Daily Manna 14 September
KEY VERSE: “Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?” – (Job 11:2)
TEXT: Job 11:1-6
Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
2 “Should not the multitude of words be answered?
And should a man full of talk be vindicated?
3 Should your empty talk make men hold their peace?
And when you mock, should no one rebuke you?
4 For you have said,
‘My doctrine is pure,
And I am clean in your eyes.’
5 But oh, that God would speak,
And open His lips against you,
6 That He would show you the secrets of wisdom!
For they would double your prudence.
Know therefore that God exacts from you
Less than your iniquity deserves.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
It is a truism to say that a man of wit and discretion is usually known by his few words. This is because, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19). Through the opening of the mouth, the fool parades his folly but “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise…” (Proverbs 17:27,28).
In the text under consideration, we see Zophar the Naamathite, one of the three friends of Job berating, chiding and blaming him for his calamities; claiming they were the direct result of his sinfulness and unrighteousness.
No doubt, all that Zophar said about God and man was perfectly correct. He talks of God’s righteousness, unlimited wisdom, perfect judgment, omniscience and His infinite might. On the other hand, he described man as vain, imperfect in knowledge and inconsequential. This means, a sinner may sometimes say some truths about God but the fact is that he may not be able to personally embrace the truth. That is head knowledge and it is not enough. However, Zophar, like his two other friends failed to realise that Job’s misfortune was not as a result of any sin.
A believer should therefore refrain from jumping into conclusions without fully proving all things. He should pray against judgmental and fault-finding spirit. Misfortune or failure in life does not always indicate that a man is a sinner, nor does prosperity or success indicate righteousness. Job’s misfortune was from Satan. Believers should pray for fellow believers who are passing through difficult times while sinners should pray to the Lord for pardon and purging.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Provide succour to those who are suffering.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 131-138
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Comfort for the Afflicted – by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 14 September 2021
