E-pistle for July 25, 2014
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation July 25, 2014
The hypocrite's joy is but for a moment
(Job 20:1-29)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Zophar, the third friend, is upset at Job's insulting accusations toward his
companions: "I have heard the rebuke that reproaches me, and the
spirit of my understanding causes me to answer," vv. 1-3.
2. Zophar accuses Job of being a wicked hypocrite, and proclaims that he
soon will perish forever, vv. 4-11.
3. Zophar predicts that Job will not enjoy any of his ill-gotten gain and that
his evil possessions will bring him only sickness and death, vv. 12-19.
4. Zophar concludes that Job's suffering and unrest of heart are linked
directly to his hypocritical self-sufficiency, and that he is getting the just
punishment he deserves: "This is the portion from God for a wicked
man, the heritage appointed to him by God," vv. 20-29.
II. Meditation: on some absolute truths in Zophar's speech
1. "The triumphing of the wicked is short and the joy of the hypocrite is
but for a moment," v. 5.
2. "From the proceeds of business he will get no enjoyment. For he has
oppressed and forsaken the poor," vv. 18-19.
3. "In his-self-sufficiency he will be in distress," v. 22.
4. "The heavens will reveal his iniquity," v. 27.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual interpretation of these absolutes
1. The wicked man's triumph and the hypocrite's joy are brief, according to
God's time-clock; Zophar's mistake was thinking that God's justice is
accomplished immediately in this life, II Peter 3:8-9 . . . Jesus said that
the hypocrite has his temporary reward in this life, Matthew 5:2, 5, 16.
2. True enjoyment is the spiritual condition of a contented heart at peace with
God; again Zophar's misconception was that spiritual unrest always
accompanies sin, but it is possible for hypocrites to have "their own
conscience seared with a hot iron," . . . to become totally insensitive to
the Holy Spirit's conviction, II Timothy 4:2.
3. Man's self-sufficiency indeed does bring distress, yet he many not recognize
his soul's need for God in this life; God calls such an "eat, drink, and be
merry" attitude foolishness, Luke 12:16-21.
4. God keeps a record of everyone's iniquities, and people will be "judged
according to their works, by the things which were written in the books,
Revelation 20:12.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Measure the difference between time and eternity, Ecclesiastes 3:11;
Psalm 30:5.
2. Come to Jesus for true rest of soul and peace of heart, Matthew 11:28-30.
3. Trust in the Lord, not in myself, Proverbs 3:5-6; Titus 3:4-7.
4. Know that someday I personally shall stand before the judgment seat of
Christ to give an account of my deeds, Romans 14:10, 12; II Corinthians 5:10.
How to minister divine healing
(James 5:13-18)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the personal, human situations under discussion
1. Suffering? . . . pray, v. 13.
2. Cheerful? . . . sing, v. 13.
3. Sick? . . . call for elders to pray, v. 14.
4. Sinful? . . . confess sins to one another (accountability group),
and to God, and be forgiven, vv. 15-16.
II. Meditation: on the proper exercise of prayer
1. The person who is suffering (physically, mentally, emotionally,
and/or spiritually) should pray for himself, v. 13.
2. The person who is sick (physically) should call for the elders of the
church; the elders should pray over the sick person, anointing him
with oil (symbolizing the Holy Spirit) in the name of the Lord, v. 14.
3. The elders should have faith that the Lord can and will heal the person
Who is sick . . . that "the Lord will raise him up," v. 15.
4. The entire group of believers should confess their sins to one another
(and to God), so that their prayers may be heard and answered by God.
III. Revelation: on the benefits to be received from praying in faith
1. The divine healing of persons who are physically ill.
2. An increasing faith, as God miraculously manifests His power.
3. A moving of focus from the physical realm to the spiritual realm . . .from
healing of the body to healing of the soul (forgiveness and cleansing).
4. Encouragement to live a righteous life, so that our prayers might be fervent
and effective in all areas of daily living . . . even for rain to break a drought,
vv. 16-18.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Pray for my own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing.
2. Take the initiative, when I become ill, to call the elders of the church, even
before I call the doctor.
3. Function as an elder: when requested to do so, anoint the sick with oil and
pray with faith for their recovery.
4. Always pray fervently (with my sins confessed and forgiven), believing that
God will answer miraculously . . . according to His sovereign will and for
His own glory.
"Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
--Muriel Strode
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