Today's Video Devotion

Saturday 8/19/23

Having Compassion

📺️ Job 26 🔊

 ¹But Job answered and said,

 ²How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?

 ³How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?

 ⁴To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?

 ⁵Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.

 ⁶Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.

 ⁷He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.

 ⁸He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.

 ⁹He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it.

 ¹⁰He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.

 ¹¹The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.

 ¹²He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.

 ¹³By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

 ¹⁴Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Unknown, possibly Job, Moses, Solomon, and Elihu

Date Penned: (2000-1800 BC)

Overview: Faith in God's Sovereignty Through Trials (c 1-42)

Theme: Three Friends Answer Job (c 3-31)

Message: Job's Third Discussion (v 1-14)

Job 26 Commentary

(26:1) Job Rebukes His Friends - Job has the distinction of giving the longest speech in the book -six chapters--weaving together pictures of God's mystery and power in a beautiful poem of trust. Beginning by brushing off Bildad's latest reply as irrelevant (Job 25), Job then told Bildad and his friends that they could not possibly know everything about God. Wisdom does not originate from this life or from the human mind--it comes from God (28:27-28). Job then defended his upright and honest life. He had effectively sought to follow God's way of living. While admitting that he was not perfect, Job maintained that his motives were right.

(26:2-4) Job Rebukes Bildad - With great sarcasm, Job attacked Bildad's comments. The theological explanations of Job's friends failed to bring any relief because his friends were unable to turn their knowledge into helpful counsel. When relating. to people, it is more important to love and understand them than to analyze them or give advice. Compassion produces greater results than criticism or blame.

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the Book of Job with Chapter 26. In our text today we see Job again attacking his friends comments with sarcasm. They show no compassion, even after Job explains that he had done nothing to deserve this ridicule. In making application we are again reminded the need for compassion, compassion for the needy, compassion for the sick, and compassion for the sinner. If not for the grace of God it could be you or I in that situation. Remember it was God who first loved us and gave His Son so we could receive His compassion. How about you? Do you have compassion toward those in need? Let us learn from our text today and the dialog of Job and his friends to be reminded to have compassion for those in need.