Job 34-35, Elihu, Disney, and the justice of God

I beg your pardon for the delay in finishing Job. First of all, the family and I took a much needed vacation to Disney. Secondly, I really don't like writing about whatever Elihu has to say. But here I am: refreshed, ready and willing to continue on with Job. We're so close to the end now! Today we are looking at a couple more chapters of wise words, (cough), from Elihu. Please keep your hands, feet, arms, and faces in the ride at all times. Parents, please supervise your children. As always, please read along in your Bible.

Recap: Job, a righteous man, suffers terribly. Job asks God "Why?" Job's friends say it was because he was a rotten sinner, etc. Job refutes all of their arguments and philosophies. Job's friends then shut up. Now Elihu has stepped forward to offer his advice. Elihu talks and talks and talks, saying very little. Now consider yourself caught up. Let's continue.

Job 34:1-9 - Job has spoken wickedly about God by saying God was unjust. Elihu says that Job stated God had acted unjustly in his life. Job said he was a righteous man and God caused him to suffer anyway. At the same time there were wicked men who prospered. Therefore, (according to Job) what point was there to serve God? "It's all one; therefore I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked," (9:22-23). Elihu sees Job calling God unjust and will therefore spend the rest of the chapter defending God's justice. Elihu calls Job a sinner, not because of his deeds, but for calling God unfair. "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," (7-9).

Does being the biggest guy = justice? No. 

Job 34:10-15 - God is just because he's the biggest guy on the playground. Here Elihu proclaims the justice of God, but bases his statement not in God's righteous character, but rather in the might of God. "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," (14-15). In other words, God is just because no one can stand against him. This doesn't really make any sense. Elihu doesn't vindicate the justice of God, he just proves no one can stand against him. In other words, Might = Right. This is not a very good argument. Then again, it's Elihu we're talking about here. Let's just move on.

Job 34:16-20 - God is just because he is impartial. (At least this is a better argument). Elihu asserts God could not possibly be unjust because he is impartial in his decision making. He treats young and old, rich and poor the same. "Who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?" (19). Disney World is also impartial. No matter what country you come from or the color of your skin, they will accept your money. :0)

God = all knowing. Doug = knows little. 

Job 34:21-28 - God is just because he knows all things and he will not fail to exercise just judgment on the wicked. God knows all. "For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves," (21-22). God is also faithful to execute judgment on the wicked. "He strikes them for their wickedness in a place for all to see," (26-28).

Through all of this the point Elihu is making is God is just and he will never fail to act fairly in the lives of men. God is impartial, omniscient, all powerful, and faithful to judge. Job, according to Elihu, is wrong to assert that God has acted unfairly and should repent of his wicked words and attitude. Job wants God to fix things, but should God make things right in Job's life when Job is acting this way? "Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent?" (33, see also 35-37).

Job 35:1-8 -  Job says there is no point in being obedient. Elihu says Job shouldn't expect anything. In chapter 35, Elihu changes direction in his comments and now seeks to refute Job's claim that it is pointless to serve God. In Job's eyes there is no reward for obeying God if he's treated the same as the unrighteous. "That you ask, 'What advantage have I? How am I better off than if I had sinned?" (3). Job thought God should treat him in accordance with his faithfulness. If God was going to treat him so poorly when he had been faithful, then there was basically no point in Job being righteous. Elihu's response is that if Job chooses sin instead of righteousness, he will only hurt himself, not God. "If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?" (6). If Job should live righteously, does God then owe Job? Is God somehow indebted to Job for his obedience? Elihu is again attacking Job for his poor attitude and words towards God.

You know who else has bad motives? 

Job 35:9-16 - God is not answering Job because Job has corrupt motives. Elihu says that people indeed pray to God when they are suffering, but they only do so because they want something, not because they love, fear, and are devoted to God. "Because of the multitude of the oppressions people cry out...but none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night," (9-10). "Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it," (13). In other words, God is not answering Job because Job is asking for help with crooked motives. Job is not asking in righteous repentance, but out of his pride.

Job has asserted that he was righteous before God and therefore God has been unfair in his dealings with Job. Job did not think he should be experiencing suffering. He could find no reason to justify the trials he was enduring. Therefore he asked God "Why?" and said that God had somehow messed up. Elihu, seeking to justify God, told him the Lord was always fair and Job had bad attitudes and motives towards God and should therefore repent. Elihu did not accuse Job of sinful actions in his life, but rather in his heart and mind. Job has raised honest questions about God, suffering, right and wrong, but has gotten no adequate response from anyone around him.

Yep, it happened.

Most times when you read the Bible or hear it preached there will be some sort of application for you to follow, lesson to learn, or new thought to think. In these chapters it is hard to draw an appropriate application, because Elihu is talking. I don't say that to be rude. My point is it's hard to learn something from a guy who doesn't really know what he's talking about and in fact, talks too much. It'd be different if someone like Elijah was talking, but it's not Eli-jah, it's Eli-hu, as in Hu's on first.

So I'm afraid I can't leave you with any words of wisdom here. We're fighting through all of the dumb responses Job's friends have given to justify Job's suffering. We're also having to endure their awful answers to Job's heart-wrenching questions. Perhaps you have heard some of the same dumb and unhelpful responses in the face of your questions. Perhaps you have asked spiritual people, "Why?" and gotten no help. Job finds himself in the same place. In two chapters Job is going to get all the answers he can handle. Until then, we wait. Hang on, the storm is coming.

My wife, the CEO

The following is an illustration of how decisions play out between my wife and I.

Something is going to be purchased, like a gift for one of the children. I know I can count on my wife to do all the research on the gift and read reviews from previous owners of the same. She will speak with friends, other parents, and church goers to get their opinion on the item. She may even poll children in our neighborhood to get their opinion on the positives and negatives of said product. My wife will stress over the different options for the same product. Should she get item A or item B, which are similiar to product X? Item X was her first choice, but has some slight differences in the way their doo-hickeys and what-nots interact with one another than items A and B. My wife will also compare the prices for each of the products. Product A may have more bells and whistles, but it is over priced when compared to product B. Then again, there's item C, which is in between the prices for items A and B, but has a few other doo-hickeys that might appeal to our child, so that may be a good compromise.

Then there's the child in question. Will this child like Product A? Our firstborn might really like Product B, but our second would not care for Product A or anything in the same neighborhood. Then again, the second born child changes moods and interests faster than you can turn on the lights, so she may like Product A after you buy it, even though she doesn't like it now. You also have to consider whether you would be able to resell the item in question in the future. Maybe item A can be resold while it would be impossible to resell item B. You have to take these things into consideration, (or so I'm told). My wife will spend days going through the internet, scouring the different options available. Nights will be spent in anxious pondering about which product to buy. Prayers will be made, asking the Almighty for perspective and guidance on the purchase to be made. I say this with the highest praise for my spouse. She wants to pick the right product for the right child at the right price so that everyone in the family will be happy.

Here's the great thing about this. I know that whenever my wife comes to me with a decision that she's already thought through every possible contingency, price, review, opinion, perspective, positive, negative, and whatever in between. It's like putting a math problem into the IBM Watson computer. Every variable and possibility has been considered and Watson spits out the answer. The only difference between Watson and my wife is that Watson takes .00000001 seconds to come to a conclusion, while the female mind may take a bit longer, (don't ask me about a male's brain). The point is, whenever my wife comes to me and says, "I think we should do/buy X", that I know all I have to say is "okay", because I know she's thought about this 900 times more than I will ever possibly be able to do. I also know she's smart, careful, considerate, kind and respectful in her decision making, so there's only a .000000000001 percent chance that she'll be wrong. It's like if I asked Watson the answer of a calculus equation. I could spend time checking Watson to see if he was right, but I would just be wasting my time. It's the same with my wife.

So I've basically determined that my wife is the CEO of our household. My wife will analyze, study, research, compare, calculate, stress, question, and review the important decisions that need to be made for the Hendley Company. Hours, days, yea even weeks will be spent on the process of calculating the decision. Meanwhile, I am the president. The CEO will walk into my office and say, "I think we should do X". All I have to do, if I have any intelligence at all, is say "okay". (It's kind of like Tony Stark and Pepper Potts without the money, goatee, billions of dollars and Iron Man suit, but I digress). Regardless, at this point in my marriage I don't spend a lot of time asking if she's considered X,Y, or Z because I know she's considered X, Y, and Z to the 4th degree of consideration. I may ask if she's seen my sunglasses, because I can't find them, but that's about it.

Obviously other husbands are not likely to be as blessed to have a CEO like I do. Each woman and man, husband and wife are different in their strengths and mental/emotional make-up. In some marriages the decision making functions may be totally reversed. For me, I know I can trust my CEO to make smart, wise, and well thought out decisions. As the President of the company, I sometimes have to keep my CEO from freaking out about the decisions that need to be made, but it's a burden I'm willing to bear. As President, sometimes you have to do hard things like that, (which includes looking for your sunglasses while the CEO is doing her job). Otherwise, I just have to stamp "OK" on whatever paperwork my CEO brings to me. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Job 32-33 - Who is that guy?

Who is that girl? Who is Elihu? 

Have you ever seen The Blues Brothers? I have to admit there is some language in there, but overall the movie is great, it includes cameos by untold stars, and has some amazing music. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. In the movie, the Blues Brothers, (played by Dan Akroyd and John Belushi), are on a "mission from God". But there's this girl, (played by Carrie Fisher), who keeps trying to kill the Blues Brothers in rather comical ways throughout the whole movie. Finally, Dan Akroyd asks, "Who is that girl?" You have to watch the movie to get the answer, but the "Who is that?" question fits in well with where we are in Job. Please read along in Job 32-33.

Aretha Franklin, also bitter (in the movie)

Job 32:1-5 - Elihu, whoever he is, is bitter, and here's why. 
Job has finished his statements. He refuted his friends who told him he was suffering because of his sin, (1) Job then declared in the last several chapters, that he was righteous and therefore God had erred in his treatment of him. Now this guy Elihu steps up. Who is this guy? Where did he come from? Was he there the whole time? Why wasn't he mentioned earlier? Does he hate the Blues Brothers too? These things bother me. The Bible says he's the son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram (2). Does that clear it up for you? Nope, me neither. Anyway, he's all upset because Job's friends couldn't refute Job's arguments (3). He's also upset with Job for saying God had messed up (2). So now Elihu, whoever he is, is going to have his say.

Job 32:6-14 - Why Elihu has kept silent and why he will now speak. 
Elihu says he hasn't said anything until now because, being a younger man, he wanted to be respectful of his elders, (which is always a good idea). "I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom," (7). But here's the problem: none of Job's friends were not able to refute what Job said. "But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments," (12). Job still appeared righteous in his own eyes before God. Job believed God had messed up. Now Elihu is going to answer, but he promises not to rehash the same old arguments used by Job's friends. "I will not answer him with your arguments," (14b).

Job 32:15-22 - Elihu REALLY needs to talk, A LOT.
Here's the problem with Elihu: he talks too much. He fits the Shakespearean pattern of taking seven paragraphs to say one thing. This is apparently something ancient Middle Eastern people valued, which is why they would not like Elwood Blues saying, "We're on a mission from God." It's just too succint. Elihu says over and over again how desperate he is to talk. "Must I wait, now they are silent...I too will have my say...I am full of words...I am like new wineskins ready to burst. I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply," (16-21, selected). Geez! Get on with it man!

Job 33:1-7 - Hey Job! Hear what I have to say! Again very wordy, but that's about the gist of it. Elihu asks Job to listen to his arguments and refute him if possible.

Cab Calloway - Just because he's cool. 

Job 33:8-11 - Elihu correctly recaps Job's argument.
Elihu rightly summarizes what Job had said previously: that he was righteous and without sin and that there was no reason for God to have brought this suffering into his life. However, despite Job's righteousness, God had unjustly punished Job. "Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy," (10). Therefore, in Job's eyes, God had acted unjustly in God's life. God had messed up in his dealings with Job. This was a key point we looked at in the last blog. God, in Job's mind, should not be treating him this way. Job should not be suffering because he was a righteous man. Elihu is correct in his recap of Job's arguments...just as Cab Calloway was correct about Minnie the Moocher.

We all hate Illinois Nazis.

Job 33:12-33 - God can bring suffering to protect a person. 
Job wanted God to show up and justify himself for the suffering Job had experienced. Elihu's point is that God may be speaking, but not in ways Job would understand. "Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words? For God does speak--now one way, now another--though man may not perceive it," (13-14). For example, God may speak in dreams or through pain and sickness to men (19-22). (Remember, this is before Moses, before the Bible, and before the Ten Commandments. Revelation was pretty limited from God at this time). Why would God speak to men like this? "To turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, to preserve his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword," (17-18). "God does all these things to a man...to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him," (29-30). For instance, God may bring an Illinois Nazi into your life...in order to...um...keep you...uh...from crossing a bridge, or something.

Elihu's point is that God may bring suffering, sickness, or terror into a person's life in order to keep them from ultimately destroying themselves through sin, pride, or evil. God may bring hard things into a person's life to preserve and protect a person. Job, according to Elihu, should be aware that God is trying to teach him something, even if God is not speaking to Job the way Job would prefer.

Ray + Blues Brothers = A whole lotta awesome.

Is Elihu right? Is suffering merely God's way of teaching us something? Is it God's way of protecting us from pride or evil? Was God doing all of this in Job's life to bring him to repentance and growth as a person? Remember, this is Elihu's point of you, not necessarily the truth any more than the statements made by Job's friends should be taken as truth. Personally I have a hard time coming to the conclusion that every instance of suffering or pain we experience is an indication of God trying to tell us something. Sometimes it's just the result of living in a fallen and broken world. It's true that God does use difficulty in our lives to grow us as people in the image of God, (James 1:2-5; Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Sometimes God purposefully brings difficulty into our lives for his purposes, (see also the story of Joseph, Genesis 38-50). Then again, I would not say that God murdered Job's family just so Job would be a more patient person. Nor would I encourage us to look at every difficulty as God's trying to tell us we're way too selfish, etc.

We're getting into the weeds here of God's sovereignty, which is obviously a difficult subject. I also recognize that I'm swerving from the text a bit, which I prefer not to do. It's hard to draw an exact conclusion from Elihu's statements because they are "his" statements, not God's, so it's a little hard here to draw an application from the passage. Ultimately I think I'd hang my hat on Genesis 50:20. Joseph is talking to his brothers who sinfully sold him into slavery when he was a boy. Joseph endured all kinds of suffering, but in the end God used it for His good purposes. Joseph told his brothers, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive". Evil men may do evil things and we may suffer in this fallen world, but God is at work for his own wise, loving, and good purposes. That means he can and will use difficulty to grow us in his image, but I wouldn't say that means every traffic jam is God's way of addressing our problems with anxiety.

So Elihu talks too much, but has some interesting things to say. I don't figure Job cares too much for it, but he holds his tongue. Just a few more chapters and then God will show up. Hopefully it'll be as cool as James Brown preaching.

Do you see the light?!

Job 31, If, then, why, Matlock & Job's conclusion

I miss Matlock.

Matlock was a TV show starring Andy Griffith as attorney Ben Matlock. He was always having to defend somebody that appeared totally guilty. Matlock/Andy would inevitably solve the case and prove his client's innocence at the last second when Matlock was in court. (I think he even defended Barney in one episode). Matlock would make a phenomenal closing argument or ask a series of questions that would expose the guilty party at the last second. (If anyone has Matlock shows on DVD I would love to borrow them, but I digress).

Job is about to make his closing argument, a la Matlock, to God and everyone else who is listening. Unlike Matlock, he's not going to solve his case, but he is going to make some amazing statements vindicating his innocence. It really is a marvelous piece of literature and tells us a lot about the man and his beliefs. It is also incredibly humbling to say the least. So read along with me in your Bible, Job 31.

By the way, does anyone remember the Matlock theme song? Classic...Where was I? Oh right, Job. What I'm going to do is first look at what Job says in this chapter, then we're going to talk about what Job 31 means.

Betty White = no lust.

Job 31:1-4 - I have not looked with lust upon young women. (No "lusty" pictures included)
Job says he is righteous in his thoughts and the way he looked at, (or didn't look at), young women. He was morally pure in his thought life. God could not charge him with lust. "I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin?" (1). Why did Job act this way? Because he knew God was watching and he knew it was wrong. "Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?" (4) So Job was a man of visual purity for the sake of God.

Job 31:5-8 - I have not been deceitful or corrupt in my character. 
Job says he has not lied or deceived others. He has not turned to evil in any way in his life. Here begins the beginning of many "If I have...then". Job will say "If I have done this then may God do such and such to me." Job is making an oath in these statements, denying wickedness and laying  the burden of proof directly upon God or anyone else who would charge him with wrongdoing. "If I have walked in falsehood...(then) let Him weigh me with accurate scales...(then) let me sow and another eat," (5-8). Job has been a man of integrity in his dealings with others. "If...then".

Job 31:9-12 - I have not committed adultery. (No "adultery" type pictures included). 
Job has not turned from his wife to another woman, nor has he gone after another man's wife. Sexual immorality is a key stumbling block for many a man, (See also King David, Bill Clinton, Samson, Magic Johnson, JFK, etc). However, Job has not been corrupted by the lure of adultery or sexual immorality. He says, 'if I have, then may I die and my wife take another husband'. Why does he say this? "For that would be a heinous crime; that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges," (11). Job understood that adultery was a supremely evil act, (see also Proverbs), and he would have to give an account before God for his immoral behavior. He might have been able to deceive men, but he could not hide adultery from God and he knew it. "If...then".

Lumiere and Ms. Potts would've felt valued by Job.

Job 31:13-15 - I have not rejected the needs of my servants. 
Both men and women servants were respected and cared for by Job. This is even more notable because women in Job's day were probably considered second-tier members of society, yet even they were cared for and respected. Why? "Did not He who made me in the womb make him, and the same one fashion us in the womb?" (15). Job knew that every man and woman, even those who were merely servants, were made in the image of God and had inherent dignity and value in the sight of God. "If...then".

Job 31:16-23 - I have not neglected the poor and needy. 
Job has not been deaf to the cries of the poor, the orphan, or the needy. The marginalized in society were provided for by Job. Through him they received food, shelter, and support. Why? "For calamity from God is a terror to me, and because of His majesty I can do nothing," (23). Job knew God's heart for the poor and outcast and that God would judge him should he ignore their cries. Job, as wealthy and as blessed as he was, still reached out and cared for the humble and poor around him. "If...then".

Job 31:24-28 - I have not put my trust in riches and I have not been an idolater. 
Even though Job was incredibly wealth, he did not put his trust in his money, but in God. He did not turn from God to worship the moon, the sun, or any other deity. In other words, his heart was pure in devotion to God, finding trust in no other thing. "If I have put my confidence in gold...If I have looked at the sun when it shone or the moon going in splendor...(then) that too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, for I would have denied God above," (24-28, selected). Job's trust throughout his life was not his strength, his wealth, or any other "god". His trust and worship were of God alone. Why? Because he understood idolatry of any kind was evil before God. "If...then."

Job 31:35-40 - The Defense Rests. 
Now Job closes out his defense. Like Matlock he makes his closing argument to the court of God's judgment. "Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature; Let the Almighty answer me!" (35). He has presented his case before God and he has sat down. He will say no more, "the words of Job are ended," (41). He has clearly stated his righteousness of character, mind, heart, and actions. By doing so he has demanded God answer his defense, as in a court of Law. He is asking God to justify any reason for the suffering and torment he has endured, (including, death, loss, sickness, and vilification). Job is now done talking. Feel free to celebrate. You've made it this far through the book.

Now I've told you what he said in chapter 31. So what does it all mean?

1) Job was a man of incredible righteousness in an age of limited revelation. Remember, Job was a contemporary of Abraham. There was no Bible and no Ten Commandments in Job's day. Job's understanding of God was likely only from oral tradition passed down from Adam to Eve, Seth, Noah, etc. Yet Job was a man of amazing character in word, thought, and deed. Feel free to compare yourself to Job, but I guarantee you that you'll come out on the losing end. He cared for the poor, the needy, and his servants. He was a man of personal integrity. He was free from lust and adultery. He did not treat his enemies as they deserved. He worshiped and trusted in God alone. He was a man of the uttermost righteousness. There was no sin in his life to justify the suffering he was experiencing. (We'll come back to that last point).

2) Job's righteousness was based in the person and character of God. Job avoided lust because he knew it was wrong before God. Job cared for his servants because he knew they were made in the image of God. Job cared for the sick, the poor, and the alien because he knew God cared for the same people. Job did not act in idolatry because he knew God was the one true deity. Job's righteous behavior was based in the knowledge of and the person of God. The basis for all righteousness is found in God, not in man's understanding. Do you think this might have some application for the government, public schools, marriage, sexuality, law and order, parenting, and modern man's understanding of right and wrong? Yep. Righteousness is found and based in God. If you forsake a proper understanding of the Creator, you will also lose proper perspective on what is right, true, and good and thus your society will deteriorate. (I could continue, but let's just move on).

3) Job put his character up before God's standard and was willing to be judged accordingly. None of Job's friends could find any fault in him. Job was willing to examine himself and even let God examine him to see if there was any sin or wickedness in his life. Job was a shining light of inward and outward moral purity. There was no stain on his character. Truly he "feared God and turned away from evil," (Job 1).

Trivia: Who was Boo Radley? What was Gregory Peck's daughter's name
in the movie? No cheating please. 

4) Here's the rub. Job had shown himself to be righteous. Therefore, in Job's mind, there was no justification for his suffering. His friends had told him only the wicked suffer and are punished by God accordingly. Job had clearly refuted their arguments. Even if their points were true, Job has thoroughly refuted any claims to his guilt. Here's where we get to the crux of the matter. Job was righteous, therefore in his mind God had no justification for decreeing suffering or calamity in his life. God had somehow erred by allowing Job to experience death, destruction and suffering. God had not acted justly in Job's life, according to Job. I think Job would have accepted his lot had he been a sinner, but since Job knew he was righteous, he was upset with God for bringing suffering and destruction into his life. In Job's mind, the righteous should not suffer and God should give an answer to him for the calamity he has experienced.

The claim has been made. Job has finished his argument. Now a surprise witness for the prosecution will arise and then the Judge of all the earth will speak. Stay tuned, (and buy yourself a donut for getting this far).

Job 29-30, Buckle Up for Job 31

Anyone else find this sign a little too serious?

Okay gang, I need you to buckle up, because we've got some serious learning to do. I'm going to breeze through the next two chapters in order to set up a more extended review of Job 31. Job is ending his statements, thus coming to a decisive point in the book. Normally I HATE to skip large portions of verses, but chapter 31 is so significant and marvelous that I'm bending my own rules a bit. So in my efforts to summarize 29-30, I would encourage you to read it for yourselves to make sure I'm not making stuff up. Let's roll.

Job 29: 1-25- "I have been blessed by God and I blessed men."
 Job is starting to close down his speeches in these last three chapters. First he recalls and longs for the days when God had blessed him and Job was respected and honored by those in the community, (1-10). "How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me...When I went to the gate of the city...the young men saw me and stepped aside and the old men rose to their feet," (1, 7-8). I don't get the sense here that Job was looking back in pride at his greatness. It seems to me just a longing for the good ole days, just as anyone would look back with longing if we had experienced Job's circumstances.

Do it for the Stick People family.

(11-25) - Job was a blessing to others and thought he would die happy and prosperous. Job was good to the poor (12), the orphan (12), the sick (13, 15), the needy (15), the stranger (16), and the victim (17). He fully expected to grow old and die in this blessed state, (18-20). "I thought, 'I will die in my own house, my days as numerous as the grains of sand," (18). BUT NOW...

Job 30:1-31 - "I have been cursed by men and cursed by God."
Instead of being honored and respected by the pillars of the community, Job is mocked and cursed by even the most worthless of men, (1-15). "But now they mock me, men younger than I, whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs," (1). Ouch. These men have turned on Job, just as God, (in Job's mind), has turned on him, (16-23). "I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; You turn on me ruthlessly; with the might of your hand you attack me...you toss me about in the storm. I know you will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living," (20-23). Job ends this chapter with his broken heart wailing aloud at his current condition and pain, (24-31). "My harp is tuned to mourning, and my flute the sound of wailing," (31).

...Or ET will touch you with his glowing finger. 

So Job mourns that he was at one time blessed by God, he was blessed by men, and he was a blessing to others. Now he finds himself cursed by men, seemingly cursed by God, and mourning. His only expectation is death. He has received no answers from God or his friends to justifiably explain his suffering and pain. There has been no answer to his questions of "why?" and "where?" to God. Like I said, this is a depressing book. Then again, life can sometimes be that way. The Bible does not gloss over the pain and brokenness of life. Job is about to make his final stand, his closing argument before God. Buckle up, we're about to turn the corner with Mr. Job.

P.S. I hope to have Job 31 up shortly.

Job 27-28, Where Barney Fife stares at you and I am confused.

This may or may not be how I feel about Job 27-28.

Do you know what's awesome? When you're studying a book of the Bible, (let's say "Job", for instance), and you come across a section of verses or chapters, (27-28 just for the sake of the argument), that seem to make no sense at all or don't fit into the context of the book? I'm not saying that's every happened to me, but it would be INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING if it did. I'm just saying.

Job's spent the last 26 chapters rebuffing his friends' attempts to convince him that he must have sinned because God never makes righteous people suffer, only the wicked. Now all of his friends have been shut up because they can't answer Job's refutations of their arguments. In these remaining chapters, Job appears to offer some final rebukes to his "friends" and randomly talk about wisdom. Please read along in your own Bible...or just stare into Barney's eyes.

Job 27:1-6 - No matter what, Job refuses to deny his innocence.
Job takes his stand against his friends yet again. He says as long as I live, I will not deny my integrity, I will not admit that I am wrong. I will not admit that I am guilty of some transgression or wickedness.* "As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter...I will never declare that you three are in the right; until I die, I will not set aside my integrity!...my conscience will not reproach me for as long as I live," (2-6, selected). Job is a man of integrity and will not compromise on any claims to the contrary. There's something to be said for not compromising on what you know to be the truth.

Luther would not compromise on the Bible or justification by faith alone. 

*Again, no one is saying that Job was a man without sin, a la Jesus. The point here is that Job was a good and righteous man. God himself acknowledged that Job was a man who feared God and turned from evil. This doesn't mean that he was perfect, but it does confirm there was no sin in his life to justify his suffering.

Job 27:7-23 - God will ultimately judge the wicked. 
This is a tough section. Job seems to be saying that God punishes the wicked. This of course raises the question, does Job then accept that he is a wicked man? I don't think that's what he's saying because Job has maintained his innocence this entire book. It seems like a fair assumption that Job is somewhat directing his comments at his friends. Perhaps he is rebuking them for continually hounding him and telling him he was wicked. What's also strange about this section is that Job says the wicked will never ultimately prosper, but earlier in the book Job stated that the wicked DO prosper on earth. What's worse is that Job's description of the wicked only seems to mirror his own suffering. So is Job saying he was wicked? I really have no idea what Job is driving at here. Like I said, it's frustrating. Let's just move on.

Job 28:1-11 - Silver, gold, and precious stones may be mined and found by man.

Job now transitions to a different subject...shiny rocks. Seriously. "Surely there is a mine for silver and a place where they refine gold. Iron is taken from the dust and copper is smelted from rock," (1-2). Shiny rocks can be dug up from the earth with great effort. "He puts his hand on the flint; He overturns the mountains at the base. He hews out channels through the rocks...And what is hidden he brings out to the light," (8-11, selected). Confused? Yep, me too.

Job's point is that man has the capacity to seek out gold, silver, and gems through the force of sheer will. They can dig, work, and sweat and find incredible treasures in the earth, (which reminds me of the dwarves in Middle Earth). In the same way, men and women can, by their efforts, make money, obtain possessions, and gain power and prestige. Men are able to obtain great wealth and do incredible things by their efforts and strength....BUT

Job 28:12-22 - Wisdom cannot be be found out, bought, or obtained by the will of men. 
Where can men find wisdom on earth? It can't be found in the depths of earth. It can't be bought by wealth or gained by the greatest striving of men. "But where can wisdom be found? It cannot be found in the land of the living...the sea says, 'It is not in me,'...It cannot be bought with the finest gold," (12-15, selected). Not only can it not be found, but there is no equivalent to the value of wisdom. "Gold or glass cannot equal it...the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls...nor can it be valued in pure gold," (17-19, selected). Wisdom cannot be found, bought, or earned by men, yet its value is greater than any thing on earth. So then, "Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding? Thus it is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the sky," (20-22, selected). Understanding the world, life, and the purposes of God is not accessible by the strength of men. Men cannot, by their efforts, understand the mind of God or his sovereign will in the world. Men may accomplish great things, but they cannot gain understanding into will and purposes of a holy, infinite, and eternal God.

Job 28:23-28 - Wisdom and Understanding are hidden in God.

Barney Fife, man of wisdom.

Wisdom and understanding are only found in God. "God understands the way to it, and he knows its place," (23). God has to reveal truth, wisdom, and understanding to men. There is only one who understands the world and that is its creator. "For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens," (24). It is God who made and controls nature, even the destructive parts of his creation. "When he gave the wind its weight...and a way for the lightning of the thunder," (25-26). Only God has understanding. Only He knows how the world works. Only He can reveal what is true. Man through his searching and will can not come to an understanding of the purposes of God. Man, as a being, is totally dependent upon the Almighty for understanding.

Job has been asking of God "why" and "where". Job and his friends have been debating the purposes of God in his suffering. But here Job confesses that understanding the purposes and reasons of God are beyond mere mortals. "The knowledge of God's secret will, the will of his providence, is out of our reach, and what God has reserved for himself," (Matthew Henry, commenting on Job 28). Job has been asking God throughout this book to show up and explain himself and his purposes in Job's suffering. Here he admits that wisdom is simply to fear God and turn from evil. Job is so close to finding the answer to his questions if he would only listen to his own counsel. "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding," (28). Man will not find wisdom and understanding of this life and of the trials they endure, but there is wisdom in fearing the Lord, trusting him, and turning from evil. Men may ask "Why" and "Where", but to trust God and fear the mystery of his will is wise.

You may say, "I don't like that." Well I don't either, and neither did Job. There are deep and hidden purposes to the plans of God. Men may not grasp them this side of heaven. However, it is great wisdom for men to simply submit to and trust a holy, loving, and sovereign God who knows all things. Is that easy? No. Does it answer all of our questions about life, good, evil, suffering, fairness, and God? Hardly. But it is wiser to acknowledge one's own limitations and smallness and trust a limitless and unfathomable God than it is to drive oneself mad with questions over the sufferings of this life. I may not always understand what is going on in my life. (Heck I have a hard enough time understanding the females in my household!). But what I can do is fear a holy God, trust his love and sovereignty, and wait on him to make it right, (which may be in this life or on the last day).

I'm not sure what this has to do with ducks. 

These were a tough two chapters, both to read and understand as well as to communicate to you as the reader. As always, make sure to read through on your own, study, and ask God for understanding.

We're nearing the end. Job is going to talk just a little more and he'll be done. Then a final figure will show up to speak and then God will show up and thunder.

See you next time.

Job 25-26, In which Bildad finds five bucks and Job goes off.

Have you ever told a joke that you thought was going to be really funny, except nobody laughed? Or have you ever told a story that you thought was really profound, only at the end everyone kind of looked at you as if to say, 'Is that it?' If you've ever done that then you know bad it feels. You feel silly and are desperately trying to find a way to save yourself.

Some guys I knew in college came up with a great save for these types of situations. If you ever tell a bad joke/story and nobody laughs, you can then just say, "And then I found five bucks!" It may have nothing to do with your joke, but it fills the dead, awkward air with something positive. Try it next time you say something not so funny. I promise you it'll pay off for you.

Bildad is about to have a "Then I found five bucks" moment. He's going to say something short and useless and will look stupid. Eliphaz and Bildad each spoke three times. Zophar has only spoken twice and will not speak again for the rest of the book. In short, they've said all they could and none of it was very helpful or true. Let us all rejoice that we no longer have to hear from Job's friends. Job is going to go off on his friends and God in the next five chapters, but first let's look at Bildad's comments. Please read along in the Bible.

Job 25:1-6 - Bildad: "Um...God is big...and you're small...and stupid!"
Okay, that's unfair and mean. I know he says more than that, but that's how it comes across, short and meaningless. Let's read it together.

"Dominion and fear are with God; he makes peace in his high heaven. Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise? How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure? Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the starts are not pure in his eyes?"

Let's remember that in the last section Job poured out his broken heart to God and his friends. He asked where God was, not only in his own suffering, but in the injustice he saw in the world around him. His friends have constantly said that men suffer because of their evil deeds. Job has clearly pointed out how this is not true as evidenced in his life and the world we live in. So let me ask you, does Bildad answer Job's arguments about the seeming injustice of God? No. Does Bildad answer Job's questions about where God is in the midst of pain and injustice? No. Bildad simply states that God is big and awesome and no one can be in the right before him. This makes God out to be a tyrant who doles out punishment to whoever he will because, (as Bildad argues), ALL men are guilty before him. Therefore, (according to Bildad), all men everywhere should live in absolute fear of God's judgment at all times. Is this a Biblically accurate picture of God? No. But Bildad and Job's friends have been so shut down by Job that they have very little to say at this point, as evidenced by the mere six verses in this chapter...but at least Bildad found five bucks.

Sidenote: What you think about God is important. Bildad thought wrongly about the Almighty, and therefore said hurtful and incorrect things. Not only will bad theology cause you to speak unwisely, it will lead you into immorality and destruction. See also any crazy cult where the leader has 90 wives. By the way, this works in reverse too. If you delve into immoral behavior you will eventually change your theology to suit your beliefs. You can't have good theology and bad behavior or vice versa. Paul tells Timothy to "hold faith (belief) and a good conscience (behavior). By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander..." (1 Timothy 1:19-20).
This is also why Job is struggling so much. He thought rightly about God and his character, which is why he couldn't understand the injustice and suffering he was experiencing. He knew God was good, righteous, powerful, and merciful. The problem was his experience didn't match up with what he knew about God. Thus he cried out "Why, God?" and "Where are you?"

Job 26:1-4 - Job responds: "Thank God I have such a wonderful instructor as you, Bildad!"
This is called sarcasm. Job is mocking Bildad for his wonderful wisdom and help in the midst of Job's pain and emotional crisis. "How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength! How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!" (2-3). Bildad has not helped Job with their comments, and Job lets him know about it in a very forceful way.
*Mental note: NEVER, EVER try this with your mother, father, boss, spouse, or a large hairy man at a bar. It won't go well for you.

Job 26:5-14 - Where Job has a greater concept of God than Bildad
Job lays out a picture of God which is quite impressive. It would really make for quite an amazing worship song, if one were so inclined.

"He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing. He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them...The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke...Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand!" (6-14, selected). 

So what is the point here? In the previous chapter Bildad thought to instruct Job on God and his ways. Job shows Bildad he has just as good, if not better, of an understanding of the greatness and glory of God. Job understands God is big, awesome and mighty, probably even better than Bildad does. In this section Job again shows his friends they have not counseled him with any new information he did not know, even though they attempted to teach and instruct him in his pain.

Job is finally free of the advice of his friends, but he still has the same questions about the presence and purpose of God in his suffering. Where is God? Why does God act this way? Does God care? We're rounding the bend now to the end of the story. Job is going to go off on a long monologue, a mysterious figure will emerge and respond, and then God will show up.