Job 15:20
The wicked writhe in torment all their days,
The tyrant, through all the years reserved for them.
I read Luke 1 this morning where it introduces us to Elizabeth and Mary. Whatever our culture throws negatively at the Jews, the faith of these two women is something to behold. Their savior was a little child given by God the Father, and nothing can overcome their faith in Him. As it plays such an important part in celebrating Christmas, I have heard and read this story many times, but it still tugs at my emotions.
‘Writhes’ was a cool word which was also ‘quakes’, ‘trembles’, ‘travails’, and ‘suffers’.
‘Tyrant’ was also ‘’ruthless’ and ‘oppressor’. ‘Reserved’ was also ‘laid up’, ‘stirred up’, ‘hidden’, ‘set aside’, and ‘in store’.
My first impression of this verse is that they apply after life. As if this were a description of hell. I know many wicked people and tyrants live great lives, or at least appear to. One of the many false narratives is how great all these tech leaders are. They have robbed us blind (to our faces), and yet they are still set up as examples. Elon Musk is constantly being blamed for wrongdoing at X, yet he is being given the chance to optimize our government. I knew Trump was bad, but wow.
Of course, this verse is from Eliphaz who did not have the right view of God nor of the way of the world. His words are part of the Bible, but the Bible is a story with context that is to help us learn about life. It is not for us to dig into every little verse individually to set our doctrine on. We know murder is wrong, but at some point, it is okay to stand up to the tyrant to protect the innocent.
As is not normally the case, I am trying to apply some fixes in my life right at the new year. I do not traditionally like New Year’s resolutions as the idea seems that they will be abandoned when the going gets tough. The changes I am seeking to make will hopefully be habits and foundational truths as I age. The other night I got lazy and left a task unfinished sitting right where I do my Bible study. It took hours the next day, but I finally completed my task so that I could do my Bible study. That willingness to do the hard to keep the important is a sign of what I want for my future.
Written 1/9/25, Posted 2/12/25, Job 357