KNOWING GOD

Job 42:1-17

     The scenario in this last chapter of Job is a courtroom where the Judge has found the defendant guilty.  Job was not guilty of sinning in his response to suffering; rather he was guilty of ignorant wrong opinions and feelings about God, when his facts were right.  Job desired a deeper knowledge of God.

     God answered this desire by coming to Job in a powerful way, increasing Job’s knowledge of who God is and how He works in the world.  Job responded with these words: I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.  In this statement Job acknowledged God’s power and providence.  He then confessed his ignorance and committed himself to learning more about God.

     The result of God’s revelation was Job responding with confession, repentance, and commitment.  God made Job whole and restored him to his previous blessed condition, even increasing his personal blessings.

Job’s friends were made to confess their arrogance.  They had sinned in claiming to have certain knowledge of God, while falsely accusing Job of sinning.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond.

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as He heals and restores you.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

KNOWING GOD

Job 41:1-34

     God described another fearsome creature to explain His power.  The term Leviathan is considered by many biblical scholars to be symbolic

of the most powerful evil in the world, Satan.  God describes His power over Satan without revealing what went on prior to Satan attempting to get Job to sin.  God restrains Satan’s power in the world.  Hell is the place where this restraint no longer exists and Satan is in full control.

     Job needed to understand these lessons about God’s power and providence.  He sat in God’s presence listening to every word.  God comforted him with tough words full of love, to make Job look beyond his physical condition.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you listen to His words.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

 

KNOWING GOD

Job 39:1-30

     God responded to Job by giving him a lesson in earth science.  In this chapter God continued His life lesson in another realm of creation, the animal kingdom.  He asked Job the following questions.

 

¨                  Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?

¨                  Who has let the wild donkey go free?

¨                  Is the wild ox willing to serve you?

¨                  Are the wings of the ostrich pinions and plumage of love?

¨                  Do you give the horse his might?

¨                  Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his

           wings toward the south?

¨                  Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his

          nest on high?

 

     The answers to these questions all point to God’s power over His creation.

    

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify God as you enjoy His creation today.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

 

 

 

 

KNOWING GOD

Job 38:1-41

     Job had appealed to God to communicate with him and now, after all the words from his friends, God spoke.  He answered Job from a whirlwind.  Elihu had just expounded upon God’s power.  Not only did God show His power in nature to Job but, He asked Job a series of questions to which the only answer is, God.

     In reading this chapter there is a clear challenge to theories that deny God as creator and sustainer of creation.  The questions God asked silenced Job and his friends.  In amazement they heard a question that ended their debate.  Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?  Apart from knowing God, their human view of the events in life were meaningless.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy the awesome majesty of God as you worship Him today.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

KNOWING GOD

Job 37:1-24

     Hear this, oh Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God.  These words are the theme of this chapter.  Despite his youthful arrogance, Elihu developed a wonder filled description of God’s power in sustaining the natural world.  Whether for correction or for His land or for love, He causes it to happen.

     Elihu concluded his words to Job with these statements about God.  God is clothed with awesome majesty.  The Almighty – we cannot find Him; He is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness He will not violate.  Therefore, men fear Him; He does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.  This last sentence seems to be directed to Job as Elihu passed judgment on him.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God who sustains your world by His awesome power.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

 

 

KNOWING GOD

Job 36:1-33

     Despite his self assessment of being perfect in knowledge, Elihu discussed four attributes of God in this interaction with Job.  His descriptions of God were accurate but, Elihu’s demeanor was arrogant.

¨                  God is mighty in strength and understanding

¨                  God is exalted in His power

¨                  God is the ultimate teacher

¨                  God is great and we know Him not

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify God today as you enjoy reflecting on all His attributes.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

KNOWING GOD

Job 35:1-16

     Elihu continued his rant about Job and the cause of his condition, and in the process makes a statement about the condition of all men before God.  But none says, ‘Where is God my maker?’. . . They cry out but He does not answer, because of the pride of evil men.

     This is a statement of man’s condition before God.  Man, without a work of God in his heart, has no desire to acknowledge God.  In fact, man sees himself as capable and sufficient.  Man is God.  Elihu was placing Job in this category which meant his cries for help were meaningless.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God who changed your heart and hears your prayers.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

KNOWING GOD

Job 34:1-27

     Elihu did not mince words in his assessment of the reason for Job’s condition, punishment for sin.  He took the theme of Job’s friends and told Job that wise men know that suffering is caused by personal wickedness. 

     Then Elihu added these words to personalize the thought.  Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight.  Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.  For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.    

    

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you thank Him for His forgiveness.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

 

 

KNOWING GOD

Job 33:1-33

     The young upstart, Elihu, continued his conversation with Job.  Using different words than Job’s other friends.  Elihu pointed to God’s disciplining work in Job’s life.  His words seem to be full of arrogance:

Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.  If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.  If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God who responds to you when you pray.

 

HAVE A BLESSED!

KNOWING GOD

Job 32:1-22

     Another opinion came forward from a young man named Elihu.  Scripture does not give his relationship to Job but, he was listening to the discussion of Job’s condition.  When the others were done talking Elihu joins in the debate full of youthful passion and angry sincerity. 

     Elihu was upset with Job who sought God for answers to his condition rather than admitting he had wronged God.  As for the three friends, Elihu felt that they had judged Job without providing any comfort.  So, Elihu was going to add his view to the mix.  His right to speak was not dependent on his age.

    There is an underlying concept in this chapter about youth and how they are treated in a community of God’s people.  Usually young people are given their own territory in a church causing a gap in relationship with older believers.  There is great value in bringing the two ages together because they need each other.  Young people view the world with fresh eyes but, they need the wisdom from life experience through the years to succeed at life.  Older people often need a different view of life to refresh them.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you relate to the young people or older people in your life.

 

HAVE A GREAT DAY!