Reading
SAA Notes
Job flattens the fallacy that God always rewards the evil with evil and the good with good. What would the friends say to Jesus’ death? Job’s thoughts are repeated by Asaph in Psalm 73, a leading poet and musician in King David’s day. Read Asaph’s conclusion.
SJA Notes
* God Above, Your word tells us that unless our righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees we will not enter Your kingdom – Thank You for Jesus, for His righteousness!
“Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?”
Job points out the folly of his friend’s conclusion – That God strikes the wicked in their prime, and so anyone “stricken” must be wicked.
Job is wrestling with the reality of living in this world, this broken creation.
It is something we wrestle with too!
Why does evil seem to prosper? Why do wicked people often grow might in power, and even reach old age?
(God answers Job at the end of this book)
However, Job goes deeper, and we read,
“They lie down alike in the dust, and the worms cover them.”
This is reality – Death comes to us all. Regardless of how we perceive what is happening.
And so it is more important to consider the ONE who saves us from death (which comes to us all).
How good it is that we have a God who has saved us from death into life – Life to the full, life after death.
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
* God Above,
You are gracious and merciful – You are the one who shows us what grace and mercy truly mean.
You have saved us from the cords of bonds of death.
As Your people we can hold fast to the hope of heaven, of glory – That one day we will be with You in the new heavens and earth.
And that till then, You are with us (Immanuel), Your Spirit abiding in us.
Thank You Lord!
Amen.