Day 185 – Friday, 7/4/2025: Job 31-33 and Matthew 7-8
Old Testament Reading: Job 31-33
New Testament Reading: Matthew 7-8
Daily Psalm/Proverb: Psalm 4
Reflection: Integrity, Justice, and the Power of Jesus’ Healing
In Job 31-33, Job continues to defend his integrity before his friends, expressing his commitment to righteousness and his innocence in the face of their accusations. Job 31 is a powerful declaration where Job lists the ways he has remained faithful to God, offering a personal inventory of his actions and attitudes. Job’s integrity is seen in his treatment of others, his avoidance of sin, and his care for the poor and needy. He challenges his friends to consider that his suffering may not be the result of personal sin but part of the mysterious ways of God.
In Job 32, we are introduced to Elihu, a younger man who has been listening to the debate. Elihu rebukes both Job and his friends, claiming that they have failed to properly acknowledge God’s sovereignty and justice. Elihu argues that suffering is not always a direct result of sin and that God uses suffering to refine and teach His people. His words remind us that God’s ways are not always easily understood, but He is always just, and He works in mysterious ways for our good.
In Matthew 7-8, we see Jesus’ teachings on living out God’s Kingdom principles, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God’s Word. In Matthew 7, Jesus encourages His followers to ask, seek, and knock in prayer, promising that God will give good gifts to those who ask Him. He also warns against false prophets and emphasizes the importance of building our lives on a solid foundation—obedience to His teachings.
Matthew 8 reveals Jesus’ power to heal and restore, as He performs miracles such as healing a leper, calming a storm, and casting out demons. These miracles demonstrate Jesus’ authority over sickness, nature, and spiritual forces, providing a glimpse of the coming Kingdom of God where all will be made right.
These chapters highlight the importance of living with integrity, seeking God in prayer, and trusting in Jesus’ power to heal and transform lives. Like Job, we are called to maintain our integrity and trust that God will bring about justice in His perfect timing. And, like the people in Matthew 8, we are invited to bring our burdens to Jesus, trusting in His ability to restore and heal.
Key Hebrew Words in Job 31-33:
Job 31:1 – “Covenant” (בְּרִית, berith): Berith refers to a formal agreement or promise. Job speaks of making a covenant with his eyes, symbolizing his commitment to purity and faithfulness in all his actions.
Job 32:8 – “Spirit” (רוּחַ, ruach): Ruach refers to breath or spirit. Elihu speaks of the spirit of God within him, indicating the divine inspiration behind his words.
Prayer for Day 185:
"Lord, we thank You for Job’s example of integrity and trust in You, even in the face of suffering. Help us to live with the same commitment to righteousness and justice, trusting that You will bring about justice in Your perfect timing. Thank You for the power of Jesus to heal and restore. May we bring our burdens to Him and find comfort and restoration in His care. In Jesus’ name, Amen."