RPG Adults
JOB’S LAMENT
LORD’S DAY, JUNE 5
Job 30:1-15
Psalm 93
“The LORD also will be
a refuge for the oppressed…”
JOB’S LAMENT
Job, who was once a powerful man and honoured by his neighbours, was now not even respected by the sons of worthless men. These men without ambition had to eat salt herbs (a wild plant eaten only by the destitute). Such men were vagabonds mocked by others, often stealing if the opportunity presented itself. They had no hope of gaining the respect of their fellow men (Job 30:1-8).
Again, Job mentioned the sons of these destitute men who mocked and shunned him. Before, they would have been proud if he had just noticed them, but now all Job’s dignity and the safety that it would have accorded were gone. In those days, when there were no police or army to speak of, men had to look after the safety of their own families. Often, men gathered their families under the leadership and protection of a wealthy man. Job, with his servants and family members, would present a formidable group against wicked men. As a man of renown, he would be relatively safe from attack, but now this safety was gone. He had lost not only his wealth and position but also the safety it provided (Job 30:9-15).
We can contrast Job 29:20 with 30:11. In the former, Job had confidence that God would renew his “bow,” while in the latter, God, rather than renewing, is seen as unstringing or making it useless. In the Old Testament, the bow often referred to a nation’s power so God, in the former days of Job’s life, constantly renewed his strength. However, now Job saw God as taking away all that he had and leaving him without the ability to protect himself.
We see the effect of constant pain and trouble on Job. If we are careless in our spiritual life, when difficulties come, our eyes will be on these difficulties. When this happens, our relationship with God will deteriorate. We, who know the Scriptures, realise that God is always with us and when difficulties come, He will provide all that we need to see us through (2 Cor 12:7-9).
THOUGHT: What lesson do I often learn when troubles come?
PRAYER: Father, may I always be assured that Thou wilt never forsake me.