Verse of the Day: (31:1) I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
1.Covenant (31:1-32)
If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; (31:24)
Immorality and covetousness are two of the most deadly and devastating sins that had caused even godly and good men and women to fall from God’s grace. This was why Job covenanted with his eyes never to lust over women as it would eventually lead him into immorality. He was also contented with God’s great blessings upon his life, and would flee from covetousness and greed. He had never made gold his hope, or wealth his pursuit, but only in God did he trust. He had been doing good works and helping many especially the poor and the widows. He kept telling his friends that he had never committed immorality or covetousness, and his suffering was God’s test on his faith. However, his friends kept refusing to believe in him and continued with their tirade of false accusations. Indeed, let us look to Jesus Christ, our Mediator of the new covenant, who shall vindicate us as He was once falsely accused, shamed and mocked, and eventually He was crucified for the sins of the whole world, thus fulfilling God’s great prophesy. (Hebrews 12:18-29)
2.Cover (31:33-40)
If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: (31:33)
Job kept insisting that he did not cover his sins, as Adam, God’s first created man, covered his sins from God when he hid behind the trees of the Garden of Eden, after he and his wife had disobeyed Him by eating the forbidden fruit. Job kept sharing with his friends that his suffering was actually God’s testing, and he had never committed any secret sins. Let us thus believe in God, and repent and not cover our sins, and keep loving Him and others so that His love and forgiveness shall cover all our sins. (1 Peter 4:1-8)
3.Condemnation (32:1-22)
Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. (32:3)
Elihu spoke to Job and his three friends only when they ceased from talking, as he was younger than them. He had heard all their conversations, and was really angry with them. He rebuked Job’s friends that they should never had condemned Job without finding the real cause of his suffering. He also reproved Job that he should humble himself, and reflect on his life, instead of murmuring against God, arguing with his friends and justifying himself. Indeed, let us humble ourselves, and thank God for His love that we are bound for glorious heaven instead of being condemned to fiery hell. (Romans 8:1-10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to covenant my life to You that I will only live for You.
Verse of the Day: (29:4) As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
1.Secret (29:1-25)
When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; (29:5)
Job reminisced the glorious days when he enjoyed the company of the Almighty God in His secret place and under His wings, and the fellowship of his loved ones and relatives. Job was one of the godly and wealthy leaders of his community as he daily offered his sacrifices to God, and generously helped the weak and protect them from the unscrupulous and wicked ones. His sudden tragic loss of his precious children and wealth in just one fatal day were too much for him to bear. His beloved wife, relatives and friends began to distance themselves from him, and his close friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar were falsely accusing him that he had reaped the grave consequences of his secret sins. It was a devastating blow to his self-esteem and confidence, and he was now wallowing in depression crying out to God for comfort and consolation. Indeed, let us hide in God’s secret place and under His mighty wings in time of trouble. (Psalm 91:1-16)
2.Soul (30:1-29)
And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me. (30:16)
In just matter of days, the people began to ostracise Job because he had fallen from grace and they believed in was God’s judgment upon him. Even the children in the community despised and mocked him for his sudden loss of his dearest children and wealth. It was too much for Job to bear as his soul was weary and sorrowful from all the pain and suffering. Let us thus pray to God in time of distress and discouragement as even Jesus Christ, God’s Son, prayed to His Father when His soul was exceeding sorrowful because He was about to be crucified bearing the sins of the whole world. (Mark 14:32-42)
3.Skin (30:30-31)
My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat. (30:30)
Job suffered much as God not only caused him to lose his dearest children and precious wealth, but He also greatly inflicted his health that his skin became dark, and his bones were burning within him. As he suffered physical, emotionally and even spiritually, he kept questioning God’s dealing, and daily mourned and wept before Him wishing that He would immediately promote him to His home in glorious heaven to be with his loved ones who had gone ahead of him. Indeed, let us trust and obey God, and confess and repent our sins, as only He can heal our skin, forgive our sins, save our wretched souls from eternal condemnation and promote us to His pearly heaven. (Jeremiah 13:22-27)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your secret and holy place that I hide in time of trouble.
Verse of the Day: (28:16) It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
1.God (27:1-23)
As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; (27:2)
Though Job had strong faith in the Almighty God as he believed that his intense suffering was due to His test on his faith, yet he kept complaining and murmuring because it was too much for him to bear it. Job knew that God was in control, and that everyone whether the rich or the poor, the righteous or the wicked would face death, and he was prepared to die, yet his pain was unbearable. He wished he could die, and be with God in heaven where he shall have no more suffering. However, God already knew that Job was able to endure the fiery test. Indeed, let us fully trust Christ, our Rock, and endure His fiery test, as He is faithful, and He knows exactly how much we can bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)
2.Gone (28:1-4)
The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone way from men. (28:4)
Though it was hard work for man to search and dig for precious metals such as gold, silver, iron, brass and other minerals that God had embedded them in the earth, yet they would all be gone or destroyed when He caused a great flood or earthquake. Job knew that ultimately the whole world is in God’s mighty hands, and His infinite wisdom was more precious than precious gold. Indeed, only God and His wisdom and understanding, and not material wealth and possession, could truly satisfy man’s hungry and thirsty soul. Indeed, unless we truly believe in God and His wisdom, and confess and repent our sins, we shall be eternally condemned in hell, as all have gone out of His way. (Romans 3:1-20)
3.Gold (28:5-28)
The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. (28:17)
Job compared God’s fiery trial to that of the refining of the gold of Ophir in the furnace of fire before it became pure gold. There must be intense heat to burn all the impurities from the raw gold that were dug out from the depths of the earth before it would become refined gold. God was refining and moulding Job as He removed all his sins so that he could be righteous in Him. Indeed, God is more valuable than gold, onyx, sapphire, crystal, coral, pearls, rubies, topaz or any precious stones. Let us therefore trust and obey God, and be zealous, and confess and repent our sins, and endure His fiery test that we shall become the refined gold of Ophir for His glory and honour. (Revelation 3:14-22)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be like the gold of Ophir by passing Your fiery test.
Verse of the Day: (25:4) How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
1.Clean (25:1-6)
How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm? (25:6)
Bildad, Job’s friend, counselled Job to repent his secret sins so that God could clean him with His Word, and again, bless him with children and possessions. Bildad and Job knew from God’s Word that they were born sinners, and were like worms, and needed God to save their souls. By faith, they offered sacrifices to God, believing that one day, He shall send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, to die for their sins. (Genesis 4:1-8) However, Bildad did not know that God was testing Job, as He allowed the Devil to inflict great pain upon him. The Devil had falsely accused Job that he was faithful to God because he had everything, and that if God would take away everything from him, he would curse Him. However, Job did not curse God, even when everything was taken away from him, because he truly believed in Him. Indeed, we are sinners, and like worms, and let us only trust Jesus to save us from our sins so that we become clean vessels bearing fruits by preaching the Gospel that all shall come to know Him. (John 15:1-16)
2.Counsel (26:1-4)
How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? (26:3)
Job retorted Bildad that he was wrong in his accusation, as he had not committed any secret sins against God. Bildad was of no help to Job, as he was aggravating his pain instead of comforting him. Indeed, let us not judge one another, as only God is our Judge and Counsellor, as only He truly knows our very hearts and intents. (Romans 11:29-36)
3.Clouds (26:5-14)
He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. (26:8)
Job explained to Bildad that though he knew that God is the Creator of the glorious heaven, the universe, the sky, the clouds, the earth, the living creatures including man made in His image, as well as the fiery hell reserved only for the Devil, his demons and all who would reject Him, yet he could not fully understand why He had inflicted great pain on him. Amid Job’s suffering, God inspired him to write his autobiography, the book of Job, which became one of the 66 books of the Bible, God’s Word. Finally, God revealed to Job at the last stage of his life that it was His perfect plan to test an imperfect man. (Job 42:1-17) Let us thus look forward to the day when Jesus shall come with clouds and everyone shall confess that He is the true and Almighty God. (Revelation1:1-8)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am cleaned by Your holy Word to bring forth fruits.
Verse of the Day: (23:10) But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
1.Gold (23:1-17)
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (23:12)
Gold is precious and expensive because it is a rare commodity. When Job inspired by the Holy Spirit mentioned that God knew what he was going through, he actually knew to a certain extent that God was testing his faith. Though Job lamented the great suffering that God had afflicted him, yet in his heart He knew that God was working in his life. In fact, during this difficult time, he kept listening to what God had to say to him, and hence drew closer to Him than ever before. Indeed, we are closer to God during the trials of our life as we desperately need Him to comfort us. This is why the trial of our faith is more precious than the gold that perishes, as it truly authenticates our dependence on God. God’s ultimate goal is for us to testify His greatness and goodness amid our sorrow and suffering so that all shall come to know that He is the true and living God. (1 Peter 1:6-9)
2.God (24:1-12)
Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them. (24:12)
Job cried out to God as to why He did not judge and punish the wicked who deceived and oppressed the weak and the helpless, and took every opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of others including the poor and the needy. He was at his wit’s end as it seemed that God was not judging them, and that they could get away with their crimes and wickedness. Indeed, though the wicked may not be punished in this world, yet one day God shall punish them in hell. Though the righteous may suffer now, yet one day they shall enjoy heaven with God. Indeed, blessed are they who trust and obey God for they shall have the right to the tree of life and be with Him forever. (Revelation 22:1-21)
3.Good (24:13-25)
He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow. (24:21)
Job mourned and groaned that God allowed the wicked to oppress the widow and the weak, while the righteous were crying out for help. However, let us know that all things work together for good to them who love God and are the called according to His purpose. God allows crises and challenges in our lives so as to strengthen and solidify our faith in Him, and that we shall eventually come forth as gold. Our present suffering is nothing compare to the glory that He shall reveal to us in His home in heaven. (Romans 8:18-39)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to endure my trial so that I shall come forth as gold.
Verse of the Day: (21:15) What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
1.Almighty (21:1-26)
His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. (21:20)
Why do the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer? This was Job asking the Almighty God when his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, insisted that only the wicked would suffer and the righteous would prosper, and that since Job lost his precious family and possessions, he must be a wicked man. Job’s friends subscribed to the belief that the Almighty shall only bless the righteous and punish the wicked. Though Job rejected their presumption, yet he himself doubted God as to why He allowed suffering in his life, even though he had been righteous. He questioned God as to His identity and as to what were the benefits of the righteous who served and pray to Him, if all they received from Him were pain and grief. Job’s friends not only never comfort and encourage him, but they falsely accused him of hypocrisy. Job did not understand that God was testing his faith, until at the end of his life, when he prayed for his friends who misunderstood him that God blessed him with another 10 children and doubled his wealth. (Job 42:10-17) Indeed, though the wicked may enjoy and prosper in this life, but when they die, they shall be eternally condemned to hell, and though the righteous may suffer in this life, but when they die, they shall be in heaven enjoying God’s presence forever. (Revelation 21:1-27)
2.Ask (21:27-34)
Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens. (21:29)
Job concurred with his friends that God shall punish the wicked but he wavered in his faith as to why He allowed him to suffer much even when he was trusting Him. Indeed, we may not fully understand why God allows severe trials in our lives, but let us keep asking Him to grant us patience and wisdom, knowing that one day, we shall receive the crown of life in heaven which He has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:1-27)
3.Acquaint (22:1-30)
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. (22:21)
Eliphaz rejected Job’s justification that God was testing him in all his suffering, as he sharply rebuked Job that he should truly acquaint with God, and repent his hypocrisy and wickedness. Job strongly disagreed with Eliphaz as he knew that God was His Redeemer, and he had been faithfully serving Him. (Job 19:25-27) Indeed, God is our Redeemer and Almighty, and let us continue to love and serve Him now and forever. (Psalm 55:12-23)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to love and serve You, the Almighty, now and forever.
Verse of the Day: (19:25) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
1.Reproach (19:1-24)
These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. (19:3)
Job vented his frustration at his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, as the last ten times they had repeatedly reproached him for committing secret sins. Though time and again he had patiently explained to them that he had not done any wickedness yet they would not believe him. They believed that God would not severely afflict His people unless they had rebelled against him, and therefore they believed that Job must have sinned against Him. Job’s faith was tested to the fullest as though he trusted God yet it seemed God was like his enemy tormenting him with his tragic loss and ill health. His life crumbled down as his wife treated him like a stranger, his friends falsely accused him, and everyone despised him. Indeed, let us only look to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and serve and please Him, as only He understand our reproach as He had also suffered reproach for us, and eventually gave His life at the cross but for the sins of the world. (Romans 15:1-3)
2.Redeemer (19:25-29)
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: (19:26)
God must have spoken to Job of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who shall one day come to this earth, and redeem man from the curse of the first sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:1-21) By faith, Job believed that one day he would die, and worms would destroy his body, yet he knew that his soul would never die because God, his Redeemer, shall live forever. Indeed, Jesus came and died on the cross, and He was made a curse for us, and whoever believes in Him shall never die, but shall see his Redeemer, and live with Him in His eternal home in heaven forever. (Galatians 3:13-14)
3.Reveal (20:1-29)
The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. (20:27)
Zophar counselled Job to admit his sins, and insisted that God would never afflict His people if they had not committed any evil. He believed that Job must have oppressed the people in his pursuit of his wealth, and this was why God punished him by taking away his precious possessions and dearest children. He believed that God had finally revealed Job’s iniquity, and the only way out for him was to repent his sins. However, Zophar was wrong, as Job did not sin against God. Indeed, let us only heed God’s high calling, as only He shall reveal to us His perfect will in our service for Him. (Philippians 3:13-15)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I never die because Jesus, my Redeemer, lives forever.
Verse of the Day: (18:7) The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his counsel shall cast him down.
1.Sorrow (17:1-16)
Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow. (17:7)
Job lamented about life especially his great sorrow and struggle with the immense loss of his precious children and possessions. Job’s eyes were covered with tears of sorrow and his life was like a shadow waiting to vanish and be with God and his loved ones in pearly heaven. Job had the confidence that he had done his best with his daily devotion and sacrifices of burnt offerings for his sins and those of his loved ones. He believed that they had lived lives that were pleasing to their God. Indeed, let us continue to love and serve God amid sorrow and pain, as one day when we get to glorious heaven we shall have no more sorrow or pain, as we are with Him and our loved ones forever. (Revelation 21:1-4)
2.Steps (18:1-18)
For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare. (18:8)
Bildad, Job’s friend, rebuked Job for treating him and Eliphaz and Zophar as though they were his enemies just because they had counselled him to repent of his hypocrisy and wickedness. Bildad presumed that Job’s steps of strength had become his weakness as he had fallen into secret sins, and that the only way out for him was to truly repent them. However, little did they know that God was actually testing Job, and not that he had reaped the consequences of his sins. Let us thus keep walking in the steps of the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ as only He is our Strength in time of our crises. (1 Peter 2:21-25)
3.Son (18:19-21)
He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings. (18:19)
Job was a patient man as he kept enduring all his friends’ false accusations including Bildad’s presumption that the death of his 7 sons and 3 daughters was God’s curse upon him such that his name shall no longer be remembered on this earth. (James 5:11) Though God’s judgment and curse are upon the wicked yet He is patient and not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. In fact, at the end of Job’s life, not only God blessed him another 7 sons and 3 daughters, but He also blessed him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10-17) Let us thus be careful and sensitive when we counsel those who are in crises, and fervently pray for God’s comfort to be upon them. Let God be the Judge, and let us counsel wisely that ultimately all shall come to know that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God, the Saviour of the whole world. (1 John 5:1-21)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to follow Your steps from here to Your home in heaven.
Verse of the Day: (16:22) When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
1.Wise (15:1-19)
Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? (15:2)
Eliphaz, Job’s friend, believed that God shall richly bless His righteous people, and severely judge the hypocrites and wicked ones, like Job. He rebuked Job for justifying his sins and refusing to confess and repent them. He falsely accused Job of being a hypocrite as in behaving like a righteous man but inwardly he was wicked. Job was immensely hurt by Eliphaz’s judgment as he knew that he had not committed any known sins. Unless and until Job used God’s wisdom to know that it was His test of his faith in Him, he would never come to terms with his suffering. Indeed God’s wisdom is never man’s wisdom, as even His foolishness is wiser than man’s. Let us thus seek God and His wisdom as only in His wisdom shall we fully understand our trial and suffering. (1 Corinthians 1:18-31)
2.Wicked (15:20-35)
The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor. (15:20)
Eliphaz believed that Job’s sufferings were the direct consequences of his wickedness and rebellion against God. He mocked at Job that he would never succeed in deceiving God as He is omniscience, omnipotent and omnipresent. Job must have been very frustrated by Eliphaz’s false accusations. Indeed, let us flee from sins and wicked men lest they influence us to commit wickedness together with them. (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
3.Way (16:1-22)
I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. (16:2)
Not only Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar failed miserably to comfort him, worst still they aggravated his pain and grief by judging and falsely accused him of being a hypocrite and wicked man. Job told his friends that it was easy for them to judge and falsely accuse him, but wait until they were in his dire situation than they would know that it was God’s hand upon him. Though Job could not fully understand God’s way, yet he fully trusted Him in everything. He might have murmured and complained about his friends who were now like his enemies, and the intense pain and grief of his loss of his precious children and possessions, but deep down in his heart, he knew without a shadow of doubt that the Almighty God was his only refuge and hiding place. Job knew that man’s life was just a few years as compared to God’s eternity, and he could just patiently wait for Him to call him to His eternal home in glorious heaven. Indeed, what a day it shall be when we all get to heaven! Let us truly believe in and receive Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, to God, our Heavenly Father. (John 14:1-6)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I know that Jesus Christ is the only Way to heaven.
Verse of the Day: (13:15) Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
1.Trust (13:1-19)
Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. (13:3)
Again Job told his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, that he was equal to them and in no way inferior to them, and what happened to him might also happened to them, as he believed that he had not committed any known sins. In fact, Job sharply rebuked them for being liars, and of no help to him in his pain and suffering, and they would be wiser if they just be silent, and not falsely accused him for committing secret sins. At this point of time, Job knew that he must continue to trust in God though he could not fully understand His ways. Indeed, God would only reveal to Job when he finally surrendered his life to His sovereign will. Let us thus fully trust in God, and not in ourselves, or others, as only He can truly grant us salvation, and miraculously raise the dead. (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)
2.Things (13:20-28)
Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee. (13:20)
Job prayed to God that he would not hide himself from Him if He would grant him 2 things; the first thing was that He would not frighten or hurt him, and the second thing was that He would answer him. God fulfilled his requests as He truly loved him. God was testing Job’s faith so that he himself would know that he fully trusted Him no matter what happened to him. Indeed, we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, and to them who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28-39)
3.Trouble (14:1-22)
Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. (14:1)
Job lamented that he was never in control of anything. He had planned for his future and his children’s future, but all came down to nothing, as God took the lives of his precious children as if He took away his future from him. Job concluded that the life of a man born of a woman was short lived, yet full of trouble. He compared life with a flower that shall soon withered away, and a shadow that shall soon vanish. Job questioned God concerning the meaning and purpose of life. He had come to a point where he desired to die, and be with God, and his dearest children who had gone ahead of him. He reasoned with God that he would rather die than to live through life with all the suffering. These were the thoughts running in Job’s mind, until God finally enlightened him in the end. Indeed, in this world we shall have trouble, but let us be of good cheer, for God is merciful, and full of comfort, and He shall have mercies on us, and shall comfort us in all our trouble, so that in turn, we are able to comfort others who are also in trouble. (2 Corinthians 1:1-7)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to completely trust in You whether in life or in death.
