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Job 30:1-31:40<\/strong><\/span> Great readings in Job today!\u00a0 In chapter 31 Job basically \u201crests his case.\u201d\u00a0 He gives his final plea.\u00a0 This chapter is the last time we\u2019ll read this many words from Job.\u00a0 Late in the book we\u2019ll get some brief words of repentance from Job after God speaks.\u00a0 In chapter 31 I like how Job lays out his case \u2013 and lets everyone know what his retribution should be.\u00a0 He basically gives a series of if \/ then statements.\u00a0 If I did this, then that should happen to me.\u00a0 This is similar to the book of Exodus\u2019 concept of the \u201claw of retaliation\u201d, from Exodus chapter 21 verses 23-25:\u00a0 \u201cBut if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you see how Job\u2019s logic in chapter 31 is similar to this law of retaliation?\u00a0 In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus calls us beyond the law of retaliation (which was really a law of \u201climited-retribution\u201d in its day, limiting people to retaliate only based on actual harm done \u2013 meaning, eye for an eye.\u00a0 Not a life for an eye, etc.).\u00a0 Jesus called us beyond this law of retaliation and beyond limited retribution to the highest law of love.\u00a0 Bible.org has an in depth look at Jesus\u2019 taking on the law of retaliation in Matthew 5:38-42 <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 I think at the end of chapter 31 as Job rests his case, the scene may have looked something like this image below\u2026 with Elihu chomping at the bit to speak (as we know in chapter 32) in the upper left hand corner of this image\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Before we move onto Elihu \u2013 today in Job chapter 31 we read what I think is one of Job\u2019s most profound pleadings.\u00a0 It is a 10th century B.C. pleading that is ultimately fulfilled by a little baby born in a manger in Bethlehem who is now seated at the right hand of the Father.\u00a0 Here is Job\u2019s prophetic plea in verse 35: \u201c\u201dIf only I had someone who would listen to me and try to see my side!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 You and I are so very fortunate that we do not need to make such a plea as this.\u00a0 Jesus is in heaven seated on his throne and will receive our prayers!\u00a0 Jesus listens to us!\u00a0 Jesus sees our side!\u00a0 It is humbling to look back toward the time of Job, and realize that Jesus had not yet walked the earth as a man and taken on the sins of the world on the cross.\u00a0 Jesus had not yet risen from the grave and ascended into heaven.\u00a0 Job was looking for someone to listen to him and to see his side.\u00a0 You and I are blessed immensely in this regard.\u00a0 We do not need to look anywhere else other than to the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.<\/span> Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Casting Crowns\u2019 song, \u201cAll You\u2019ve Ever Wanted:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
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