Year: 2024

11/01/2024

引言：冷酷的医生

一、人的了解太有限了（V1-12）

1. 朋友不了解实情（V1-6）

约伯认为朋友以他最深的痛苦和所遭遇的灾难作为证据来攻击他，目的是要让自己觉得高人一等。他请求朋友既然不了解实情，就不应该为了要表现自己更敬虔、更认识神，而在继续在他的伤口上拼命撒盐。

别人的生活发生的事，我们能了解的很有限，所看见的也只是表面而已。因此我们不要鲁莽的乱下定论。

2.约伯也不了解神（V7-12）

约伯用了许多的言语图像来形容神如何把他当敌人。不但完全不回应他的呼求，截断了他所有的出路，甚至对他赶尽杀绝。从这些描述中看到约伯其实也不完全了解神。渺小和有限人真的无法完全了解大而可畏的神。

让我们借着别人的苦楚和自己所经历的苦难，操练生命中当有的谦卑和怜恤的品格。要敬畏神、不批评论断人来展现自己比别人好。

二、不与苦难的人切割（V13-22）

1.不抽离切割（V13-20）

因认为约伯是得罪了神，所以才被神审判。靠近他也可能会被连累，因此，所有的人都抽离和与约伯切割。

2. 不雪上加霜（V21-22）

约伯已经在死亡边缘挣扎，但朋友的攻击还不停止。约伯形容这就像在他皮包骨的身体上想要挖出肉来，挖到血淋淋还不够。因此求他们不要再说话，不要雪上加霜了。

我们不但不与在苦难中的人切割，最好的方法就是静静的陪伴在身边，必要时拍拍对方的肩膀给予安慰和扶持。

三、我的救赎主仍活着（V23-29）

V23-29，约伯这突如其来180度的转变，相信很多经历过人生低谷得翻转的人，应该不会感到陌生。此刻的约伯来到人生的最低点，突然醒觉把心思和眼目转向神。

1. 影响生命的见证（V23-24）

你有生命的见证可以写下来吗？

V23-24 约伯盼望他的言语被写下来、记录在书上，目的是希望有朝一日能沉冤得雪。但神却把约伯的见证记录在圣经里，成为每个世代，成千上万受苦中的人的鼓励和帮助。

在苦难中，我们不但要抓住像约伯这样的信心，更要立定心志，突破困境。并将所经历的见证出来，成为别人的帮助和荣耀神的作为。

2. 相信救赎主活着（V25）

“救赎主” 在当时是指家族中有责任履行为穷亲属赎回卖了的地、赎回卖身给外邦人为奴的亲属、为亲属主持公道及为亲属立后等。

处在绝望之中的人，常会以为自己真的什么都没有了。求神帮助我们看到，财富可以失去，健康可以失去，甚至皮肉灭绝，都不要紧。就是到世界不复存在，只要认定我们的救赎主仍然活着，就可以带着笃定迎向苦难。让神的平安、拥抱、应许，使我们在困苦中能勇往直前。

3. 超越苦难的救赎（V26-29）

神为什么有意的隐藏和延迟对约伯的回应？

对约伯来说，他所盼望的只是神把他从身体的病痛或是无需有的罪名中救出来。但神作为约伯的救赎主，神要给的却是超越这一切。

面对生命的暴风、低谷、挑战时，除了期待神解决我们眼前的问题，更重要的是明白，神更想要的是什么？到底这位 ‘救赎主’ 要救赎我们的什么？

总结：主要的是什么？

当知道我们的救赎主活着的时候：
•不敢自大，以谦卑怜悯的心对待苦难中的人。
•遭遇患难时心存盼望，知道神是我们的拯救。有公义的冠冕为我们存留。
•更重要的是，明白在患难中，我的救赎主想要的岂不是一个更像祂的生命和我们与祂的关系。

10/01/2024

引言：在神的律法中，世人可分成两类：义人认识神、恶人不认识神。

一、恶言咒骂人为恶（伯18:1-3）

何人为恶？彼此都在讲对方，这岂不是同等相向吗？正如箴言 15:1 柔和的回答使烈怒消退，暴戾的话激动怒气。还有箴言 15:18 脾气暴烈的人常引起纷争；不轻易动怒的可平息争执。例如当AB两人起争执而互相对讲时，自然的理解就是各持己见。若A是个性很强的人，就越认为自己绝对是站在对的一方，就觉得B很无知又固执，怎么就是不听呢？这现象有两种可能，一是A真的明白神的绝对真理，二是彼此是站在某事件的不同角度，大家都笃定的看到各自的角度观点，但是却不知自己的盲点。

二、灯火熄灭变黑暗（伯18:4-6）

现代译本把这话译成：‘你的愤怒伤害了自己，难道大地会因你的愤怒而荒凉吗？难道神要移动群山来满足你吗？’言下之意，约伯你是即将熄灭的灯，我还和你计较什么呢？这种看似大方让步的话正是更大的反击和讽刺。显然真认识神的人要避免如此‘被动攻击行’（Passive aggressive）的说话啊！

三、自陷网罗遭绊倒（伯18:7-10）

比勒达不了解神对约伯的计划，因此觉得约伯如果还要强辩，就等同被自己的无知所绊倒。这就是恶人必要遭殃？这是一般常理逻辑思维，自己陷入自己的网罗。以此提醒常人本来是对的，但是约伯不是‘常人’，他是神所特选的器皿，并允许撒旦施与最强烈的试探，这正是约伯的朋友所看不到的另一面啊！

四、死亡威胁必追赶（伯18:11-13）

朋友的言辞越来越严重，形同落井下石、在伤口撒盐。约伯真是面对四面楚歌，困苦已经危及性命。这真是恶人惨遭咒诅破坏的悲哀结局啊！然而约伯并非这样的人。罪会带来致死的疾病，而约伯面对要命的疾病，因此他是大大的犯罪得罪神？在此这是错误的推理。

五、死亡的咒诅临到（伯18:14-19）

恶人必要从世间被剪除消灭，甚至以后都没有人再记念他。然而再问约伯是这样的人吗？不要忘记神是怎么评价约伯？常人是如此，但是约伯超越常人。怎么证明约伯是敬畏神的完全人？除非他经过这些考验都没有否定神、离弃神；约伯确实没有否定神，这就是神对他的认定啊！

总结：不义之恶人难免恶果（伯18:20-21）

这真是必然的结果吗？如果是义人怎么会如此？显然这是恶人的结局。
事情往往不是大家表面所看到，或心里所理解的。事情还没有来带盖棺论定的时候，先不要太快下判。我们只要祷告！

Job 18 Those who do not know God!
GK611 Morning Devotion
10 Jan 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Rev David Tan

Introduction: In God’s law, the world can be divided into two categories: the righteous know God, and the wicked do not know God.

1. Using cursing words is Evil (Job 18:1-3)

Who is evil? Is it not equal to each other to speak of the other? As Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. And Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention. For example, when two people, A and B, have a dispute and are speaking to each other, the natural understanding is that each has his own opinion. If A is a strong personality, the more he thinks that he is absolutely on the right side, and feels that B is very ignorant and stubborn, why not listen to it? There are two possibilities for this phenomenon. One is that A really understands God’s absolute truth, and the other is that each other is standing on a different angle of an event, and everyone is sure of their own point of view, but they do not know their own blind spots.

2. The lamps go out and become darkness (Job 18:4-6)

Today’s Chinese Version says this as, ‘Has the earth been made desolate by your anger, which has hurt you? Shall God move the mountains to satisfy you? The implication is that you, Job, are a lamp about to go out, so what do I have to do with you? This seemingly generous concession is the very thing that is the greater counter-attack and irony. Obviously those who truly know God should avoid such ‘passive aggressive’ speech!

3. Stumbling over his own snares (Job 18:7-10)

Bildad did not understand God’s plan for Job, and therefore felt that Job would be stumbling over his own ignorance if he tried to argue. Is this a necessary evil for the wicked? This is common sense logical thinking, caught in its own trap. It would have been right to remind the common man of this, but Job was not a ‘ordinary man’, he was God’s chosen vessel, and allowed Satan to tempt him most vigorously, which was the other side of the coin that Job’s friends could not see!

4. Death and threats Will Catch Up (Job 18:11-13)

The words of his friends were getting worse and worse, like rubbing salt in the wound. Job was faced with a situation that threatened his life. This is the sad end of the curse that destroys the wicked! Yet Job was not such a man. Sin brings a deadly disease, and Job was faced with a life-threatening disease, so he had sinned greatly against God? This is faulty inference here.

5. The Curse of death comes (Job 18:14-19)

It is necessary for the wicked to be cut off and destroyed from the world, so that he will not be remembered even afterward. Yet again, is Job such a man? Do not forget what God said about Job? This is true of ordinary men, but Job was above ordinary men. How does one prove that Job was a perfect man who feared God? Unless he went through all these trials without denying God and forsaking Him; indeed, Job did not deny God, and this is God’s determination of him!

Conclusion: The unjust and wicked are inevitably evil (Job 18:20-21)

Is this really the inevitable outcome? How could it be if it is the righteous? Clearly this is the end of the wicked.

Things are often not what everyone sees on the surface, or understands in their hearts. Let’s not be too quick to pass judgment before things come to a conclusion. We just need to pray!

09/01/2024

引言：

在整篇的17章表达的内容是约伯‘渴望死’，希望离开这个世界！但是因为约伯心中有神，他在最痛苦的时刻没有放弃，仍然把盼望放在神的身上！

一、有神真好亲自为人作保（V1-9）

约伯强烈地表达了他的绝望，他认为自己日子所剩的不多了，坟墓已经为他预备好了，而且他被嘲讽指控他的人所包围。约伯求神给他一个凭据来证明那些人对他的指控是不实的；就像在法庭上，他需要有抵押来保释他，但是地上无人相信他是无辜的，所以他知道除了神之外，没有人可以做他的保证人。

实际上这已经发生在我们身上了；神的儿子耶稣已经用祂圣洁无罪的生命来为我们作抵押，换取我们无罪释放! 免予永恒的死亡！

二、心中有神患难显Being（V6-9）

在一切痛苦绝望中，约伯还能说出：V9 然而，义人要持守所行的道，手洁的人要力上加力。因为‘完全正直、敬畏神、远离恶事’已经是他的生命，不是做出来的，是他的本质（Being），所以无论环境如何、别人如何、甚至觉得是神在对付他，他仍然持守他的本质，并不因为环境或人的话语而有所改变！

今天我们要知道真儿子的真Being：敬畏神远离恶事，持守真道不偏离！因为我们一切的劳苦，在基督里绝不徒然！当我们知道神是最终的审判者，就不会像许多人因为看不见盼望，以致放弃行义。

三、敬畏神有智慧看透人生（V10-16）

约伯说从他的三个朋友身上找不到智慧！因为他们的想法都是错的，他们认为自己富足又成功，所以是神喜悦的。其实世上的成功和富有不是对神有信心的凭据，而烦恼和痛苦也不是没有信心的证明。所以约伯说他的朋友颠倒是非，以‘黑夜为白昼’，没有真的给他安慰和盼望，只是给他虚假的盼望。

敬畏神是智慧的开端，有属神智慧的人才能看透人生。因为真智慧使我们不是只看今天，而是因为永恒的事，就轻看现今世的事。神已经将永生的奥秘都启示给我们，所以只要我们敬畏神，我们是真正看透人生！拥有智慧的人！

总结：因为有神所以有盼望！

因为有神，我们的人生才有盼望，生命才有意义！在世上的生命，可以去服侍，去爱人如己！这都不是虚空的，而是充满了意义！生命更是在日光之上有永恒的意义！有回家永远与天父同住的盼望！

Job 17 With God, there is hope!
GK611 Morning Devotion
9 Jan 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Daniel Kew

Introduction:

The content expressed in the entire 17th chapter is that Job “longs to die” and hopes to leave this world! But because Job had God in his heart, he did not give up in the most painful moment and still put his hope in God!

1. So good to have God as the guarantor (V1-9)

Job expresses his despair strongly, believing that his days are numbered, that the grave has been prepared for him, and that he is surrounded by mockers and accusers. Job asked God to give him evidence to prove that the accusations against him were false; just like in court, he needed a pledge as security to bail him out, but no one on earth believed that he was innocent, so he knew that except for God no one can be his guarantor.

This has already happened to us; Jesus, the Son of God, has pledged His holy, sinless life for us in exchange for our freedom! From eternal death!

2. When God is in the heart, trouble shows Being (V6-9)

In all his pain and despair, Job could still say: V9 Yet the righteous will hold to his way, and he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger. Because “being completely righteous, fearing God, and shunning evil” is already his life, it is not something made, it is his essence (Being), so no matter what the environment is, how other people are, or even if he feels that God is dealing with him, he persists. Keep his essence and not change it because of the environment or people’s words!

Today we need to know the true being of a true son: fear God and shun evil, hold on to the truth and never deviate! Because all our labours are never in vain in Christ! When we know that God is the final judge, we will not be like many people who give up on doing righteousness because they see no hope.

3. Fear God and have the wisdom to see through life (V10-16)

Job said there was no wisdom found in his three friends! Because their thoughts are wrong. They think that they are rich and successful, so they are pleasing to God. Success and wealth in the world are not evidence of faith in God, and troubles and pain are not evidence of lack of faith. Therefore, Job said that his friends confounded right and wrong and regarded “night as day.” They did not give him comfort and hope, but only gave him false hope.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Only those with divine wisdom can see through life. True wisdom causes us not only to look at today but because of eternal things, to despise the things of this life. God has revealed all the mysteries of eternal life to us, so if we fear God, we can truly see through life! Be a man of wisdom!

Conclusion: Because there is God, there is hope!

Because of God, our life has hope and meaning! In this life, you can serve and love others as yourself! None of this is empty, but full of meaning! Life has eternal meaning above the sun! There is the hope of going home to live with our Heavenly Father forever!

05/01/2024

引言：

一、愁烦加增，但不气馁（V1-5）

约伯第二次回答以利法的回复，他称朋友们是愁烦的安慰者。他在这里也特别提醒朋友们的同理心，甚至也让他们思想若他们都互换角色，面对同样的对待，他们会有什么感觉。

这里给我们有两个提醒：

第一，我们要常常提醒自己，是否也像以利法一样，以为自己是神用温和的话安慰你，但别人的感受却是你们安慰人，反叫人愁烦。

第二，即便约伯收到的是一次又一次从朋友们安慰中的愁烦。他即使是生气，也仍然不放弃努力向朋友们表达他的感受。

二、面对苦难，但不放弃（V6-14）

约伯的情绪非常激动。约伯反驳了以利法的语言攻击后，突然想起神对自己的攻击，所以语无伦次地描述神怎样攻击自己，用各种比喻让人可以明白和体会自己如何被神攻击，而不是以以利法指控来形容。

1. 身体疾病（V6-8）

约伯说神抓住他，使他困倦，使亲友远离他，身体也受攻击。

2. 被人欺压（V9-10）

约伯从一开始到现在仍然坚持相信神有主权，所以他认为是因为神发怒撕裂他，以致他的朋友攻击他，他认为若不是神向他切齿，他的朋友不会如此；他相信从一开始他失去一切，都是神的攻击，并且他朋友的攻击也是从神而来。

3. 面对攻击（V11-14）

约伯认为神把他交给不敬虔的人，把他扔到恶人的手中，然后折断他。他向朋友说其实是神攻击他，他不明白是为何，他只知道一切是出于神。他坚信赏赐是来自神，现在收取也是来自于神。

三、走投无路，但仍相信

1. 向神哭诉 （V15-17）

约伯并没有一直否定自己是罪人，而是相信在这一次的受苦中并不是因为犯罪。只是这样的无辜受苦，使他越发困惑。但是他坚信神是公义的，既然他的手中却无强暴；他的祈祷也是清洁，那么鉴察人心的神就必定会为他作证。所以他的选择是仍然不断向神求助，求神显明一切。

2. 向神哀号

约伯面对恶者和朋友们的攻击，他甚是痛苦，他也深知道是不容易走过的，所以他向神眼泪汪汪。但同时他也越来越清楚，对于一切生命的问题，人的揣测都是枉然的，只有与神当面辩白的时候，才有可能得到满意的答案。

总结：

其实约伯只要说出任何一句背弃神的话，那么这场试炼就结束了。因为那就足以证明撒但的指控是真的，那就是约伯的敬虔只是为了得好处。但约伯坚持到了这里，他虽然愤怒、彷徨，却仍然相信神是至高的、是令人敬畏的。

面对困难，我们是可以向神表达我们的感觉，但是不要放弃神。求神帮助我们，无论遇到任何的挑战、逼迫、危机，我们都可以紧抓住神，因为一切主权出于神！

Job Chapter 16: “Hold on tightly to You”
GK611 Morning Devotion
5/1/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Bro Asher

I. Worry increases, but not discouraged (V1-5)

Job replied to Eliphaz’s response the second time that he called his friends Miserable comforters. He also specifically reminded his friends of empathy and even asked them to think about how they would feel if they all switched roles and faced the same treatment.

Here are two reminders for us:
First, we must always remind ourselves whether, like Eliphaz, we thought we knew God’s comfort, but this comfort made Job even more worried.

Second, even though Job was worried repeatedly when received comfort from friends. Even when he was angry, he never gave up trying to express his feelings to his friends.

II. Face hardships but never give up (V6-14)

Job was very emotional. Job refuted Eliphaz’s verbal attack, and suddenly remembered God’s attack on him, so he described incoherently how God attacked him, using various metaphors to let people understand how he was attacked by God, instead of accusing God as Eliphaz accused him.

1. Physical illness (V6-8)

Job said that God shriveled him up, made him worn out, desolated all his company, and attacked his body too.

2. Being oppressed (V9-10)

Job still insists on believing in the sovereignty of God from the beginning to the present, so he thinks it is because God is angry and tears him apart to the extent that his friends attack him. He thinks that if God had not gnashed his teeth at him, his friends would not have behaved like this; he believes everything he lost from the beginning was an attack from God, and the attacks from his friends also came from God.

3. Facing attack (V11-14)

Job believed that God handed him over to ungodly men, threw him into the hands of the wicked, and then shattered him. He told his friends that it was actually God who was attacking him. He didn’t understand why. He only knew that everything was from God. He firmly believed that the rewards came from God, and whatever he received now also came from God.

III. Desperate, but still believing

1. Cry to God (V15-17)

Job did not deny that he was a sinner although he believed that his suffering this time was not due to sin. It was just that such innocent suffering made him so confused. But he firmly believed that God was righteous. There was no violence in his hands and his prayer was pure, God, who searches people’s hearts, would surely testify for him. So, his choice was to continue asking God for help and asking God to reveal everything.

2. Wail to God

When Job faced the attacks from the evil one and his friends, he cried bitterly, however, it was not easy to go through, so he cried to God. But at the same time, he also became more and more aware that human speculations on all life issues are in vain. Only when clearing up face-to-face with God, then can we get a satisfactory answer.

Conclusion：

If Job had spoken any word that is renouncing God , this trial would have been over. For that would prove Satan’s accusation that Job’s righteousness was only for gain. But Job persisted until this point. Although he was angry and hesitant, he still believed that God was supreme and awesome.

When faced with difficulties, we can express our feelings to God, but we should not give up on God. Ask God to help us. No matter what challenges, persecutions, or crises we encounter, we can hold on to God because all sovereignty comes from God!

04/01/2024

引言：

以利法指出约伯犯了罪，以责备和警告的口气，要他悔改。以利法只顾说出自己的观点，并且非常肯定神是站在无罪之人的那一边。而认定约伯就是那犯罪的人。这也显出以利法的无知和自义。

一、责约伯无智慧(V1-16）

1.虚言伪语，不虔不义(V1-6）

以利法在这里严严的斥责约伯的罪恶。他始终相信约伯是因犯罪而受苦。他认为约伯的说话不是虚空及无益，便是无济于事的言语。他要带出的是，如果约伯是智慧人、是敬畏神的人、是义人，就不会遭遇这些事。

2.自视过高，对神不恭(V7-16）

以利法认为解释智慧的来源有两个。第一，智慧来自神的启示；第二个来源是随着人年龄的增加而有。他认为约伯即没有从神来的启示，年龄也比他们年轻，却对他们说‘你们所知道的，我也知道，并非不及你们。’（13：2）因此，以利法认为约伯很骄傲。

小结：

圣经当中不断地强调我们要谦卑，我们要服侍别人。当我们降卑自己去服侍别人的时候，这才是对别人最大的帮助。如果我们站在一个很高的位置上与别人连接，是无法连接的，只能够把软弱的人推向更远的地方。

二、责恶人的结局(V17-35)

1.一生劳苦(V20）
2.凶信不绝(V21a)
3.灾祸突临(V21b)
4.丧失信心(V22)
5.流浪乞食(V23)
6.胆战心惊(V24)
7.攻击全能者(V25)
8.孤单无助(V28)
9.陷入困境(V29-30)
10.自欺欺人(V31)
11.劳苦成空(V32-34)

当一个人觉得自己是义人，或者觉得自己是被神祝福的，往往在这个时候，人就会陷入在骄傲中，认为自己比别人强，并开始批评别人。因此，我们要非常小心。

总结：明白神心意

我们要彻底弄明白神的心意，我们就需要更多地来思考、认识并且明了《圣经》的话语，这样的话才对我们有更大的帮助，也是在帮助别人。

Job Chapter 15: The Reproaches of the Ignorant
GK611 Morning Devotion
04/01/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Stella Ling

Introduction:

Eliphaz pointed out that Job had sinned, and in a tone of rebuke and warning, asked him to repent. Eliphaz simply stated his opinion and was quite sure that God was on the side of the innocent. And identifies Job as the one who sinned. This also reveals Eliphaz’s ignorance and self-righteousness.

1. Chastise Job for not being wise (V1-16)

(1) False words, ungodly and unrighteous (V1-6)

Eliphaz here severely rebukes Job for his sin. He always believed that Job was suffering because of his sin. He believed that Job’s speech was either vain and unprofitable or unhelpful. He wanted to bring out that if Job had been wise, God-fearing, and righteous, he would not have suffered these things.

(2) Self-esteem and disrespect for God (V7-16)

Eliphaz believed that there were two sources of interpretive wisdom. The first is that wisdom comes from God’s revelation; the second source comes as a person ages. He argues that Job, even though he had no revelation from God and was younger than they were, said to them ‘What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.’ (13:2) Therefore, Eliphaz thought Job was proud.

Summary

It is constantly emphasised in the Bible that we need to be humble and that we need to serve others. It is when we humble ourselves to serve others that we help them the most. If we stand on a high pedestal to connect with others, it is impossible to connect and only pushes the weak further away.

2. The end of the reproacher (V17-35)

(1) a life of labour (V20)
(2) Unceasing evil letters (V21a)
(3) sudden calamity (V21b)
(4) Loss of faith (V22)
(5) Wandering and begging for food (V23)
(6) Fearfulness(V24)
(7) Attack on the Almighty (V25)
(8) Lonely and helpless (V28)
(9) In trouble (V29-30)
(10) Self-Deception (V31)
(11) Labouring in vain (V32-34)

When a person feels righteous, or feels that he is blessed by God, it is often at this point that a person gets caught up in pride, thinking that he is better than others, and begins to criticise others. Therefore, we have to be very careful.

Conclusion: Understanding God’s Heart

If we want to thoroughly understand God’s heart, we need to think more, know and understand the Words of the Bible, which will help us more, and also help others.

03/01/2024

引言：苦难叫人反思人生！

一、人生苦短稍纵即逝（V1-3）

经历苦难中的约伯看事情是有偏差的，他感叹人生苦短，稍纵即逝，这岂不都是神的计划和安排，而神要审判这样的人吗？约伯身在苦难中，他不知道原来背后是魔鬼在试探和攻击他。

他不知道原来经过熬炼之后，将来他还有重新蒙福发旺的日子。他不知道神有绝对的公平和恩慈去对待每一个人，这是生命的价值啊！

二、岁数疆界都在于神（V4-6）

约伯理解人有年龄与疆界的局限、人在污秽的环境中就难免沾染污秽，这些理解其实也不完全。虽然神有命定，但是人有自由选择，并且在与神的互动中可以产生很大的变化。结局如何很在乎选择和积极回应的心态；愿意跟从神的人岂能不蒙福呢？这是生命有神的价值啊！

三、植物能够生生不息（V7-9）

约伯发现植物界的奥秘，只要有水份，一棵被砍掉的树、或者已经枯干多年的枝干，都有可能还可以重新发芽再长。植物的生生不息，代代相传真是很奇妙。人更是如此，只要不失去信心，基督徒的生命不但个人要有延续，群体更要不断繁衍。这正是神所期待的生命回馈的价值啊！

四、人的生命一去不返（V10-12）

约伯说了一个错误的观念，人死后就什么都没有了！就像海水消失、河水枯干，一切都消失了。死亡就像人永远都睡了，就不会再苏醒过来。 约伯的经历虽然成为圣经的一部分，但是我们所得的真理启示却比约伯所了解的更全面。关于永生、关于复活，这是我们所拥有的盼望，和完备信仰生命的价值啊！

五、人的生命在神手中（V13-14）

虽然约伯对神的认识不完整，但是他仍然捉住了一个信心的盼望。知道神的怒气和管教会有止息的时候；既是他不知道死后还可以复活，但是他却产生一个超越他理解的思想，就是自己有被释放的一天。换言之，自己的生命在神手中，在神岂有难成的事呢？这是长时间的苦难所带来的生命认知的价值啊！

六、当神呼唤罪得遮盖（V15-17）

约伯终于酝酿了对神的一种更深的认识，既是自己已经在阴间死亡之地，只要神会呼唤他，他就得以回应，这是神的作为啊！那时约伯的罪孽就被灰泥遮盖了。约伯虽然不像我们得知耶稣基督的救恩，但是也开始意识到神的拯救之恩！

七、人之有限转眼即逝（V18-22）

苦难中的人很容易在疼痛中失去盼望。想到坚固的磐石都遭山崩地裂而改变；水流也可以消磨石头，可见人也同样会遭灭没而无望。想到人的生命转眼即逝，消失无踪。以后儿女如何都无法再知道了。这是痛苦的侵蚀力，因为神允许约伯的三个朋友继续以不同的言语激发他转移焦点。以便不断的转移实际的痛苦。

总结：生命如果没有神的拯救？

人生就不再有生存的目的了！因为连好人也一样会受苦！但是生命的价值在于有神、有永恒啊！

Job Chapter 14: What is the price of life?
GK611 Morning Devotion
3/1/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Rev David Tan

Introduction: Suffering calls for reflection on life!

1. Life is short and fleeting (14:1-3)

Job, who was in the midst of suffering, looked at things with a bias, lamenting that life is short and fleeting, and that this is not all God’s plan and arrangement, and that God would judge such a person? Job was in the midst of suffering, but he did not know that it was the devil who was tempting and attacking him behind his back.

He did not know that he would be blessed and prosperous again in the future after his suffering. He did not know that God is absolutely fair and merciful to everyone, which is the value of life!

2. The boundaries of age lie with God (14:4-6)

Job’s understanding of the limitations of man’s age and boundaries, and the fact that man is inevitably defiled in a defiled environment, is actually incomplete. Although God has ordained it, man has free choice and can make a big difference in his interaction with God. The outcome is very much a matter of choice and a responsive heart; how can those who are willing to follow God not be blessed? This is the value of life to God!

3. Plants are constantly growing and reproducing (14:7-9)

Job discovers the mystery of the plant world. As long as there is water, a tree that has been cut down or a branch that has been dried up for many years may be able to sprout and grow again. It’s amazing how plants live on and pass on from generation to generation. This is especially true of people. As long as we do not lose faith, Christian life should continue not only as individuals, but also as a group. This is exactly the value of life that God expects to give back!

4. Once a man’s life is gone (14:10-12)

Job spoke of the false concept that when a person dies there is nothing left! It is like the sea disappearing or the river drying up; everything is gone. Death is like when a person goes to sleep forever and never wakes up again. Although Job’s experience became part of the Bible, the revelation of truth we receive is more comprehensive than what Job knew. About eternal life, about the resurrection, this is the hope we have, and the value of a complete life of faith!

5. Human Life in God’s Hands (14:13-14)

Though Job’s knowledge of God was incomplete, he still caught hold of a hope of faith. Knowing that there would be a time when God’s wrath and discipline would cease; even though he did not know that there could be a resurrection after death, he developed a thought that surpassed his understanding, namely, that there would be a day when he himself would be released. In other words, his own life was in God’s hands, and is there anything difficult in God? What a value of the perception of life that comes from long suffering!

6. When God calls for sin to be covered (14:15-17)

Job finally conceived a deeper realisation of God, that since he was already in the land of the dead in Hades, as long as God would call him, he would be able to respond, and this was the work of God! It was then that Job’s sins were covered with mortar. Job did not learn of the salvation of Jesus Christ as we do, but he began to realise the saving grace of God!

7. The finite nature of man turns away (14:18-22)

It is easy to lose hope in the pain of suffering. When we think that even a solid rock is changed by a landslide, and that water can wear away a stone, we can see that man is also perishable and hopeless. Think of the fleeting nature of human life, which vanishes without a trace. What happens to the children afterward can no longer be known. This is the erosive power of pain, for God allowed Job’s three friends to continue to inspire him with different words to shift his focus. So as to continually divert the actual pain.

Conclusion: Life without God’s salvation?

Life would no longer have a purpose for existence! For even good people suffer just as much! But the value of life is that there is God and eternity!