Job 38: 12-38 God interrogated Job with a list of seventy-seven questions. In doing so, God invited Job to explore His creation. His opening questions are calls to examine the earth He created (vs.3-11). His next series of questions deal with the functions of the "cosmos" (vs.12-38).

Job's three "friends" had spent themselves trying to convince Job that his sufferings were a result of hidden sin. The young Elihu had droned on in an academic discourse in theology. Now, after months of suffering, God speaks. "The four-chapter message direct from God that climaxes the book of Job is unparalleled by anything else in the Bible. Even unbelieving scholars acknowledge it is one of the world's greatest masterpieces in literature" (Henry Morris). Amazingly, God says nothing concerning the problem of human suffering. His discourses cover 123 verses and ask 77 questions. God's subject is creation! He reveals His power in and loving care of His creation. "To everything there is a season, a time and purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This remarkable conclusion of Job reveals the answers for a hurting world are found in the One who created it. It is the fear (holding in awe) of the Lord which marks the beginning of our wisdom and understanding (Job 28:28).

The rift in David's family would grow to full-blown civil war due to David's tolerance of Amnon's horrible injustice. The rift would dominate the second half of David's reign.

Paul has presented the case that all humans are slaves to sin in chapter one. In chapter two, Paul sets forth the case that the Jew is as guilty as the Gentile of sin and unbelief. A person's heritage, indoctrination, religious rituals, or education cannot make him righteous before God. A person is a child of God "from the heart" (2:29) and not by the letter of the law. The Jew would ask, "What is the advantage of circumcision?" A good lawyer knows the answer to a question before he asks it. Paul sets forth a series of questions and answers them. Then he lays out a fourteen-count indictment to all mankind "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (3:20). "It cannot escape notice how completely the doctrine of the Jews has been transferred by ritualists to Christianity." (Charles Hodge). If, by any means, anyone escapes the verdict of guilty, "he will never truly rely upon the shed blood of the Guilt-Bearer, Christ!" (William R. Newell).

The younger Elihu listened to the conversations of Job and his three "friends" and was convinced he had the answer to Job's sufferings. He used Job's own words to condemn Job. He also castigates all the older men for not knowing God as he knew Him.

The younger Elihu listened to the conversations of Job and his three "friends" and was convinced he had the answer to Job's sufferings. He used Job's own words to condemn Job. He also castigates all the older men for not knowing God as he knew Him.

King David was never the same after his fateful fall into sin. He seemed to become more indecisive in dealing with his problems. Be with us tonight as we continue our study in the life of this great but flawed man.

The gospel of Christ "is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek" (1:16). For the righteousness of God is revealed to man through salvation (1:17). One must realize that the wrath of God is revealed "against all ungodliness" (1:18). Paul, the lawyer, takes us to the courtroom to declare we are inexcusable. If a person is truly "saved," what is he "saved" from? The answer: the wrath of God! Paul declared the gospel "to the Jew first." Therefore, Paul takes the Jew to task. His conclusion: "There is none righteous (Jew or Gentile), no, not one" (3:10). He drives home that point in the second half of chapter two. The specific application is to the Jew, but the practical application is to Jew and Gentile alike.

Chapters 29-31 form Job's closing monologue. In chapter 29, he recounts the good old days "when God watched over me." In chapter 30, Job cries out to God in his present misery. In chapter 31, Job seeks vindication from God. Chapter 31 is a checklist of "blameless and upright man" (1:8).

Chapters 29-31 form Job's closing monologue. In chapter 29, he recounts the good old days "when God watched over me." In chapter 30, Job cries out to God in his present misery. In chapter 31, Job seeks vindication from God. Chapter 31 is a checklist of "blameless and upright man" (1:8).