Job. God Himself remarked about Job's righteousness many years after Job lived. 13 "Son of man, if a country sins against Me by committing unfaithfulness, and I stretch out My hand against it, destroy its supply of bread, send famine against it and cut off from it both man and beast, 14 even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves," declares the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 14:13-14 (NASB) Noah, Daniel and Job all lived in places where the entire population refused to worship God; but they stood firm.
I tried to put this into perspective as I read today. Job probably lived about the time of Abraham, but they almost certainly didn't know each other. They both served only the one, true God in the face of everything from quiet skepticism to blatant opposition. Surrounded by polytheists, they stood firm. As I think about that, I am slow to criticize Job as he struggled during his suffering.
Chapter 29 is a review of how God had blessed Job in the past. After describing the respect he was given, Job points out his compassion for the poor and downtrodden.
Chapter 30 moves back and forth from the rejection of people to the questioning of God. Job just couldn't understand why a righteous man like him would have to endure such pain.
Chapter 31 is Job's list of righteous choices he had made in his life. It's like a defense toward God. You and I know that our righteousness, at it's best, is like filthy rags. Our only hope is in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Job, however, was still clinging to his own work. His encounter with Holy God is just ahead!
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