Chapter 42

As I read the last chapter of Job, I did so humbled. I will not attempt to summarize the book of Job, as that is not my desire for this blog, but I can share with you what God spoke to me personally.

There is a verse in the New Testament, 2 Timothy 3:16 that says that all scripture is God breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. Another verse in 1 Cor. 10:11 tells us that the scriptures in the Old Testament were written down for our instruction. They are not written to us in a doctrinal sense of the word, but we can learn much from them. I have found this to be very true for me in reading the 42 chapters of the book of Job.

I am very thankful that this book came so soon in my new year's reading, which, if you have been following along with me from chapter 1, is a far cry from my initial thoughts and comments. (To say the least!)

There are two verses that stood out boldly to me as I concluded this book. Vs. 3b states: Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Most of the book of Job consists of speeches given about God by men who sincerely thought they knew Him. (Sincerety is never a guarantee for truth).

It made me realize something about the importance and responsibility we have when we "speak for God". I'm not talking about prophecy, I'm talking about speaking to others about our "opinions" of God. When we utter things about God that we do not have a correct understanding of, we are entering very dangerous territory. I know from personal experience that a wrong understanding of God, usually through the hearing of preaching, the reading of books or wrongly dividing the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15) can have disasterous consequences in life.

A wrong understanding of the true nature of God can turn a person away from God, as I believe is the case for so many people in this world. And if it doesn't turn you away, it can cause you to serve God out of fear and not out of love for his mercy, goodness and grace to you. (Wasn't that the whole point that Satan was trying to make to God in the beginning verses of this book, that Job was serving God out of fear and not out love for who God is?) Romans 2:4 clearly says that it is the goodness of God that leads a man to repentance! Oh, that we would get this truth into our heart before we open our mouths to utter things about God!

In vs 7 and again in vs 8, God reapeats the exact same line. "My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."

God has strong words to say about not speaking what is right about Him. Like I said, I am very thankful that the reading of this book came so early on for me. I have an entire years reading and "blogging" ahead of me. I have a responsibility (as do all Christians) to rightly divide the Word of God, for myself and for anyone who may read this blog. (Is any one reading this blog?) That humbles me.

Because the Holy Spirit is so personal and unique to each of us, this day's blog sums up for me what God wanted me to learn through my reading and my meditating on what I read. As you read this book, He will speak to you the truth you need to know. Remember the verse I mentioned earlier, "all scripture is God breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." I think an excellent prayer to pray before you read the word is "Lord, as I read your Word right now, show me the truths you want me to know that will set me free this day." (John 8:32: and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free)

Well, in my chronological reading plan, I now travel back to the book of Genesis, chapter 12. I do so with eager anticipation of what God will have to say to me personally, and I will ask for that as I read. My heart has been changed in the last 17 days of January, 2010. Imagine that.

If I had a favorite verse from Job it would have to be Job 23:12b: I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.

Until we meet again....thank's for your company on my journey to the center of God's heart!