Post by Emmanuel A. O. on May 14, 2013 13:24:12 GMT 1
Judge Not TEXT: JOB 18:1-21
“How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak. Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight? He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?” (Job 18:2-4).
Very often, we jump to conclusion about other people. We seem to know what has befallen them and eagerly dish out words that end up hurting more than soothing the frayed nerves of the weary and suffering. In our presumptuousness, we arrogate to ourselves powers we do not possess, and we make ourselves judges over others. We fail woefully at a time when others counted most on us for succour and support.
Bildad, the Shuhite thought he knew why Job was suffering this indescribable punishment. To him, Job was a wicked man who evidently was reaping the wages of his evil acts. He was surprised that Job whom he thought was a great sinner was still speaking out for himself, disregarding the condemnation Bildad and his colleagues were heaping on him, and seeking to justify himself. He then began outlining to Job all the evil that shall befall the wicked. The wicked, he said, shall relapse into obscurity and darkness and forgetfulness. He shall be overtaken by his own faults, suffer affliction, fear and terror. Hunger and destruction shall be his ready companion. He shall lose all help and hope. He shall die in a terrible manner, as would all his sons and relations. The mere contemplation of his lot would frighten and astonish others. Bildad confidently inferred that such was the punishment of the wicked, in this case, Job, because he did not know God.
It is always easy for us to make ourselves judges over others, to reject their own side of the story because it does not fit into our mindset. Often, when our ideas are threatened, we become defensive and heap accusations, often unfounded, on others. The Lord commands us: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Also, when you face troubles, many would come with advice. Listen to them politely, but always pray and ask the Lord to help you sort out the helpful from the useless counsel. Then wait on the Lord to help you. Your life is, in the end, not determined by the judgement of other men. What matters is what God says about you.
Thought for the day:
Those who judge others arrogate to themselves the powers of God.
“How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak. Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight? He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?” (Job 18:2-4).
Very often, we jump to conclusion about other people. We seem to know what has befallen them and eagerly dish out words that end up hurting more than soothing the frayed nerves of the weary and suffering. In our presumptuousness, we arrogate to ourselves powers we do not possess, and we make ourselves judges over others. We fail woefully at a time when others counted most on us for succour and support.
Bildad, the Shuhite thought he knew why Job was suffering this indescribable punishment. To him, Job was a wicked man who evidently was reaping the wages of his evil acts. He was surprised that Job whom he thought was a great sinner was still speaking out for himself, disregarding the condemnation Bildad and his colleagues were heaping on him, and seeking to justify himself. He then began outlining to Job all the evil that shall befall the wicked. The wicked, he said, shall relapse into obscurity and darkness and forgetfulness. He shall be overtaken by his own faults, suffer affliction, fear and terror. Hunger and destruction shall be his ready companion. He shall lose all help and hope. He shall die in a terrible manner, as would all his sons and relations. The mere contemplation of his lot would frighten and astonish others. Bildad confidently inferred that such was the punishment of the wicked, in this case, Job, because he did not know God.
It is always easy for us to make ourselves judges over others, to reject their own side of the story because it does not fit into our mindset. Often, when our ideas are threatened, we become defensive and heap accusations, often unfounded, on others. The Lord commands us: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Also, when you face troubles, many would come with advice. Listen to them politely, but always pray and ask the Lord to help you sort out the helpful from the useless counsel. Then wait on the Lord to help you. Your life is, in the end, not determined by the judgement of other men. What matters is what God says about you.
Thought for the day:
Those who judge others arrogate to themselves the powers of God.