Let God Do It!

When Job’s friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) came to him in the midst of his suffering and loss, they did not provide him much comfort. In arrogance they heaped guilt upon Job, urging him again and again to confess the sin that had brought about the circumstances of his present condition. These friends arrogantly spoke as if they had God and the happenings of life all figured out. In self-righteousness they exalted themselves above Job and spoke to him in a condescending manner. All the while Job defended his integrity and longed for answers from God. When God finally did speak to Job and questioned him ( Job 38-41), Job was humbled. ( Job 42:6) God then blessed Job in two ways. The second was restoration of property as well as more sons and daughters ( John 42:12-13) and Job’s life was described as being more blessed by God in his latter days than in the beginning. ( Job 42:12) It is the first blessing I want us to note because it is one that might be easily overlooked.

We read…
“(7) After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: ‘My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for YOU HAVE NOT SPOKEN OF ME WHAT IS RIGHT, AS MY SERVANT JOB HAS. (8) Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and GO TO MY SERVANT JOB and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And MY SERVANT JOB SHALL PRAY FOR YOU, for I WILL ACCEPT HIS PRAYER not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.’ (9) So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the Lord had told them, AND THE LORD ACCEPTED JOB’S PRAYER.” ( Job 42:7-9 ESV)

Job’s friends had attacked his reputation and called his integrity into question. It was not Job, but rather God who in the end EXALTED Job in the sight of his friends. These three who had exalted themselves in the sight of Job were faced with having to humble themselves before him. The ones who had self-righteously been critical of Job were in need of Job’s intercession on their behalf and Job was faithful in doing it. Job was EXALTED BY GOD as the mediator between them and God. There was no need for Job to offer any defense because God made it clear to Job’s friends that he was God’s servant and his prayer would be accepted.

Jesus instructed…
“(11) The greatest among you shall be your servant. (12) WHOEVER EXALTS HIMSELF WILL BE HUMBLED, and WHOEVER HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED.” ( Matthew 23:11-12 ESV)

Isn’t that exactly what took place as a distinction between Job and his friends? When we exalt ourselves we are in need of being brought down. Humility is our action and EXALTATION is God’s!

Peter exhorted…
“HUMBLE YOURSELVES, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so THAT AT THE PROPER TIME HE MAY EXALT YOU,” ( 1 Peter 5:6 ESV)

To begin thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought ( Romans 12:3) could cause us to miss this blessing. EXALTING is something to be left to God because He knows how and when to do it! May we retain a genuine sense of humility as we allow God to do the EXALTING. This will render our lives the most useful to His purposes as we humbly surrender to His Sovereignty and Will.

Have a great day LETTING GOD BRING THE STANDING IN OUR LIFE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Humility