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AUGUST 13
24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which
is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to
nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much
more will these, who are natural branches, be 11:33 wisdom. (See Ps. 104:24; Dan. 2:20; Eph.
grafted into their own olive tree? 3:10; Rev. 7:12.) knowledge. God’s omni-
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you science (1 Sam.2:3;1 Kin.8:39;Ps.44:21;147:5).
should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you judgments. God’s purposes or decrees,which
should be wise in your own opinion, that blind- are beyond human understanding (Ps. 36:6).
ness in part has happened to Israel until the ways. The methods God chooses to accom-
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fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so plish His purposes (Job 5:9; 9:10; 26:14).
all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The Deliverer will come out of Zion, God has committed them all to disobedience,
And He will turn away ungodliness that He might have mercy on all.
from Jacob; 33
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wis-
27 For this is My covenant with them, dom and knowledge of God! How unsearch-
When I take away their sins.”
able are His judgments and His ways past find-
28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies ing out!
for your sake, but concerning the election they 34 “For who has known the mind of the
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are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For LORD?
the gifts and the calling of God are irrevoca- Or who has become His counselor?”
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ble. For as you were once disobedient to 35 “Or who has first given to Him
God, yet have now obtained mercy through And it shall be repaid to him?”
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their disobedience, even so these also have
now been disobedient, that through the mercy 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him
shown you they also may obtain mercy. For are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
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DAY 12: How did Job’s friends fail him?
“I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all!”(Job 16:1).Job’s friends had
come to comfort him.In spite of 7 blissful days of silence at the outset,their mission had failed mis-
erably, and their comfort had turned into more torment for Job. What started out as Eliphaz’s sin-
cere efforts to help Job understand his dilemma had turned into rancor and sarcasm. In the end,
their haranguing had heightened the frustrations of all parties involved.If the matter were reversed
and Job was comforter to his friends,he would never treat them as they have treated him.He would
have strengthened and comforted them.
“He tears me in His wrath, and hates me; He gnashes at me with His teeth”(v. 9).“I was at ease,
but He has shattered me”(v.12).These poignant thoughts from Job lamented his suffering as severe
judgment from God, who had worn him out, withered his strength, and chewed him up by severe
scrutiny (“sharpens His gaze,”v. 9). Job refers to God as “my Adversary,”who had shattered, shaken,
shot at, and sliced him (vv. 12–14).
He had no one to turn to in his sorrow, except God (v. 19), who was silent and had not vindi-
cated him.“My friends scorn me”(v.20),when they should have comforted him.“Oh,that one might
plead for a man with God” (v. 21).The pleading would be for a verdict of innocence on behalf of a
friend or neighbor in a court setting before the judge/king. God anticipated the need of an advo-
cate, and He has provided One in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5; 1 John 2:1,2).

3 “Now put down a pledge for me with
Yourself.
AUGUST 13 Who is he who will shake hands with
me?
Job 17:1–18:21 4 For You have hidden their heart from
understanding;
“My spirit is broken, Therefore You will not exalt them.
17 My days are extinguished, 5 He who speaks flattery to his friends,
The grave is ready for me.
Are not mockers with me?
2 Even the eyes of his children will fail.
And does not my eye dwell on their 6 “But He has made me a byword of the
provocation? people,

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