JOB 12
In this chapter, Job sarcastically answered Zophar the Naamathite and his other friends who labelled him as a talk-active, a liar, a mocker and a one who deserves to be ashamed of himself. All of these are because they think that Job is justifying himself as a righteous man and no man can be righteous before God; but
it was God Himself who introduced Job to Satan as a righteous and a perfect servant of God in Job chapter 1 verse 8.
Job had an understanding of their views of him, so he frantically told them that they should not try to intimidate him with their words by making him feel inferior to them as seen in verse 3 of this chapter 12.
He made them to understand that they are mocking him because of his righteousness.
In Verse 4, Job said, ” I am as one mocked by his neighbour, who calleth upon God and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.”
Job was not happy being mocked by his friends despite being in the right.
In all these, Job was not discouraged!
He addressed the irony of his situation where wicked people seem to thrive while the righteous suffer as seen in Verse 6, “The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.”
This is confirmed in Psalms 73 verse 3 which says,”For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
Verse 17 of that same Psalms says,”Until I went into the Sanctuary of God, then understood I their end.”
From verses 7-25, Job broadly describes God’s providence, His oversight and care of all creation. With this broad scope, from the natural world to the heights of human power; Job implies that his friends take too narrow a view of God.
Job knew who he was in God. His relationship with God gave him confidence that was why he refused to be confused and intimidated by his friends when they were busy accusing him of suffering because of his sins.
God is Sovereign! He created the heavens and the earth and everything in them. He allows His sun to shine on the wicked as well as the righteous same as the rain. All things were created for His pleasure and for His glory! Revelation 4: 11.
People of God, God knows all His children! Let’s make Him boast of us as He did about Job!
1 John 3:7,”Little children, let no man deceive you, he that doeth righteousness is righteous even as He is righteous. ”
Lessons
We should take our stand in the Lord and know that God is the One who justifies.
We should only boast in God’s righteousness which He gave us in Christ Jesus and no man should try to talk down on that righteousness!
Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of salvation and the righteousness You gave us through Jesus Christ Your Son!
Father, help us to always know that it is by Your grace that we are saved and we are made righteous by Your grace alone and not of ourselves lest any man should boast. It is the gift of God and it is true!
Father, help us to be humble before You always in Jesus Christ’s Mighty Name! Amen! Thank You Jesus!
