Sharper Iron — There Is a Redeemer – Job 5:1-27: Adverse Axioms
Eliphaz continues his response to Job. He knows from experience that Job’s affliction hasn’t come from nowhere. Eliphaz advises Job to seek God; if Job will do his part in repenting, then Eliphaz is convinced that God will do His part in restoring Job. Eliphaz is sure that he is right, and he smugly tells Job to receive such wisdom for his own good. Throughout his speech, Eliphaz’s platitudes fall quite short of the real comfort Job needs.
Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller, pastor at St. Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Job 5:1-27.
“There Is a Redeemer” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the book of Job. The suffering of Job raises important questions. Does man fear God for no reason? Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? Who can be an arbiter for man? As this book of wisdom literature wrestles with such questions, God reveals to us that He is our Living Redeemer whom we are right to fear, love, and trust above all things.
Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org
Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. Visit lcef.org.
Job 5:1-27
[1] “Call now; is there anyone who will answer you?
To which of the holy ones will you turn?
[2] Surely vexation kills the fool,
and jealousy slays the simple.
[3] I have seen the fool taking root,
but suddenly I cursed his dwelling.
[4] His children are far from safety;
they are crushed in the gate,
and there is no one to deliver them.
[5] The hungry eat his harvest,
and he takes it even out of thorns,
and the thirsty pant after his wealth.
[6] For affliction does not come from the dust,
nor does trouble sprout from the ground,
[7] but man is born to trouble
as the sparks fly upward.
[8] “As for me, I would seek God,
and to God would I commit my cause,
[9] who does great things and unsearchable,
marvelous things without number:
[10] he gives rain on the earth
and sends waters on the fields;
[11] he sets on high those who are lowly,
and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
[12] He frustrates the devices of the crafty,
so that their hands achieve no success.
[13] He catches the wise in their own craftiness,
and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.
[14] They meet with darkness in the daytime
and grope at noonday as in the night.
[15] But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth
and from the hand of the mighty.
[16] So the poor have hope,
and injustice shuts her mouth.
[17] “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves;
therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.
[18] For he wounds, but he binds up;
he shatters, but his hands heal.
[19] He will deliver you from six troubles;
in seven no evil shall touch you.
[20] In famine he will redeem you from death,
and in war from the power of the sword.
[21] You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue,
and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
[22] At destruction and famine you shall laugh,
and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.
[23] For you shall be in league with the stones of the field,
and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
[24] You shall know that your tent is at peace,
and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
[25] You shall know also that your offspring shall be many,
and your descendants as the grass of the earth.
[26] You shall come to your grave in ripe old age,
like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
[27] Behold, this we have searched out; it is true.
Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).
