The “Patience” of Job (James 5:7-11)
Gary McManus, 07/23/2023Part of the Prayer series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
The book of Job (pronounced with a long O, Hebrew)
is admittedly a tough read although it IS beautiful Hebrew.
Still, the book of Job is in the Bible and even though it is
Old Testament, Job is mentioned in the New Testament.
Therefore, preachers of the Gospel would do well to
handle the book of Job with care. Pastor found someone’s
article on-line that completely misunderstood the book
of Job.
Some preachers preach, in Pastor’s opinion, as if they
never read the book of Job. The book of Job is really a book
for all who have suffered any thing terrible. Pastor advised a
Christian just last week: what a suffering Christian really
needs is a friend who is also a suffering Christian. It
leads to compassion. Job’s “friends” didn’t have much.
Pastor got to book of Job because of talking about Satan
and prayer—both in Job. Pastor wondered if anyone else
ever asked about Job’s prayers. Yes: Bob Hostetler,
“How to Pray like Job.” (See Job 42:8) Still, we are
not given the prayers of Job. The Apostle spoke of the
patience of Job. (KJV) Other versions say “perseverance.”
Confession: Pastor often prays for “relief”, not “perseverance.”
Hostetler: “Pray what’s really on your mind and heart.”
(Job 1:2, NIV).
The book of Job is in the Bible because
“bad things happen to good people.
(See Job 1:8, Job 1:22.)
Hostetler quotes C. S. Lewis: “lay before God what is in us,
not what ought to be in us” (C. S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm:
Chiefly on Prayer; Harcourt, Brace & World, 1964).
Some preachers object to Job based on James 5:9,
and Philippians 2:14.
Yes, don’t grumble against other Christians,
grumble to God ABOUT other Christians.
And remember Jesus story of the two sons. . .
(no, . . .the other story of the two sons. . .
Matthew 21:28-30)
Remember, prayer is two way communication.
Hostetler: “Ask God to speak.”
Pastor recommends:
Charles Stanley’s “Listening to God.”
Also remember those who heard God:
Elijah, “still small voice.”
The rabbis: bow low enough to hear God.
Listen in ways we may not have used before. (Job 13:23)
Speak to God and keep speaking. (Luke 18:1)
Too many Americans focus on Job’s stuff in Ch.42.
Do notice that God Himself showed up and spoke to
Job. The miracle of Jesus is that God shows up for us
here where we live. The stuff Job received in Ch 42 can’t heal grief and trauma. God showing up and speaking with us
CAN help heal.
Still Americans, especially prosperity Gospel preachers
only see that “more blessing” of Job. (Job 42:12)
Martin Dibelius, James: Job’s endurance and God’s
control of what happens next.
Pastor says it this way
“Job did not give up on God and God did not give up
on Job.” It does appear that God had given up on Job.
Job hung onto his belief that God allows bad things to
happen to good people. Job kept his relationship with
God. (Job 1:21, Matthew 28:20) Amen.
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