Beware of the Company You Keep (2)
As I continue in the Book of Job, the Holy Ghost is producing a series as we delve into this. So, stay with us.
Continuing with Eliphaz the Temanite, I am urged to point out his harmful statements as Job’s “friend”.
His blatant contradictions of the Word of the LORD. And how dangerous this can be to believers and nonbelievers alike.
To get a full understanding you must read or watch part one. Eliphaz has an ungodly spirit at work within him. Or at least, for the moment.
God is not a respecter of persons. He is very gracious and merciful. Long-suffering. Not willing that any man should perish. But that all would come to repentance. The very hairs of our heads are numbered.
Know God for Yourself
I can go on but what I need to reiterate is God’s description of Job from the beginning. “A perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil”.
Eliphaz paints a cold-hearted, unmerciful picture of God. Without clarifying that God is a God of judgment. He chastises us as a loving Father. Yet we will be judged for our own works.
“Behold, He put no trust in His servants: and His angels He charged with folly: How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it” (Job 4: 18-20, KJV).
God Hears What You Don’t Hear
Even David spoke of God’s mercy. “Thou tellest my wanderings (every step he takes): put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; God is for me” (Psalm 56: 8-9, KJV).
Remember, Eliphaz is his “friend”. As he continues to not only mock him but reveals that he has cursed him in the past. Desiring what has come upon Job to happen. Cruelly rubbing Job’s circumstances in his face.
“Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn? For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one. I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.
Words Used Maliciously Can Hurt
“His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them. Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance” (Job 5: 1-5, KJV).
Now I must admit that we have all been guilty of this at one time or another. Being double-minded. Because Eliphaz then goes on to confer a “blessing”, while telling Job to seek God, and repent of his sin and high-mindedness. Accepting God’s correction. As if any of us truly know why trials and tribulations come upon others. Even ourselves, at times.
Job is hurting. Feeling as if he is being attacked. But knowing that they can’t fathom his extreme suffering. They lack sensitivity and understanding because they are desensitized to his trauma. Never having this type of suffering.
Job Was Suffering in Anguish
Listen to what Job says. “Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up” (Job 6: 2-3, KJV).
I will stand by this affirmation. I will never trust someone who doesn’t know suffering. But would attempt to preach to others. This is never of God.
You see Jesus didn’t just die for us. He was tormented, homeless, mocked, hated, ridiculed, lost loved ones, and more. Remember, He was tempted on all points. There is a reason for that.
God’s Love for Us
God loved us enough to send His Son to die for us. Even more so, He allowed Jesus to go through all of this, to fully understand what we as frail humans experience in our tragedies and adversity while on earth.
I want to confirm His love for us. As our Creator. I will give you just seven points of His love and intimacy for His creation.
1) “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29: 11, KJV).
As we continue, I would urge you to meditate on Psalm 139 in its entirety. The intimacy and bond created by God, between you and Him is astoundingly deep.
The Limitless Bounds of His Love
2) O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether” (Psalm 139: 1-4, KJV).
3) “I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139: 14, AMP).
4) “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee” (Psalm 139: 17-18, KJV).
The Intimate Depths of His Love
5) “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1: 5, KJV).
6) “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12: 7, KJV).
And 7) “No weapon formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 54: 17, KJV).
Believe That He Is
But this is the key. You must believe.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11: 6, KJV).
Always coming from a place of love and in truth!!!
Originally written on January 19, 2024.
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