Whose spirit?

Has anyone noticed that Job's tone seems to have changed? His words now seem more like a thoughtful meditation and less like an unchecked reaction to physical and emotional agony.  Maybe the shock of his sudden losses has worn off and he is settling in to the trial.  That is what God told the Israelites to do when they were taken captive to Babylon:

"This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce....Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile." (Jer. 29:4-6)

His point at that time was that their trial was going to be long-term, and it would not do them any good to keep wishing for something different.  It was better for them to settle into their current situation.  It was God's plan for them to do so.  While this scripture hadn't yet been written, Job nevertheless understands the concept.  His children aren't coming back.  While he certainly mourns his loss, he knows his life will never be the same.  All he has left is God and he will seek Him with all he has, even if he doesn't understand what God is doing.  There is a peace that comes with this attitude, even amidst the pain.  Have you found that to be true in your trials?

A couple of observations:

Job 26:13b:  This reads differently in different versions, but I love how the NASB renders it:  "His hand has pierced the fleeing serpent."  The enemy of our souls has been pierced and is on the run!  I wrote a little smiley face in the margin next to this verse because that image makes me smile.

Job 26:4:  Job, in his response to Bildad, asks, "Whose spirit was expressed through you?"  This caught my eye because I had also noted a few days ago that Zophar spoke in the spirit of his own understanding, not God's. (Job 20:3).  I think Job's question is one we should ask ourselves whenever we speak.  Whose spirit is expressed through us?  How do we know?  I think it helps to ask two questions:

1. Does it agree with the written word of God?  God does not contradict Himself.  His written Word is our objective standard of Truth.  Bildad's brief tirade reflects a basic truth of Scripture:  all men are sinful, and God is sinless perfection.  So what is wrong with it?  I think it fails the next question.
2. Does it reflect the character of God?  God has proclaimed His Name (character) to us in His Word and in the person of God the Son.  God describes His character in Ex.34:6-7:

The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation."

  

While He makes it clear that He judges sin, it is last on His list.  He gives priority to the characteristics of mercy, grace, patience, love, faithfulness and forgiveness, and so should we. 

Help me, Lord, to express Your Spirit in everything I say and do. 

Help me to treat others with the same mercy and grace that I have received from You

and would like to receive from others.

Give me boldness to speak Your Truth with compassion.

Let my life reflect Your Character.  Amen.