Job 17:6-7
“He has made me a byword of the peoples,
and I am one before whom men spit.
My eye has grown dim from vexation,
and all my members are like a shadow.
Tag: Depressive Thoughts
When a person go through a loss like Job did, we can understand the above passage. He has, indeed, become depressed. He will, at the end of this chapter, say:
Job 17:13-15
If I hope for Sheol as my house,
If I make my bed in darkness,
If I say to the pit, ‘You are my father,’
And to the worm, ‘My mother,’ or “My sister,”
... where is my hope?
Who will see my hope?
Loss is one of the most difficult of emotions to deal with in our human existence. Job has lost everything in his life that matters to him, on an earthly manner. Anything he was attached to has been taken away by the acts of Satan in his life. The one thing that can’t be taken away, his relationship with God, is being clouded by those who came to comfort him. Instead they are judging him and casting doubt over him. When Job says that people “spit” at him, this is the lowest form of contempt and rejection. His state has moved him from being the most reputable man in the land (chapter one) to being on the side of the road and becoming a “byword.” People in the state of lost should not, also, have to deal with the contempt of others. Job may not wanted their pity, but he did not deserve their mocking or rejection. Job will not always be a “by-word.” Although, he will still feel this way through chapter 30. (Job 30:9). But, God will change his reputation. He will be known in the NT as an example of steadfastness.
James 5:11
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
God will use Job. His friends judged him. God folded him into His plan and made him a man we all admire. From “by-word” to the example of steadfastness can only happen when God’s grace is manifested in your life. His friends judged him in their pride and arrogance. God matured him through his grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment