Bible so thanks for mentioning that. What a cool metaphor
I seriously need to say this before I even continue to reflect on the readings. In the Beatitudes when Jesus says “You are the light of the world” I am BEYOND humbled.. He’s LITERALLY giving us the same title He gave HIMSELF in John 8:12 and 9:5. That’s a HUGE.. But yet WONDERFUL responsibility we have as believers :)
I’ve never seen it that way before. Thanks for sharing!!
This is an amazing revelation! So glad you shared!
That’s a great connection…I hadn’t noticed that before either!
Makes me smile when I read that! God sure loves us!
Wow! Never really made that connection!
Beautiful!
Jaida, yes a tremendous blessing & responsibility; Jesus said we’d do what he was doing and greater…”“I can assure you that whoever believes in me will do the same things I have done. And they will do even greater things than I have done, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12 ERV)
Thanks for sharing. This verse that you shared is a wonderful reminder that God has amazing plans in store for us. Hard to imagine doing greater things than Jesus though
There is just so much to take in in these chapters. I definitely need to settle down again today and try to soak in more of it.
My initial thought? Dragons were real, so we all can really walk out our identity as kingdom royalty.
Yep that is what I gathered too after reading. Dragons existed? Okay, I’m really a princess.
Oh Father, let me not see this as flippant, but what it truly means to be saved from hell and my sins, and to be with You for all eternity. We get God!! How amazing and wonderful and awesome is that?!
Ha! I was thinking the same. My study Bible says it may have been a crocodile but the description was clearly not!
I had to look that up! What I read said it could be a mythological dragon as some say, but many scholars believe the creature to be real and that is was a crocodile. It explained that the “fire” from his nostrils was the water that he would blow out coming out of the water after being submerged for a long time. It’s supposed to be metaphorical….its very interesting nonetheless
I talked to my pastor tonight and he said he believes it to be a dinosaur! So many possibilities! Can’t wait to find out the answers in heaven!
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Let my light shine before others so they may see my walk in The Word and glorify my Father in heaven.
Unlike a candle that can only light a limited area, our light is carried with us wherever we go. It reflects all we say, do, portray and present. What a huge responsibility! What a blessed gift! What an honor to be a light unto another’s path, to share the beauty of Our Heavenly Father’s love.
I couldn’t wait to finish Job. What. A. Ride.
God’s faithfulness and forgiveness are amazing to me – and it is such a comfort to know I can be angry and I can ask why and be confused and God doesn’t leave. He may not be happy, but he won’t leave. What a relief.
I was thinking about the story of Job as a whole this morning as I read. About how God knew at the start that Job would remain righteous through trials. I think that’s what Gods heart is for us – when trials come, His attitude towards us is one of pride – we’re His girls, He knows we’ll get through it, He’s on our side! And Matthew 5 in the Message paraphrase confirmed what He was speaking to my heart: “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.” He’s good, even when our circumstances are far from it.
Amen , Em! God declared the end from the beginning…
4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of you
but NOW my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Ah I love these few verses! Tozer makes the point in His book “What happened to worship?” that in the space of a few short seconds, the living God can reveal himself to the spirit of a man. It is only when God shows himself to a man or woman that they can say with humility and repentance, I know Him!!! The only rightful response is repentance and worship.