Words of Hope

We are continuing to look at the word "hope" as it is found in the book of Job, an unlikely place to find a message of hope, or so it would seem.  It is even more surprising to find that the most positive messages on hope in the book come from the words of Job's friends.  Job, of all people, needed to hear a word of hope, for he spends much of the book describing his seeming hopelessness!  The failure of Job's friends to accurately diagnose his situation does not negate the truths that they proclaim - their theology was better than their counseling skills!  Last time we looked at the counsel of Eliphaz concerning the hope and confidence that comes with a sure relationship with the Lord.  In Job 5:16 we find a second message of hope coming from Eliphaz:  "So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth".  In this chapter Eliphaz is telling Job what he would do if he was in Job's situation:  "I would seek to God, and unto God would I commit my cause" (Job 5:8).  Again this is good advice, and this is exactly what Job does throughout the rest of the book (However not in the way his friends expect or approve of!).  The promise of hope found in verse 16 is based upon the power of God to relieve the oppressed when they call unto Him "which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number" (vs.9).  We may summarize verses 9-16 as follows:  God's marvellous works are without number; He faithfully sends rain upon the earth and fields; He promotes the cause of the lowly; He thwarts the plans of the crafty (this thought is quoted by Paul in First Corinthians 3:19); He brings darkness upon those who trust in their own wisdom; and, He delivers the poor from their oppressors.  For these, and for innumerable other reasons, the poor (i.e. the afflicted and oppressed - whether physically or spiritually impoverished - see Matthew 5:3) can have hope in the power and perfect justice of God who is able to reduce iniquity itself to utter silence!  "That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Romans 3:19).  The power of God is a sure source of hope for those who trust in Him, but a sure cause of dread for those who shall stand before Him one day in the inexcusable guilt of their sins!