Vexation and Jealously

Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple.
Job 5:2
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Vexation and Jealously
Eliphaz continues with his relentless accusation against Job and his idea that Job’s problems are caused by his own sin.  He all but accuses Job of being a foolish simpleton.  And not just unwise but foolish in that he is rebelling against God.  If Job would just change his wicked ways God would relent.  Or at least this was Eliphaz’s way of thinking.  And to many it would seen right for Job to be angry at God and jealous of all those who were more blatant about their sins yet were not being punished in the same way as he was.  The world and our own sinful natures tell us that we deserve the very best of everything.  We should never have to suffer and that when we do, blame God. After all a loving God would not treat His people this way.  So we are told. But anger and jealously only lead to ruin.  We do not combat evil with more evil, we do not let jealous hearts harden against our neighbor. In fact, Jesus tells us there is another way. We are to turn the other cheek, love our enemies and pray for them. Go the extra mile and give generously to those in need. (Matthew 5)  Because in showing love in this way we are witnessing to the love of Christ in us.  We do these things not to merit salvation but because as Christians this is what we do.  Christ’s death and resurrection have freed us to be children of God and to love one another as Christ first loved us. Even when life does not turn out the way we wanted and the world is not fair, we remain rooted firmly in the love of Christ.