Poetry – Job 25-26

Today we have one of the shortest chapters found in Job.  In fact, the 2 chapters combined are shorter than even some of the other chapters of Job!

Bible Passage:  Job 25-26

It is an interesting exchange of views between Bildad and Job today.  While both were giving their viewpoints, there is something that struck me as I was reading it.

In Chapter 25, Bildad declared that no one is righteous before God.  In fact, he even went as far as to say that man is a maggot and a worm (25:6).

In Chapter 26, Job accused Bildad of only uttering words without really giving practical and real help to the needy.  No one knows God’s mind but even Sheol is naked before God – meaning that God knows everything.  And I mean EVERYTHING!

It is easy to forget that ultimately we all stand naked before God.  We may surround ourselves with many things – our clothes, houses, cars and other possessions.  All these things may hide our true selves from other people but in the end, everything we have slips away and we have nothing left.

The author of Ecclesaiates faced the same issue.  Like Job, he was the wealthiest man.  And added to that – the wisest man that ever lived.  But despite leading his nation to its pinnacle of power and glory, he remarked that “As a person came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return” (Eccl 5:15).

Since we can bring nothing with us after we leave the world, what will we present before God when we stand in front of Him at the last day?

Job had his integrity and righteouesness (Job 27:2-6).  What do we have?

Which brings me to the point raised by Bildad that man is a maggot and worm. This is hardly a flattering potrait but I do believe he was making a point about man’s moral standing before God rather than man’s worth relative to other creatures.

Indeed, the Bible tells us that no one is pure born of woman.  We are born in sin and despite what we try to do ourselves, this sin makes us unworthy to stand before God.

But though we are unworthy, we are not worthless.

There is a big difference.

We are created in God’s image.

God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us.

When we turn back to Jesus in repentance when we have sinned, He forgives us.

There are people who think that because God knows all that they have done (they are naked before God) – they do not deserve to be loved by God and forgiven by Him.  They feel worthless.

The point I am trying to make is that it is not that we worthless – but unworthy because of our sins.

But God knows our weakness and if we are willing to turn to Him, His love wil cover a multitude of sins and reconcile us back with the Heavenly Father.

I saw this wonderful video entitled “Heavenly Father’s Love Letter”.  Aren’t we glad that we have such a God?