Job 21 & 22:Who Is The Almighty?
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.
