Book of Job
Chapter
11
1. Then Zophar the Naamathite answered: 2. "Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and should one full of talk be vindicated? 3. Should your babble put others to silence, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 1 to 3)
Oh God my Father even during our times there are many who are trying to mock Your name, by their political views, or by spreading a reality that is totally contrary to Your teachings by promising us a heaven on earth that can never be. However as Roman Catholics and even Christians, we are to rise up in a spirit of unity and proclaim the truth so much that these false voices will be silenced. However, another way by which such voices can be silenced is, by the way, we live our daily lives and the decisions that we make, based on Your Will and the message of the 'Good News' and not according to the ways of the world. Amen.
4. For you say, 'My conduct is pure, and I am clean in God's sight.' 5. But O that God would speak and open his lips to you, 6. and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For wisdom is many-sided. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 4 to 6)
Oh God my Father many times we consider ourselves as being pure and righteous, however in truth we are not as good as we think we are. It is only by means of you my God that we are able to become fully aware of our real self, meaning both the positive aspect and even the not so positive. This is a form of wisdom that the world cannot give because nobody knows our real self because there are always areas of ourselves that we are not fully aware of. However even though as humans we are guilty of our sins You are so merciful that You decrease the degree of our guilt, but at times, we remain accusing and not forgiving ourselves for the rest of our lives.
7. "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verse 7)
Oh God no matter how much we meddle in philosophical and scientific enquiry we can never unravel the mysteries concerning You such as that of the Holy Trinity. We can never know what You are thinking or why particular events happened to that person or even to ourselves.
8. It is higher than heaven-what can you do? Deeper than Sheol-what can you know? 9. Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. 10. If he passes through, and imprisons and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him? 11. For he knows those who are worthless; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 8 to 11)
Oh God, there is nobody like You. Your wisdom is infinite as is Your love and justice. You never turn Your back or face on anybody who is in need or is in trouble. Either directly or indirectly by means of us, You answer our pleas especially if we are in deep trouble pain or anguish as were Your people when in Egypt. Amen.
12. But a stupid person will get understanding, when a wild ass is born human.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verse 12)
Oh God according to the given example a stupid person may never gain understanding, however even to the person who appears to be stupid, You can make that person a professor Amen.
13. "If you direct heart rightly, you will stretch out your hands toward him.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verse 13)
Oh God if we are on the right track, following Your ways we cannot fail to experience You in our daily lives, for You are closer to us than our own skin and bone. You speak to me in many ways by means of my conscience, Your message of hope that you give me every day when meditating on Your Good News and even by events that take place for my own good. I thank You for being so close to me and forgive me when I still commit sins, even though You are so close. Amen.
14. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness reside in your tents. 15. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 14 to15)
If you have access to alcohol which may be your weak point or pornography block the sites on Your browser or put Youtube on safe mode and forget the password so that you can never reverse it. Put a lock on the cupboard where you store your alcohol and throw away the key, anything to keep you and me from falling into that particular sin again Amen
16. You will forget your misery, you will remember it as waters that have passed away. 17. And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. 18. And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety. 19. 19. You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid: many will entreat your favor. 20. But the eyes of the wicked will fail; and all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last."
(Books of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 16 to 20)
Oh God what a perfect description of the outcome of those of us who place our trust in You my God and Father. You wish that we let go of our past hurts and maybe abuses and let the murky waters flow away in the river of life so that fresh new waters of life in the Holy Spirit can move in and take its place. When doing so our lives will change because now our lives are renewed or updated in Your Spirit. It is not my sinful self that is alive even though in the flesh people see me, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit is that dwells in my being. Indeed, this message brings with it new hope and a new fervor for life and thus greatly boosts our confidence, and even though the enemy may confront us from all sides we will remain untouched for we are living in God's confidence empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Amen.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-
Oh God, I pray that I also learn to place my total trust in You! If I were to base my self-esteem on the feedback I get from human beings I can consider myself as being a total failure in life. However every time I experience a stab in the back from those around me, every time I am negatively criticized You renew my spirit and give new life to me. I thank You again and again my God and Father in You only do I place my trust Amen.
4. For you say, 'My conduct is pure, and I am clean in God's sight.' 5. But O that God would speak and open his lips to you, 6. and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For wisdom is many-sided. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 4 to 6)
Oh God my Father many times we consider ourselves as being pure and righteous, however in truth we are not as good as we think we are. It is only by means of you my God that we are able to become fully aware of our real self, meaning both the positive aspect and even the not so positive. This is a form of wisdom that the world cannot give because nobody knows our real self because there are always areas of ourselves that we are not fully aware of. However even though as humans we are guilty of our sins You are so merciful that You decrease the degree of our guilt, but at times, we remain accusing and not forgiving ourselves for the rest of our lives.
7. "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verse 7)
Oh God no matter how much we meddle in philosophical and scientific enquiry we can never unravel the mysteries concerning You such as that of the Holy Trinity. We can never know what You are thinking or why particular events happened to that person or even to ourselves.
8. It is higher than heaven-what can you do? Deeper than Sheol-what can you know? 9. Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. 10. If he passes through, and imprisons and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him? 11. For he knows those who are worthless; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 8 to 11)
Oh God, there is nobody like You. Your wisdom is infinite as is Your love and justice. You never turn Your back or face on anybody who is in need or is in trouble. Either directly or indirectly by means of us, You answer our pleas especially if we are in deep trouble pain or anguish as were Your people when in Egypt. Amen.
12. But a stupid person will get understanding, when a wild ass is born human.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verse 12)
Oh God according to the given example a stupid person may never gain understanding, however even to the person who appears to be stupid, You can make that person a professor Amen.
13. "If you direct heart rightly, you will stretch out your hands toward him.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verse 13)
Oh God if we are on the right track, following Your ways we cannot fail to experience You in our daily lives, for You are closer to us than our own skin and bone. You speak to me in many ways by means of my conscience, Your message of hope that you give me every day when meditating on Your Good News and even by events that take place for my own good. I thank You for being so close to me and forgive me when I still commit sins, even though You are so close. Amen.
14. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness reside in your tents. 15. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 14 to15)
If you have access to alcohol which may be your weak point or pornography block the sites on Your browser or put Youtube on safe mode and forget the password so that you can never reverse it. Put a lock on the cupboard where you store your alcohol and throw away the key, anything to keep you and me from falling into that particular sin again Amen
16. You will forget your misery, you will remember it as waters that have passed away. 17. And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. 18. And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety. 19. 19. You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid: many will entreat your favor. 20. But the eyes of the wicked will fail; and all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last."
(Books of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 16 to 20)
Oh God what a perfect description of the outcome of those of us who place our trust in You my God and Father. You wish that we let go of our past hurts and maybe abuses and let the murky waters flow away in the river of life so that fresh new waters of life in the Holy Spirit can move in and take its place. When doing so our lives will change because now our lives are renewed or updated in Your Spirit. It is not my sinful self that is alive even though in the flesh people see me, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit is that dwells in my being. Indeed, this message brings with it new hope and a new fervor for life and thus greatly boosts our confidence, and even though the enemy may confront us from all sides we will remain untouched for we are living in God's confidence empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Amen.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-
Oh God, I pray that I also learn to place my total trust in You! If I were to base my self-esteem on the feedback I get from human beings I can consider myself as being a total failure in life. However every time I experience a stab in the back from those around me, every time I am negatively criticized You renew my spirit and give new life to me. I thank You again and again my God and Father in You only do I place my trust Amen.
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