Daily Scripture Reading Job 22:23 - 24:9

The Bible tells us to fear God. Many Christians don’t like that concept and try to rationalize that the fear of God is respect and admiration, not terror or fright. However, the Hebrew and Greek words used to tell us to fear God clearly mean terror and fright, not respect and admiration. As Job was dialoguing with his friends, he articulated why it is wise to fear God.In the 15th section of Job, Eliphaz stated that humans cannot be of use to God. Then he listed Job’s supposed sins which were causing Job’s troubles, things such as refusing to help widows and the weary. Next, Eliphaz began insisting that Job would prosper if he would yield to God.

Job 22:23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored;

If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent,

Look at the words “remove unrighteousness”. Eliphaz claimed this is what Job needed to do to be restored.

Job 22:24 And put your gold in the dust,

And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks,

Notice the words “put your gold in the dust” and “among the stones of the brooks”. Eliphaz told Job to get rid of his wealth.

Job 22:25 Then the Almighty will be your gold

And choice silver to you.

According to Eliphaz, if Job abandoned earthly wealth, then the Almighty would be his wealth.

Job 22:26 For then you will delight in the Almighty

And lift up your face to God.

Job 22:27 You will entreat Him, and He will hear you;

And you will pay your vows.

Job 22:28 You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you;

And light will shine on your ways.

Eliphaz was espousing a philosophy known today as the heath and wealth philosophy or the prosperity gospel. He insisted if Job would obey God, then he would prosper. Many preachers today make the same promise.

The story of Job disproves the health and wealth philosophy. Job was righteous. God singled Job out as being blameless and upright, but it was his uprightness that caused his troubles because God gave Satan permission to test Job’s loyalty.

Job 22:29 When some are cast down, you will speak with confidence,

And the humble person He will save.

Eliphaz also promised that being righteous would give Job the ability to help others.

Job 22:30 He will provide escape for one who is not innocent,

And he will escape through the cleanness of your hands.”

Job 23:1 ¶ Then Job answered and said,

Notice the name “Job”. This verse starts the 16th section of Job.

Job 23:2 “Even today my musing is rebellion;

His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

Job 23:3 Oh that I knew where I might find Him,

That I might come to His seat!

Ponder the desire Job expressed in this verse. Job wanted to go see God face to face.

Job 23:4 I would arrange my case for justice before Him

And fill my mouth with arguments.

Job wanted to state his case to God why he should not be suffering.

Many Christians can relate to this. When we suffer, we can list many reasons why we should not be subject to trials and tribulations, and why our life should be pleasant and easy.

Job 23:5 I would know the words which He would answer,

And discern what He would say to me.

Job 23:6 Would He contend with me by the greatness of His power?

No, surely He would pay attention to me.

Look at the claim “He would pay attention to me.” On the one hand, that was somewhat true. The reason Job’s troubles started was because God noticed Job’s blamelessness and brought Job to the attention of Satan.

On the other hand, Job’s statement was quite audacious. Every human, including Job, is so insignificant compared to God that Job should not have had the attitude that God would have to listen to him.

Job 23:7 There the upright would argue with Him;

And I would have escaped forever from my Judge.

Job 23:8 ¶ “Behold, I go forward but He is not there,

And backward, but I cannot discern Him;

Job 23:9 When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him;

He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.

Job expressed a frustration felt by many people. Humans cannot see, feel, hear, or touch God. Many times when people are trying to make decisions, they wish God would give clear, audible advice and direction.

Job 23:10 But He knows the way I take;

When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job 23:11 My foot has held fast to His path;

I have kept His way and not turned aside.

Job 23:12 I have not departed from the command of His lips;

I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.

The claim Job made in verses 11-12 is true. Job was a blameless man.

Job 23:13 But He is unique and who can turn Him?

And what His soul desires, that He does.

Ponder Job’s statement about God in this verse. God does whatever His soul desires.

The doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture means the author of Job was inspired. It does not mean Job was inspired when he made this statement. The author of Job accurately recorded what Job said. Therefore, we cannot use this verse as proof that God is sovereign. However, we know Job was correct because other passages of Scripture tell us God is sovereign.

Job 23:14 For He performs what is apportioned for me,

And many such decrees are with Him.

Job 23:15 Therefore, I would be dismayed at His presence;

I carefully consider, and I am in dread of Him.

Think about Job’s conclusion about God. Job was not able to see or hear God, and God does whatever He desires; therefore, Job was afraid of what God might do because Job knew he was suffering even though he was blameless.

The book of Proverbs tells us the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. Job’s statement in this verse illustrates why it is wise to fear Yahweh. Yahweh can and does do whatever He desires. Sometimes, that results in us having to live through pain and suffering, just as Job did.

Job 23:16 It is God who has made my heart faint,

And the Almighty who has dismayed me,

Job 23:17 But I am not silenced by the darkness,

Nor thick darkness which covers me.

Job 24:1 ¶ “Why are times not stored up by the Almighty,

And why do those who know Him not behold His days?

Job wanted to know why the Almighty does not reward those who serve Him. In the following verses, Job listed all the sins that often are not punished by God.

Job 24:2 Some move the boundaries;

They seize and devour flocks.

Job 24:3 They drive away the donkeys of the orphans;

They take the widow’s ox for a pledge.

Job 24:4 They push the needy aside from the road;

The afflicted of the land are made to hide themselves altogether.

Job 24:5 Behold, as wild donkeys in the wilderness

They go forth seeking food earnestly in their work,

The desert becomes for him a place of bread for his young ones.

Job 24:6 They harvest their fodder in the field

And glean the vineyard of the wicked.

Job 24:7 They spend the night naked, without clothing,

And have no covering against the cold.

Job 24:8 They are wet with the mountain rains

And hug the rock for want of a shelter.

Job 24:9 Others snatch the orphan from the breast,

And against the afflicted they take a pledge.

The Bible tells us to fear God. Many Christians try to rationalize that the fear of God is respect and admiration, not terror or fright. However, the Hebrew and Greek words used to tell us to fear God clearly mean terror and fright, not respect and admiration.

Job admitted he dreaded God because he understood that he could not see, hear, feel, or touch God; meanwhile, God could see Job and had the power to do anything to Job. No matter what God did, Job had no recourse to resist God in any way, shape, or form.

We are in the same predicament. God is sovereign. He does anything He pleases. If God decides to allow Satan to attack us in order to prove a point, then there is nothing we can do to avoid or prevent the pain and suffering we will endure during Satan’s attack.

Do you ever wish you could meet God face to face and present requests or ask questions?

Why doesn’t God give us the ability to see Him face to face?

Are you willing to accept that we should fear God?

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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”