Jewels From Job
Job – Chapter #7
Job continues to speak.
1 "Is there not a time of hard service for man on earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hired man? 2 Like a servant who earnestly desires the shade, And like a hired man who eagerly looks for his wages, 3 So I have been allotted months of futility, And wearisome nights have been appointed to me. Job 7:1-3 (NKJV)
THE LABOR OF MAN
Job says days are full of work and the nights are full of sleeplessness. If there is no future – no reward in a future life (Heaven) then life is to be most pitied. Useless – useless – useless. If this world is all there is – how pitiful we are. For life is nothing but labor – trying to put bread on the table. Life becomes nothing but trying to satisfy our own basic needs of food and shelter.
Work itself is not a curse. Adam was instructed to work in the garden. ‘The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it.” Genesis 2:15 (HCSB) God Himself works: “By the seventh day, God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done.” Genesis 2:2 (HCSB)
However, there is a curse related to work – and that is futility. Who wants to labor and see no results? Who wants to work for hours and get nowhere? Because of the fall of Adam work has become full of effort. “And He said to Adam, “Because you listened to your wife’s voice and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘Do not eat from it’: The ground is cursed because of you. You will eat from it by means of painful labor all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground, since you were taken from it. For you are dust, and you will return to dust.” Genesis 3:17-19 (HCSB)
I am a gardener and I can not comprehend a garden without weeds. We live in a fallen world and when I plant a garden the weeds grow faster and stronger then anything I have ever planted. The Garden of Eden, before the fall, was a garden without weeds. I believe Heaven is a garden without weeds too.
4 When I lie down, I say, ’When shall I arise, And the night be ended?’ For I have had my fill of tossing till dawn. 5 My flesh is caked with worms and dust, My skin is cracked and breaks out afresh. 6 "My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, And are spent without hope. 7 Oh, remember that my life is a breath! My eye will never again see good. 8 The eye of him who sees me will see me no more; While your eyes are upon me, I shall no longer be. 9 As the cloud disappears and vanishes away, So he who goes down to the grave does not come up. 10 He shall never return to his house, Nor shall his place know him anymore. 11 "Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Job 7:4 – 11 (NKJV)
THE SHORTNESS OF MAN’S LIFE
Job talks about the shortness of life – but when you are suffering – life does not seem short. Five minutes is a short time – but not when you are getting a root cannel. Man’s life is short – now the norm is around 80 years – what is that in the scheme of time? It is nothing but a blink. When we suffer our life becomes “I” centered. How can it be otherwise? When I hit my thumb with a hammer – my attention goes to me and my pain – not your need. When you or I are hurting are we concerned about other people’s needs?
All people are self centered.
12 Am I a sea, or a sea serpent, That You set a guard over me? 13 When I say, ’My bed will comfort me, My couch will ease my complaint,’ 14 Then You scare me with dreams And terrify me with visions, 15 So that my soul chooses strangling And death rather than my body. 16 I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone, For my days are but a breath. Job 7:12-16 (NKJV)
THE POWER OF WORDS
Job speaks of putting a guard over a sea monster. He seems to be saying, “Would you put me in chains? Would you muzzle my mouth? When I needed words of comfort – you gave me nightmares.” How easy our words can change a person’s attitude. When Job needed words of comfort – he was given words of accusations. How easy it is to say something stupid. We mean to say words of lift up others but in a split second we say something that causes damage. Let us be careful what comes from our mouths.
17 "What is man, that You should exalt him, That You should set Your heart on him, 18 That You should visit him every morning, And test him every moment? 19 How long? Will You not look away from me, And let me alone till I swallow my saliva? 20 Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, So that I am a burden to myself? 21 Why then do You not pardon my transgression, And take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust, And You will seek me diligently, But I will no longer be." Job 7:17-21 (NKJV)
JOB’S QUESTIONS
Job asks a great question in verse 17. What is man, that You think so highly of him and pay so much attention to him? Job 7:17 (HCSB) Are we really worth all Your effort? Are we really worth all Your attention? God’s answer by His actions are YES. We are not just animals – we are not just toys – we are not just insignificant beings – we are people created in the image of God Himself.
Life IS a test. You inspect him every morning, and put him to the test every moment. Job 7:18 (HCSB) Why should it not be? If life is preparation for eternity we need to be tested and tried. “Mold me and make me ready for your kingdom – O Lord.”
Remember that the suffering that has come upon Job is affliction that is caused by Satan. Yes, God has allowed it – but the suffering that Job is going through limited and is an action of Satan.
The last two verses are powerful – Job calls God – “the watcher of men.” If I have sinned show me. If I have sinned why don’t You pardon me?
Job asks a series of questions at the end of this chapter that are powerful:
1. What is man that You think of him?
a. You keep him in mind
b. You keep him in Your heart
c. You visit him daily – in the morning
d. You test him every moment
2. How long will your attention be on me?
3. Have I sinned?
4. What have I done to You?
5. Why am I Your target?
6. Why don’t You forgive me?
7. Why don’t You take away my iniquity?
These are the questions of a man who is searching his soul – but also searching for God.
