Job

Job Chapter 17

Job Continues: Where Then Is My Hope?

Job 17:1 My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?
3 Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?
4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.

He feels at this time that his body is ready to be put in a grave. Sickness and suffering causes bad breathe. He appeals to God because of the torment of those that are mocking him. True understanding is hid from them. They are getting everything wrong and making things worse. He asks God not to exalt them that they might turn away from their words of accusation.

Job 17:5 He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.

Job continues to explain his sorrow and misery. His eyes seem to be getting dim and feels as if he is a byword or satire. Again I want to remind us of mistakes many make by quoting scripture wrongly our of context. Some of the words of Job and his three friends may be true but they are not the exactly words of God so we can't quote these words as actual teachings of the Lord like some have done.

When reading the bible which as a whole is the word of God but we have to read it in context. We have to consider who is speaking and to whom and for what reason. For example: Jesus said things to the Pharisees that were true in the days He walked on the earth but we can't quote His words and apply them to just anyone who might never be doing or acting like the Pharisees acted. Apply His words to whom it was directed. Was it for an individual, a certain group or for all who believe or for all who do not believe. All scripture is for our learning, correction and edification but we must read it in context and not quote only in part to direct it at someone wrongly. Verses like: "He that believes in Me shall never perish but have eternal life," would apply to everyone. There are many verses that would apply to all but some were directed at who He was speaking to at the time.

Job 17:8 Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
10 But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.

I would hope that as believers in the Lord, no one would ever say that about us. How sad it would be that no one that heard us speak would not see us as wise.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Oh that that would be our goal and be something that we all would be. Our words and our thoughts pleasing to our God.

Job 17:11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
12 They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
13 If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
14 I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.
15 And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.

Poor Job feels so rejected, sad, miserable and ready to give up and just die. This is how one would feel if he or she would have to go through what Job is going through especially if his family and friends would speak to him as these three so call friends are speaking. Some of their words are possibly true but directed at the wrong person.

Help us Lord to speak your words in a timely, godly manner that edifies and brings forth fruits of righteousness. DC

Job Chapter 18