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Youth Answers Age

by Pastor Pete • on 9:49 AM • in Doctrinal Teachings, Job Commentary Notes, Job Study

Job 32-37

In this lesson we meet Job’s fourth and final friend, Elihu.

Outline

Generally, younger people turn to older generations of men and women for advice and comfort during though times. It is just common sense to seek wisdom from people who have already seen and gone through the various trials that occur throughout life. But Elihu reverses roles in the final chapters of Job. He thinks that he has wisdom to impart to his older counterpart-and he actually has the mettle to voice his views.

Job 32

A new participant, who had been there all along with the other 3 (vv. 3-5), entered the debate over Job’s condition. This was the younger Elihu, who took a new approach to the issue of Job’s suffering. Angry with the other 3, he had some new thoughts, but was very hard on Job. Elihu was full of self-importance and verbose, but his approach was refreshing after listening repetitiously to the others; actually, he was not really helpful to Job. Why was it necessary to record and read these four blustering speeches by this man? Because they happened as part of the story, while Job was still waiting for God to disclose Himself (Chs. 38-41).

Job 33

The first of Elihu’s challenges to Job began with proud claims (vv. 1-7), followed by references to Job’s questions/complaints (vv. 8-11). Then came Elihu’s answers (vv. 12-33).

Job 34

Elihu addressed Job and his accusers. His approach was to quote Job directly (vv. 5-9), then respond to his complaints; but at times he misinterpreted Job’s remarks and at other times he put the word of the accusers in Job’s mouth. The most obvious example of the latter wrong doing was in saying the Job claimed to be sinlessly perfect (v. 6). Job never claimed that; in fact, Job acknowledged his sin (7:21; 13:26). Elihu didn’t know it, but God had pronounced Job innocent (1:8; 2:3). In answer to Job’s complaints that God seemed unjust, Elihu reminded Job that God was too holy to do anything wrong (v. 10), fair in dealing with people (vv. 11, 12), powerful (vv. 13, 14), just (vv. 17, 18), impartial (vv. 19, 20), omniscient (vv. 21, 22), the Judge of all (v. 23), and the Sovereign who does what He wills to prevent evil (vv. 24-30).

Job 35

Elihu again referred to Job’s complaints, first of all his thinking that there appeared to be no advantage to being righteous (v. 3), as recorded in 21:15; 34:9. The 1^st part of his answer is that Job gained nothing by sinning or not sinning because God was so high that nothing people do affects Him (vv. 5-7); it only affects other people (v. 8). Job had also complained that God did not answer his prayers when he cried under this oppression (24:12; 30:20). Elihu gave three reasons why Job’s prayers had not been heard: Pride (vv. 10, 12), wrong motives (v. 13), and lack of patent trust (v. 14). Again, all this theoretical talk missed Job’s predicament because he was righteous. Elihu was no more help than the other counselors.

Job 36-37

Elihu had agreed with his 3 co-counselors that Job had sinned, if nowhere else in the way he questioned God (33:12) by seeing his suffering as indicative that God is unjust (34:34-37) & by feeling that righteousness had no reward (ch. 35). In this final answer to Job he turned to focus mostly on God rather than the sufferer (v.2)

Elihu’s Speeches

1. Elihu enters into the debate to break the impasse (ch. 32).

2. Elihu charges Job with presumption in criticizing God, not recognizing that God may have a loving purpose, even in allowing Job to suffer (ch. 33)

3. Elihu declares that Job has impugned God’s integrity by claiming that it does not pay to lead a godly life (ch. 34).

4. Elihu urges Job to wait patiently for the Lord (ch. 35).

5. Elihu believes that God is disciplining Job (ch. 36)

6. Elihu argues that human observers can hardly expect to understand adequately God’s dealing in administering justice and mercy (36:22-37:24).

Key Word

Affliction: 10:15; 30:16, 27; 36:8, 15, 21. This word comes from a root meaning “misery” or “poverty.” The image evoked by this word is that of a person bowed down under the weight of a heavy burden. Scripture portrays the Lord as seeing the afflictions that bring pain to His people and hearing the anguished cried of those in distress (as in Gen. 16:11; ex. 2:23-25). The Lord urges us to place our burdens on Him, for He is strong enough to bear them and loves us so much that He will assist us in our time of need (1 Peter 5:7). Moreover, since He controls all events, we can be assured that He is accomplishing good out of the temporary difficulties we are now facing (Romans 8:28).The entire story of Job provides vivid example of this fact (42:10-17; 2 Cor. 12:7-10).

Questions

1. What is Elihu’s view of God?

2. Elihu says that Job must “wait” for God (36:14). How would you describe Job’s waiting?

*3. Not all of Elihu’s advice is misguided. He does propose that God, if He were sought, would give cheer and comfort in the night when things seem more hopeless than ever (35:10). When, if ever, have you received from God a “song in the night”?

4. Why does Elihu’s “ministry” not offer any substantial help to Job?

Did You Know?

People often wonder why the Book of Job is found in the middle of the Old Testament when it is one of the oldest books in the Bible. It has to do with how the Bible is organized. Just as the Gospels are grouped together in the New Testament, the Wisdom books of the Old Testament are grouped together. Even though it contains a fascinating story of the life of a man and his God, the Book of Job is a book of wisdom. That is why it is grouped with the other four Wisdom books (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon), and is not found in chronological order near Genesis.

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The Good Old Days

by Pastor Pete • on 9:34 PM • in Job Commentary Notes, Job Study

Job 29-31

In this lesson we watch Job lay every aspect of the life he has lived before his Maker.

Outline

It is often easy to sentimentalize the past to make it seem more pleasant and sweeter than it really was at the time (Numbers 11:5; 1 Peter 1:18). But before his trials came, Job really did live an extraordinary life. He was blessed in every single facet of his life. He experienced the highest highs and now faced the heartbreak of the lowest lows. At this point Job initiates a request to God for future justice.

Job 29 – Remembering the Joys of the Past

This is Job’s 2^nd monologue (Job 29-31). Job did not change his mind about his sin, but he continued to deny that he had earned this pain with his iniquity. The realities of his own words in chapter 28 had not yet fully taken over his mind, so he swung back to despair and rehearsed his life before the events of Job 1 & 2, when he was so fulfilled because God was with him (v. 5). God was still with him, but it seemed as if He were gone.

Job 30 – Reflecting on the Judgment of the Present

Job is now going to travel from the delight of the past to the dismay and disappointment of the present. Job chapter 30 is an exercise in reversing out chapter 29. Job has remembered what it was like in his prime before the chaos and calamity of his life. Now he is going to honestly reflect upon life as he is experiencing it in the present. We can almost hear him groan as he speaks the first words of chapter 30.

Some have made the observation that this is the place where Job begins to become whole. When he is finally able to acknowledge the reality of his situation, hope and healing begin to return.

Questions

1. What does Job say God has become to him? How is God opposing him?

(Verse 21)

2. Looking for good, Job found what? For light, he found what? (Verse 26)

3. Put yourself in Job’s place. How would you be handling his situation?

Do you think he is coping well considering the circumstances? Explain why or why not.

Job 31 – Requesting Justice for the Future

So what will Job do? He is going to lay it all out one more time. Except for a small paragraph at the end of the story, chapter 31 contains the last worlds of Job in this book. He is going to offer a final defense. He is going to present his case to God, point by point. He is going to put himself under oath and challenge God to prove him wrong.

His defense rests on sixteen “If I have” statements that are found in chapter 31. In each of these statements, Job challenges God to either condemn him or vindicate him. This is pretty courageous move by Job. He is inviting the God of the universe to examine his heart in a plea for justice.

If he is going to die, Job wants to die with the knowledge that at least God believes in him. He asks for justice in seven key areas of his life.

Read Psalm 77:10-15

1. In spite of his anguish, what does the psalmist remember? (Verse 10)

2. In verse 11, he remembers two other things. List them

3. What two actions does the psalmist take because of this remembrance? (Verse 12)

4. Where is the way of God? (Verse 13) What do you think this means?

5. What does God do? What does He declare? (Verse 14)

6. How has God redeemed His people? (Verse 15)

7. Describe how verse 12 can be a good model for us to incorporate and follow in our Christian lives.

Did you Know?

Although Job’s presentation in Job chapter 31 is striking in its boldness and veracity, he was not the only man in the Bible who confronted God in such a direct manner. Throughout the Psalms, David laid his heart bare before God. In Psalms 25 and 26, David cried out like Job for deliverance and redemption in his life. David was not shy about his feelings. And neither was Jacob. He literally wrestled with God, dislocating his hip in the process! And he would not let go until he received a blessing from God (Genesis 32:22-32). It doesn’t get much bolder than that! – David Jeremiah; Study of Job

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How Great Is Our God?!

by Pastor Pete • on 11:07 AM • in Job Commentary Notes, Job Study

Job 25-28

In this lesson we see the majesty and power of the God we serve.

Job 25 – Bildad’s Third Speech

Bildad has run out of arguments so does not attempt to prove Job wrong but simply declares that Job is presumptuous in thinking he can argue with God

Job 26 – Job’s Third Reply to Bildad

Job begins (vv. 1-4) by sarcastically accusing Bildad of not having an original thought in his head. In verses 5-14, Job showed that he was not inferior to his friends in describing God’s greatness. He understood that as well as they did. He described it as manifested in the realm of the dead called Sheol and Destruction (vv. 5-6), the earth and sky (v. 7), the waters above (vv. 8-10) and below (v. 12), and the stars (v. 13).

Job 27 – Job’s Final Defense (chapters 27-31)

Job turns from responding to Bildad (chapter 26), to defending his righteousness (vv. 1-2). In verses 4-6, Job affirmed his true and steadfast devotion to righteous living, no matter what happened. He refused to live with a guilty conscience. In verses 8-10, Job reminded the friends that he would never be hypocritical because he understood the consequences. In vv. 13-23, Job wanted it made clear he was not denying that the wicked are punished with severe distress, so he agreed that they suffer greatly and affirmed so in this section.

Questions

1. What 2 things does Job declare that he will not do in verse 4?

2. What does Job tell his friends that he will not tell them? (v.5)

3. What does Job hold fast? (v.6)

4. Describe how you can adopt Job’s attitude in this passage to build your daily

faith and walk with Christ.

Job 28

Though Job had agreed that the wicked suffer (27:13-23), this explained nothing in his case, since he was righteous. So Job called on his friends to consider that maybe God’s wisdom was beyond their comprehension. That is the theme of this chapter. The wisdom of God is not gained by natural or theoretical knowledge. What God does not reveal, we can’t know.

In verses 1-11, Job makes reference to mining silver, gold, iron, flint, and sapphires, as well as smelting copper. Tremendous effort is made by humans who seek these precious things (Prov. 2:1-9). Verse 12, 20 sums up the message of this chapter with the point that no amount of effort, even as vigorous and demanding as mining, will yield God’s wisdom. It can’t be valued or found in the world (vv. 13-14). It can’t be bought at any price (vv. 15-19). The living can’t find it (v. 21), and neither can the dead (v. 22).

In verse 28, Job makes the point clearly that the divine wisdom necessary to explain his suffering was inaccessible to man. Only God knew all about it, because He knows everything. True wisdom belong to the One who is the almighty Creator (vv. 25, 26). A person can only know it if God declares it to him (Deut. 29:29). 28:28 “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom”. Job had made the connection that the others would not. While the specific features of God’s wisdom many not be revealed to us, the alpha and omega of wisdom is to revere God and avoid sin (Ps. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; Eccl. 12:13,14), leaving the unanswered questions to Him in trusting submission. All a person can do is trust and obey (Eccl. 12:13), and that is enough wisdom. One may never know the reasons for life’s sufferings.

Questions

1. According to God, what is wisdom? (verse 28)

2. Read Proverbs 1:7. The fear of the Lord is the _______ of knowledge. What do fools despise?

3. Read Prov. 9:8-10; Correcting a scoffer will only bring what? What will happen if you rebuke a wise man? (v.8) What is the correlation here?

4. What happens when the wise are instructed? When the just are taught? (v.9)

5. What is the beginning of wisdom? Literally, what is understanding? (v. 10)

Did You Know?

According to the Bible, the #1 obstacle to attaining wisdom is pride. Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.” The Bible provides various illustrations where pride caused many a godly man to lack wisdom and to make egregious errors. Numbers 20:7-13 tells the story of Moses and the rock that flowed with water. In pride, arrogance, and disobedience, Moses hit the rock instead of speaking to it like God had instructed. This lack of wisdom cost him dearly; for, because of this act, God declared that Moses would not be allowed to lead the children of Israel into the land that he had prepared for them (Num. 20:12).

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“Don’t Fret, Commit”

by Pastor Pete • on 1:07 PM • in Exhortation, Job Commentary Notes

Psalms 37 – (Supplement to Job 21 study)

Intro:

A. Let’s take our bibles and turn to the 37^th Psalm

1. My sub title says:

“The heritage of the righteous and the calamity of the wicked”

B. Sort of a promise from God

1. And a REMINDER to David as HE ENCOURAGES HIMSELF in the LORD!

C. David would say things like:

“the Lord is able; the Lord will do it!”

D. And so David would encourage himself in the Lord

1. He would encourage his own heart in the things of God

2. As he does here in Psalm 37

1a A Psalm of David. Do not fret because of evildoers,

A. Fretting is actually worrying

1. There are words that express this common characteristic of man

B. In the New Testament, the word is translated “CAREFUL”

1. Which is actually “FULL OF CARE”

C. Be careful for nothing

1. Just as Paul said in – Philippians 4:6-7

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

D. So here we are exhorted really not to worry because of evildoers

1. Evildoers are consternation

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines CONSTERNATION as:

“Amazement or dismay that hinders or throws into confusion”

E. We are prone to fret over those that are troubling us

1. Maybe someone has got it in for you

2. They are doing their best to really get you in trouble

3. To make you look bad

4. Lying about you

F. What’s the BIBLE TELL us to do?

1. Don’t worry

2. Don’t fret concerning the evildoers

1b …”Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.”

A. Asaph, the chief musician of David, wrote Psalm 73

1. And he spoke about his being envious when he saw –

a. “The prosperity of the wicked”

B. He almost tripped up over this issue

1. Sometimes when we see the workers of iniquity,

2. How foolish it is to be envious of their possessions,

a. The things that they have

b. Because the wicked are going to be cut off

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.

A. Life is but a vapor

1. It appears for a moment and then vanishes

B. And the time that you may be here on earth in comparison with eternity

1. Is just as nothing

2. It’s like a breath

C. And it’s amazing how people take this short time that we have,

1. And waste it so tragically

D. People who live for this life only are missing it completely

1. This life is nothing compared with eternity

2. And yet where we spend eternity…

a. Is being determined on how we live this life

“There’s only one life, it will soon be past. And only what you do for Christ is going to last. The rest is wood, hay and stubble. It’s going to burn.”

E. Second of the exhortations. Don’t worry.

1. The cure for worry is trust.

But we often think: “Why TRUST, when we can WORRY?!”

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

A. If we trust in the Lord, the Lord will take care of us

Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

B. If we trust in the Lord;

1. We will be fed by His faithfulness

4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

A. I love this scripture

1. If we delight ourselves also in the Lord,

2. If the Lord is our delight, the joy of our life,

3. We just love fellowshipping with Him, consciousness of His presence

B. Just that delighting in the Lord

If you “delight yourself also in the Lord; he will give you the desires of your heart”

C. If I am delighting myself in the Lord,

1. If He is truly the joy, the delight of my life,

2. Then the desires of my heart are for Him and for the things of the Lord

5 Commit your way to the Lord,

A. So trust in the Lord

1. Delight in the Lord

2. Commit thy way unto the Lord

B. The focus of your life is on the Lord

1. That’s the whole secret is focusing yourself on Him.

“Seek first the kingdom of God, His righteousness.”

C. Focus in on the Lord

1. And as you focus in on the Lord,

2. He takes care of everything else

3. Life is glorious

D. It’s just wonderful joy when you’re focused on the Lord,

1. Committing your way unto the Lord

E. There is a REST in being COMMITTED to CHRIST

1. And you CANNOT always REST in FAITH

2. But there is ALWAYS REST in COMMITMENT

F. Because sometimes we seek to have faith for something –

1. That isn’t the will of God

2. And that puts me within an inner turmoil

G. I’m desiring something that the Lord doesn’t really want for me

1. And I am believing the Lord for it

H. There are a lot of people that are in this struggle of –

1. Trying to somehow generate faith

2. To get things to satisfy their own flesh.

3. And God knows better

4. And so they struggle

“Faith and prayer were never intended by God as instruments to accomplish your will on the earth. They were instruments by which God allows us to come in harmony with Him in the accomplishing of His purposes on the earth. And in that commitment to God’s will, there is rest. But not until then.” – Pastor Chuck Smith

I. So the Lord oftentimes allows the issues of life,

1. To come to the place where we can do no more

2. We’ve struggled with it,

3. We have come up against that spot where I can’t go any further

J. There’s nothing more I can do

1. I am helpless

K. I believe that many times the Lord allows us to come to that place –

1. Of the end of our resources

2. So that we might discover the unlimited resources of God

L. And so it’s always great when I am brought to that place of commitment,

1. Where I cease from my trying to work it out or figure it out

2. And I just say, Okay, Lord, whatever

3. You work it out

M. When you learn to turn it over to the Lord

1. Just hey, Lord, Your problem, You take care of it

2. You just rest because you know that He is able to take care of it

3. And He will take care of it

So “commit your ways unto the Lord,”

5b Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

A. His will, He’ll bring His will to pass in the situation

1. So that whatever comes is what God wants

6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.

A. God is for righteousness and God is for justice

1. And as I commit these issues to the Lord,

2. God will work it out in the right, just way

B. And if we are COMMITTED, then v7 is natural, we will -

7a Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;

A. REST is the natural result of commitment

1. And then David goes back to this FRETTING:

7b Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

A. Don’t fret over the evil

1. God will take care of them, too

2. We don’t need to fret over them

3. We don’t need to worry about them

B. God is going to take care of them

1. We are simply to COMMIT the EVIL DOERS to the LORD

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret–it only causes harm.

A. Don’t be stewing. Don’t be upset.

1. Not going to do any good to get angry over that situation

B. I have a tendency towards this

1. I read of some of the things that are going on

2. And I have a tendency to get angry, to get upset

C. I can read a newspaper and get pretty angry at the conditions of the world

1. But here the Lord says that we are to:

2. “Cease from anger, forsake wrath.”

D. I think that we need to do this quite often!

1. “fret not thyself in any wise to do evil”

2. Because many of us could easily get involved in a vigilante group

9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.

A. Recognizing that evil comes from Satan – it’s a spiritual thing

1. There’s a spirit of evil

2. We need to stand against it –

3. With the spiritual weapons that God has given to us which is prayer

B. I think that one of the greatest problems in our society today is that

1. Though conditions in the world around us are desperate,

“The church isn’t desperate before the Lord in prayer!”

C. And I think the time has come when we need to recognize,

1. We are in a real spiritual battle

2. And we must begin to enter into this battle with

a. The weapons that the Lord has given us

D. But it isn’t going out in a vigilante group

1. To bomb the abortion clinics or whatever

E. It is getting together and praying

1. And through prayer, we tear down the strongholds of the enemy

2. How we need to pray!

F. LESS THAN 1/3 of 1% turned out for the ‘National day of prayer”

1. We had 4 people turn out for prayer here at CCB that day

2. And 2 of the people were ME AND CELESTE

3. And sadly, NO OTHER MEN TURNED OUT

G. The reason our nation is in such trouble is NOT BECAUSE:

1. The WORLD is ACTING like the WORLD

2. But because, i believe:

a. CHRISTIANS REFUSE TO PRAY!

H. WE DON’T NEED ANOTHER “REPUBLICAN TEA PARTY” organization;

1. What we need is for CHRISTIANS to get serious about PRAYER!

“They that wait upon the Lord” (Isaiah 40:31). We need to do that. “For evildoers shall be cut off but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.”

10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more.

A. The wicked are going to be cut off

1. The bible promises that they don’t last

B. Most of the wicked people live like they will live forever;

1. But God promises that they shall BE NO MORE

C. At this point now,

1. David starts to make a contrast between the wicked and the righteous

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth (Jesus quoted this in Matt. 5:5), And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth. 13 The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.

A. I get comfort in that too!

1. When i see the wicked & they just seem to be so blasphemous against God

2. I think, “Well man, your day is coming!”

B. Now i know that that isn’t a totally right attitude

1. I should be praying more for them

2. But nevertheless, God LAUGHS at them!

C. Many people live in sin, thinking either that:

1. “God doesn’t see them” OR

2. “God really doesn’t have a PROBLEM with their sin”

D. But Paul tells us that the WICKED are really just:

1. Treasuring up wrath for the day of wrath

2. They are going to ‘GET THEIRS’

3. The LORD is simply merciful in granting time to REPENT

14 The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct. 15 Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken.

A. The EVILDOER may seem powerful today;

1. But the day is coming when their SWORD shall enter THEIR OWN HEART

2. And God will remove them from that position of ‘POWER’

“DON’T FRET BECAUSE OF EVIL DOERS, GOD LAUGHS AT THEM, AND ONE DAY THEY WILL BE DESTROYED BY THEIR OWN DEVICES!”

B. Now I LOVE and OFTEN QUOTE this next verse:

16 A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked.

A. Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:6

1. “But godliness with contentment is great riches”

B. Want to know what real riches are?

1. Just walking with God and being content

C. Because those that possess so very much;

1. Quite often are not satisfied with what they have

2. They’re spending their whole life to get more

D. The contentment that I have as a child of God makes me rich

1. I don’t need anything

2. Godliness with contentment, that’s really rich.

“A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.”

17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But the Lord upholds the righteous.

A. So again this contrast between the WICKED and the RIGHTEOUS

1. Arms of the wicked be broken: the Lord will uphold the righteous.”

18 The Lord knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever.

A. The riches I have are forever

1. The eternal riches, the treasures that I’ve laid up in heaven,

2. They’re mine forever. I’m not taking it with me, I’ve sent it ahead

19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

A. If you put the LORD 1^st in your life;

1. In an evil time, he will take care of you! His promise!

20 But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the Lord, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.

A. As the smoke ascends up David says;

1. “So is the wicked”

2. Their lives will just go up in smoke

3. They just VANISH, nothing left of them

Read Isaiah 57:1-2

a. What happens to the righteous and the merciful? (Verse 1)

b. What is it that no one considers when the good die? (Verse 1)

c. What things do the righteous enjoy in death? (Verse 2)

d. Is this perspective on death similar or different from that exposited by Job in

chapter 21? Explain why.

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“By The Skin of My Teeth” Job 18-19 (Part 1)

by Pastor Pete • on 8:19 PM • in Job Commentary Notes, Job Study

Outline

More often than not, the greatest athletic performances come when everything is on the line-when backs are against the wall. Out of times of great pressure and anxiety can come moments of great beauty and wonder. This very thing happens in the 19^th chapter of Job. In a moment when he is overwhelmed with the misery of his life, Job utters a powerful and moving statement that speaks of his Redeemer-Jesus Christ.

Voltaire, the French philosopher of the 18^th century, was lying on his deathbed. Addressing his doctor, the bitter man said, “I am abandoned by God and man. I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months’ life.” The doctor replied, “Sir, you will not live six weeks.” To which Voltaire responded, “Then I shall go to hell, and you will go with me.” A short time later, Voltaire died and entered eternity without God and without hope.

The wicked perish without hope because they die without God. Someone has made this point with a play on words:

KNOW GOD – KNOW HOPE

NO GOD – NO HOPE

We have arrived at the second speech of Job’s second friend, Bildad. Bildad has come to the conclusion that since Job is suffering, he must be a wicked man. He has tried to help Job understand that if he would just confess his sin, God would remove his suffering. But Job knows that he can’t repent of something that he has not done. And so, they have come to a stalemate.

Since Bildad believed that Job was wicked, he also believed that Job would face death alone and in despair. Unless he repented, Job’s experience of death would be the awful death of the wicked. There is just one problem with Bildad’s analysis-his major premise is wrong!

Job is not wicked! He is not sinless, but he has not cursed God. He has had some frank conversations with God and he will have many more before we’re finished. But Job’s integrity is still intact.

The Metaphors of Death (Job 18:1-4)

Up to this point, Job’s counselors have tried to reason with him. But they are growing more perturbed and abrupt by the moment. And Bildad has come to the conclusion that there is no way to reason with Job; for no matter what they did, they could not seem to get through to Job.

So Bildad begins the 18^th chapter by saying in verse 2, “How long till you put an end to words?” He wants to know when Job will wise up and quit talking and listen to his sage advice.

Recall that in Job 17:10, Job said he could not find a wise man among his friends. Apparently Bildad got this message because he replies in verse 3, “Why are we counted as beasts, and regarded as stupid in your sight?”

Bildad accuses Job of not being sensible or respectful. In Bildad’s eyes, he was treating his friends like dumb cattle. Once again, sarcasm erupts from Bildad, and he wonders if God is supposed to rearrange the world for Job (verse 4). The implied answer is “No.” Job is the one who needed to change!

These are two men at odds with each other. Job is not going to swallow Bildad’s ill logic, so Bildad decides on another approach-he is going to try to frighten Job instead!

Bildad is convinced that Job is going to die the death of a wicked person, so he uses four metaphors to try to intimidate Job. Here are the four metaphors:

The Extinguishing of Light (Job 18:5-6)

In the Bible, light is associated with life just as darkness is associated with death. Since God is the author of life, He alone can “light our lamp.” The picture here is that of a lamp hanging in a tent and a fire smoldering in a fire pot. The lamp representing his life goes out, resulting in total darkness and disorientation.

The Bible tells us that this is what happens to a wicked man: “The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out” (Proverbs 13:9). This is reiterated in Job 21:17: “How often is the lamp of the wicked put out?” Job actually agrees with Bildad’s insight into the death of the wicked, but it is all immaterial because Job does not consider himself to be in that category.

The Entrapment of a Traveler (Job 18:7-10)

In verses 7-10, Bildad uses four different words to describe the dangers people face when they try to run away from death:

a net – spread across the path to catch him

a snare – branches covering a deep pit

a trap – a noose that springs when stepped upon so that the captive is caught

a robber – another pitfall

No matter what schemes the traveler invents, he cannot escape these traps. And the more he tries, the weaker he becomes. Darkness and danger surround him, and there is no hope.

These devices were used to catch birds and animals, not people; but the wicked person is like a beast because he has left God out of his life. Bildad equates Job to this kind of man and this kid of fate.

The Escaping of a Criminal (Job 18:11-15)

In verse 11, Bildad likens Job to a criminal whose, “Terrors frighten him on every side, and drive him to his feet.” In this passage, death is personified as a reigning king-full of terrors that cannot be resisted or evaded. If the escaped criminal runs on the path and escapes the traps, then death will send some of his helpers to chase him. Terror frightens him, and calamity eats away at his strength as disaster awaits him.

The frightened criminal gets weaker and weaker but still tries to keep going. If he goes back to his tent to hide, the pursuers find him, arrest him, drag him out, and take him to the king of terrors. Just as it was for Sodom and Gomorrah, so it will be for the wicked (verse 15).

The Extinction of a Family (Job 18:16-21)

And in the cruelest metaphor of all, Bildad likens Job’s coming death to the extinction of his family, which he has already endured. Bildad cleverly presents his case by using a tree as a metaphor saying, “His roots are dried out below, and his branch withers above” (verse 16).

The death of a tree illustrates the extinction of a family-a “family tree.” Not only is the wicked man himself cut down, but all the branches are cut down too. He leaves no descendants to carry on his name. In the East during the time of Job, the extinction of a family was viewed as a great tragedy.

While Bildad’s pictures of death do not apply to those who are followers of Christ, his metaphors do remind us that death is certain and it can be sudden. It should not be taken lightly. The New Testament refers to it as the last enemy: “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:26).

As we turn away from Bildad’s words to hear from Job, we are reminded once more of the power of our words to hurt. In an anonymous poem called “The Builder,” we are reminded of our opportunity to build up or tear down one another:

I saw them tearing a building down,

A group of men in a busy town,

With hefty blow and a lusty yell,

They swung with zest, and a sidewall fell.

Asked of the Foreman, “Are these men skilled?

The kind you would hire if you had to build?”

He looked at me, and laughed, “No, indeed!

Unskilled labor is all I need.

Why, they can wreck in a day or two,

What it has taken builders years to do.”

I asked myself, as I went my way,

“Which of these roles have I tried to play?

Am I a builder with rule and square,

Measuring and constructing with skill and care?

Or am I the wrecker who walks the town,

Content with business of tearing down?”

Do you realize how easy it is just to be a critic all the time? The whole Book of Job is about how not to counsel and how not to help people who are hurting. Don’t be like Bildad, who gave Job all of these pictures and told him that his future held nothing but pain.

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“God-My Enemy” Job 15-17

by Pastor Pete • on 8:59 PM • in Job Commentary Notes, Job Study

Purpose

In this lesson we observe heightened verbal attacks on Job and see the depth of his despair as he vents his emotions to both man and God.

Outline

It has been said that there is nothing more dangerous than a desperate man. Job is surely a man living in desperation. And while he is not dangerous, he is at such a low place that he feels free to just speak his mind as the slings and arrows of his friend’s words and Satan’s attacks continue to sting him. So that is where we find Job: honest and angry and willing to speak his mind.

Illustration

A few years back, Pepper Rodgers-who was then the head football coach at UCLA-was going through a terrible losing season. The media was attacking him and the alumni of the school were calling him for his resignation. His friends were becoming more and more scarce by the day. Nothing seemed to be going his way.

Week after week, he was handed setbacks and defeats, and he didn’t think that his wife was encouraging him enough. He told her, “My dog is my best friend, but a man needs at least two friends.” She replied, “Well, you better go buy another dog.”

Introduction

Job certainly could relate to this. His friends and his wife had turned on him and had become his worst critics. And as his losses accumulated, Job sank deeper and deeper into despair. But it was the harsh treatment by his friends that most devastated him.

An anonymous wit once described a theologian as “a blind man in a dark room searching for a black cat that isn’t there-and finding it!” But a true theologian works in the light of God’s revelation and humbly accepts the truth, no matter what the cost.

Therefore Job’s three friends were not true theologians because they only saw one side of the issue: the side they wanted to see. We have been through the first speeches made by the three friends of Job, and now we are ready to go into the second round.

In his second address to Job, Eliphaz reiterates the same philosophy he exposited before, only this time with more vigor and less compassion. The essence of his speech can be summed up in these words: “The wicked are punished and the righteous are blessed; therefore, since Job is suffering, Job must be wicked!”

It is interesting to observe that sometimes a politician or a preacher will increase his volume when he has a weak point. This is surely the case with Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. As Job stubbornly maintains his integrity, they-with equal stubbornness-maintain their argument. But for Job, the argument is developing him inwardly. In his inward struggle, he is developing strength. His three friends are simply becoming less and less tolerant with every word they speak.

The Criticisms of Job (Job 15:1-16)

So in the 15^th chapter of Job, we see once again the criticisms of Job that come from Eliphaz, the first speaker. That first time around, Eliphaz was the most civil toward Job; he actually began with a courteous tone. But here in the opening lines of the second debate, he drops all show of courtesy and simply attacks his friend; here he quickly makes five charges against Job.

His Words are Empty (Job 15:1-3)

Eliphaz comes right out and asks in verse 2, “Should a wise man answer with empty knowledge, and fill himself with the east wind?” Eliphaz employs one of the oldest strategies in debate: if you can’t win the argument, attack your opponent. He tells Job that his words are empty and foolish and are literally nothing but a bunch of hot air.

And as you hear the words of Eliphaz, you can’t help but wonder…where has he been? Has he listened to the high and lofty speeches that have come from Job’s mouth? Has he heard the profound and beautiful mediations in the previous three chapters? Has he heard all of the precious thoughts on righteousness and forgiveness? Yes, some of it was mixed with Job’s crying out to God, but if he had listened, he would have even heard insights into the hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

But Eliphaz was determined to convict Job on the terms that he himself had set up, and he wasn’t ready or willing to actually listen to what Job was saying.

His Ways Are Evil (Job 15:4-6)

Even greater accusations are leveled at Job in verses 4-6. Eliphaz saw Job’s statements as being the result of his evil heart. He believed that the irreverent words Job had spoken in his last speech had revealed his inward corruption. So he used Job’s own words to indict his so-called friend and call him evil.

His Wisdom Is Elementary (Job 15:7-13)

Eliphaz then asks Job a series of rhetorical questions in verses 7-9. Eliphaz is telling Job that he is too young to know anything and that his wisdom is elementary. Now this is one of the great put-downs of all time, especially if you happen to be a young person.

What a tragedy it is for us to always equate wisdom with antiquity. It does not necessarily bear up if you study Scripture. Just consider Psalm 119:99-100: “I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. ¹⁰⁰I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts.”

When it comes to God, knowledge does not necessarily come from age-it is about how obedient you are. Knowledge and wisdom come from doing what God tells you to do and discovering that His ways are always right and righteous.

So once again, Eliphaz spoke words that lacked foundation; he did not realize that there is more to wisdom than age.

His Wickedness Is Evident (Job 15:14-16)

Job is then likened to a man “who is abominable and filthy, who drinks iniquity like water” (verse 16). Eliphaz tells Job that if God doesn’t even trust His angels, and if the heavens are not pure in His sight, then why would Job plead any kind of innocence? What a discouraging thought this must have been for Job. Eliphaz is one mean guy!

His Wretchedness Is Earned (Job 15:17-35)

Eliphaz concludes in verse 31 by telling Job to “not trust in futile things, deceiving himself, for futility will be his reward.” In this lengthy diatribe, Eliphaz essentially tells Job that his is getting what he deserves.

That is the message not only from Eliphaz, but also from all of Job’s friends. They can’t’ get past the fact that while it is true that suffering is ultimately the result of sin traced back to the Garden of Eden, all personal suffering is not the result of a particular sin. By saying that the pain and suffering in his life is due to something awful that he is doing in his heart, is an unjust and inaccurate indictment.

It is the same old “blame-the-victim” theology. If you are suffering, then you must be sinning. It was wrong in Job’s day and it is still wrong today! Suffering can come to godly and righteous people, to people who walk in fellowship with the Lord. Job is an example of this: a man of integrity who shunned evil and who believe in God and still suffered greatly.

Right about here in the Book of Job, we can begin to feel like the speeches of Job’s friends are simply repetitions of previous speeches. And if we are not careful, we could grow weary of this. But it needs to be noted because it is part of the purpose of the Book of Job.

If the speeches of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar sound flat and unconvincing and monotonous today, then their arguments haven’t improved much at all over the centuries. Is success a reward for piety, and failure the inevitable result of impiety? Do we worship God for the trinkets that fall from His hand or for the sake of God alone? Job didn’t buy it and neither do we.

Illustration

William Tyndale was a sixteenth-century Bible scholar with a passion for making the Scriptures available to the English-speaking masses. He translated the Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek into the language of the common people. Because the Church of England did not approve of Tyndale’s translation, King Henry VIII banned it. In 1524, Tyndale fled to Belgium to avoid being arrested.

In 1535, Tyndale met a student from England named Henry Philips. Young Philips said he wanted to know everything he could about Bible translation, so the two men became close friends. One evening, Tyndale and Philips went out to have dinner at an inn down the street. As they reached the door of the inn, Philips stepped back and let Tyndale enter. As he stepped through the doorway, two men seized him-agents of the King of England. Only then did William Tyndale realize that his friend, Henry Philips, had betrayed him to his enemies.

Tyndale spent sixteen months in prison, and on October 6, 1536, he was executed. His last words were, “Lord! Open the King of England’s eyes.” Three years after his death, the Lord answered Tyndale’s prayer when Henry VIII dropped his opposition to a Bible translation for the masses. The Great English bible was then published based almost entirely on Tyndale’s translation.

Like William Tyndale, Job is teaching us that God can work even through the betrayal of a friend. And before this book is closed, we will see how God used Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu to bring about His eternal purposes in Job’s life.

THE COMPLAINTS OF JOB (JOB 16-17)

In chapters 16 and 17, Job speaks out in growing frustration against Eliphaz and also against God. These two chapters show us how Job is feeling at this particular time in his life. If you have suffered at all, you will identify with Job’s emotional out bursts.

He Feels Frustrated (Job 16:1-5)

Job answers his friends in verse 2-3. These words drip with sarcasm, anger and pain. They come from a man who has been tried and tested like no one we have ever known. There is no one who has ever suffered like Job did. God set the standard so high and the suffering so incredible that no one who suffers can ever say, “No one has ever been through what I’ve been through.” Job experienced it all.

Job complains and calls his friends “miserable comforters.” The more words they spoke to comfort, the more pain they inflicted. And Job tells his friends that if they were in his shoes, would offer words of comfort, not of condemnation. But Job is a frustrated man. He can’t understand why his friends are so upset with him.

He Feels Forsaken (Job 16:6-17)

In verse 11, Job says, “God has delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over tot the hands of the wicked.” From the barrage of attacks that he has suffered, Job now considers God his enemy. He has had it; Job is angry with God.

Job is not the only godly man who has been angry at God. Mike Mason has an excellent observation on the role of anger in the life of a believer:

“Little wonder that the great believers of the Bible have also been great arguers with God-from Jacob, who actually came to blows with the angel of the Lord, to Peter who in Acts 10 answered a divine command three times with the word “Surely not, Lord!” Clearly, anger at God can be a sign of spiritual growth. It can mean we are out growing a concept of God that is no longer adequate for us. It could even be said that our anger is directed not at the living God Himself, but at our own idolatrous concept of Him. While we ourselves may not understand this, nevertheless our anger functions to move us closer to God as He really is. Mike Mason; “The Gospel According to Job”

It is better to express your emotional anger at God or to piously put a spin on a relationship that doesn’t even exist? How many of you know that you can’t get angry at somebody you don’t love? You can’t be angry with somebody that you don’t care about.

Why do we get angry with God? Because we love God and we know He loves us; and when it doesn’t look like He is taking care of the interest of our life, it’s easy to get angry. But here is the good news: There couldn’t be any anger if there weren’t any love to start with.

If you read the Psalms, you will often see David angry at God. Now we don’t want to live our lives angry at God constantly, but it is all right to visit there on occasion. It’s all simply the result of our own human emotions. And here we see Job’s emotions, crying out to a God he doesn’t quite understand at the moment.

He Feels Forgotten (Job 16:18-22)

Job cries out in verse 21, “Oh that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor!” Job is trying to figure out how he can get through this. And remember that a few chapters ago, we heard him crying out for a mediator (Job 9:33). Jesus was the answer to Job in that cry.

But watch carefully here because Job is not crying for a mediator-he is crying for an advocate. Do you know what an advocate it? An advocate is a lawyer. A mediator is a person who brings two parties together and tries to get some common ground between them. But an advocate is a person who goes into court and represents a person.

Job finds himself in the middle of turmoil, filled with anguish, facing the tragedy of listening to good men talking to him about his experiences, but ignorant of the facts concerning him. So Job has graduated from wanting a mediator-he wants an advocate now. He wants a lawyer up in heaven. He wants somebody to go talk to God for him.

Once again, this Old Testament verse sounds very familiar to us. As followers of Christ, we have what Job wanted. We have an advocate before the Father in those exact terms:

1 John 2:1-2 (NASB)
¹My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; ²and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

So when we feel frustrated and forsaken like Job, we can go to our Advocate in heaven and know that He cares. He represents us before the Father. That is why we pray all things “in Jesus’ name.” He is our Advocate.

He Feels Finished (Job 17:1-16)

Job feels frustrated, forsaken, forgotten, and-at this particular point-burned out. His emotions are shot and he feels finished. That is why he says in verse 1, “My spirit is broken, my days are extinguished, the grave is ready for me.”

It has been said that your soul and your body live so close together that they catch each other’s diseases. When you are tired and worn out and overwhelmed, both your body and your spirit are affected.

Job has certainly been through a lot. His soul is reaping the benefit of all that he’s been through emotionally. He is in a very tough place. In these verses we see Job at rock bottom; he can’t go any lower.

In his book titled ‘Disappointment With God’, writer Philip Yancey tells a story that perfectly summarizes all that we have learned about Job:

“Once a friend of mine went swimming in a large lake at dusk. As he was paddling at a

leisurely pace about a hundred yards offshore, a freak evening fog rolled in across the water. Suddenly he could see nothing: no horizon, no landmarks, no objects or lights on shore. Because the fog diffused all light, he could not even make out the direction of the setting sun. For thirty minutes he splashed around in panic. He would start off in one direction, lose confidence, and turn ninety degrees to the right. Or left-if made no difference which way he turned. He could feel his heart racing uncontrollably. He would stop and float, trying to conserve energy, and force himself to breathe slower. Then he would blindly strike out again. At last a faint voice calling from shore. He pointed his body toward the sounds and followed them to safety.”

Job could relate to this story. He was lost in a fog. All the familiar surroundings that he once knew where shrouded and clouded, and he did not know which way to go. He was scared and desperate and longing for some direction from God. Why had God brought him into the fog only to abandon him? What was the purpose of it all?

While God was seemingly silent, the mettle of Job’s faith was being tested and he was found to be a true man of God, even to the point of death: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). And God was not silent forever, for the story of Job is not yet over. God will bring forth the truth and shed light on all things.

And what does this mean for us? It means that there is hope for those of us who are caught in a shroud of fog and don’t know what is happening or where God has gone. We have good news and a great hope: If we will just stay quiet and trust in Him, we will hear the sounds from the shore and we’ll know which way to go.

Questions

1. In Job 15, Eliphaz started the second round of speeches, trying once again to cut Job down to size. What words does Job use to emphasize that both God and his friends have become his enemies?

2. In what sense could Job say his “prayer is pure” (16:17)? (Read Ps. 66:18)

3. What certainty is impressed on Job’s soul as he prays through his tears?

4. What do you feel most sure of at this point in your life? Explain.

5. Job looks to God for a pledge of security. How is it possible that Job could appeal for help from God when it is God who is apparently attacking him?

6. In Job 17:1-9, what does Job say he is ready for? (verse 1) Do you think he is overreacting to his

circumstances? Why or why not?

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Zophar the Mudslinger – Job 10-12

by Pastor Pete • on 2:06 AM • in Job Commentary Notes, Job Study

“Zophar The Mudslinger”

Job 10-12

Group Discussion

Describe a time in your life when you weren’t given a chance to defend yourself to others
How easy is it to ‘turn the other cheek’ when you are falsely accused?

Outline

What makes human beings so interesting is the very fact that we are not robots. We are emotional creatures, and we respond and react to our given environments. And no matter how timid someone may be, there will always come a point where they will stand up for themselves in the midst of abuse. This is where we find Job after his third friend wounds him like the other two before; now it’s Job’s turn to respond to their accusations.*

Overview

As we have moved through the story of Job’s suffering, we have observed his personal struggle with the underserved pain he is experiencing. The Book of Job could also be called “a grief observed,” for his family, wealth, status, and physical well-being have been taken from him without a word of explanation from God. (C. S. Lewis, 1940; A Grief Observed)

Then came the counselors. Eliphaz elegantly questioned Job’s integrity. And Bildad told Job that his children’s death was due to their own sin. At first Job does not respond to the accusations of his friends, but as the story unfold, he begins to defend himself. In Job 10:1, he cries out, not to Bildad or Eliphaz, but to God: “I will give free course to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.” Job’s words to God in chapter ten are similar to his speeches in chapters six and seven.

Read Job 10

Job doesn’t understand why God would give him life and then not respect him as one of His creations (Job 10:3)
Job no longer wants an umpire; he wants a deliverer. (Job 10:7)
Job has a profound appreciation for the creative process that brought him into existence. (Job 10:8-12)
Job feels like a marked man, being watched every moment by God. (Job 10:14)
Job doesn’t understand why God would bring him out of his mother’s womb to live such a purposeless life. (Job 10:18)
Job is so desperate that he asks God for just a few moments of peace before he dies. (Job 10:20-21)

Job 11

Job now is about to meet Zophar. Zophar has obviously been chomping at the bit for a chance to put in his two cents’ worth, and right off the bat he shows himself to be the sort of fellow who shoots first and asks questions later. In his criticism of Job, he is not just blunt but insulting, calling his friend a scoffer and a windbag and broadly accusing him of arrogant self-righteousness. Mudslinging becomes the order of the day. (Gospel According to Job; Mike Mason)

Zophar is a mudslinger. He throws everything he can think of at his friend without any concern or compassion about how it will affect him. After listening to Eliphaz and Bildad accuse Job, Zophar begins his tirade against Job by talking about – what else – Job’s sin.

Job’s “Iniquity” (Read Job 11:1-4)

According to Zophar, what Job said about God was not true, and what Job said about himself was an outright lie. Zophar tries to paint Job into a corner based upon a few misinterpretations.

First of all, Job never claimed to be sinless. In Job 7:21, he claimed the complete opposite. And when God claimed that Job was “blameless and upright,” that was still true (Job 2:3). Having integrity before God is not the same as being flawlessly and sinlessly perfect. Zophar’s indictment is misleading and untruthful.

Job’s “Ignorance” (Read Job 11:5-12)

Zophar considered Job to be ignorant of the wisdom of God. But what he did not understand was that both he and Job needed that wisdom. If Zophar and his friends had been the recipients of God’s wisdom, they would never have conducted themselves as they did. Finally there is Zophar’s statement in verse 6 that God was exacting from Job less than he deserved. This ranks right up there at the top of the most insensitive statements in this book. Can you imagine Job suffering more than he has? Zophar has no idea of what he speaks and to whom he is speaking. And a final shot at Job is found in verse 12 where he basically calls Job an idiot and tells him that he can no more become wise than a donkey can become a man. What a guy! What a great friend!

Job’s “Inflexibility” (Read Job 11:13-20)

According to Zophar, Job’s unwillingness to repent and acknowledge his sin is the reason for his great suffering. Supposedly to motivate Job to repent, Zophar tells Job nine things he could experience if he would only confess:

He could life up his face without spot (v. 15)
He could be steadfast and not fear (v.15)
He could forget his misery (v. 16)
His life would be brighter (v. 17)
He would be like the morning (v. 17)
He would be secure (v. 18)
He would have hope (v. 18)
He would not be afraid (v. 19)
He would be courted by many (v. 19 )

In order for Job to experience those nine thing, Zophar says he must prepare his heart and confess his iniquities (vv. 13-14). But once again, if Job confesses to sins that are not committed just so that things will get better in his personal life, he will turn his faith into a commercial enterprise. He will fall into the trap of Satan and dishonor God.

There is an old Chinese proverb that says, “Though conversing face to face, their hearts have a thousand miles between them.”

Job’s friends were physically present, but they weren’t there for him spiritually or emotionally. All they did was irritate Job and make things worse.

Questions

1. List the two synonyms Zophar uses to describe the knowledge of God. (Verse 7)

2. How high are the things of God? (Verse 8 ) How deep?

3. What thought do the questions posed in verse 8 imply?

4. How long and wide are the things of God? (Verse 9 )

5. God cannot be hindered if He does what three things? (Verse 10) Does God have the right to do this? Why or why not?

6. What does God know and see? (Verse 11)

Job 12

Job’s words in the next three chapters are direct replies to Zophar’s attacks. But at the same time, his answers also affirm the holiness of God. Job begins his appeal by displaying how small and insignificant man is when compared to a great and holy God.

Job’s Rebuke (Read Job 12:1-6)

In verse 2, Job says to his friends, “No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!” We’ve been waiting for Job to finally stick up for himself, and here he finally does. He sarcastically tells his friends that when they die there will be no one left to tell anyone how to live. Of course this thought is absurd-which is exactly Job’s point. Only God is the source of all knowledge; only “God provides by His hand” (v. 6).

Job’s Ridicule (Read Job 12:7-12)

Job gets even more pointed and sarcastic when he tells his friends to look for godly wisdom in three other places.

Ask the Animals (vv. 7-8). Zophar used a donkey to insult Job, so Job came right back and insinuated that fish and cattle are a lot wiser than his pious friends.

Ask Anyone (vv. 9-11). It is essentially evident to everyone that Job’s plight is a result of God’s will; evident to everyone, that is, except his three friends.

Ask the Aged (v. 12). No one really like growing older, but the Bible give us a direct benefit to the aging process right here. And Job tells his friends that if they asked the opinion of some of those who have seen a lot of life, their eyes and hearts might be opened to the truth.

Job’s Revenge (Read Job 12:13-25)

Job was able to vent a little in the past few verses and to display his frustration to his friends. But he immediately comes back to God because he knows the only reality in his life and the only hope for his life is found in God. So Job offers up three attributes of God that he knows are true. God is shrewd (v. 13) God is Strong (vv. 14-15). God is Sovereign (vv. 16-25).

Questions

1. What does verse 4 indicate that Job’s friend did to him?

2. What did Job do? (V. 4) What two adjectives does Job use to describe himself? Is this appropriate? Why or why not?

3. What type of person despises a lamp? (V. 5) Who does this apply to in this story?

4. What do robbers and provokers of God enjoy? (V. 6) Why does this happen?

Did You Know?

Many people do not realize that the great Christian writer C. S. Lewis was once an atheist. His conversion led him to write many wonderful books on faith like Mere Christianity, as well as a set of children’s’ stories written as an allegory of the faith that are now world famous-The Chronicles of Narnia. One of his closest friends and colleagues had a great influence on Lewis’ journey of faith. This man was also a writer, as well as a devout Christian. And he too wrote a famous series of novels that are still celebrated today. His name was J. R. R. Tolkien and he wrote The Lord of the Rings trilogy. *Tried, Tested, & Triumphant, the book of Job. David Jeremiah

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“The Gospel According to Job” Job 8-9

by Pastor Pete • on 11:07 PM • in Job Commentary Notes, Job Study

Purpose

In this lesson we witness Job’s awe and reverence for God-and the need for Jesus as a mediator between man and God.

When times are tough we often lean on our friends for support, love and understanding. Job was not so fortunate in this matter because his group of friends ended up criticizing and condemning him in lieu of encouragement. But instead of offering a defense to his friends, Job offered up his defense to God. In turn, he revealed what a majestic, holy, and all-powerful God that he served then-and that we still serve today.

Overview

We have already met Eliphaz, the oldest and most sophisticated of Job’s friends. Now we will meet Bildad the Shuhite, who is generally considered the most hurtful and least comforting of Job’s friends.

Bildad is a cold intellectual thinker and a hard-nosed debater. He sees all issues in black and white and prides himself on his straightforward, no-nonsense approach to life. He is the kind of person whose mind is already made up-not only on every important issue, but on many unimportant ones as well. Bildad has listened to Eliphaz’s words and to Job’s response, and he can’t wait to weigh in with his no-nonsense advice.

Job 8 – Bildad’s Investigation of Job

As chapter 8 begins, we see Bildad the Shuhite relating his biased opinion on Job’s current situation. (Read Job 8 )

Job 9 – Job’s Response to Bildad’s Attack

In Job 9, Job is going to respond-but in an interesting way. He doesn’t so much respond to Bildad as he does to God. Job feels like his only hope is to somehow appeal his situation before the court of heaven and prove his innocence before the Almighty.

In order to understand this chapter, we need to see the motivation behind Job’s question. If you carefully read this entire chapter, you will find many legal words and terms like “dispute,” “argue,” “judge,” “innocent,” “summoned,” “hearing,” “justice,” “guilty,” “blameless,” and “arbitrate.”

When Job inquires about righteousness, he is not talking about salvation; he is talking about vindication. He wants to know how he can be declared innocent, and he uses legal terminology to express this desire. If a man tried to take God to court, he would not be able to answer God’s questions because God is so awesome that no one could contend with Him. In his statements here, Job displays his incredible respect for his Maker.

But we know what Job doesn’t know-that God has already weighed in on it. God already knows what is going on; He just hasn’t seen fit to tell Job about it. Remember that Job is experiencing all of this without the knowledge of God’s conversation with Satan. So he has come to the conclusion that his only hope is to get an audience with God. (Read Job 9 )

Questions

1. Why does Job feel it is becoming pointless to complain to God? (9:14-20)

2. What specific benefits would Job gain if God were human after all? (9:32)

3. In what ways has Jesus Christ made Job’s deepest dream a reality?

4. When tragedy strikes, what difference does it make to know that God has come in the flesh?

Prayer

Ask God to make a home in you (John 14:33) so that through all of life’s joys and sorrows, you will know that God is with you, and for you, and in you.

Now or Later

Study the relationship of anger and faith. Later in the story, the young man Elihu will be angry with Job, because he justifies himself, and angry with Job’s friends because they justified God by accusing Job (32:2-3). People like Eliphaz think that if they get angry at God, God, in turn, will get angry at them (15:12-13).

In contrast biblical saints like Ezekiel (Ez. 3:14), the psalmist (Ps. 74:1-11) and Peter (Acts 10:14) “poured out their hearts” to God, the very thing Scripture invites us to do (Ps. 62:8).

Sometimes anger can mean we are outgrowing a concept of God that is no longer adequate. That was surely the case with John who was angry that God did not live up to John’s expectations as a just judge of the Ninevites (Jonah 4:1,4, 9).

Mike Mason says, “The difference between believers and unbelievers is that while the former argue on speaking terms with the Lord, the latter do so by turning their backs and giving Him the silent treatment…Anger may be used by God to break up a spirit of complacency…Our anger functions to move us closer to God as He really is. Religious phonies will go to almost any length to hide the fact that their relationship with God is not real or satisfying. But people who truly love the Lord have a consuming hunger for reality.

Did You Know?

In Job 9:9, Job mentions “the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south.” Pleiades is a group of seven stars that is part of the constellation Taurus-and is always mentioned in connection with Orion. The Bear is also called the Big Dipper, with which we are familiar. What then are the chambers of the south? Quite simply, these are constellations that are only seen in the southern hemisphere. Since the constellations specifically named in this verse are those only seen in the northern hemisphere, this is a reminder that God is the God of every star and constellation in the universe-whether or not we are able to see them at all!

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“What We Can Learn From Job’s Response to His God” – Job 7

by Pastor Pete • on 8:00 PM • in Job Commentary Notes, Job Study

Purpose

To explore the meaning of the Incarnation-that God should become a human being.

Group Discussion

When have you felt angry with God? Did you tell Him so or keep it to yourself thought)? Explain.

Personal Reflection

When the bottom falls out of life, we cry: “Where is God when I am hurting? Does He really understand? Can He do anything? Does God dwell in heaven unmoved by cries?”

Try to remember your first pictures or impressions of God. Was God distant, close, awesomely different, totally unlike anyone human, or very similar to your earthly father or mother? Explain.

Introduction

Sometimes the Bible presents the most important truths not in a frontal attack or a prophetic pronouncement, but in a pregnant hint. This study is a case in point. It takes us one step closer to the greatest of all discoveries, the gospel itself-that God should become a human being, making Himself totally accessible to His own creature. Job now turns from complaining about his friends to complaining about His God-to God. Read Job 7

Job 7 Commentary

I. Nights are Long and Sleepless (7:1-4)

In verse 3, Job says that “Wearisome nights have been appointed to me.” There is a certain kind of pain and suffering that is so severe it disrupts all manner of normal sleep. You can literally lay awake all night and feel the presence and the pressure of each minute going by. This is where Job is at, and it is a condition that is shared by almost everyone at one time or another in their lives.

II. Life feels Short and Hopeless (7:5-11)

Job continues in verse 7: “Oh, remember that my life is a breath! My eye will never again see good.” Not only can he not sleep, but he also sees his life ebbing away with no purpose to its conclusion.

III. Dreams Are Frightening and Threatening (7:12-16)

Thirdly, Job tells God in verse 14 that, “You scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions.” Job’s suffering is intense. Most nights he cannot sleep. And when he is able to fall asleep, he is greeted with nightmares that only intensify his suffering. In fact, he says he would rather be dead than in his body when he suffers such horrific dreams (verse 15).

IV. God Seems Cruel and Uncaring (7:17-21)

In verses 19-20, Job concludes by saying, “How long? Will You not look away from me, and let me alone till I swallow my saliva? Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men?”

Job just wishes God would just leave him be and not antagonize him. To Job, God doesn’t even seem uncaring-He seems cruel. And of course, Eliphaz was no help to Job either.

Is Job better off at the end of chapter 7 than he was at the beginning of chapter 4? No, he is worse! His despair has deepened. His hopelessness has grown. He has received no help.

In his attempt to help Job, Eliphaz made two huge mistakes that are often made today by God’s people when they are trying to help the hurting. These two mistakes are devastating errors because they both are based on truth. But when the truth is out of context, it becomes error.

Mistake number one: Eliphaz made all suffering the result of sin. It is true that suffering is the result of sin if you go all the way back to the Garden of Eden. There would be no suffering today had Adam and Eve not sinned. So suffering is the result of sin. That is where Eliphaz was wrong. Job’s suffering was not because of some particular sin he had committed.

Mistake number two: Eliphaz said that all righteousness is rewarded and all sin is judged. Once again, this is truth conveyed out of context. It is true that someday God will balance the scales, and that all righteousness will be rewarded and all sin will be judged. But the problem with Eliphaz’s presentation was that his timing was way off. He gave the impression that all rewards and judgments are immediate, and they are not.

When we make these two mistakes, we don’t help the hurting-we increase their pain and suffering! But Proverbs 18:24 tells us that “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” And it is good to know that there is a Friend who will never fail us, leave us, or forsake us (Deut. 31:6).

Jesus came not to make us worse, but to always make us better He gives us hope in our hopelessness, help in our helplessness, and joy when we feel despair. When we go through tough times, the Lord is always there for us; and we can lift our hearts up to Him. And He will hear us.

Questions

1. In a few words summarize the matters Job raises before God

Which complaint can you personally identify with?

2. Job is concerned that God will eventually discover that Job cannot be found if God keeps up the pressure. What does this tell us about Job’s view of God?

3. Psychologists sometimes affirm that letting deep feelings spill out is emotionally healthy. Is it spiritually healthy? Explain why or why not.

Do you think God gets angry when we speak to Him so negatively? Explain.

4. Job believes in God, but he cannot believe God is for him. What would Job’s suffering be like without a belief in God?

Did You Know?

Job 7:14-15 details the terrible nightmares that Job had to endure on the few nights when he was able to sleep at all. But Job is not the only person in the Bible who suffered such things in the night. In Genesis 15:12 we read that “when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him.” And an especially amazing verse is found in Matthew 27:19 regarding Pontius Pilate’s wife. In reference to Jesus, she tells her husband, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

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“Drawing Away” (Daily Devotions 2.22.11)

by Pastor Pete • on 6:58 PM • in 320, Job Commentary Notes

S – Scripture

Mark 1:35-38 (NASB)
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. ³⁶Simon and his companions searched for Him; ³⁷they found Him, and said* to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” ³⁸He said* to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”

O – Observation

Jesus was no man pleaser. Even though He came with the specific mission to die on the cross of Calvary for the souls of men, His goal was never to ‘live to fulfill the will of His followers.’ When the disciples got up one morning, Jesus was gone – no note, no explanation, He had simply left them to seek strength from His Heavenly Father in prayer. Prayer is the key to personal power and the ability to stay focused on ‘God’s calling’. Even Jesus who was fully God, needed that daily intimate time of prayer. When the disciples found Christ, they said “everyone is looking for You.” Sort of sounds like a guilt trip by the disciples and a vain effort to get Christ to worry about what man thinks – “You need to be more concerned about being there for people than wasting your time in prayer and doing the will of Him who sent You.” Very much the same priority that Martha had verses her sister Mary – Working for God is more important that your personal walk with Him. Jesus didn’t answer them. Jesus wasn’t in the least bit concerned about what they or anyone thought of Him. His objective was not to impress them so that they’d follow Him. His goal wasn’t popularity, it was simply to focus on the task that His Father had given Him. Jesus also needed to take care of His own spiritual walk and relation with His Father. Nothing in life was more important to Him than His relationship with His Father. Jesus did not surrender to the fear of man, He simply told His disciples “let’s go somewhere else”. He left the people who were wanting His time and attention and He just moved on – that’s what ultimately led to His ability to say ”It is finished” while hanging on the cross of Calvary. He didn’t come to ‘do everything’, He just came to fulfill the will of His Father upon His life. That was success. His job was not to impress or even meet the needs of man, it was to glorify His Father.

A – Application

Jesus today, You are my mentor! I want to be more like You and walk in the fear of God alone. My biggest struggle as a pastor is to daily wrestle over the fear and personal goals of man. I must be given exclusively to what God has called me to do. Man has not called me to preach, it is not man who I live for, and it will not be a man (any church member) who I will one day stand before at the Bema Seat and give an account of my life to. My goal and my objective today is to be fully given to a love relationship with my Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ my Lord. My focus today must not be upon the demands of men or what people think that I should be doing with my limited time as a Pastor. My calling is to be given to prayer and the Word of God, and then ‘let the chips fall where they may.” If people are offended by my unavailability, so be it – even Jesus wasn’t always available. I must focus on being available to God and doing the work of the ministry that Christ has set me apart to.

P – Prayer

Jesus, make me more like You. Help me to see today what priorities that You have given me. Thank You that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. Thank You that You have not called me to produce fruit, but simply to abide in the vine. And as I abide in You, I will think with Your mind, seek to accomplish Your plans and dwell in Your peace. Today I pray that I would be given to prayer and to the ministry of Your Word. Guard my mind from the fear of man, and the modern form of what America has made the church: programs, business meetings and committee meetings. Set my heart upon the work that You alone have given me. May the work of the ministry never come between me and my walk with You and may it always be a joy to serve You. I pray that You will always be #1 in my life, not ministry, not people, not anything but just You Lord. Teach me to walk and live in the fear of the Lord, and then I will not become fearful of the words of man. Thank You for my calling as a Pastor, may I glorify You today in all that I do as I live for You. Amen.

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