The Devices of the Clever

Daily Scripture Threshing for Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Today’s Text: Job 5:8-16

Key Verse: Job 5:13 (NLT): “He traps the wise in their own cleverness so their cunning schemes are thwarted.”

Elihu, the son of Barachel, a descendant of Buz, from the line of Abraham stood prominently in the story of Job. He was not among the original three friends of Job, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar; but hehad the privilege of listening to and criticizing their conversation with Job. He had held his peace and learnt from from the spontaneity of the trio.

There is much to be learnt from today’s text so much that Paul, the Apostle quoted from the exact Hebrew inspiration of the text in 1 Corinthians 3:19. We must desist from being wise in our own devices. We must acknowledge that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. We must abstain from craftiness, divisiveness and frowardness — anything that is crooked, perverse, or tortuous. And the text is clear as to why: God traps the crafty in their own devices.Remember how Haman was hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai. In the interpretation of Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 7:17, a similar theme is arrogated to being overwicked, and being a fool which leads to untimely death and destruction.

Knowing that those who live by cunning craftiness are often the victims of their own designs, Christians are called upon to truly seek to be wise only in Scripture sense. Desist from being wise to do evil, or any diabolical opinion of the world. Those who do these things are caught in their self deception and disappointment in their hopes and counsels.

Quote for the Day: “There is no counsel outside of God. Every craft of man has always been their snare.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer:  Dear Lord, please set me free from traps of my enemies; and deliver me from self imposed net which self craftiness has secretly laid or brought upon me — in Jesus’ name. Amen.

With all my Love and Prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families and Christian churches]

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