Job Speaks

The following quotes all go back to July and August and were written in my journal on various different days.

Job to his friends (I had to laugh at some of these)…

“I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you.” (12:3)

“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” (6:14)

“Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes…” (13:12a)

The following is an oft-quoted verse but I’ve never heard people quote the whole thing to those in pain and it probably would have a whole lot more effect if they did…

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. EVEN SO, I will defend my own ways before Him.” (26:7)

Other thoughts that I related to which actually make MY thoughts and words seem very tame. And God didn’t even strike Job with lightning for saying these things! 🙂

“Yes, you [Job] cast off fear, And restrain prayer before God.” (15:4)

“But now He has worn me out…” (16:7a)

“I was at ease, but He has shattered me; He also has taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces.” (16:12)

“He pierces my heart and does not pity…” (16:13b)

“He breaks me with wound upon wound…” (16:4a)

“He has stripped me of my glory, And taken the crown from my head. He breaks me down on every side, And I am gone; My hope He has uprooted like a tree. He has also kindled His wrath against me, And he counts me as one of His enemies. (19:9-11)

“Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, For the hand of God has struck me! Why do you persecute me as God does, And are not satisifed with my flesh?” (19:21-22)

Interesting to note that those above thoughts were a mere few verses before the famous “I know that my Redeemer lives…” quote in verse 25–again, a context very little noted! Also, note that the famous ‘encouraging’ quote is in chapter 19, yet look where Job is still at in chapter 30…

“I cry out to You, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You regard me. But You have become cruel to me; With the strength of Your hand You oppose me. You lift me up to the wind and cause me to ride on it; You spoil my success. For I know that You will bring me to death, And to the house appointed for all living. Have I not wept for him who was in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor? But when I looked for good, evil came to me; And when I waited for light, then came darkness. My heart is in turmoil and cannot rest; Days of affliction confront me.” (Job 30:20-23, 25-27)

I’ve gotta say, makes me feel a whole lot better to know that “Mr Perfect Job” said things worse than me! 🙂