Bible

In the Bible room today, we conclude reading the summary of the book of Job. Here is Part 3, chapters 28 through 42.

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Job – Part 3 of 3

Chapter 28. Wisdom

Job describes the treasures that can be mined from the earth:

• Mines produce ore which yields silver, gold, iron;
• Men get these things by digging deep into the ground;
• The source of many rivers can be seen under the ground;
• But where is the source of wisdom, or understanding;
• Such cannot be found by digging deep into the earth;
• Or be bought with silver or gold or precious stones;
• So where does wisdom and understanding come from?
• Death has said it has only heard a rumor of it;
• God alone knows the source of wisdom and understanding;
• He created the earth and all its operational systems;
• He considered wisdom and understanding, and declares:
• “The fear of the Lord is wisdom”;
• “To shun evil is understanding.”

Chapter 29. Memories

Job spends some time with his memories:

• He pines for the days of his intimate friendship with God;
• He remembers the days when he was respected in the city;
• When he blessed the poor with his help;
• When he was a father to the needy and the stranger;
• When people listened to his counsel;
• Even his smile brought pleasure to everyone;
• He sat among his people, highly regarded as a chief.

Chapter 30. Changed

Job acknowledges how his life has changed:

• Now he is despised among men of lesser standing;
• Since God has left him, his enemies detest him;
• He has lost all his dignity and safety;
• He has only God to turn to, but He ignores him;
• “You toss me about in the storm”;
• He stays in mourning.

Chapter 31. Blameless

Job declares: if God would weigh his life, he would find him blameless:

• He has vowed to keep himself free from lust;
• He knows disaster will come to those who do wrong;
• He has vowed to treat his servants justly and fairly;
• He has always been generous with the needy;
• He has vowed to never place his trust in gold;
• He has never rejoiced at an enemy’s misfortune;
• His door has always been open to a stranger in need;
• He has always been a good steward of the land.

Chapter 32. Youngster

Elihu is another of Job’s friends, a youngster hanging out with Job:

• Though much younger in age, Elihu feels compelled;
• He says he is angry at Job and his three friends;
• None of them have made a compelling argument;
• But Elihu says he has some words of wisdom to add:
• He has learned some things that will help the group.

Chapter 33. Argument

Elihu says he will deliver words of wisdom to Job:

• He tells Job to prepare himself for a sincere argument;
• He says he heard Job say he was pure, free from sin;
• Yet, he says, God has found fault with him;
• Elihu says Job is not right about himself or God;
• He says God is greater than man;
• Job should not complain to God;
• But God does speak to men sometimes;
• He speaks in various ways to turn them from wrong doing;
• Sometimes He allows them to be held on a bed of pain;
• They may even decline in health to near the point of death;
• He may use an angel, an intermediary, to help men;
• Then a suffering man can openly confess his sin;
• If Job wants to answer he can, but if not, keep listening.

Chapter 34. Discussion

Elihu says they can all discuss the issue, learn together what is right:

• Job says, “I am innocent” God denies him justice;
• He says his friends are calling him a liar;
• Job says he does not intend to say God is wrong;
• If God wanted, He could withdraw and all men would die;
• God is impartial, does not favor any class, rich or poor;
• He sees the ways of men at all times, knows their deeds;
• If a man confesses his sin, will he allow God to forgive him?
• Will the man repent on God’s terms, or refuse to repent?
• Elihu says Job speaks without understanding;
• Job should be severely tested for acting like a wicked man;
• He says Job has not only sinned; he has been in rebellion.

Chapter 35. Answers

Elihu says men cry out to God, sometimes get answers, sometimes not:

• Elihu has further wisdom for Job and his friends;
• If you sin, or are righteous, what is that to God;
• Men cry out when they are oppressed;
• But they should pray to God, their maker
• “Who gives songs in the night”;
• He will not answer the cry of the proud, the wicked;
• He accuses Job of speaking empty talk.

Chapter 36. Control

Elihu says Job and his friends need to listen to his perfect knowledge:

• He says God is mighty, does not despise men;
• He watches the righteous, will exalt them among men;
• But if men are sinful, have sinned arrogantly;
• God will tell them their sin, will correct them;
• All they have to do is admit their sin, repent;
• God will heal them and restore them to prosperity;
• Elihu tells Job he is suffering judgement due to sin;
• He says Job is drifting toward evil, not a good sign;
• God is all powerful, his greatness is past finding out;
• He is in control of all nature.

Chapter 37. Wonders

Elihu tells Job he needs to consider God’s wonders:

• The thunder is the roar of God’s voice;
• It follows the streaking lighting over the earth;
• He orders the snow, the rain, the downpour;
• He breathes out freezing wind to make ice;
• He loads the clouds with water for rain;
• Elihu questions Job about his knowledge of God;
• Does he know how God controls the weather;
• He says ‘tells us how to talk to God’.

Chapter 38. Answers

After all this discussion, the Lord answers Job out of the storm:

• The Lord’s answers come in the form of questions;
• Where were you when I created Earth?
• Do you know how big the Earth is?
• Who was it that made the seas, and set their limits?
• Have you ever ordered the day to start in the morning?
• Do you know how deep the sea is?
• What do you know about death?
• Tell us how much you know about all these things;
• What do you know about weather patterns?
• What do you know about the constellations?
• Do you know who takes care of the animals?

Chapter 39. Questions

The Lord asks Job questions to point out his limited knowledge:

• What does Job know about animal behavior?
• The Lord did not give them wisdom as He did people;
• Or give them any part of good sense;
• Can Job impart wisdom to any of the animals?

Chapter 40. Response

Job has no response to the Lord:

• The Lord tells Job to respond to His questions;
• Job says “I am unworthy, how can I answer?”
• He says “I will say no more.”
• Then the Lord speaks through the storm;
• He tells Job he’s going to ask questions; Job must answer;
• Will Job question God in order to justify himself?
• Does Job have the power that God has?
• Can he control the behemoth like God does?

Chapter 41. Questions

The Lord has more questions for Job:

• Can Job catch the leviathan with a fish hook;
• Even the sight of him brings fear to people;
• Nothing can control him.

Chapter 42. Restoration

Job repents and is restored:

• Job says he spoke without having knowledge;
• He did not understand the things of which he spoke;
• Job despises himself: ‘repents in dust and ashes.’
• The Lord speaks to Job’s friends:
• He is angry that what they said to Job was not right;
• He orders them to bring bulls and rams to Job;
• Job sacrifices them as burnt offerings to the Lord;
• Job prays for his friends and the Lord forgives them;
• The Lord restores Job’s prosperity;
• He is blessed with twice what he had before;
• Job dies at 140 years of age, after four generations.

End of Part 3 of 3 of the book of Job