READING: Job 11-14, Acts 20:7-38
He asks the right questions, but he fails to apply their answers to himself.
“He” in this case is Zophar, Job’s apparent friend who chides Job in addressing his misfortunes. Zophar’s questions are clear: “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earthand wider than the sea” (Job 11:7-9).
Zophar rightly recognizes that we cannot fully know God’s wisdom or understand His purposes. His heights tower over us, and His depths go far beyond us. His mysteries are just that—mysteries—and we must trust His love and guidance even when we cannot comprehend His plan. What Zophar fails to recognize is that he himself has apparently figured out God’s answer for Job; there seemingly is no mystery here, according to Zophar—Job must just “put away the sin” that is in his hand (Job 11:14).
How easy it is for us to figure out God’s answer for someone else while failing to see the fallacies of our own thinking! Our hearts truly can be deceptive.
PRAYER: “God, help me not to miss the beams in my own eyes.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Job 15-17, Acts 21:1-25