SOAP 10/19/2015; Job 5:2

Today's reading: Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10, 11

S) "² For anger slays the foolish man,
And jealousy kills the simple."

Job 5:2 (NASB)

O) Eliphaz continued his plea with Job here, by confirming the dangers of anger and jealousy. They are both lethal, when left unchecked. The foolish man and the simple man are defined by how much they allow anger and jealousy to take root. It is not foolish to become angry, but it is foolish to remain angry. Remaining in that anger will slay a man. Jealousy works the same way, turning a normal man into a simpleton, before killing him. Normal, average people (if such a thing could be defined) will become foolish or simpleminded, before being consumed in anger or jealousy. Eliphaz's warning to Job was about this very transformation.

A) The real warning to heed, here, is that anger can make me a foolish man. Jealousy can make me simple-minded. There is no remedy to say, "Well, I'm not foolish, so I can remain angry." Likewise, there is no defense with jealousy. I am not normally angry, and not normally jealous. However, it is easy to slip into an emotion, any emotion, for a moment. Similarly, I'd like to believe I am not usually a fool or simple. Still, anyone capable of becoming angry or jealous, is capable of becoming a fool or simple, and that can literally be deadly. So, recognizing those emotions, and surrendering them to my Lord, is the primary safeguard against the kind of anger and jealousy that will cost me dearly.

P) Father, You are wise and slow to anger. I am simple and prone to anger. I want to become more like You, Lord. In Jesus Christ, I was given the perfect example of living. Only by the Holy Spirit, could I ever have that kind of life. But, the glory of the gospel is shown, in that, I am given the power of the Holy Spirit within me, to do just that. Jesus came to give me life, and life to its fullest! I can live free from anger, free from jealousy. Open my eyes to see when I am falling prey to the emotions of my flesh. Let me surrender quickly, to the power of the cross, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ, Himself. Be glorified by the peace and joy in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.