"My ears had heard of You (Yahweh) but now my eyes have seen You (Job 42: 5).

By Jonas Mannaseh Simin Kabung on Friday, 12 October 2012 at 17:03

Faith in God does not promise us sufferings proof lives even though we are obedient unto God. However, besides human imperfections which risk us particular losses, it is also understood that evil persons always cause the righteous ones to suffer losses. Conventional theology was not relevant in vindicating Jobs cause because the root cause, in fact, lies from cosmic conflicts between God and the Adversary in the spiritual realms. So, we are not called to jump into quick & harsh judgment based on the Law of sowing and reaping towards our fellow men in sufferings like what had been done by Bildad, Eliphaz and Zophar unto Job, lest we may end up as folly in the sight of the Almighty God. King Solomon said that the men who fear God will avoid all extremes. (Ecclesiastes 7: 18 b) Job's three friends whom Job called as 'miserable comforters' passed on their accusations against Job based on their theological understandings. And their 'very own' theological assessments in regard of Job's sufferings were as below:1st Theologian: Eliphaz 1. He believed in the orthodox theology of sowing and reaping (Proverbs 11: 18; Proverbs 22:8; Galatians 6:7). Men easily stick to this paradigm in judging fellow human beings on earth. This principle is the most commonly used on earth. He believed that suffering is the lot of mankind (5:7) and exhorted Job to appeal unto God (Job 5: 8). Eliphaz claimed himself to have observed more things on earth compared to Job. Thus, he knew truth based on the interpretation called observation. Eliphaz believed that sufferings were the instruments of divine disciplining (Job 5: 17-18) blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

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The blessings upon descendants signified Gods favor and thus he exhorted Job, whose children were recently wiped out in the incident of falling roof caused by turbulence, to apply the theology which he claimed based upon their careful examination of truth. (Job 5: 27) What do you know that we do not know? The gray haired and aged are on our side said Eliphaz. Listen to me ..; let me tell you what I have seen... (Job15:9, 10 &17). Eliphaz boasted his better understanding which he claimed to be finely tested and practical compared to Jobs views of divine Justice because he (Eliphaz) reasoned that he was more knowledgeable and experienced.

2nd Theologian: Bildad 1. 2. 3. 4. Bildad shared the same orthodox theology of sowing and reaping as believed by Eliphaz (Proverbs 11: 18; Proverbs 22:8; Galatians 6:7). Based on his tested wisdom --handed down by those former generations (Job 8: 8), Bildad exhorted Job to admit his over self righteous attitude. (Job 8: 4, 13, 30) Bildad wronged Jobs attitude of being a self righteous and advised him to repent of his impurity and unrighteousness. Bildad viewed Jobs suffering to be related with Jobs ignorance of God. Such is the destiny of all who forget God... Job 8: 13

3rd Theologian: Zophar 1. Zophar told Job about his views & understanding of Wisdom. He said that wisdom has two sides (Job 11: 6). God has forgotten some of your sins echoed Zophars assessment of Jobs suffering which had manifested as Gods late collection of bills. Zophar insisted that Jobs talks were nothing but nonsense (idle talk). Zophar questioned Jobs inability to grasp Gods wisdom and Gods mysteries. Zophars exhortations: you devote your heart to Him; put away your sins in your hand; allow no evil to dwell in your tent... (Job 11: 13-14)

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Jobs Answers 1. 2. 3. Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble (Job 14: 1) That no pure from the impure (Job 14: 4) 16Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin. 17My offences will be sealed up in the bag; you will cover my sin (Job 14: 16-17). Job knew the secret of being at peace with Yahweh through the rite of expiation. Jobs phrases God wouldnt keep track of my sin and the covering of sin, were only possible to be uttered due to Jobs religious observance through the 'rite' which was the customary practice of Job. God understands the way to it (wisdom) and he alone know where it dwells , for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under heavens (Job 28: 23,24). The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding (Job 28: 28; Proverb 1:17). Jobs definition of Wisdom is not based on lifes experiences but simply fearing God. King Solomon shared this Wisdom by saying, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). God denied me Justice (Job 27: 2). Job says, I am innocent but God denied me Justice(Job 34: 5). Job was confidence in his integrity. Job anticipating Gods answer (Job 31: 35) Jobs final admittance of Gods supremacy in all things. I know that you can do all things and no plans of yours can be thwarted (Job 42: 2) The blessings of the rite of expiation was not the way of escaping from sufferings rather than the way to be at peace with God. Job was the contemporary of the patriarchs since he acted as the priest for his household. In contrast, in Mosaic times, the priesthood was only from the tribe of the Levi. Obviously, Job observed the rite of expiation a.k.a. 'burnt offering' which had been traditionally handed down from his ancestor, the survivor of deluge, Noah. Noah who learned burnt offerings rites from his father and forefathers and he (Noah) became the sole father of burnt offering after the deluge whereas Abraham was considered the father of faith. Moses was the father of Torah. Elijah was the father of the prophet and in Jesus the Son of God is the fulfillment of all of them.

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Jobs responses during the sufferings 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Job cursed his birth (Job 10: 18, 19) Job despised his life (Job 7: 16) Job loathed (felt hatred or disgusted) his life (Job 10: 1) Job likened his sufferings as in darkness (Job 10: 20-22) Job said that God denied him Justice (Job 27: 2). Job said, I am innocent but God denied me Justice(Job 34: 5) Finally Job acknowledged God Sovereignty in all things and that no one can thwart His plan. Job admitted that He had spoken the things he didnt understandthe things too wonderful for him to know (Job 42: 2-3) Job conversed with God and he also saw Him. My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen You (Job 42: 5). Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42: 6) Job prayed (Job 42: 10) for his friendsonce he loathed as the miserable comforters of all (Job 16: 1). Job lived a full of years 140 yearsthe common longevity among the patriarch (Job 42: 16-17). He saw his fourth generation.

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Gods answers: (i) (ii) God answered out of the storm in Chapter 38 to Chapter 41 Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to Me (Job 41: 11) (iii) Who is then able to stand against me? (Job 41:10 b) (iv) God asked for burnt offering (Job 42: 8) (v) God requested Jobs friends to be interceded by Job (Job 42: 8). (vi) Lord accepted Jobs prayer (Job 42: 9 c). (vii) Lord made Job prosperous again (Job 42: 10). (viii) Lord blessed the latter part of Jobs life (Job 42: 12).

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Extra Notes: Wisdom The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding (Job 28: 28; Proverb 1:17) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Accept Word (Proverbs 2: 1) Meditate on the Word Look for the Word as Treasure (Proverbs 2: 2-4)you live for it and you die for it. Then youll understand the fear of the Lord & find knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:5). For the Lord gives wisdom. And from his Mouth (Word) come knowledge & understanding. (Spoken words of God) (Proverbs 2: 6)

Lesson 1. My servant Job will pray for you (Bildad, Zophar, and Eliphaz) and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. This echoed the New Testament teaching of Jesus who commanded us to pray for our enemies or Love Your Enemies ( Matthew 5: 44 44But I tell you: Love you enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 and that you may be sons of Your father in Heaven 2. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job (Prophet Job) and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. (Seven signifies completeness of atonement)and God accepted Jobs prayer (Job 42: 9). After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42: 10). Burnt offering again was the striking mark among Gods people which must be obeyed in order to receive expiation of sins. So in those days of the patriarchs, burnt offering (ancient rite of expiation) was the way of atoning sins, worshipping God and also serving to be the act of surrendering unto God. It is simply called to be at peace with the Lord Almighty.
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. Glossary .. Theodicy: Theodicy /TI"QdIsi/n. (pl. Theodicies) the vindication of divine providence in view of the existence of evil. Vindicate /"vindicate/ v. clear of blame or suspicion; show to be right or justified. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vindicate?s=t Vindicate ( vnd ket) vb [C17: from Latin vindicre, from vindex claimant] 'vindicator n 'vindicatory adj 1. to clear from guilt, accusation, blame, etc, as by evidence or argument 2. to provide justification for: his promotion vindicated his unconventional attitude 3. to uphold, maintain, or defend (a cause, etc): to vindicate a claim 4. Roman law to bring an action to regain possession of (property) under claim of legal title 5. rare to claim, as for oneself or another 6. Obsolete to take revenge on or for; punish 7. Obsolete to set free

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