THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR

PROCLAMATION

“Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.  It is all the same; that is why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’”  Job 9:21-22 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

Chapter seven of The Bible Book of Job begins with Job offering excuses for his desire to die. (Job 7:1-6)  Then he begins to bargain with God (Job 7:7-16) and afterwards he tries to reason with God. (Job 7:17-21)  His friend Bildad then speaks up and reproves Job. (8:1-7)  He states that The Lord God would not cast away an upright man, but He would destroy the wicked man. (Job 8:20-22)  In chapter nine, Job replies to his friend Bildad.  Job acknowledges God’s justice (Job 9:1-13) but he maintains his own innocence. (Job 9:21-22)  Then Job resumes complaining about his situation. (Job 9:25-35)

APPLICATION

When we speculate based upon only part of the facts, we frequently come to the wrong conclusion.  We know that all people have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that some of them have been given over to the penalty of their sin. (Job 8:3-4)  We know that God punishes sinners.  However, we are wrong to think that everyone that suffers is being punished for their sins.  Some suffering is part of God’s permissive will, as was the case with Job. (Job 1:6-19 and 2:6)  Some suffering is due to the sins of our grandparents and great grandparents. (Exodus 20:5 and 34:7, Numbers 14:18, and Deuteronomy 5:9)  We should not judge others (Luke 6:37) because we do not have all of the necessary information.  What we should do is pray for those individuals who are suffering from whatever cause.