Day 23 · Part 2: Abraham’s Family
Job Holds On (2 of 2)
In the Story
In context
Job 28 is a poem about wisdom. People dig mines deep under the earth for silver, gold, iron, copper and sapphires (Job 28:1–6), but wisdom can’t be dug up or bought, not even with the gold of Ophir, a land known for its gold (28:12–19). Only God knows where it is, and he says, “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom” (28:28). Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10 say much the same: “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.”
Then Job looks back to the days when God watched over him and his children were around him (29:2–5). He sat with the leaders at the city gate, where a town’s elders met and settled disputes, and he was “eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame” (29:7–15). Now younger men mock him and spit in his face (30:1, 9–10). In chapter 31 he swears he has done none of a long list of wrongs, signs his name, and asks the Almighty to answer him (31:35). “The words of Job are ended” (31:40).
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 · Job asks, “Where will wisdom be found?” (Job 28:12); James says God gives wisdom generously to anyone who asks him for it.
For families
Job remembers the days “when the Almighty was yet with me, and my children were around me” (Job 29:5); his sons and daughters had died when a house fell on them (1:18–19). He also says he was “a father to the needy,” and that an orphan grew up with him “as with a father” (29:16; 31:18).
What do you think it was like for an orphan to grow up in Job’s house?
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
Job 28
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Job 29
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Job 30
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Job 31
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A hymn for today
Trust and Obey · words by John H. Sammis
- When we walk with the LordIn the light of His word,What a glory He sheds on our way!While we do His good will,He abides with us still,And with all who will trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Not a shadow can rise,Not a cloud in the skies,But His smile quickly drives it away;Not a doubt nor a fear,Not a sigh nor a tear,Can abide while we trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Not a burden we bear,Not a sorrow we share,But our toil He doth richly repay;Not a grief nor a loss,Not a frown nor a cross,But is blest if we trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- But we never can proveThe delights of His loveUntil all on the altar we lay;For the favor He shows,And the joy He bestows,Are for all who will trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Then in fellowship sweetWe will sit at His feet,Or we'll walk by His side in the way;What He says we will do,Where He sends we will go;Never fear, only trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.