Tag: It Is Well With My Soul

Hymns: RHC 41 God Is Still On the Throne, 255 Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart, 256 The Bible Stands

Job 4:12-21

12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof. 13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, 14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. 15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: 16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, 17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? 18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: 19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? 20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it. 21 Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom. (Job 4:12-21 KJV)

Unbiblical Vision

OUTLINE
(1) Unbiblically Invoking God’s Authority (v12-16)
(2) Misrepresenting God’s Name (v17-21)

INTRODUCTION
Eliphaz has begun discrediting Job, putting to question his past actions of piety. Mr Counsellor is himself troubled and despondent. It goes to show that his claim of being a God-fearer, one who places his confidence in God and lived a life of uprightness is a vain show. “Look at yourself now,” Eliphaz points out to Job, “you are now fainting and troubled. You are disquieted! What happened to your faith in God? Has it now caved-in? Goes to how shallow is that faith that you profess!” This was how Job was discredited. His testimony in God called to question – “You comforted others but now look at you, do you not now wallow in self-pity too?”

This was to force a confession from Job, a sly ploy of Satan, to persuade Job to confess himself a hypocrite. If Job had capitulated, Satan would have won his case with God against Job.

Because Job was discomfited, he showed himself impatient under pressure, this was brought as evidence against him.

If Job is indeed a good man, why would these afflictions have come to him? It is not logical. He must have sinned against God.

It was a spiritual test for Job. He was not afflicted as a judgment for sin. Eliphaz concluded that Job’s present predicament has been a result of his sin. He is reaping the evil he has sown.

Hymns: RHC 269 Come to the Savior, 271 Softly and Tenderly, 272 Jesus, I Come

Job 4:3-11

3Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. 4Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. 5Butnow it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. 6Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways? 7Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? 8Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. 9By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. 10The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken. 11The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion’s whelps are scattered abroad. (Job 4:3-11 KJV)

Where Were the Righteous Cut Off?

OUTLINE

(1) Suffering Because of Man’s Wickedness

INTRODUCTION

Eliphaz was the most senior of three of Job’s friend who spoke first after 7 days of silence where they sat with Job during the deepest valley moment of Job’s life. He has just shared his misery in chapter 3, in lamentation, asking vulnerable questions, searching to unravel the mystery of what had befallen him.

Why Was I Born? (v1-10)
Why Did I Not Die Earlier? (v11-19)
Why Am I Still Alive? (v20-26)
Eliphaz began to discredit Job’s past testimony as a man of integrity who gave advice to many during the time of his “prosperity”. If Job is such a good counsellor to others, surely, he must have an answer to his own condition. Why is he reduced to such a troubled state, complaining of his own condition?