JOB, SUFFERING IS PART OF THE JOB

The purpose of this study is to understand the role of suffering in a Christian’s life.  We will be studying the classic case of suffering – Job.  God describes the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10); therefore, we will be starting at the end of the story and working our way to the beginning.

What was God’s goal for Job’s suffering?

NKJ James 5:11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure.  You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord -- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

God’s goal was exactly what happened at the end of the story.  This is exactly what He had in mind from the beginning – before the suffering began (even before the foundation of the world).  Job’s job was to persevere in the midst of suffering.  Remember, God will never let us be tempted beyond our ability to resist.

NKJ 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

I have experienced temptation that was about to go beyond my ability to resist and exactly at that moment God sovereignty made a way of escape.  However, it was up to me to take it! 

As many of you know, I am one of those responsible for determining if the Reactor Operators, Senior Reactor Operators (supervisors), and Shift Technical Advisors (engineers) are qualified to operate the nuclear reactors at Surry Power Station.  NRC licensed personnel are accessed every five weeks through both performance (psychomotor) and knowledge (cognitive) examinations including the use of a full scale control room simulator.  I develop and implement comprehensive exams that will thoroughly “test” their understanding of the nuclear reactor and supporting systems.  Why?  I must help them discover weaknesses that we can turn into strengths!  Furthermore, we have very strict control of exams with a large penalty for cheating (including termination).  However, someone could say that I am not testing them, but because of the high level of difficulty, I am tempting them to cheat.  No!  I am testing them fairly on material that we presented to them at some time in their training.  However, the temptation comes as the deceiver (Satan) tries to make them think he is there to “help” them pass the test.

God was not tempting Job, however, He was testing him for the purpose of pointing out weaknesses that could be turned into strengths.  Satan offers something that “self” craves (lusts after) and it is up to us to resist in God’s strength.  Why?  This resisting process is what will crucify “self”!  The more resisting hurts – the more “self” dies!

NKJ James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

So, let us begin at the end of this story:

Story Credits: The Tester played by God, the tempter played by Satan, the tested played by Job and the tempted played by Job.

One more point about the testing that I perform at Dominion (Virginia Power’s new name).  More often than not, I know where an operator or engineer has a performance weakness based on observation.  However, it is through testing that “they” become aware of the weakness.  It is the same with God for He knows our hearts. 

Question:  Why not just tell the operators and engineers their weaknesses? 

Answer:  Because we adults do not change our ways unless motivated to change! 

It often takes the failure of an exam before an individual will acknowledge a weakness and be motivated to receive help.  God has known this since the fall of man.  He tells us of areas that need to be changed and we put Him off.  Then the test comes and we wonder “what happened?”

Back to the story of Job.

We will start after the test has been administered and now begins the debrief facilitated by God.  We find Job acknowledging his weakness and he is now motivated to change.

Disclaimer:  If I were in Job’s shoes I probably would have done far worse.  This series is not to slander Job but rather to learn from his mistakes.

NKJ Job 42:1 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2 "I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. 3 You asked, 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, 'I will question you, and you shall answer Me.' 5 "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes."

Job admits that what he said in chapters 1-41 was in error.  Eureka!  We have the tested admitting that they have room for improvement.  This is always a major victory!  Look again at what Job said.  He did not just say I have made a few mistakes but am as good as any and better than most (norm referencing or rationalization).  He admitted fundamentally of being flawed and incapable of being any better in and by himself.  Oh, what joy!  When we acknowledge our weaknesses it is then that we most clearly see God (Job 42:5).

NKJ Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

Disclaimer:  Although what Job said was in error this is not implying error in the Bible.  The Holy Spirit recorded without error all the errors that were made by Job and his “friends.”

NKJ Job 42:7 And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. 8 "Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has." 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD commanded them; for the LORD had accepted Job.

After Job repented, then the Lord turned to Job’s three friends.  These are the ones that planned to comfort Job; however, they condemned him (Job 2:11).  Job had repented of blaming God for being the source of his problems.  Notice how completely God forgives.  God goes to the first friend and states that Job has spoken right about Him even though Job spent most of this book talking wrong against God.  Job spent only a few verses speaking right about God and he receives full credit. 

Search your heart: Are you forgiving others even as God in Christ forgave you?

NKJ Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

NKJ Micah 7:19 He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.

NKJ Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

NKJ Isaiah 1:18 " Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

NKJ 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

NKJ Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

NKJ Job 42:10 And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Notice it was only after Job forgives his friends (demonstrated by praying for the friends that condemned him) that the Lord restored Job’s losses.  Job could have chosen to let them pay for their rough treatment in his hour of need.  Furthermore, there was one young man that visited Job (Elihu) and God did not address him as speaking wrongly.  We will have to look into what Elihu said during this study.

Job 42:11 Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold. 12 Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-Happuch. 15 In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. 17 So Job died, old and full of days.

I love happy endings!  Job was given double everything that was taken away.  Technically, he received one-for-one for the children but remember the children that died were waiting for him on the other side!  (Job 1:1-3)

NKJ Isaiah 61:7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

NKJ Deuteronomy 21:17 "But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

NKJ Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

The right of the first born is double inheritance.  I believe God desires to restore doubly everything that He “judges right” to be taken from us.

Next, we will look at the conversation of Job and friends to find out what was said wrongly about God.

Now let us jump to the beginning of the story of Job’s struggle.  Specifically, what caused this suffering to come upon Job? 

NKJ Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. 2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. 4 And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly.

From this passage, we can ascertain that Job was a very religious man.  He was blameless and upright in his dealings with others.  He feared God and shunned evil.  Job sounds like a paragon of virtue; however, we are only seeing the external.  Remember that God sees the heart and is not fooled by any of our religiosity.  Remember how the Pharisees appeared to be doing all of the “right” religious things but Jesus reserved His most scathing rebukes for this group (see Matthew 23: 13-33).  Notice Job was making sacrifices for his children “just in case” they sinned and cursed God in their hearts.  This type of action does not speak of relationship with God but rather religiously performing in order to please God – we call that legalism!

NKJ Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.

In this passage, we get a glorious behind the scene view of what goes on in heaven.  The sons of God are the angels of God and Satan (a fallen angel) shows up, too.  Wait a minute!  I thought Satan had been cast out of heaven.

NRS Luke 10:18 He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.

Jesus witnessed Satan being cast from heaven at the speed of light when he rebelled against God (see also Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 14:12-17).

How did a fallen servant (angels are just servants of God) who was cast from heaven have the authority to re-enter heaven and debate with almighty God concerning God’s most precious creation – man?

Remember, man was made and given authority, but not ownership, over all of God’s works.

NRS Psalms 8:4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? 5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, 7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

Satan deceived Eve into eating from the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil.  Adam, who was with Eve when she ate, followed along and ate of the forbidden fruit.  In the Bible, when covenants (strong contracts) are made either stones are piled up or trees are planted for a memorial of the event.  In the Garden of Eden the two trees represented two covenants.  Man could join either with God (Tree of Life) or Satan (Tree of the knowledge of good and evil).  Man chooses Satan. 

In a covenant, like marriage, all that you have becomes theirs and all that they have becomes yours.  All of the authority that God conferred upon Adam now becomes Satan’s.  Satan now has the right to re-enter heaven and stand before God as a co-heir with Adam.  Satan becomes the “god of this World” (2 Cor 4:4).  Now you understand why Satan was able to offer Jesus the world for worshipping him (Luke 4:4-7)?

Back to Job!  Satan then appears before God as the god of this world.  God recognizes Satan's authority that he obtained legally from Adam.  Legally because man was not forced or even deceived into eating of the tree but did so of his own free will (1Timothy 2:14).  Adam was pressured by Satan who appealed to the strong desires (lust) of Adam’s heart (James 1:14,).

Now lets look at the dialogue between God and Satan.

NKJ Job 1:7 And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?"  So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."

Satan is flaunting the fact that he can legally roam the Earth.  God can not legally stop him and man, who still has authority over Earth, has become Satan’s slave.  However, God can and does limit Satan's activity.  God is still in control of this less than ideal situation.  To destroy Satan would destroy man for they are now one in covenant (Matt 13:24-30).  Remember that God forced Satan out of Heaven when he rebelled the first time.

NKJ 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Man started this mess of a situation but, being Satan’s slave, he is helpless to get out of it.  It would take a man without sin to destroy what Satan has done…

NKJ Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

YLT Job 1:8 And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary, `Hast thou set thy heart against My servant Job because there is none like him in the land, a man perfect and upright, fearing God, and turning aside from evil?'

God knew that Satan was trying to destroy Job.  Job was blessed because of his obedience to God.  He apparently kept whatever commandments God revealed to him.  He lived a holy or separated life.  However, he fell into the trap that many (all but one) that seek the Lord have fallen into.  Our fallen nature (self) wants to take the credit for all that God is doing in our lives.

About fourteen years ago, the Lord placed me as a teacher in an adult couples class.  We had a “time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.”  The Lord’s presence was in the teaching and was evident to all for several years.  Many would laud over my teaching ability.  I would tell them to give the glory to God; however, inside me “self” was thinking, “God and I make a pretty good team.”  Oh, dear saint it is God alone!  I was an unbroken vessel and was becoming full of “self.”

The Lord is faithful to not let us stay in this type of situation.  The Holy Spirit would honor the word that I taught; however, the power was not there as it was before.  So “self” tries harder to “work-up” what used to flow naturally from God.  We come up with formulas to get God on the scene (more faith, more fasting, more Bible reading, more prayer time, etc).  This leads to legalism – performing to please God.  We no longer have a living relationship but dead religion.  We start thinking that the disobedience of those that are hearing us is causing the loss of power in “the teaching.”  They are grieving the Holy Spirit!  We begin to start driving the sheep instead of leading them.  Furthermore, we start blaming the devil for this problem!  Hello, the devil can not get to you without first clearing it with the Father!

Job was at this place in his life.  “Self” was alive and well.  Funny thing, when you are in this situation you know something is wrong but can not seem to get your finger on it.  That is because “you” are the problem!  We have already seen that Job is finally broken before the Lord and restored.  Broken vessels can not be filled with self – they leak too much!

More on this later.

NKJ 9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 "But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" 12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

We can see two things in this passage:

1. God sets a hedge of protection around His people that Satan can not penetrate (cf. Psalms 37:4).
2. God blesses the work of His people’s hands and increases their possessions (cf. Deuteronomy 8:18).

Satan demands God to attack Job.  God is in the business of bringing life abundantly and leaves the killing, stealing, destroying to the thief – Satan the Destroyer (John 10:10).

KJV Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

God knows that something is wrong in Job’s heart and Satan is going to be the instrument of scourging to remove it (Hebrews 12:6).  However, God is going to set the bounds of the test (1 Corinthians 10:13).  To say God “allows” the test is no more correct than to say a human judge “allows” a convict to go in jail.  God “judges it right” for Satan to test him because Job “allowed” this sin of pride to grow in his heart.  The bounds of the test will be Job himself.

NKJ Job1:13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 "when the Sabeans raided them and took them away -- indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 19 "and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"

From this passage, we see that Satan can control men, governments, and the weather to accomplish his destruction.  When we call natural disasters an “Act of god” we need to spell that with a lower case letter “g”.  That would be the god of this world – Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4).  I like the French phrase “force majore” better as it gives no credit to Satan.

NKJ Job 1:20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Job (unlike many of us if we were in his situation) is posturing himself for victory.  Posturing himself to make this suffering effective.  However, he is not talking to God but only about God.  Jesus under the duress of the cross cried out, “my God, my God why have you forsaken me?”  (quoting Psalms 22:1).  He was talking to God not about God – I pray you discern the difference.  This is another clue that Job has religion and not relationship.  However, Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.  People can be good all of their lives, not charge God with wrong, and still miss heaven (Matthew 7:22,23).  We must call upon the Lord to be delivered (saved)!

Disclaimer:  I believe Job is my brother in Christ and I desire to tell the story that he would tell.  When I meet him in heaven, I want to look him in the eye and hear him say, “thank you for helping others learn from my mistakes.”

Step one in effective suffering, call upon the Lord and acknowledge that He in control of all things including the situation that is bringing the suffering.  We give the battle to the Lord of the Sabaoth (Sabaoth – armies of heaven).

NKJ Job 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

 2 And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."

YLT Job 2:3 And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary, `Hast thou set thy heart unto My servant Job because there is none like him in the land, a man perfect and upright, fearing God and turning aside from evil? and still he is keeping hold on his integrity, and thou dost move Me against him to swallow him up for nought!'

If you are concluding from this passage that God is using Job to teach Satan a lesson then you have missed it!  Satan, is not worth God’s time.  This bantering with Satan is to God like changing soiled baby diapers.  It is necessary for the child that the diapers are changed.  With five children I have done more than a few; however, I did not make a hobby out of it!  This dealing with Satan is necessary to get Job’s diaper changed.  The character flaw in Job’s heart is to be removed and ABBA will even deal with Satan to perfect His children.  Again, God would rather teach you by His Holy Spirit but is willing to converse with His hated enemy (changing diapers) to help you.  God can and will manipulate Satan to further our spiritual growth.  Why is it necessary?  Because Adam made the wrong decision in the Garden of Eden and choose to learn from Satan instead of God!

NKJ Job 2:4 So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5 "But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" 6 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life."

Job has not been broken by the loss of possessions and his children; therefore, the test escalates and is limited only by Job’s life.  The judgment of the court of Heaven is that Job may be tested but his life must be spared.

NKJ Job 2:7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes.

Who is the one that strikes with dis-ease?  The thief!  (John 10:10)

NKJ Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!" 10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Wow, who can hurt a man to the core more than his wife can?  The union of marriage makes us one and gives the ability to heal the other or hurt our partner more than any other type of relationship.  Well does the proverb say that it is better to be in the wilderness starving and thirsty than to have your wife angry (hurt) and hurting you!  (Proverbs 21:19)  Job continues to say the right thing about God; however, he is still talking about God and not to God.  Furthermore, he has not considered that he could be responsible for what is taking place and puts all of the responsibility on God.  Sounds like Adam – this woman thou hast given me… (Gen 3:12).

NKJ Job 2:11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place -- Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him. 12 And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.

Here come the “friends” of Job to provide comfort.  Wives have you ever needed someone to hear what you have to say (like your husband) and all they want to do is give you advice?  Yes, we men are bad like that and so are Job’s friends.  Remember, God did not like anything these three men had to say about Him (Job 42:7).

Now begins the pity party (yes it does take one to know one – been there, done that…):

NKJ Job 3:1 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 And Job spoke, and said: 3 "May the day perish on which I was born, And the night in which it was said, 'A male child is conceived.' 4 May that day be darkness; May God above not seek it, Nor the light shine upon it. 5 May darkness and the shadow of death claim it; May a cloud settle on it; May the blackness of the day terrify it. 6 As for that night, may darkness seize it; May it not rejoice among the days of the year, May it not come into the number of the months. 7 Oh, may that night be barren! May no joyful shout come into it! 8 May those curse it who curse the day, Those who are ready to arouse Leviathan. 9 May the stars of its morning be dark; May it look for light, but have none, And not see the dawning of the day; 10 Because it did not shut up the doors of my mother's womb, Nor hide sorrow from my eyes. 11 "Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? 12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? 13 For now I would have lain still and been quiet, I would have been asleep; Then I would have been at rest 14 With kings and counselors of the earth, Who built ruins for themselves, 15 Or with princes who had gold, Who filled their houses with silver; 16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, Like infants who never saw light? 17 There the wicked cease from troubling, And there the weary are at rest. 18 There the prisoners rest together; They do not hear the voice of the oppressor. 19 The small and great are there, And the servant is free from his master. 20 "Why is light given to him who is in misery, And life to the bitter of soul, 21 Who long for death, but it does not come, And search for it more than hidden treasures; 22 Who rejoice exceedingly, And are glad when they can find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, And whom God has hedged in? 24 For my sighing comes before I eat, And my groanings pour out like water. 25 For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me. 26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes."

In Job 3:25 we have insight that God was already dealing with Job before the scourging started.  Job knew something was wrong but could not put his finger on it. God will chasten us with His word to correct us and it is only after this that scourging begins.

NKJ Hebrews 12:6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."

When you squeeze a sponge you can tell what is in it.  Even so, it is with our heart.  When Satan squeezes us what is in our heart comes out of our mouths (Matthew 12:34).  This is so we can know what is wrong in our heart and seek the Lord to change it.

Back near the end of the story a younger man, Elihu, spoke to Job and God had no rebuke for him.  Lets see what he had to say to Job.

NKJ Job 32:1 So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God.

Here it is some more evidence of the problem being with Job.  We will find that Job for 30 chapters was justifying himself and not God.  Yes, at first Job sounded very religious in his declarations about God.  Job probably would have convinced us if we had been there at the time.  God loves Job so much that to leave him in this self-righteous situation is the last thing He desires to do.  You might be asking yourself why is God so cruel? 

Which of the following scenarios do you think is cruel?

1. If when Adam had sinned God still kept the protective hedge around him and his family.  Therefore, Adam would have never known that the “wages of sin are death” (Romans 6:23a) and would have died thinking everything was fine.  Fine that is until being ushered into Hell eternally separated from God.

1. If when Adam sinned the hedge of protection was lifted in ways calculated by God to cause Adam to face his sin.  Therefore, Adam would have to face the reality of his own inability and falling on his face before God ask to be saved.  Then upon death, be ushered into the presence of LOVE Himself.  The loss of Abel must have been really painful for Adam.  The loss of a child (or baby) will really get your attention.

After two miscarriages, I believe that #1 is cruel.  Yes, I have two little ones waiting on the other side.  Not to worry, they have Kathy’s father, my younger brother, and many Grandparents loving on them.

NKJ Job 32:3 Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job. 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused. 6 So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: "I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, And dared not declare my opinion to you. 7 I said, 'Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.'

Elihu was the youngest on the scene and was showing proper respect for his elders.  However, they were only condemning Job and failing to explain why he was going through this suffering.

NKJ Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.

Elihu understands that man is not just flesh and blood but has a spirit that can be touched by the breath of God.  The “Breath of the Almighty” is a reference to none other that the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). Elihu has understanding of the situation given to him by the Holy Spirit.

NKJ 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

I often hear this verse (and Isaiah 55:8,9) used to convince people that God’s ways can not be understood and furthermore He does not want you to understand them.  Please read the rest of the story:

NKJ 1 Corinthians 2:10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

We can not understand God apart from the Holy Spirit.  However, the Holy Spirit was given to us to reveal God and His ways:

NKJ John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

NKJ John 15:26 " But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

NKJ John 16:13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 "All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

NKJ 1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

NKJ Job 32:9 Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice 10 "Therefore I say, 'Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.' 11 Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say. 12 I paid close attention to you; And surely not one of you convinced Job, Or answered his words --13 Lest you say, 'We have found wisdom'; God will vanquish him, not man.

The three “friends” are not able to convince Job through condemnation.  They are ready to “wash their hands” of the situation and say that only God can convince “hard headed” Job thus maintaining their pride.

NKJ Job 32:14 Now he has not directed his words against me; So I will not answer him with your words. 15 " They are dismayed and answer no more; Words escape them. 16 And I have waited, because they did not speak, Because they stood still and answered no more. 17 I also will answer my part, I too will declare my opinion. 18 For I am full of words; The spirit within me compels me. 19 Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent; It is ready to burst like new wineskins. 20 I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.

Elihu sounds like Jeremiah, the Holy Spirit was compelling him to speak 

NRS Jeremiah 20:9 If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name," then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

NKJ Job 32: 21 Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone; Nor let me flatter any man. 22 For I do not know how to flatter, Else my Maker would soon take me away.

Elihu is going to speak the truth regardless of whether they would like to hear it or not.  He knows that those compromising God’s word are not anointed for ministry very long.  No ear tickling is going to take place!

NKJ Job 33:1 "But please, Job, hear my speech, And listen to all my words. 2 Now, I open my mouth; My tongue speaks in my mouth. 3 My words come from my upright heart; My lips utter pure knowledge.

Elihu will be speaking from his heart and not his head.  He is not going to reason or rationalize what has been taking place with Job.  He is going to share the wisdom that the Holy Spirit has given him for Job.

NKJ Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Another verse connecting the Holy Spirit with the breath of God.

NRS Job 33:5 Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand. See, before God I am as you are; I too was formed from a piece of clay. No fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy on you.

We have insight into why this young man understands what is taking place in Job’s life – he is a man that is in the process of being broken by God.  Remember, brokenness before God is a journey not a destination.

NKJ Job 33:8 " Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of your words, saying, 9 'I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me. 10 Yet He finds occasions against me, He counts me as His enemy; 11 He puts my feet in the stocks, He watches all my paths.'

This is the summation of what Job has been saying for 30 chapters.  Job was accusing God of “allowing” suffering without due cause.  We often do the same thing and then say rather religiously, “The Lord works in mysterious ways.”  His ways would not be mysterious if we talked to God rather than talk about Him.  Remember, that is one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit – helping us pray to God and causing us to hear from God (Romans 8:26,27; John 10:27).

NKJ Job 33:12 " Look, in this you are not righteous. I will answer you, For God is greater than man. 13 Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words. 14 For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds, 16 Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction. 17 In order to turn man from his deed, And conceal pride from man, 18 He keeps back his soul from the Pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.

God will use dreams to warn you about dangers that you may be in or about to face.  Job was warned by God in a dream (Job 4:12-5:27) but failed to seek the Lord for understanding and wisdom to apply it to his life.  The goal of the chastening is stated here: to cause repentance, to effect brokenness, to save a soul from Hell, and prevent early death.  However, if we do not listen to chastening then the lesson escalates to scourging.

NKJ Job33:19 " Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with strong pain in many of his bones, 20 So that his life abhors bread, And his soul succulent food. 21 His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones stick out which once were not seen. 22 Yes, his soul draws near the Pit, And his life to the executioners.

That would be scourging – ouch!

NRS Job 33:23 Then, if there should be for one of them an angel, a mediator, one of a thousand, one who declares a person upright, 24 Then He is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom'; 25 His flesh shall be young like a child's, He shall return to the days of his youth. 26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness.

I believe this passage is referring to the pre-incarnate intercessory ministry of the Lord Jesus.  The angel of the Lord often relays what Jesus is saying to others (Revelation 1:1).  I do not believe that the angel of the Lord is the Lord; however, where you see one you will see the other.  This is Jesus’ guardian angel, the one that protected Him when he became man.  I believe all of us are given a guardian angel when we are born (Matt 18:10).  The ransom is Jesus’ own life and through it, He restores our righteousness before God by giving us His righteousness.  The angel is the angel of the Lord, Jesus is the mediator, Elihu is the one righteous man you can find out of a thousand (Ecclesiastes 7:28) and God the Father is the one that declares a person upright or righteous.  Here you see the three parties that are always working together to accomplish God’s will on Earth: God, Man, and Angels.  These three parties are working together to save Job – that is to save us.  Job represents fallen man who even at his best is still infinitely far from the glory of God  (Romans 3:23).  Get this; Job will be restored because of Jesus’ intercession for him.

NKJ Job 33:27 Then he looks at men and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted what was right, And it did not profit me.' 28 He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit, And his life shall see the light. 29 "Behold, God works all these things, Twice, in fact, three times with a man, 30 To bring back his soul from the Pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.

The desired outcome for Job is stated for us: repentance and brokenness leading to restoration.  Furthermore, it states here that God gives all men three chances – three strikes and you are out!  Lastly, the goal is to have all men saved from Hell and enlightened with Jesus – the light of life.

NKJ John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Did you realize that the book of Job, the oldest book in the Bible, contained the Gospel?  Job is not about how God “allows” a righteous man to suffer in order to teach Satan a lesson.  It is about God dealing with self-righteous man to deliver him from Satan.  That would be the theme of the Gospel!

The young man Elihu continues:

NKJ Job 33:31 "Give ear, Job, listen to me; Hold your peace, and I will speak. 32 If you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you. 33 If not, listen to me; Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom." 34:1 Elihu further answered and said: 2 "Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

Elihu asks the three friends of Job to continue listening to what God is saying through him.

NRS Job 34:2 "Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know; 3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. 5 For Job has said, 'I am innocent, and God has taken away my right; 6 in spite of being right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.' 7 Who is there like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water, 8 who goes in company with evildoers and walks with the wicked? 9 For he has said, 'It profits one nothing to take delight in God.'

Elihu summarizes what (self) righteous Job has been saying about himself and God to his three friends in Job chapters 4-33.  Verses 10-34 of Job chapter 34 contain a beautiful description of God’s sovereignty and justice (please read them).  Then Elihu says the following about Job:

NRS Job 34:35 'Job speaks without knowledge, his words are without insight.' 36 Would that Job were tried to the limit, because his answers are those of the wicked. 37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."

NAS Job 35:1 Then Elihu continued and said, 2 "Do you think this is according to justice? Do you say, 'My righteousness is more than God's'? 3 "For you say, 'What advantage will it be to You? What profit shall I have, more 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-- they are higher than you. 6 "If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against Him? And if your transgressions are many, 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 is for a man like yourself, And your righteousness is for a son of man. 9 "Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry for help because of the arm of the mighty. 10 "But no one 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 will not listen to an empty cry, Nor will the Almighty regard it. (contrast 1 John 5:14)14 "How much less when you say you do not behold Him, The case is before Him, and you must wait for Him! 15 "And now, because He has not visited in His anger, Nor has He acknowledged transgression well, 16 So Job opens his mouth emptily; He multiplies words without knowledge. "

Job chapters 36 and 37 (please read) are Elihu describing that God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and eternal.  In summary, “God is in Control!”  Then when Elihu finishes speaking for God (the role of a prophet) God picks up confirming everything He has said through Elihu.

NKJ Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: 2 "Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?  (compare Job 35:16 above) 3 Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.

God tells Job to stop the “pity party” and they will talk.  God then proceeds to ask Job questions for which only God has the answers in Job 38:4 – Job 39.  Think about that scenario preachers and teachers of God’s Holy Word.  What a blessing it would be if when you finished your lesson – God took over where you left off!  My, my, my, when Father God disciplines you – you stay disciplined!

The arrogance of man blinds him to his own ignorance.  (See 2 Corinthians 4:4)

NKJ Job 40:1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said: 2 "Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it."

 3 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 4 "Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. 5 Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further." 6 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: 7 "Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me:

God continues in Job 40:8-24 to question Job about things only God knows.

NKJ Job 42:1 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2 "I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. 3 You asked, 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, 'I will question you, and you shall answer Me.' 5 "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes."

This takes us full circle to where we started with this study with Job.  He has been found guilty of pride (Job 35:12) and rebellion (Job 34:37) and repents.  Satan established this pattern of pride leading to rebellion and this is why God hates pride – it breaks up the family.  Pride must necessarily lead to rebellion because our ways are not His ways.

As a young boy I had many mischievous ideas; however, I knew better than to carry them out for fear of being caught and disciplined by my father.  However, I would share these devil inspired ideas with my older brother who would do anything!  Then when he was caught I would feel very bad and would learn from the discipline that he received.  Let us learn from our brother Job so God will not have to discipline us.

In summary, this is not a book proving that Job is righteous to Satan.  But rather a book showing the futility of man to save himself.  We can have many righteous actions but are still fundamentally flawed inside because of Adam’s rebellion in the Garden of Eden.  Although Job appeared to be a “good person” on the outside it was during the trials that his heart was revealed to be full of pride and rebellion.  God knew this and after the trial Job knew it, too.  Therefore, the message of the Book of Job is – if Job, who appears to be righteous, does not measure up then no man can measure up.  We are all desperately in need of a savior.  Thank you God, that You so loved the World that You sent Your only Son Jesus to save us!