Boast of my weakness.

Introduction:

2 Corinthians 12.7-10

Job

Paul quotes Job in Romans 11.35 (41.11) and 1 Corinthians 3.19 (5.13).

He makes numerous other references to Job (see UBS Index of quotations)

Job 2:6 “And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”” (Alluded to in our text today)

The challenge

Job 2:5 “But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.””

Job 2:7“So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.”

The adversary - Satan

14 of the 19 references to Satan in OT occur in Job

The attack

“Struck” - LXX - stung - a stinging or stabbing

Death has a “sting” (1 Corinthians 15.55-56)

The locusts of the bottomless pit sting (Revelation 9.1-11)

Job 6:4 “For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.”

MESSAGE:

Paul’s challenge - “a thorn was given me in the flesh” (12.7)

Thorn - skolops - something sharp and pointed

Magic very popular in the region and entire empire.

All believed, even skeptics, in power of demons to wreak havoc on humans.

“Louvre doll” (google it) - impaled with bronze needles - head was common target

The issue affected Paul’s “flesh”.

Paul’s adversary - “a messenger of Satan” (12.7)

Luke 22:31““Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,”

God’s uses the intentions of evil to bring his people closer to him.

Ephesians 6:12“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

The attack - “to harass me” (12.7)

kolaphizo - to strike with the fist

Like our words slap and stub - unless otherwise supplied, refer to face and toe

This word refers to face

Perhaps Paul heard was that his “magic” was not as powerful as the magician cursing him.

Certainly he received curse threats.

Acts 19:19 ESV

And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Like a nail in his face, impacting his speech and attacking him before those he taught.

CONCLUSION:

Job’s final perspective

He was made to feel his helplessness.

Job 26:2““How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!” (chiding his friends)

Then Job beheld the glory of God and gave thanks for his lowly state.

Job 40:12 “Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand.”

Job 42:3“‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”

Paul’s final perspective

He was able to behold the unspeakable glory (12.1-6)

2 Corinthians 12:4“and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”

2 Corinthians 12:9“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

“if any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him. For you are worse than he thinks you to be.” ― Charles Haddon Spurgeon

So, God did not make Paul’s life easier by answering his prayer.

Job may not have received healing either.

Job 42:12–13 ESV

And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He had also seven sons and three daughters.

“One of the biggest ironies of the book of Job is that, in the end, God explicitly restores everything that Job lost in the prologue, except for his physical health as the friends had anticipated.” (Jeremy Schipper)

What subpar things, even pain, have you prayed to change?

It is hard for one rich in this world to taste true dependence on God.

Greatness can bring addiction to the world’s applause.

Pleasure can become so ingrained the world calls it genetic.

God knows how to deliver us to him, but we often despise the cure.

Revelation 16:9“They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.”