Ephesians is a lovely book which more than not mirrors the letter to the Colossians, only with a lot more depth!
In the first 3 chapters we learn of all of our blessings of position and privilge we have and that they are all found IN HIM!
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It is revealed in these chapters that Job has moved from hurt, to confused, to frustrated only to arive now at anger. Even his words to and about God are spoken with the flash of anger in his eyes according to Eliphaz.
One can hardly blame Job OR his friends for that matter. They simply have no context for what is happening. So for now, an ongoing blame game is the basis and content of all their arguments.
A good take away from these chapters is that silence is golden and words spoken without understanding nearly always lead to sin.
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Buiding on the last three weeks in Colossians, today we explored the meaning and application of the Word of Christ dwelling in our hearts richly. That it ALWAYS manifests itself in acts of goodness and perpetual devotion to God in reverence and in prayer.
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We finally hear from Job’s thrid friend Zophar. While a little more cutting and derisive than his other two friends the pattern of advice remains the same.
All three friends LARGELY offer theologically sound counsel to Job IF, as Job and they all believe, these afflictions were due to judgment. However, Job’s trials are due to a satanic attack against Job’s devotion, reverence and trust in God.
Job at this point has lowered all forms of decorum and is freely speaking his mind against God and man. He believe’s he is righteous and that God is judging him unjustly. Job also is responding to his friend with greater pride and defensiveness.
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Prayer is a dialogue NOT a monolgue. God commands and encourages us to come and converse with Him without ceasing and that is the force behind Paul’s last words to the believers in Colossea.
Paul had just told them to allow Christ to dwell with understanding in their hearts and live out what they know of Him in their homes and at work. But ALL of this was impossible to accomplish in a way which is pleasing to God, if it is done FOR God rather than with and by Him.
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