Job's laments cover all

The Book of Job Chapters 28 through 31

In chapter 28, Job speaks of people knowing how to mine for silver and gold and treasured gems deep in the earth, but they do no know where to find wisdom and understanding. He talks about the value of wisdom, but says it is hidden from the eyes of humanity, for only God knows where it can be found. Only God can make the wind blow and rain fall. The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.

In Chapter 29, Job speaks of his former blessings and says he had years when God took care of him and lighted his way in the darkness. His children were proud of him, his land and animals produced in abundance. These were the days when Job went to the city gate and took his place with honored leaders and officials treated him with respect. Everyone spoke highly of Job and he helped those who had lost hope. In doing so, he thought that he would die surrounded by family with honor. He lived as a king among his troops and as one who comforts those who mourn.

In Chapter 30, Job speaks of his anguish and tells of being mocked by younger men and their sons mock him with vulgar song. They taunt Job and spit in his face and set traps for him to go sprawling and hold him in contempt. Depression haunts Job's days and at night he is filled with pain. Job cries out to God, but God does not answer. He thinks God is being cruel to him and so he walks in gloom and stands in the public square and cries for help.

In Chapter 31, Job gives a final protest of innocence and asks God to judge him on the scales of justice and he doubts God would find that his eyes have not lusted, nor his heart compromised, nor has he been unkind to his servants, nor stingy with food for the poor. Job tells of the good things he has done and wonders if he has done something to be punished for, because it would mean he was denied entrance to heaven.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The "fear of the Lord" is a key theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible. It means to have respect and reverence for God and be in awe of his majesty and power. This is the starting point to finding real wisdom (see Proverbs 1:7-9). In chapter 29 Job walked a fine line between bragging about his accomplishments and and recalling good deeds. He comes very close to pride. In this chapter, many people think Job was a judge and served as a city councilman and magistrate helping to manage the community and settle disputes.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Job suffered great humiliation at the hands of young upstarts. They mocked him and took advantage of him, much like some of our young people today who take advantage of older people and those with limited capability. If only they would realize how short life is, and that God loves all people equally.

Job lists all the good deeds he had done and the commandments he had kept in his heart and those he had not committed against his neighbors. How would we stack up to doing the same? Not as well, I'm sure. But remember that God loves us as much as he loved Job and his mercy is everlasting.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is out of rehab after many months for a crushed leg and doing well and being cared for by her ex. Pray for Gabe and Wanda. Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother who faces another round of chemotherapy and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother-in-law is being taken to Oklahoma to live with an aunt who will care for her.
Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.
Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for my cousin Diane who had total mastectomy surgery for breast cancer.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and for the doctors who have difficulty diagnosing his other symptoms.
Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.
Pray for another friend named Carolyn whose faith remains strong, but is lost and confused about where and how to spend her elder years.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.