November 10, 2021: SOAP #4360:  Job 35, 36; 1Corinthians 7, 8

SCRIPTURE:  Job (NIV) [Elihu speaking] 35:5 Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you. 6 If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him? 7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand? 8 Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only the sons of men.

OBSERVATION: Elihu had accompanied Job’s friends on their visit.  Since he was a young man, he sat quietly and just listened as the older men had their say.  But when they run out of things to say, Elihu speaks his peace.  His thoughts had been growing while he listened to the others speak. 

It is hard for me to remain quiet while listening to these friends try to make Job admit that he has sinned.  To them, Job’s great suffering is all the proof they needed to know Job had terribly sinned. 

Occasionally, I jump into the middle of the conversation and write out my understanding.  Here, I interrupt the speech of Elihu, “How does our sin affect God?  Is that what you are asking, Elihu?  I am glad you asked!  If only you knew!  It affected Him so much that He sent His only Son to die on a cruel cross in payment for our sins!  Everyone will have to admit that is a great affect!”

APPLICATION:  If I think that my sin does not hurt anyone, I am forgetting how much God paid to forgive my sins.  Jesus humbled Himself to take on the form of man and break the eternal fellowship He enjoyed with His Father to die for my sins!!!  Jesus forever bears the scars of that sacrifice. 

PRAYER: Lord, please forgive me for thinking that my sins do not affect you. The celebration of communion is a clear reminder of your death, your broken body and shed blood.  You have instructed us to do it “often.” (1Corinthians 11:26) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!