It is drawn out of his back, the gleaming point from his liver. Terrors come over him. It is drawn out of his backThis phrase suggests a violent and painful removal, likely of an arrow or spear, symbolizing the consequences of wickedness. In the context of Job, Zophar is describing the fate of the wicked, implying that their punishment is both inevitable and severe. The imagery of a weapon being drawn from the back indicates a surprise attack or betrayal, which aligns with the biblical theme of reaping what one sows ( Galatians 6:7). Historically, arrows were common in warfare, and their removal was a painful process, emphasizing the suffering of the wicked. the gleaming point from his liver
The liver was considered the seat of life and emotions in ancient cultures, including the Hebrew context. The "gleaming point" suggests a sharp, deadly weapon, possibly a metaphor for divine judgment. The liver's mention highlights the depth of the wound, both physically and spiritually. In biblical symbolism, the liver's damage signifies a fatal blow, indicating the totality of the wicked's downfall. This connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's justice, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 32:41, where God’s judgment is depicted as a sharp sword. Terrors come over him
This phrase captures the psychological and spiritual consequences of sin, as the wicked are overwhelmed by fear and dread. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, fear was often associated with divine retribution. The terrors can be seen as both internal guilt and external threats, reflecting the comprehensive nature of divine judgment. This aligns with Proverbs 10:24, which states that what the wicked dread will overtake them. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of the final judgment, where unrepentant sinners face eternal separation from God, contrasting with the peace promised to the righteous. Persons / Places / Events 1. Zophar the NaamathiteOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. Zophar is known for his harsh and direct speeches, often emphasizing God's justice and the fate of the wicked. 2. JobThe central figure of the Book of Job, a man of great faith who undergoes severe trials and suffering. His account explores themes of suffering, justice, and faithfulness. 3. The WickedIn this context, Zophar is describing the fate of the wicked, using vivid imagery to illustrate the consequences of their actions. 4. The ArrowSymbolizes the judgment and punishment that befalls the wicked. It is a metaphor for divine retribution. 5. TerrorsRepresents the fear and dread that accompany the realization of impending judgment and the consequences of one's actions. Teaching Points The Certainty of Divine JusticeGod's justice is inevitable, and the wicked will face consequences for their actions. This serves as a reminder to live righteously and in accordance with God's will. The Reality of Fear and DreadThe terrors that come over the wicked highlight the internal turmoil and fear that accompany a life lived in opposition to God. This encourages believers to seek peace through obedience and faith. The Power of Imagery in ScriptureThe vivid imagery used by Zophar serves to communicate the seriousness of sin and its consequences. Reflect on how imagery in the Bible can deepen our understanding of spiritual truths. The Importance of Self-ExaminationConsider how our actions align with God's standards. Regular self-examination can help us avoid the path of the wicked and seek God's forgiveness and guidance. The Role of Friends in Times of SufferingZophar's approach to Job's suffering reminds us of the importance of compassion and understanding when supporting others in their trials. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of the arrow in Job 20:25 help us understand the concept of divine justice? 2. In what ways can the fear and terrors described in this verse serve as a warning for our own lives? 3. How do other scriptures, such as Psalm 7:12-13 and Proverbs 11:21, reinforce the message of Job 20:25? 4. What can we learn from Zophar's approach to Job's suffering about how we should (or should not) support others in their trials? 5. How can regular self-examination help us avoid the path of the wicked and align our lives with God's will? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 7:12-13This passage also uses the imagery of a sharpened sword and prepared arrows to describe God's judgment on the wicked, reinforcing the theme of divine retribution. Proverbs 11:21Highlights the certainty of punishment for the wicked, aligning with Zophar's assertion of inevitable justice. Hebrews 10:31Emphasizes the fearful expectation of judgment for those who oppose God, similar to the terrors described in Job 20:25. People Job, ZopharPlaces UzTopics Body, Draweth, Drawn, Draws, Fears, Forth, Gall, Gleaming, Glittering, Liver, Overcome, Point, Proceedeth, Pulling, Shining, Sword, Terrors, Weapon, Yea, YesDictionary of Bible Themes Job 20:24-25 5127 back Job 20:24-26 4812 darkness, God's judgment Library June 9 Evening
The triumphing of the wicked is short.--JOB 20:5. Thou shalt bruise his heel.--This is your hour, and the power of darkness.--As the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.--Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily PathThe Christian Urged To, and Assisted In, an Express Act of Self-Dedication to the Service of God.
1. The advantages of such a surrender are briefly suggested.-- 2, 3, 4. Advice for the manner of doing it; that it be deliberate, cheerful, entire, perpetual.--5. And that it be expressed with some affecting solemnity.--6. A written instrument to be signed and declared before God, at some season of extraordinary devotion, reposed. The chapter concludes with a specimen of such an instrument, together with an abstract of it, to be used with proper and requisite alterations. 1. AS I would hope, that, …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Whether the Ashes from which the Human Body Will be Restored have any Natural Inclination Towards the Soul which Will be United to Them?
Objection 1: It would seem that the ashes from which the human body will be restored will have a natural inclination towards the soul which will be united to them. For if they had no inclination towards the soul, they would stand in the same relation to that soul as other ashes. Therefore it would make no difference whether the body that is to be united to that soul were restored from those ashes or from others: and this is false. Objection 2: Further, the body is more dependent on the soul than …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica God.
GLORY OF GOD. God is the chief good--good so as nothing is but himself. He is in himself most happy; yea, all good and all true happiness are only to be found in God, as that which is essential to his nature; nor is there any good or any happiness in or with any creature or thing but what is communicated to it by God. God is the only desirable good; nothing without him is worthy of our hearts. Right thoughts of God are able to ravish the heart; how much more happy is the man that has interest in …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan The Hardening Operation of Love.
"Being grieved for the hardness of their heart."--Mark iii. 5. Love may also be reversed. Failing to cherish, to uplift, and to enrich, it consumes and destroys. This is a mystery which man can not fathom. It belongs to the unsearchable depths of the divine Being, of which we do not wish to know more than has been revealed. But this does not alter the fact. No creature can exclude itself from the divine control. No man can say that he has nothing to do with God; that he or any other creature exists …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times The Barren Fig-Tree;
OR, THE DOOM AND DOWNFALL OF THE FRUITLESS PROFESSOR: SHOWING, THAT THE DAY OF GRACE MAY BE PAST WITH HIM LONG BEFORE HIS LIFE IS ENDED; THE SIGNS ALSO BY WHICH SUCH MISERABLE MORTALS MAY BE KNOWN. BY JOHN BUNYAN 'Who being dead, yet speaketh.'--Hebrews 11:4 London: Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1688. This Title has a broad Black Border. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn, searching, awful treatise, was published by Bunyan in 1682; but does not appear …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 An Exhortation to Love God
1. An exhortation. Let me earnestly persuade all who bear the name of Christians to become lovers of God. "O love the Lord, all ye his saints" (Psalm xxxi. 23). There are but few that love God: many give Him hypocritical kisses, but few love Him. It is not so easy to love God as most imagine. The affection of love is natural, but the grace is not. Men are by nature haters of God (Rom. i. 30). The wicked would flee from God; they would neither be under His rules, nor within His reach. They fear God, …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Man's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Job 20:25 NIVJob 20:25 NLTJob 20:25 ESVJob 20:25 NASBJob 20:25 KJV
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