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A DAY OF RECKONING
THURSDAY, JUNE 23
Job 42:7-9

Psalm 119:169-176

 

God gives his anger by weight
but His mercy without measure.

(Anon.)

 

A DAY OF RECKONING
 
As God dealt with Job regarding his failures, his friends were evidently standing by. God now turned to Eliphaz and his two other friends and expressed His anger at what they had done. They had tried to defend God’s justice but with false statements. As they did not understand that suffering may not be a result of sin, they did not speak the truth concerning Job’s relationship with God (Job 42:7).
 
It is a very serious matter to pretend to be a teacher of truth but not know that truth. The Lord Jesus warned that a blind teacher only leads others into a ditch (Luke 6:39). He condemned the teachers of Israel because by not knowing the truth, they had misused the Word of God (Matt 23:16). There is also a warning to those within the church not to be too quick to desire to be teachers. Those who teach God’s Word fall under stricter standards than others (James 3:1). Let us be careful when we speak about the Lord, ensuring that we speak the truth from His revealed Scripture at all times. Furthermore, may all teachers remember the necessity of constant study of God’s Word and obedience to it in order to remain qualified to teach.
 
Job’s friends had not spoken correctly, but God was gracious and willing to forgive them, as He is to everyone who comes to Him in faith. Job was totally vindicated. By faith and obedience, he had a proper relationship with God. When his friends denied this truth, they had to approach God with sacrifices for sin. How wonderful it was for these friends of Job to be able to bring their sacrifices and be assured of forgiveness before the Lord despite the enormity of their sin (Job 42:8-9)!
 
May we, too, rest in God’s gracious forgiveness in times of need.
 
THOUGHT: Why was God angry with Job’s friends?
PRAYER: Father, may I be a diligent student of Thy Word, and be obedient to it.

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