Book of Job
Chapter
13
1. "Look, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it. 2. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. 3. But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.
(Book of Wisdom Chapter 13 verses 1 to 3)
Oh God my Father as humans we may acquire knowledge and become equal to each other. We may also argue with each other on an equal footing, however in order to take our case before You my, God we would need to have a faith of steel and wait for your reply and this may take time not as in human cases.
4. As for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless physicians. 5. If you would only keep silent, that would be your wisdom!
(Book of Wisdom Chapter 13 verses 4 to 5)
Oh God Job is accusing his friends who are trying to help him as being liars. At times as even Job states, it is better to keep our silence than say many words, for at times silence is golden. Therefore oh God I pray that You give us the wisdom to discern when to speak and when not to Amen. During my training I was taught to become accustomed and friendly with silence, today I realize that You speak even during such moments of silence.
6. Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips. 7. Will you speak falsely for God, and speak deceitfully for him? 8. Will you show partiality toward him, will you plead the case for God? 9. Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one person deceives another?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verses 6 to 9)
Oh God, when we start rationalising we end up asking many questions for which many times we have no answers. However if we address our issues in a spirit of prayer, You will surely give us the needed answer, insight, illumination or even intervention. However if we continue asking ourselves questions only we will be like the dog who goes around in circles trying to catch one's own tail.
10. He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality. 11. Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? 12. Your maxims are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verses 10 to 12)
Oh God my Father if we show partiality to the ways of the world over that of Your holy will we will surely experience the consequences. However as in the case of Job's declaration, we have many words and declarations but when it comes to sticking to those words and promises there is nothing to substantiate them. Indeed, they are of clay that melts when exposed to heat. Many times we have pledged our word to follow You and abstain from committing this and that sin, many promises have come to nought when we were put to the test. It is only by Your grace that we can ever be faithful to You my God and Father Amen.
13. "Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verse 13)
Oh God my Father what an important resource silence is. During such moments of silence we are able to listen to Your voice instead of ours and that of the world Amen.
14. I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verse 14)
Oh God my Father it would be much better if we placed our lives in Your hands instead of in ours, for we would feel much more loved and secure, for Your ways are much better than ours Amen.
15. See, he will kill me; I have no hope; but I will defend my ways to his face. 16. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verses 15 to 16)
Oh, my friend Job, God is your saviour, he has decided to die for your sins and even mine, although he had no such reason to be crucified. Oh, Job You do not need to defend yourself before Him, for He will defend You instead. He is your counsellor, psychologist, lawyer and justice itself. Everybody is welcome in my God's eyes and presence even those who do not believe in Him, because He believes in all of us and He has never sent anybody away. He has space for everybody in His heart and mind.
17. Listen carefully to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. 18. I have indeed prepared my case; I know that I shall be vindicated. 19. Who is there that will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.
(Book of Wisdom Chapter 13 verses 17 to 19)
Oh God my Father You love us so much that You never turn away Your clients. Even though we think we are prepared and just to be in Your presence, as humans we still depend on Your love and mercy. In order to be vindicated, we have the greatest warrior of them all who is God Almighty. he will fight our wars not with missiles but with love. You are able to intervene in any situation and turn the course of events iso that a peaceful settlement is established. If God is with us nobody can stand against us! While in this spirit of praise and worship I invite you to click on the following link and join in the praise and worship by joining in prayer by means of this powerful song:-
If our God is with us who can stand against us
20. Only grant two things to me, then I will not hide myself from your face; 21. withdraw your hand far from me, and do not let dread of you terrify me. 22. Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verses 20 to 22)
Oh God my Father at times we know not what we pray. What a disaster it would be if You ever had to remove Your hand from us, even for one millisecond. Job who had been close to You may have felt Your presence closer than others and that he felt crushed by it, however even through times of tribulation we cannot make it on our own. It is as if Job is telling You 'Please give me a break from these trials and then I will communicate with You". However even Your Son asked You that if it was Your will You take the chalice of the Passion away from Him, but Jesus also added the important finishing touch to His prayer which was 'May Your will be done!". Amen.
23. How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verse 23)
Oh God when we feel just and righteous in Your sight, when we sin we do not realize in which area of our life we have sinned in. When in such a situation oh God my Father I feel that it is right to run an examination of our conscience so that when in such a disposition we can open or souls to You and You can show me where I have sinned against You and others. Amen.
24. Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy? 25. Will you frighten a windblown leaf and pursue dry chaff? 26. For you write bitter things against me, and make me reap the iniquities of my youth. 27. You put my feet in the stocks, and watch all my paths; you set a bound to the soles of my feet. 28. One wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
(Book of Wisdom Chapter 13 verses 24 to 28)
Oh God, my Father I thank You for keeping track of my goings everywhere I go You are there before me always guiding me along the paths of life. There are moments when I feel Your presence and feel totally secure, however, there were moments when I acted according to my own agenda when I felt scared and insecure, however even during these moments You were always with me as much as before and maybe even more than before. I would like to end this chapter with a link that leads to the popular prayer footsteps in the sand.
Footsteps in the Sand
(Book of Wisdom Chapter 13 verses 1 to 3)
Oh God my Father as humans we may acquire knowledge and become equal to each other. We may also argue with each other on an equal footing, however in order to take our case before You my, God we would need to have a faith of steel and wait for your reply and this may take time not as in human cases.
4. As for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless physicians. 5. If you would only keep silent, that would be your wisdom!
(Book of Wisdom Chapter 13 verses 4 to 5)
Oh God Job is accusing his friends who are trying to help him as being liars. At times as even Job states, it is better to keep our silence than say many words, for at times silence is golden. Therefore oh God I pray that You give us the wisdom to discern when to speak and when not to Amen. During my training I was taught to become accustomed and friendly with silence, today I realize that You speak even during such moments of silence.
6. Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips. 7. Will you speak falsely for God, and speak deceitfully for him? 8. Will you show partiality toward him, will you plead the case for God? 9. Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one person deceives another?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verses 6 to 9)
Oh God, when we start rationalising we end up asking many questions for which many times we have no answers. However if we address our issues in a spirit of prayer, You will surely give us the needed answer, insight, illumination or even intervention. However if we continue asking ourselves questions only we will be like the dog who goes around in circles trying to catch one's own tail.
10. He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality. 11. Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? 12. Your maxims are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verses 10 to 12)
Oh God my Father if we show partiality to the ways of the world over that of Your holy will we will surely experience the consequences. However as in the case of Job's declaration, we have many words and declarations but when it comes to sticking to those words and promises there is nothing to substantiate them. Indeed, they are of clay that melts when exposed to heat. Many times we have pledged our word to follow You and abstain from committing this and that sin, many promises have come to nought when we were put to the test. It is only by Your grace that we can ever be faithful to You my God and Father Amen.
13. "Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verse 13)
Oh God my Father what an important resource silence is. During such moments of silence we are able to listen to Your voice instead of ours and that of the world Amen.
14. I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verse 14)
Oh God my Father it would be much better if we placed our lives in Your hands instead of in ours, for we would feel much more loved and secure, for Your ways are much better than ours Amen.
15. See, he will kill me; I have no hope; but I will defend my ways to his face. 16. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verses 15 to 16)
Oh, my friend Job, God is your saviour, he has decided to die for your sins and even mine, although he had no such reason to be crucified. Oh, Job You do not need to defend yourself before Him, for He will defend You instead. He is your counsellor, psychologist, lawyer and justice itself. Everybody is welcome in my God's eyes and presence even those who do not believe in Him, because He believes in all of us and He has never sent anybody away. He has space for everybody in His heart and mind.
17. Listen carefully to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. 18. I have indeed prepared my case; I know that I shall be vindicated. 19. Who is there that will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.
(Book of Wisdom Chapter 13 verses 17 to 19)
Oh God my Father You love us so much that You never turn away Your clients. Even though we think we are prepared and just to be in Your presence, as humans we still depend on Your love and mercy. In order to be vindicated, we have the greatest warrior of them all who is God Almighty. he will fight our wars not with missiles but with love. You are able to intervene in any situation and turn the course of events iso that a peaceful settlement is established. If God is with us nobody can stand against us! While in this spirit of praise and worship I invite you to click on the following link and join in the praise and worship by joining in prayer by means of this powerful song:-
If our God is with us who can stand against us
20. Only grant two things to me, then I will not hide myself from your face; 21. withdraw your hand far from me, and do not let dread of you terrify me. 22. Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verses 20 to 22)
Oh God my Father at times we know not what we pray. What a disaster it would be if You ever had to remove Your hand from us, even for one millisecond. Job who had been close to You may have felt Your presence closer than others and that he felt crushed by it, however even through times of tribulation we cannot make it on our own. It is as if Job is telling You 'Please give me a break from these trials and then I will communicate with You". However even Your Son asked You that if it was Your will You take the chalice of the Passion away from Him, but Jesus also added the important finishing touch to His prayer which was 'May Your will be done!". Amen.
23. How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 13 verse 23)
Oh God when we feel just and righteous in Your sight, when we sin we do not realize in which area of our life we have sinned in. When in such a situation oh God my Father I feel that it is right to run an examination of our conscience so that when in such a disposition we can open or souls to You and You can show me where I have sinned against You and others. Amen.
24. Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy? 25. Will you frighten a windblown leaf and pursue dry chaff? 26. For you write bitter things against me, and make me reap the iniquities of my youth. 27. You put my feet in the stocks, and watch all my paths; you set a bound to the soles of my feet. 28. One wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
(Book of Wisdom Chapter 13 verses 24 to 28)
Oh God, my Father I thank You for keeping track of my goings everywhere I go You are there before me always guiding me along the paths of life. There are moments when I feel Your presence and feel totally secure, however, there were moments when I acted according to my own agenda when I felt scared and insecure, however even during these moments You were always with me as much as before and maybe even more than before. I would like to end this chapter with a link that leads to the popular prayer footsteps in the sand.
Footsteps in the Sand
