ESV Chronological Plan, Day 24 | Job 25-28

LOOK | WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Read Job 25:1-28:28

THINK | WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Continuing on from yesterday, I thought I would highlight some explanatory notes from a few of the excellent study Bibles that are available today. A good study Bible is a great resources to have, though of course the notes are only a fallible commentary on the infallible text of Scripture.

(A) The ESV Study Bible - a peak at the structure of the book. "The dialogue between Job and his three friends has a pattern in which each speech by Job is followed by responses from the friends in a particular order: Eliphaz, Bildad, and then Zophar. After two full cycles of the dialogue, it appears that Job is tired of the repetitive and relentless nature of his friends’ responses. He signals the end of the dialogue by cutting Bildad’s third response short (i.e., it is only six verses long) and precluding any third speech from Zophar. Job concludes with a lengthy monologue in which he takes up several subjects related particularly to the theme of what is hidden and what is revealed... Job criticizes his friends for what is likely an unintentional but still unacceptable consequence of their approach (26:1–4). He questions their certitude by alluding to how much is hidden from human perspective simply in the existence and divine government of the created world (26:5–14)... The first part of Job’s long response is marked with the heading typical of the dialogues, 'Then Job answered and said' (26:1). The heading in 27:1 and in 29:1 ('And Job again took up his discourse') helps bind together the entirety of Job 26-31 as Job’s final speech of the dialogue, which functions as a closing statement."

(B) The CSB Apologetics Study Bible - answering those who say chapters 27-28 don't sound like Job. "Because Job appears to adopt his friends’ view in this passage, some critics theorize that this description of the wicked is wrongly attributed to Job. Some suggest this passage is a lost third speech of Zophar, or that it should be added to Bildad’s short speech (25:1-6). But, as seen elsewhere in the dialogue, Job was searching for answers and encircling his problem from different angles, so his pronouncements were not necessarily consistent with one another (see 21:7-15; 24:18-25). There is no reason to question the text as it stands... Many critical scholars suggest that because the poem of chapter 28 seems to bear no relation to the surrounding discussions, it was once an independent composition that was incorporated later into the text. This view is unnecessary. Job mused concerning the nature of true wisdom that had not been adequately determined in the previous discussions (e.g., 4:21; 11:6-9; 12:12-13; 15:8; 26:3-4). Chapter 28 serves as a transitional piece, clarifying many issues relating to wisdom that have been brought up previously and laying the groundwork for Job’s soliloquy in chaps. 29-31."

(C) The ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible - Jesus is a true comforter. "[In Job 26:1-3] Job’s sarcasm directed at the three who have now been seen to be false comforters affirms by implication what a true comforter should be like. A true comforter would have 'helped him who has no power' (v. 2). A true comforter would have 'saved the arm that has no strength' (v. 2). A true comforter would have 'counseled him who has no wisdom' (v. 3). A true comforter would have 'plentifully declared sound knowledge' (v. 3). A helper, a saver, a counselor, a proclaimer: all those things a true comforter would be—as our Savior ultimately demonstrated. Note the 'no' in 'no power... no strength... no wisdom' (26:2–3). True comfort comes to us when we are at the end of the road, with no gas in the engine and no human possibility of gas for thousands of miles around. Grace doesn’t add to what’s already there. Grace comes to our aid when there is nothing there. This is the comforting grace that Jesus Christ embodied in his life and ministry. He is the Comforter for all who have broken down and have nothing left to run on."

RESPOND | WHAT IS OUR PART?

As seen in the underlined bits above, there are lots of things there that we could appropriately respond to through action, attitude, or worship. (1) Job's example in cutting short the third cycle of speeches from his friends might be a good pattern for us, to remove ourselves from interactions that are exercising a downward pull on our spiritual lives, and which are not heading towards any helpful resolution. (i.e. Some interactions will drain you, but you can tell you are making a difference--others will drain you, and it's clear that you aren't). (2) Job's speech in chapter 26 focuses on the inexpressible glory of God--if you go back and focus on 26:6-14, these verses may draw you into worship. (3) Based on just a surface reading, with no additional study, I was confused by Job's words in chapter 27, which don't sound like him. I still am confused. But the argument found in the Apologetics Study Bible seems like it could have some promise, and it helps me to have an attitude of confidence that there is a satisfactory answer that I will find when I come back to Job for more serious study later on this year. (4) Knowing that Jesus is the comforter of the one who has nothing hits me on several levels: I can respond with worship, it makes me feel an attitude of humility, and it makes me want to put into action the qualities of one who is truly a comforter to others in the pattern set by our God.

PRAY | HOW DOES THIS BRING US CLOSER TO GOD?

Here is a suggested prayer prompt: "God, guide me by Your wisdom. When it comes to my relationships, or things that are confusing me, or my feeling like I have nothing left--God, please show me Your wisdom in those situations. Help by drawing me towards a sense of being lost in the worship of You, of Whom I can search forever and still only begin to detect 'the outskirts of Your ways' [Job 26:14]. Help me to find true wisdom by turning to You, for 'the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom' [Job 28:28]. Make me understand, in my heart, that You are enough for me."