The Beginning of Knowledge

Job 28

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?

Awesome God

Job 26

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.

Yesterday’s Ch. Today

Job 23

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).

The Wicked Prosper, WHAT?

Job 21

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.

I am the Student

Here is Sunday’s message from, April 26th, 2009 by Jared Saavedra. It is from Job 13.

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Life is Short

Job 14

This chapter may be a little close to death than what others would like to hear about. When we talk about death, usually it grabs our attention because we know that everyone dies. As the statistics show, one out of one persons will die. Mankind still tries to find ways to prolong life or find the way to immortality but there is still death. Death is something that is hard to swallow as well as something that is not natural. If you think about it we were never intended to die. God created us for eternity but because of sin, we see that death entered into the picture. 

In this picture Job is still responding to his friends and it also it continues from ch. 13 on life is short.

Life is Short

Job says, ” Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble (vs 1).” In verse 10 he says, “But a man dies and is laid low; man breathes his last, and where is he?” Job also compares to the length of life as grass that withers or a flower that withers or like water failing from a lake. Even in past chapter we have read about how the days of man are like a vapor or breath. The bottom line, life is short. This life we live on earth is short and it goes by fast. Have you ever heard someone say, “When I was your age…?” Since having a child, many people just tell me how fast this time will fly. 

When we look at Job, he realizes life is short but we also see from chapter 13 that his hope is in the Lord still. In 13:15 Job says, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him.” Our life is in God’s hands. Just like God knows our first breath on this earth he also knows when our last breath will be on this earth. As we know that God knows this our hope should rest in him, we will die one day, but there is still hope that is beyond the grave.

Our Hope is In Him

Job says in 14:16-17 we see that Job talks about how God numbers his steps and keeps watch over his sin. His transgressions are sealed up in a bag and he would cover his iniquity. In Isaiah 53:4-5 says, “Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows… But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities. Our hope and forgiveness is found only in Jesus. As the Bible says when we ask for forgiveness, God is able to forgive (1st John 1:9) the reason is because Jesus paid that price for us, by being beaten, killed, and rising again from the dead. That is our hope that lies beyond the grave. We know that this life that IS short, is not it. Our hope lies in Christ. As Job wanted his sin to be forgotten and covered, I know mine has as God has forgiven and forgotten my sin.