As God spoke to Job, we see his response in vs 4-5 that he will not speak and he will put his hand over his mouth. In ch. 39 God asked him a series of questions regarding creation. Job could not answer them because he did not know. When God waited for Job’s response, Job could only stay quiet, he was humbled before God’s greatness. God had to teach Job something about life and about who he was. Job was wrong and it is sometimes a hard thing to come to terms with when you find out you were wrong when you thought you were right.

In this chapter God asks Job if he would be able to prove him wrong of injustice. Job thought he was mistreated and God just revealed himself as God is the answer of fairness, justice, and morality. 

Come and Deal with These Issues

In verses 9- 14 God asks Job if he would like to be in a place like God and make decisions. He is asking Job if he could clothe himself with majesty so he could humble the proud and bring fear to the wicked. God was asking Job if he could judge the world and be fair. The problem with Job is not that he is evil, God is not doing that, God is revealing himself so Job would be humbled. Job is being honest and he just needs a good view of who God is to get the correct understanding.

Have you ever worn someone’s glasses and they may have a strong prescription. You can’t see out of them. They can but you can’t. You need to remove them so you can see clearly. 

As you have to have glasses to see clearly we need to have a clear understanding of who God is because we can make our own version of God. 

Behemoth

In verses 15-24 God then mentions about a certain creature named Behemoth. Some commentators suggest this could be anywhere from a dinosaur to a hippopotamus. I think this was more of a dinosaur type creature based on the details in these verses. Either way, what God was trying to point out was here is this mighty creature that men cannot just capture with a snare. But God, he made the animal and has control over this mighty creature and as this creature is mighty God is mightier than it. 

I wonder what was going through Job’s mind, maybe he saw one of these creatures and it was walking by as God spoke about it. As Job was silenced, he was soon becoming humbled by God’s greatness and his inadequacies. 

Sometimes we need a good view of God so our pride can go away. We too, like Job can be honest and good people who believe in God, but if we are mistreated we feel like that was not fair. We need to take off the glasses that are fogging our view of God up. We need to realize that God is in control and let him say what is fair and unfair. Let him be in control with all things. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make  your paths straight.” Let God be God and we need to realize that he is mighty and all knowing and he does have our best interest in mind because he loves us.

Have you ever thought you know a lot of something and then you find out that you don’t. That was how college was for me. I thought I knew some things and it turns out I knew barely anything. In this chapter God continues with his discussion with Job, in chapter 28 God came in a whirlwind and is addressing Job in the issue of his knowledge.

God Knows…

In chapter 39 he asks Job if knows about certain animals such as the wild goat, the wild donkey, wild ox, ostrich, horse, and hawk. God asked Job if he knows details of why they are the way they are. Why the ostrich acts a certain way or why the horse is might? He asked Job if he was there at creation or even the knowledge of when the wild goat gives birth. 

In Job 40 we see Job’s response and that is that he is silenced. He could not answer God because he was not there and does not know the details of these animals, only God does. God knows why these animals are a certain way because he is the one that created them. 

The reason why God responded was because Job kept on wanting to bring his case before God. He wanted to be defended because he was undeserving of this suffering. God responded but not with “Oh Job, I am so sorry.” He responded with revealing himself to God and his glory. What Job went through was God’s allowing of him to go through. Job could not defend himself against God, he needed to submit his wisdom to God. 

We need to learn from this because many times, we think we know better than God. Sometimes we might even say, “If I were God…” YOU CAN NOT be wiser than God. You can not behold his infinite wisdom. Psalm 104:24 says, “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. God is all knowing! When we realize that God is smarter, wiser, all-knowing it should silence us and humble us. We will see more about this tomorrow.

This is something that I need to do more of and this is just stop what I am doing and consider the wondrous works of God. Elihu is proclaiming God’s majesty to Job. People go back and forth about Elihu, if he is good or not but he in this chapter he mentions many true statements about God’s majesty.

Stop and think

As verse 14 says to stop and consider the wondrous works of God. I would like you to be challenged in this area too. Instead of maybe your normal routine of vegging out on t.v. after school and homework turn off the noise, your cellphone, your ipod, t.v. and think or consider or ponder or whatever word you want to use and think about the wondrous works of God. Not only think about them but write a list down and go back to it time and time again and add to it.

God’s wondrous works:

You could go through the Bible and write down all the things that he has done such as creation, deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, the plagues, the parting of the sea, his majesty being demonstrated in battle. What are some wondrous works of God that he has done in your life? What about in history? How does God reveal himself to us, in creation, through his word? What are some wondrous things that you read about God in the Bible? Spend time thinking about these things in a quiet room, I even encourage maybe taking a walk or outside away from things that can distract you.

One person once asked me, “Jon, how come God is not answering my prayer?” I then ask them what they are praying for. Then once they tell me, I say, “God already did answer, and it is either wait or no. Just because we did not get what we wanted does not mean that God did not answer us, it means he answered us by not giving us something that would be harmful for us.

If you think about it, if you were a parent and your child asked to play with something dangerous like knives, you would say no. God is doing the same thing. We may be asking for something we want but God knows that it would be harmful for us.

In this chapter Elihu is talking to Job about his responses.

God is Big

In verses 2- 8 Job Elihu is responding to one of Job’s statements, “What right do I have before God?” Job says, “What profit do I get for not sinning, it would be as if I did sin, I would still be in the same place.” It is true that we stand before God without any rights. God does not owe us anything. He has given us life and we stand before him worthless because of sin.  

A side note about this. Elihu was saying that God does not profit from us doing good or evil. This may be true, he does not profit anything from us but God also does demand obedience from his children. As believers we should desire to please God and do what his word says. Commentator Ray Stedman brings up a good point. He said this is why a lot of people’s prayers are not answered. People may cry from relief from their circumstance but they do not need relief right then, they need to be transformed. If God gave relief right away then they would go back to their old ways of sin and selfishness. God has people go through things and does not give relief right away so growth could take place. The only thing is Job was righteous before God. He was not going through all this because he needed to stop sinning and being selfish. He was going through it because he was faithful.

The truth is in this situation, Job wants to defend himself before God and say he is right and God is wrong, but God is not wrong. What Job is receiving is what Job is receiving and he needs to endure. We will see that God will answer Job soon and Job will realize that God is wise and in control. 

When you Pray:

When you keep praying for the same thing, and you think God is not answering your request, ask, “Is this my will or God’s will?” A.W. Tozer said, “To pray effectively we must want what God wants-that and that only is to pray the will of God.” When we start wanting what God wants, our prayers will be different. We will know that we do go through hardships and sometimes we need to endure. Even through the hard times our prayer service will be a praise service. As Job even worshiped the Lord as he knew God was in control after he received the news about his wealth and children.

What is your take on Elihu? All of a sudden in ch. 32 we are introduced to a fourth friend, Elihu. He was there during the whole argument between Job and Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. We see that he told everyone that he remained quiet because he was young and wanted to be respectful to his elders. So this new friend, was young and quiet and then we see that he finally has enough and wants to speak up. 

It is interesting about this friend that just emerged. Commentator Ray Stedman  gives a couple of points to show that Elihu is a little different than the other ones. 1) At the end of Job, God does not rebuke Elihu but he does to the other three. 2) Elihu is sensitive to Job’s suffering. In this chapter we see that he knew he was suffering and that he was in pit of depression. 3) Elihu speaks from revelation and not emotion or age.

Young People Can be Wise

Elihu starts his dialogue with Job by asking him to hear his words because he is not speaking out of experience. He could not because he does not have much to go with. He is not speaking out of emotion. Responding to someone based on emotion is easy because we are emotional beings. The three other friends were getting angry with Job. They were the ones reacting because Job did not see it their way. Do you ever get angry when talking with someone and they do not see it your way? Wait until you get married, you will get to that point. The Bible is clear about us to be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to get angry (James 1:19). Have you ever had to defend the faith? It is easy when you are defending the faith and the other party may make an insulting comment and then you react and get angry. It is interesting that Elihu was not basing his comments on emotion and yet he was younger than the others who did.

Elihu responded with revelation from God. In 1st Timothy 4:12 Paul tells young Timothy to not let others despise his youth. It is easy to intimidated when you need to speak truth to someone that is older. A couple things we need to know is 1) God is the giver of wisdom and can give them to a young person or an older person. It is possible for a younger person to have better insight in the Lord. 2) If God has given you wisdom over an older person be careful and do not become prideful. 3) Respond in love and respect. They are still older than you. Paul tells Timothy to not let others despise his youth but also to set the example. I truly believe the best way you can impart wisdom is by not living foolishly and setting the example. I have seen young jr highers make wiser decisions than some adults and live their life more for the king. So go out and set that example for others to see and do not let them despise your youth. James 1:5 tells us if any is lacking in wisdom let him ask and we should ask for wisdom from the Lord.

Job was written as most commentators would say during the days of the Patriarchs. As it is one of the oldest books of the Bible it is also interesting to see how deep Job thinks as well as knows God and yet God will show him that he is limited in his knowledge. Have you ever talked to someone that thought they knew it all? They thought they knew everything there was about God and the Bible. You share certain things but they also come back with a statement. The truth is that this is what Job’s friends were trying to do with him. They thought they figured God out and were the experts in it. No one is an expert, all we have to base on God is what His revealed word to us says about him. God is infinite in wisdom and knowledge. We are limited but also we should desire him more and more.

One thing is for sure, mankind has always strived after wisdom. In this chapter Job, is talking about true wisdom, where it starts and what we know about it.

Wisdom

Job describes wisdom as a treasure. Not just any treasure but a treasure that men go great lengths to find. He compares finding wisdom to one finding precious stones in the side of the mountain. He compares the work needed to that of a miner. He even says in verse 18 that the prices of wisdom is above pearls. 

Wisdom is more important than riches or possessions. Why do you think Solomon answered God to give him the ability to govern his kingdom with wisdom? God answered Solomon by giving him wisdom and because he asked for wisdom and not riches or fame, he would receive those as well (1st Kings 3-4).  Job sums up the source of wisdom, it is not reading books. It is not being secluded in a cave somewhere. It is what he says in verse 28, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.” This is the same thing that Solomon wrote in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” They both had true insight on what it meant to be wise.

Turning from Evil

A wise person is someone who wants to please the Lord and not sin against the Lord. As Job said, turn away from evil. Paul said in Romans 12:12 that the marks of a Christian is your love is genuine, you hate was is evil and cling to what is good. Wisdom is shown by us knowing what is good and what is evil. It is not only knowing that but it is also deciding to follow God and to hate what is evil. Job was right about this that people are willing to risk their lives for finding hidden treasure (we at least love watching movies about hidden treasure). How more important is it for us to give our life to the one who can save it. The author of wisdom, the author of our faith, Jesus Christ?

Despite our limited knowledge we human beings can still know an awesome God. God reveals himself to us through his word and also creation. Have you ever been able to go somewhere without city lights and at night look up into the sky and see all the many stars? What about a meteor shower? It is truly amazing.

In this chapter Job stops talking to his friends. He is at his boiling point with them as they think they know God’s ways and Job says, “Who do you think you are? “Are you the ones that have taught God, I don’t think so!”

God is Awesome!

It is also interesting to see Job, who was in very depressed state have this type of insight on the works of the Lord. In verse 7 he starts with, “God stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.” This alone is amazing because the ancient Hebrew thought about the world was that it was flat and that the earth stood on pillars. Here Job is not necessarily saying it is round but that He knows that God is holding the earth up, there are no pillars. It is God and his power.

Job was able to grasp a glimpse of God’s infinite wisdom. When we read the creation account we know that God just had to speak it into existence. Job was standing before the infinite, all powerful, all knowing God. Even thought Job had some insight over his friends and even some of us, God is still beyond our measure. We are revealed different attributes about God, but we can put God in a box. We can only say what we know as the Bible describes God. 

Job knew that he could not fully grasp God because he ends this chapter with, “And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” It is interesting that Job knew he needed God as he was in pain and sorrow and was suffering. Job knew that God is in control and even though it was hard and he was so lowly, his hope was in God.

Enough! This must have been going through Job’s mind while sitting through the verbal abuse of his friends. Could you imagine having a skin problem where your skin would be itching so bad that you had no relief. You are grieving over your 10 dead children and then you lost everything and what you call home is the city dump. Then on top of all that, your friends start trying to point the finger at you as the source for all of this calamity. 

I am amazed still that Job never hit his friends, became violent towards them, cursed them out, or any of the sort. Instead he just spoke truth. In this chapter Job changes his attention from Eliphaz to God. 

The Tough Question

In this chapter Job is asking God why does he seem like he is absent from my affairs. To be honest this is a question that I would think everyone has asked one time or another. Why is God allowing evil to exist? Why does bad things happen to good people? Job asked, “Why do you seem to disappear when I need you most, God?”  Some people may look at this and say, “How could you ask that?” But anyone who has ever gone through any type of sorrow would think this at some point. 

What Job is doing is being honest with his sorrow. He is in pain and is frustrated. But we can not stop here. In spite of Job’s pain, sorrow, and grief, his hope still remains in God. Remember in 13:15, Job said, “Though he may slay me, my hope is in him.” Job knew God is just and fair and that he would judge Job right and find no fault in him. Job knows that it is tough and that God is there but it just is hard.

Job’s Stands on the Solid Truth

In verses 10-12 Job says, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured his words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” This is how he knew it was true. He knew that he is just. His hope was in the truth of what God has said.

Job states at first his feeling is that God is silent but God is not silent. Albert Mohler wrote a book called, “God is not Silent.” and he goes on to say that God speaks through the preaching of his Word. In order for us to know what God says we need to know his Word. Just like Job said, “I treasure his words more than my portion of food.

I love food, especially good food. I can’t imagine not eating it. The question is how is it with God’s Word? His word is food for my soul. I need it, daily. Could you say what Job said and trust in God. What better medicine for our sorrowful soul is the Word of God. When we think God is silent we must go to his word and we can be spoken to. Remember it was the still small voice that spoke to Elijah when he faced his deep depression (1st Kings 19).

If you can say anything about reading Job is that it makes you realize that sometimes we can say, “Life is unfair.” I think the older I get and the more life I live, I see this played out. Life based on my standards is unfair. 

Why do the wicked prosper? I would think that in junior high, why did the mean, arrogant boy get the pretty, sweet girl? Why do certain people that obviously are evil get away with certain things? Why is it that when a criminal gets caught for his horrendous acts and justice is served, we get happy? These are some questions that have gone through my mind in todays’ reading.

Job responds to Zophar

In Ray C. Stedman’s book on Job titled, “Let God be God,” he calls Zophar the Zealous because he responds to the emotions. Zophar becomes irritated at Job for rebuking him. In his mind, he is thinking, “Why is Job, the sinner, rebuking me?” He has no room in doing that. In Job 20, Zophar again thinks that Job is guilty and receiving his just dessert. Zophar’s philosophy is the wicked get punished while the righteous are rewarded and since Job is being punished he must be wicked.

Job has been arguing with him and his friends for these last few chapters over his innocence and how come he cannot suffer and still be righteous in the eyes of God. Many people are like Zophar today and in ch. 21 Job says some very insightful stuff which I think is so relevant today. 

The Wicked Prosper (Only for a Time)

In ch. 21 Job responds to his not so compassionate friend Zophar. He says in verses 7-13 an argument that is solid. “Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power then?” He continues by saying, “Why then is their offspring established and their descendants numerous?” If the wicked were to suffer for their sin, “Why do their houses stay safe from disaster, their flocks prosper? WHY? And yet these people who prosper push God away and say God Who?

Zophar was somewhat right about the wicked. He did say they will be cut off and receive justice (Job 20). In the end God will judge everyone and the wicked may have not suffered on this earth but they will in eternity. Their evil deeds will be exposed and they will be punished. What does that mean for us? It means Let God be God and handle it in his timing. So the wicked may prosper but it is only for a short time compared to eternity. We are not God and we should be thankful for his grace in our lives. We should trust him to bring about his will. We should seek him even when we feel mistreated or injustice take place. We need to realize this life and everything that we call ours, really his. We are just the stewards of it! 

God in a Box 

Have you ever thought this before? I know I have. As this may be shocking to think about it is true. Job goes on to respond to his friend by saying, “Can you teach God something (Job 21:22)?” He is saying, so do you know more than God? Who do you think you are? 

Have you ever done what Zophar or the other friends of Job have done. They limit and label God and put him in a box. They think they can teach God something in give some shed of light to him, but the truth is they are farther from knowing who he is. They don’t understand or desire him which means they are far from him. People reshape God to their thinking instead of reshaping their thinking around God! Be careful of this Christian, as you will start thinking that you know more than God and pride will enter into your heart.