Reading: Job 25-29
How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in His sight. How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm(Job 25:4-6)?
Occasionally when we read through Scripture, our hearts can be struck by a ‘hidden’ message. Although it might not qualify as the passage's main idea, it reveals itself as a lesson that speaks to our hearts and allows us to better understand God’s will. Such is the case with Bildad's short but impassioned speech in chapter 25.
How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm? When Bildad spoke these words, he meant them as a compliment to God and an indictment of the presumed arrogance of Job. The point he was trying to make was a righteous one. God is much greater than man can ever aspire to be. The Lord exists on a plane that is beyond human comprehension. However, in an effort to emphasize the magnificence of the Lord, Bildad maligned God's greatest creation. And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth (Gen. 1:26). We were created in the image of God, and He loves us with an everlasting love. The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee (Jer. 31:3). In his attempt to glorify Him, Bildad managed to insult and criticize God instead.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). Humility is an essential component of our service to the Lord. We can't follow God if we are blind to everything other than our own accomplishments, needs, and desires. But being humble does not mean being self-deprecating. For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring (Acts 17:28). We are the pinnacle of God's creation. That gives us an indelible worth that would be a sin against our Creator to deny. When we put ourselves down and deny the gifts that God has given us, we essentially tell God that we think He made a mistake. If we claim, as Bildad claimed, that we are no better than the animals that crawl upon the earth, then in the same breath, we are making the same comparison of God. God is not a worm, and neither are those He created in His image. We, alone amongst the many wonders of creation, have been offered a most precious gift, an opportunity to become true children of God. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (John 1:12). By quietly respecting ourselves and the life that God has given us, we are giving Him the honor that is His due.
For Thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well (Ps.139:13-14).
Thought For Today To be impressed with what we have done demonstrates unwarranted pride; to be impressed by what God has enabled us to do demonstrates reverent understanding.
Word Studies: 27:22 fain flee = desire to flee; 29:14 diadem = turban.
Christ Revealed:Through Job's compassion for others (Job 29:15-17,21- 41 25). Jesus was moved to compassion when He saw great crowds in need of healing and feeding (Matt. 14:14; 15:30-39).
Pray For Pathway Printer: Pollock Printing, Nashville, TN • Country: St. Vincent and The Grenadines (102,918) Caribbean • Major Languages: English, French Patios • Religious Freedom • 75% Protestant; 13% Roman Catholic; 12% Other (Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, Other Protestant) • Prayer Suggestion: Intercede in prayer for your friends (Job 42:7-10).
Optional Readings:Ephesians 4.