“But He has made me a byword of the
people, And I am one at whom men spit.” (v.6)
In some
cultures, one of the worst insults is to spit on a person, or on the ground
when someone walks by. This shows total distain. And so it was with both Job
and Jesus who (at different times), found themselves on the receiving end of
this insult.
This was
not the only form of physical disgrace they both suffered. Many of the human
experiences that God allowed Job to go through, also happened to His Son (Job
16:7-11). The suffering in Job’s life was seen as an outward
sign of sin (by man), but God allowed His own sinless Son to go through similar
suffering and more, to identify with ours.
Yes Job’s name became a byword for a
man who suffered the judgment of God because of some evil he had done, but as
Pastor Chuck remind us, “Today we say that someone has the patience of Job. His
name is still a byword, but for a far different reason – extreme patience.”
May God give us all not only the patience of
Job, but the character as well!
The Truth
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery
trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but
rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His
glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
