June
10
Job:31:12–Job
34:1
THE
CRY OF AN INNOCENT MAN
Job 33:9
""I am clean
without transgression, I am innocent, neither is
there iniquity in me."
Perhaps we should stop
and look again at the sufferings of Job. His
physical handicaps and pains are explained in today’s
reading. I think we should not pass the symptoms found
therein. Today we will look at Job’s trial through the
eye of the youngest of the four friends. He came to
chastise Job under the guise of comforting him. ELIHU
continued the haranguing of Job, as the older men had.
Because he was the
youngest, ELIHU waited until the other men ceased
speaking. I personally believe that all this talking
back and forth lasted for a number of days. I may be
wrong, but that is how I see it. So ELIHU, looking at
Job, agreed. "I have heard the voice of thy words."
Yes, he heard but he was not listening.
Job declared, "I am clean without transgression, I am
innocent, neither is there iniquity in me." It
seemed to me that with each insult, he became more
defensive of his spiritual condition. Perhaps I am like
his "friends" but I can’t help wondering how
anyone could possibly be as spiritual and
sinless as Job made himself out to be. Yet, as days
went on, we saw his spiritual stamina keep him alive and
mentally alert.
To Job, his condition
was as torturous as having his feet in the stocks (Job
33:11). He could not escape from the misery.
Think of the pain!–the never-ending pain! ELIHU
concluded that Job was being chastened by God. It was
ceaseless. Even upon his bed, there was agony.
His bones hurt. I have known "bone ache" as a
child. It is a gnawing, unending burning. Poor
JOB! He could not eat! The sight of food gagged him.
His skin was discolored and eaten away by the angry,
poisonous, pus-filled boils. His bones protruded out
of his skin. In agony he cried out. No one cared! In
anguish, he rolled upon the ground. Every bone in
his body screamed for relief! Agony burned the very
fiber of his soul. In anguish, he prayed for relief.
His body was close to death. The grave opened its
mouth–waiting! The Destroyer stood by his side. Poor,
pitiful Job! How much more could he endure?
In closing, let us
turn to the New Testament and read James 5:10-11, 13 and
see the end of the story.
"Take, my brethren,
the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord,
for an example of SUFFERING AFFLICTION, and of patience.
Behold, we count them happy which ENDURE. YE HAVE HEARD
OF THE PATIENCE OF JOB, and have seen the end of the
Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender
mercy. . . .IS ANY AMONG YOU AFFLICTED? LET HIM PRAY. Is
any merry, let him sing psalms. . . ."
By the time the book
of Job is over, ELIHU will be hanging his head in shame
for his presumptuous words to Job, his elder. I WONDER
IF HE EVER APOLOGIZED! (ysw)
"SWEET, SWEET CALM"
William Blaine
Oh, the joy of
knowing all my sins are forgiven.
Oh, the
blessedness of going "HOME" to Heaven.
Oh, the rest,
the "rest" of giving all, Oh, Lord, to Thee.
Oh, the deep
sweet calm of living for Eternity.
(THIS POEM WAS A BLESSING TO ME
[1980]--GGS)
