Dominion and fear are with him

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 25:1–6, “Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places. Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not his light arise? How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?”

Bildad continued with his attack on Job but tried to speak of big things and then move on to apply them to Job. He spoke of the majesty and authority of the Lord. Who can stop the Lord for doing what He wants to do? How, then, can any man claim to be good before the Lord? After all, no man is better than a worm before the Lord. This was aimed at Job and his claim that he was a good man who just wanted to be able to speak the Lord and state his case.

He is swift as the waters

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 24:18–25, “He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards. Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned. The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree. He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow. He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no man is sure of life. Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways. They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn. And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?”

These speeches are records of personal opinions as spoken by Job and his, so called, friends when Job suffered. They do not necessarily express Divine and eternal truths. Job’s friends were definitely expressing their own personal opinions. Here Job continued with his understanding of life, good and evil. The evil men seek to make the most of now and don’t worry about the future. When they die they are soon forgotten. It may seem as though there is no justice but the Lord will bring true justice in the end.

Those that rebel against the light

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 24:13–17, “They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face. In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.”

Job continued to talk about the evil people on earth. These people rebel against the Lord God and do nothing to follow His ways. These people hide in dark places and act in secret. They believe that no one will ever see them and that they will get away with everything that they do. They hide from the light and try to make sure that their secrets are kept and no one actually knows what they are really like. This may involve telling a few lies here and there.

Seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 24:1–12, “Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days? Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow’s ox for a pledge. They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together. Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children. They reap every one his corn in the field: and they gather the vintage of the wicked. They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor. They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry; Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst. Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.”

Job continued to put voice to his thoughts. If the Lord know everything then why do the people who serve Him not see Him act? Evil people continue to be evil and to destroy those less rich than the evil are. These people conspire all day as to how they can make more for themselves and take away the little that the poor have. They have no time for charity or compassion. But God seems to let the go without doing anything to stop them.

But he is in one mind

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 23:13–17, “But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.”

Job longed to see the Lord but he felt as though the Lord didn't want to speak to him. He couldn’t force God to anything that God didn’t want to so what could Job do? Job was afraid of God, he wouldn’t blaspheme or curse God and felt that he would not be able to see God at all.

Behold, I go forward

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 23:8–12, “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.”

Job longed to be able to put his case to the Lord. He tried to do whatever he could but he didn’t know how. He knew that he was being tested and would be purified by the process. He had kept the way of the Lord and followed the Lord’s commandments, in fact, he put the Lord’s words ahead of his daily food.

Oh that I knew where I might find him!

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 23:1–7, “Then Job answered and said, Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.”

Earlier, as he tried to defend himself against his friends, Job had said, “I know that my redeemer liveth.” He knew that God is just and righteous and, one day, he would have a chance to defend himself. He was suffering and complained because he believed that he was suffering far more than he deserved. If only he could see God then he would be able to put his case and persuade God of his own goodness. As a righteous man, Job believed that he should be free to talk to God and defend his position.

Acquaint now thyself with him

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 22:21–30, “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver. For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands.”

Eliphaz refused to let up on Job. He was determined to make his point and force Job to admit that Job deserved this trouble because Job had sinned. He told Job learn more about God and the way that God worked. He said God always punished sinners here and now and all Job had to do was confess his sin to the Lord. As soon as Job did that, Eliphaz pontificated, everything would be okay again. This theory is still evident today. Many people believe that they will be successful in life and have wealth if they follow the right pathway. However, God’s creation has been marred by sin and everything has become chaotic. Pain and suffering can be random and arbitrary but anyone who trusts in the Lord will be secure forever, even if they suffer setbacks now.

Hast thou marked the old way?

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 22:15–20, “Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood: Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them? Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me. The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn. Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth.”

Eliphaz continued with his malevolent vituperation. He seems to have been very bitter about Job and was enjoying Job’s pain and setback. He asked Job if Job had studied history and seen what happened to men in the former times. The people who refused to accept God and asked what God could do to them. However, these ancient people were all destroyed in the Flood. Surely this was a strong proof for his argument?

Is not thy wickedness great?

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 22:5–14, “Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite? For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing. Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it. Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken. Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee; Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee. Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are! And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud? Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.”

After fairly harmless introduction to his third speech, Eliphaz started to accuse Job with some intensity. He accused Job of being very sinful. He said that Job took a guarantee from people when they didn’t need to give him one, Job took the clothes away from someone who had no spare clothes. He wouldn’t give water to the thirsty or food to the hungry, Job had done nothing to help anyone in need and he deserved to be in pain for his wickedness. Nothing can be hidden from God and God will punish the wicked quickly. Of course, Eliphaz wasn’t expressing any eternal truth, just his own bigoted opinion.

Can a man be profitable unto God?

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 22:1–4, “Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment?”

Job’s friends had been trying to persuade him that he had done something wrong. They had, already, accused him in two rounds of speeches but he refused to accept that they were right. They still didn’t give up and started a third round of accusations. Eliphaz asked Job if any man was good enough to actually impress God. Would it be advantageous for God to have any particular person as one of His servants? God will judge and not any man.

Behold, I know your thoughts

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 21:27–34, “Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done? Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him. How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?”

Job was getting tired of his friends' hypocrisy. They pretended to be sympathetic and compassionate but really they were taking advantage of his severe setback to tell him things they, otherwise, would not have said. They had never talked to someone who had already died so they couldn’t possibly know what happens after death. A man who knows hardship may well be pleased to be dead because he has been saved from him hardship but no one knows if that is true or not. His friends were not comforting him at all because they weren’t telling Job the truth.

They shall lie down alike in the dust

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 21:17–26, “How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it. His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high. One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.”

Job continued to discuss the wicked. How often do you see wicked men coming to grief? How often do people rejoice at a man’s death and say that that man deserved to die? Perhaps the wicked man’s children will suffer for the sins of their father, perhaps they won’t. However, everyone will have to face Almighty God at some stage and face His scrutiny. One person dies as a rich and prosperous man while another dies as a poor and embittered man but both of them are buried in the dust and are eaten by the worms.

Wherefore do the wicked live?

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 21:7–16, “Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.”

Job asked his friends some important question to force them to think about their theory. They had been telling Job that he was suffering because he was a bad man. After all, they said, only bad people suffer and good things happen to good people. Job pointed out that some bad people grow old and their children inherit all the things that they have taken for themselves. How can this be? These bad men prosper as farmers and their business ventures succeed. They refuse to accept that God is in control and that God should be obeyed.

Lay your hand upon your mouth

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 21:1–6, “But Job answered and said, Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.”

Poor Job, he was suffering from extreme pain and his friends were gloating over his suffering. He asked them just to listen to his words rather than wait for a chance to mock him.

God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 20:23–29, “When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating. He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through. It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him. All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle. The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath. This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.”

Zophar continued his description of the wicked man. He will come to a terrible end. He will be in pain and filled with terror because his evil deeds have caught up with him.

His hands shall restore their goods

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 20:10–22, “His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods. His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust. Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth: Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him. He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly. He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper’s tongue shall slay him. He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter. That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein. Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not; Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired. There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods. In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.”

Zophar continued his attack on Job but pretended to talk about wicked men in general rather than Job in particular. He said that the wicked man’s children will not live in riches but they will have to repay the bad things that their father did. The wicked man is full of poison the poison will slowly destroy him from within. When his life is over there will be nothing left at all.

I have heard the check of my reproach

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 20:1–9, “Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste. I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer. Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.”

Job’s friends refused to accept that he was a good man. Zophar was upset because Job  didn’t listen to his arguments and refused to understand that Job was a bad man. After all, everyone knows that good men don’t prosper in the long term. Even if a man was raised up so that he sat above the clouds he wouldn’t be able to stay there and enjoy the benefits of his bad deeds. Anyone who saw a bad man prosper would also see his destruction.

Oh that my words were now written!

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 19:23–29, “Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.”

Job wanted to see a record of his suffering kept in a book. He wanted these things to be made secure so that people could see what had happened to him. He knew, in spite of everything, that he had a redeemer. Someone would, one day, come to Job and help him in his strife. Job believed that when he was dead he would be justified for his stance and his claims of innocence and people would understand that he suffered even though he was a good man.

He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 19:8–22, “He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths. He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree. He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies. His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle. He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth. My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body. Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me. All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me. My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me. Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?”

Job was being tormented by his friends but he was more concerned about what God had done in his life. He believed that the Lord had stopped good things from happening to him and had taken away all the honour that he had earned through a lifetime of doing good. He felt as though everything had conspired against him and an army had come against him to destroy him. His wife and his family rejected him as well as all his close friends. He asked his friends to have pity on him rather than persecute him because he had suffered a serious setback.

How long will ye vex my soul?

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 19:1–7, “Then Job answered and said, How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself. If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach: Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net. Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.”

After Bildad finished his statement, Job replied. He told his friend that Bildad wan’t helping him at all. In fact, Bildad was destroying Job with his words. This friend was attacking Job as hard as he could.

Terrors shall make him afraid on every side

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 18:11–21, “Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet. His strength shall be hungerbitten, and destruction shall be ready at his side. It shall devour the strength of his skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength. His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors. It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off. His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street. He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings. They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted. Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.”

Bildad told Job that a wicked man will always be afraid . He could expect to be weak and find destruction surrounding him on every side. Of course, this isn’t true but Bildad believed that it was true and tried to persuade Job that he was correct. Bildad said that a wicked man would soon be forgotten and he would never leave any legacy at all.

The light of the wicked shall be put out

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 18:5–10, “Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him. The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down. For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare. The gin shall take him by the heel, and the robber shall prevail against him. The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.”

Bildad refused to allow Job any latitude. He was not willing to think that Job might be innocent of any sin. He told Job that Job was getting exactly what Job deserved. Job was being punished because he was wicked and he would never be able to escape from true justice.

How long will it be?

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 18:1–4, “Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak. Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight? He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?”

Job’s friends didn’t really listen to his arguments. They were being polite and waiting for him to stop speaking. Job was defending himself but Bildad accused Job of being disrespectful to his friends. Bildad didn’t even assume that Job might be speaking the truth at all.

I cannot find one wise man among you

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 17:10–16, “But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you. My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness. If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it? They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.”

While Job kept his faith, he had lost his hope, he didn’t believe that he would ever be delivered from his torments. None of his friends showed any wisdom and they were not giving him the encouragement that he needed. They made the day seem like night and the night seem like day. While Job had lost his hope, he knew that his friends would also die and return to the dust.

My breath is corrupt

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 17:1–9, “My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me. Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation? Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me? For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them. He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret. Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow. Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.”

It isn’t too hard to maintain our faith when we understand what is happening but Job didn’t understand his situation. His body seemed to be decaying from within and his breath was full of the stench. Death seemed to be waiting for him. His friends refused to understand his situation, preferring to take perverse delight in his situation because he had been much better than they were. He had never tried to flatter his friends but had been willing to tell them the truth because he wasn’t a hypocrite and now they were enjoying his strife.

My prayer is pure

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 16:17–22, “Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place. Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.”

Job wasn’t ready to admit that he had done something specific to deserve his currents torments. He wasn’t praying to the Lord and trying to hide secrets from the Lord at the same time. His friends were accusing him of terrible things but he just wanted to speak to the Lord. He wanted to be able to plead his own case with the Lord as he had prayed for so many other people in his life. Job knew that he would soon die and be forgotten but he wanted to set the record straight before he was consigned to eternity.

My grief is not asswaged

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 16:6–16, “Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company. And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face. He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me. They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked. I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark. His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground. He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant. I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust. My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;”

Job hoped that he would be able to find comfort from speaking to his friends but this didn’t happen. He couldn’t even find comfort from speaking to the Lord. The pain continued and there was no relief from his troubles. Not only did the Lord seem to cause him more grief, his enemies attacked him without mercy. The Lord had given him over to the ungodly and they took advantage of his pain and anguish. He wept in his sorrow but things just seemed to get worse day by day.

What emboldeneth thee?

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 16:1–5, “Then Job answered and said, I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.”

Job replied to Eliphaz and told him that he was not doing anything to comfort Job at all. When was he going to stoop? Job wondered if his friends were only speaking because they saw that he was in trouble and felt as though they could get away with saying these things to him for that reason. If things were the other way around, Job would be helpful rather than destruction towards his friends.

And have not hid it

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 15:17–35, “I will shew thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare; Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it: Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them. The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor. A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him. He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword. He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle. For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty. He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers: Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks. And he dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps. He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth. He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away. Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence. It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green. He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive. For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery. They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.”

Eliphaz continued his argument and asked Job is he had access to some special wisdom other than the conventional wisdom of the day. Was there some secret society, with special knowledge, that no one else had heard about? Everybody knew, in those days, that wicked people suffer and good people have good things in their lives. Even wicked people live in fear of being found out and punished, didn’t they? God would never let good people have a bad reward for their good behaviour. Even if a person doesn’t believe the dictates of conventional wisdom, he will never be able to escape God’s Divine Justice.

Should a wise man utter vain knowledge?

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 15:1–16, “Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good? Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty. Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee. Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the hills? Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself? What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us? With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father. Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee? Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at, That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy mouth? What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?”

Job’s friends listened to him but they still wanted to add their own opinions. In fact, they were not listening to his words but just waiting for him to stop talking so that they could talk. Eliphaz took the first opportunity to speak again. He accused Job of speaking rubbish, just blowing hot air. He asked Job if he was around at the beginning when the Lord made everything. Did Job know where everything came from or did he invent wisdom? What did Job know that his friends didn’t know. They knew that Job deserved to suffer but Job seemed to think that he had some special knowledge. All men are bad and Job was no different.

Thou numberest my steps

http://youtu.be/NK8VWcw8BOM “The Science is in!”

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand

http://www.booksthataregood.com/Reference_Books.php

http://twitter.com/#!/jamesmcnaught 

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)

Job 14:16–22, “For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity. And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place. The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man. Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them. But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.”

The Lord knew all that there was to know about Job, He knew how far Job walked each day and how many times Job sinned. Even the rocks, which seem so solid, are worn away by water so what hope does a man have before the Lord? Everyone knows pain and it increases with time.