August 28- A Companion To Ostriches

August 28, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Job 28:1-30:31; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17;
Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 22:7

He behaved like an ostrich and put his head in the sand, 
thereby exposing his thinking parts.
 ~George Carmen

Job 28:1-30:31

If I told you that someone I knew was acting like a jack ass, you would know what I meant.  I would be saying that the person was stubborn and hard to work with.  But, what if I told you that I was a companion of ostriches?  Do what? What the heck would I be saying?  Today, Job calls himself a companion to an ostrich.  We will examine what this means.

We are continuing with Job's latest response to his group of "comforters."  Job has proven to be a worthy intellectual opponent in the mind-fest that this experience has been. Yesterday, we saw that Job disproved his friend's theory about the wicked being punished on this earth and getting what they deserve.  Job rightly pointed out that the wicked often prosper while on the earth and die with their wealth intact. 

Today, Job launches into an eloquent talk on acquiring wisdom.  Job points out that men have learned to mine the earth for silver, gold and precious stones, but men do not know how to mine for wisdom.  Job describes wisdom as a pearl.  This is not a flippant illustration.  Job knows that pearls are formed under pressure and created because of friction and irritation.  They are developed in a living organism.  Only a small percentage of mollusks will ever form a pearl. A pearl is formed under trial.  Wisdom is rare and is also formed from trials.  It is the rare person who develops a pearl of wisdom when put through a trial.  Most people will complain, escape through drugs or alcohol, run from the trial or person causing the trial, but few endure the trial and develop wisdom through the trial.

Job rightly concludes that wisdom can only be found in the fear of the Lord.  Why is this?  Because God measured wisdom when He created the universe and it is through wisdom that all things are made and held together.  God's Mind is what is the glue in this universe.  As we approach God in fear, we begin to touch wisdom. Forsaking evil is when we begin to acquire understanding.  Endless sermons could  be written on this, but I am writing a blog...so, let's move on.

Next, we see Job lamenting his lost friendship with God.  It is during this section of reading that we again get a glimpse of Job as a shadow of Jesus Christ.  Here are some similarities to Christ:

• In his suffering, Job is lamenting a lost relationship with God.  Jesus lamented his lost fellowship with God on the cross when He took on the sins of mankind.
• Job helped the poor and the needy. (Job 29:11).  Jesus helped the poor and needy.
• Job caused the widow's heart to sing. (Vs. 13-14).  Christ did, too.
• Job wore a robe of righteousness and a crown of justice. (Vs. 14)  Oh, my.  What a statement.  Job would have achieved this through faith in the Messiah.  Jesus is our wardrobe provider.
• Job served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. (Vs. 15).  Jesus healed the blind and the lame.
• Job was a father to the poor and a friend to the foreigner.  (Vs. 16)  Jesus is the author of grace to the poor and the foreigner.
• Job taught his community about truth. (Vs. 21-24).  Jesus was the greatest teacher of all.
• Job lived as a king among his troops. (Vs. 25).  Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
• Job is now mocked as he suffers. (Job 30:1) Jesus was mocked by outcasts.
• Job is despised, reviled and spit upon. (Vs. 10).  Jesus was, too.
• Job's heart is breaking. (Vs. 16).  Jesus died of a broken heart.
• God, Himself, is allowing Job's suffering. (Vs. 17-28).  God allowed Jesus, His Son, to suffer and die for others.

Finally, we get to Job's conclusion.  His suffering and isolation has made him a brother to jackals and a companion to ostriches.  A quick google search of ostriches will tell you that they are a desert creature.  They do not actually stick their heads in the sand.  That is a myth.  They do, however, live in a wilderness.  This is what Job is talking about.  He is in the wilderness.  Somehow, after reading this much of the Bible, I am not surprised by this.

God is allowing Job to learn in the wilderness.  God is forming a pearl of wisdom in this man's life.  I know that Job's suffering is beyond comprehension, but his blessings were also beyond comprehension.  Job lived a very big and rich life.  He did everything full force.  It makes sense that his suffering would be on a grand scale.  Job is a shadow of Jesus Christ.  He is a worthy servant of God and worthy to suffer well.  Can you wrap your mind around that?

Are you worthy to suffer well for God?  Do your wilderness experiences develop pearls of wisdom in your life or buckets of bitterness?  Your behavior matters. The choice is yours.

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Paul gives us a powerful description today.  He describes those who bring the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ as a perfume.  The interesting thing about this perfume is that it smells different to people according to who they are in God's story.  If you are a person who loves God and is seeking His Truth, Paul's message of the gospel smells like a life-giving sweet fragrance.  If you do not love God and are in rebellion against Him, the gospel smells like the putrid smell of death and decay.  The gospel is repulsive to those who hate God.

Paul distinguishes that some people preach the gospel to make money.  He says that he and his companions aren't like those people.  He preaches with sincerity and with the authority of Christ, knowing that his actions are being watched by God.

Do you realize that you are being watched by God?  He analyzes your motives each day.  Let this be a reminder to each of us to live in accordance with His Word.

Psalm 42:1-11

Job was speaking of being a companion of ostriches in the desert wilderness.  Today's psalm speaks of panting for God like a deer pants for water.  How perfect!  Are you thirsty for God?  He gives Living Water that flows freely and forever!

Proverbs 22:7

Here is an important financial truth:  The borrower is the servant to the lender.  Are you a borrower?  Most of us are.

What did you learn today?  Please share.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton