Text: Job 39

13 “The wings of the ostrich wave proudly,

but are they the pinions and plumage of love?

14 For she leaves her eggs to the earth

and lets them be warmed on the ground,

15 forgetting that a foot may crush them

and that the wild beast may trample them.

16 She deals cruelly with her young, as if they were not hers;

though her labor be in vain, yet she has no fear,

17 because God has made her forget wisdom

and given her no share in understanding.

18 When she rouses herself to flee, she laughs at the horse and his rider.

-Job 39:13-18 ESV

AMAZING ANIMALS SHOWING GOD

In chapter 38, God used numerous features of inanimate creations to question and refute Job’s slight to His

These questions include; Do you feed lions and their cubs or ravens and their young? [ 38:39-41], Do you know when

Job was tongue-tied. He accused God of being silent. Now, he is the one in silence. It is impossible for Job or

Furthermore, their distinct descriptions do demonstrate God’s goodness to each animal, seeing to it that

God cares for them. How much more to us His very own children? Did not Jesus say, “Look at the birds of the air:

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Text: Job 38

2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?

6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,

7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

-Job 38:1-7 ESV

UNANSWERABLE QUESTIONS FROM GOD

There is a hint that an approaching storm may have prompted Elihu’s poetic praise of the God of nature (see 36:27-37:5). If so, through it the voice of God spoke to Job. Notedly, Job had repeatedly challenged God to answer his charges against Him.

Here, God accepts his challenge (see v.1-3).

In his reply, God asks Job tough questions. Apparently, these questions can’t be answered, in order to let him realize how little he knows of the mind and activities of the Almighty. God has started his ironical questioning of Job with a poetic description of his work in creating the world, that is, long before Job or any other human being was born. Only the heavenly beings [angels] have witnessed his work (v. 4-7). God has separated the waters in the atmosphere from the waters on the earth and caused dry land to appear (v. 8-11).

God challenged Job if he is able to make the sun rise so that those who rely on darkness to do evil are exposed. They are ‘shaken’ out of their hiding places as insects are shaken out of clothing (v. 12-13). Can Job use the rays of the rising sun to create beautiful tapestry and colors on the earth’s surface (v.14-15)? Has Job been into the depths of the sea or the ends of the earth? Does he know where the sun dwells so that he can make it rise each morning and take it to its resting place each evening? Job should be able to know these if he has such great knowledge as he claims (16-21).

Does Job know how God controls the weather (v.22-24)? Is he aware of who makes snow, hail, wind, rain, and lightning (v.25-30)? Can Job direct the stars (v. 31-33)? Is Job capable to send floods or create drought as he wishes (v. 34-38)?

Unanswerable questions should not prompt us to throw the baby with the bath water into believing God. The secret things belong to God.[Deut 29:29] They are meant to be unanswered to make us realize that God is inscrutable so we should give Him the benefit of the doubt.

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Text: Job 37

14 “Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God.

15 Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?

16 Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge,

17 you whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind?

18 Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror?

19 Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.

20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up?

21 “And now no one looks on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them.

22 Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty.

23 The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.

24 Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”

-Job 37:14-24 ESV

STOP AND CONSIDER THE WONDROUS WORKS OF GOD.

Elihu continued to speak on behalf of God. He described the thunder as like the voice of God proclaiming his majesty (37:1-5).

‘“At this also my heart trembles and leaps out of its place.

2 Keep listening to the thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go, and his lightning to the corners of the earth.

4 After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.

5 God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend.’

When God send rain, snow and ice, people do stop working and animals look for warmth in their dens ( v.6-10). God uses the forces of nature according to his perfect purposes (v.11-13).

Who is Job to argue with such a God? What does he know of God’s workings (v.14-18)? Nothing. Who can question such a sovereign God? By contending against him, Job is running the risk of being struck dead (v.19-20).

‘23 The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.

24 Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”[v.23,24]

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Text: Job 36

Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?

23 Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?

24 “Remember to extol his work, of which men have sung.

25 All mankind has looked on it; man beholds it from afar.

26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable.

27 For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain,

28 which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly.

29 Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion?

30 Behold, he scatters his lightning about him and covers the roots of the sea.

31 For by these he judges peoples; he gives food in abundance.

32 He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark.

33 Its crashing declares his presence; the cattle also declare that he rises.

-Job 36:22-33 ESV

GOD IS GREAT AND WE KNOW HIM NOT

In this fourth and final speech of Elihu, he spoke with the authority of God.[v.2] He spoke of the greatness of God. However, there are hints that his assessments of Job’s problems hasn’t changed. His arrogance is on display as he stated, ‘For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.’[v.4]

Yet, Elihu’s view is more positive than the other friends. Sufferings could be redemptive not just retributive. They are means of instruction toward repentance and restoration. As Elihu said, ‘He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity. If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness.’[v.10,11]

Elihu then reminds Job of the mighty God before whom Job should bow. He is so great even beyond a person’s understanding (v.24-26). God makes and controls everything - clouds, rain, lightning, and thunder, and he uses these things to bring upon us either blessing or judgment (v.27-33).

Elihu questions who is Job to argue with such a God. What does he know of God’s workings? Who can question such a God? By arguing with him, Job is running the risk of being struck dead (v.19-20). People cannot fully understand God, but they know he always does what is right. Job should not argue with God but stand in awe of him. As Elihu exhorted Job, ‘ Take care; do not turn to iniquity, for this you have chosen rather than affliction. Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? (v.21-22).

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Text: Job 35

And Elihu answered and said:

2 “Do you think this to be just?

Do you say, ‘It is my right before God,’

3 that you ask, ‘What advantage have I?

How am I better off than if I had sinned?’

4 I will answer you and your friends with you.

5 Look at the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than you.

6 If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him?

And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him?

Or what does he receive from your hand?

8 Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself, and your righteousness a son of man.

9 “Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; they call for help because of the arm of the mighty.

10 But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

11 who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth

and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’

12 There they cry out, but he does not answer, because of the pride of evil men.

13 Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it.

14 How much less when you say that you do not see him, that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him!

15 And now, because his anger does not punish,

and he does not take much note of transgression,

16 Job opens his mouth in empty talk; he multiplies words without knowledge.”

-Job 35:1-16 ESV

AM I BETTER OFF THAN IF I HAD SINNED?

Elihu continues His speech to expose the problem of Job’s claim. Job had observed himself that the wicked prospers

‘What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?

And what profit do we get if we pray to him?’

Behold, is not their prosperity in their hand?

The counsel of the wicked is far from me.’[Job 21:15,16]

‘“Do you think this to be just? Do you say, ‘It is my right before God,’

that you ask, ‘What advantage have I? How am I better off than if I had sinned?’’[v.2,3]

In the first place, God is supreme so that he is not affected by man’s sin or innocence. God remains unscathed by

‘If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him?

And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him?

Or what does he receive from your hand?’[v.6,7]

God has impartiality and objectively determined that men get what they deserved. We can resonate with the problem of

Thus Job concluded that living a righteous life and wicked life have no difference based upon the consequences

A 3-kilo load is nothing when you’re carrying it for 2 hours, isn’t it? But, it would be a different story when

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Text: Job 34

“Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:

far be it from God that he should do wickedness,

and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.

11 For according to the work of a man he will repay him,

and according to his ways he will make it befall him.

12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,

and the Almighty will not pervert justice.

13 Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him the whole world?

14 If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,

15 all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.

-Job 34:10-15 ESV

Elihu invited Job’s other friends to evaluate Job’s claim rightly[v.1-3]. For Job has said,

‘I am in the right, and God has taken away my right;

in spite of my right I am counted a liar;

my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,

who travels in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men?

For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing

that he should take delight in God.’[v.5-9]

Elihu argues that since God is infinitely higher than his human creatures, people’s sin neither could harm him

‘Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.’[v.12]

God is sovereign. This should settle the issue of justice. Thus Elihu said,

‘Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him the whole world?

If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,

all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.’[v.13-15]

In v. 29, Elihu asked, ‘When he is quiet, who can condemn?

When he hides his face, who can behold him,

whether it be a nation or a man?

God is not a respecter of persons. And as the Creator, He reserves the right to decide what He would do to things He

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Text: Job 33

“Surely you have spoken in my ears,

and I have heard the sound of your words.

9 You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;

I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.

10 Behold, he finds occasions against me,

he counts me as his enemy,

11 he puts my feet in the stocks

and watches all my paths.’

12 “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,

for God is greater than man.

13 Why do you contend against him,

saying, ‘He will answer none of man's words’?

14 For God speaks in one way,

and in two, though man does not perceive it.

-Job 33:8-13 ESV

GOD IS GREATER THAN MAN

In this first speech of Elihu, he gave the assurance that he would speak with

As he listened Job’s speeches, he recalled Job’s claim to be innocent and accusation

‘ 12 “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,

for God is greater than man.

13 Why do you contend against him,

saying, ‘He will answer none of man's words’? (v.12-13).

God does speak, Elihu asserted. God was speaking to him, possibly through a dream

Like the other fiends, Elihu expressed that God punishes the sinner with disease and

Elihu ended his speech with an encouraging note of God’s mercy that Job has to take

‘“Behold, God does all these things,

twice, three times, with a man,

to bring back his soul from the pit,

that he may be lighted with the light of life.’[v.29-30]

God in His wrath has shown mercy. He does not rejoice in our miseries.

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Text: Job 32

 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:

“I amyoung in years,

and you are aged;

therefore I was timid and afraid

to declare my opinion to you.

7 I said, ‘Let days speak,

and many years teach wisdom.’

8 But it is the spirit in man,

the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.

9 It is not the old who are wise,

nor the aged who understand what is right.

10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;

let me also declare my opinion.’

A TIME TO LISTEN AND A TIME TO SPEAK UP

He was ‘full of words’. He felt so pent up so that he said,

‘ For I am full of words;

the spirit within me constrains me.

19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;

like new wineskins ready to burst.

20 I must speak, that I may find relief;

I must open my lips and answer.’[v.18-20]

What does Elihu’s actuation teach us?

There is a time to listen and a time to speak up. There is wisdom in waiting for the

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Text: Job 31

“I have made a covenant with my eyes;

how then could I gaze at a virgin?

2 What would be my portion from God above

and my heritage from the Almighty on high?

3 Is not calamity for the unrighteous,

and disaster for the workers of iniquity?

4 Does not he see my ways

and number all my steps?

5 “If I have walked with falsehood

and my foot has hastened to deceit;

6 (Let me be weighed in a just balance,

and let God know my integrity!)

7 if my step has turned aside from the way

and my heart has gone after my eyes,

and if any spot has stuck to my hands,

-Job 31:1-7 ESV

DOES NOT HE SEE MY WAYS?

Job ended his discourse here in this chapter. He listed several categories of sin

The crime she mentioned include lust against women [v1-4,9-10], falsehood[v.5-7],

He even was willing to be weighed in a balance and was confident that he was

We should not pose ourselves as perfect.

Yet, we should strive for moral uprightness. God sees the heart and that is all that

Text: Job 30

God has cast me into the mire,

and I have become like dust and ashes.

20 I cry to you for help and you do not answer me;

I stand, and you only look at me.

21 You have turned cruel to me;

with the might of your hand you persecute me.

22 You lift me up on the wind; you make me ride on it,

and you toss me about in the roar of the storm.

23 For I know that you will bring me to death

and to the house appointed for all living.

24 “Yet does not one in a heap of ruins stretch out his hand,

and in his disaster cry for help?

25 Did not I weep for him whose day was hard?

Was not my soul grieved for the needy?

26 But when I hoped for good, evil came,

and when I waited for light, darkness came.

27 My inward parts are in turmoil and never still;

days of affliction come to meet me.

28 I go about darkened, but not by the sun;

I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.

29 I am a brother of jackals

and a companion of ostriches.

30 My skin turns black and falls from me,

and my bones burn with heat.

31 My lyre is turned to mourning,

-Job 30:19-31 ESV

WHEN I HOPED FOR GOOD, EVIL CAME

In the previous chapter, Job 29, there was a recollection of Job’s good old days.

‘ A senseless, a nameless brood,

they have been whipped out of the land.

“And now I have become their song;

I am a byword to them.

They abhor me; they keep aloof from me;

they do not hesitate to spit at the sight of me.’[v.7-9]

There are no restraints in their attacks. He felt God has withdrawn from him making

‘

they have cast off restraint in my presence.’[v.11]

‘I go about darkened, but not by the sun;

I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.

29 I am a brother of jackals

and a companion of ostriches.

30 My skin turns black and falls from me,

and my bones burn with heat.

31 My lyre is turned to mourning,

and my pipe to the voice of those who weep.’[v 28-31]

Job was shocked to receive the unexpected. Thus he said,

‘Yet does not one in a heap of ruins stretch out his hand,

and in his disaster cry for help?

25 Did not I weep for him whose day was hard?

Was not my soul grieved for the needy?

26 But when I hoped for good, evil came,

and when I waited for light, darkness came.’[v.24-26]

Having been vulnerable, this brood of enemies attacked him in full fury. He described

‘God has cast me into the mire,

and I have become like dust and ashes.

20 I cry to you for help and you do not answer me;

I stand, and you only look at me. [v.19,20]

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