Job 11:13

As Job's other friends had stressed (Job 5:8f; Job 8:5-7; 20-22), Zophar also encourages Job to repent. According to Zophar three steps were needed to be restored, "direct your heart aright", "spread out your hand to Him" (prayer), and the renunciation of sin. "If God would meet those conditions then God would bless Job with. clear conscience, steadfastness, confidence, no remembrance of trouble, joy, hope, rest, no disturbance, popularity, and leadership" (Zuck p. 54). "For twentieth-century Christians, these promises have. familiar ring. 'Prosperity' religion is being marketed through the media and over the pulpit as the evidence of faith. Success, status, and security are promoted as automatic results of dependence upon God" (McKenna p. 104). Unfortunately such. marketing system only brings people to God who are asking the question, "What can you do for me?" "A mature faith is. growing relationship, not. reward system. As mutual trust develops between God and us, He permits us to be tested and we remain true. Keep in mind that Job is suffering because God has confidence in him, not because of his sin" (p. 104). If we are simply serving God for earthly rewards or what we can get, then when suffering comes we will be tempted to curse God and die. Actually, Zophar is somewhat agreeing with Satan, that is, repent and get back to the hedge!