(198) 17 July : Proverbs 15v8-9 / Job 15-17 / Psalm 47v1-4

BEGIN WITH PRAYER

"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. 

Wisdom to chew on

Proverbs 15:8-9

Understanding to grow in

The well meaning can get things very wrong. Eliphaz now get's angry, accusing Job of sinning in his desire to argue his case with God. He continues to assume Job is being punished, stating that Job's idea that he is suffering though innocent goes against all the wisdom of their culture and ancestry. It's a reminder of how much we need the Bible as God's word to give us wisdom, and how we must hold to it even if against all the so called wisdom of the world. Paul makes the point that "the wisdom of the cross" where the most innocent one suffered, is so much wiser than man's wisdom - yet considered foolish (1 Cor 1v18-21). Jesus is the supreme example that in this age the righteous do often suffer whilst the wicked seem to prosper. And in his own sufferings, Job starts to look to Jesus in his own way. He assumes there is a advocate speaking up for him in heaven (16v19) and recognizes that, in the face of such injustice, there must be more hope than just the grave (17v13-16). As you read consider why Job is so provoked.
Job 15-17

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:

1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.

2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up

You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.

Psalm 47:1-4

·       For introductions to the various Bible books click here.

·       To consult Matthew Henry’s concise commentary click here.