Week 107, Day 1: The Wonders of God

Today’s Reading:  Job 37:1-24

Some thoughts from today’s reading…

Elihu finishes out his address to Job by pointing out the majesty and wonder of God’s works.  The Thunder & lightning, the snow and rain, ice, moiten laiden clouds, the sky, darkness, light, and the wind all speak to God’s great power and man’s finite existence.  We behold the grandeur of God’s might each day, if we would just stop to consider them.  God’s wisdom and knowledge are put on display through the great things that He has created and controls.  What is man?  What can man boast of in comparison? 

Elihu completes his thoughts by emphasizing that God will do no violence to justice and righteousness and therefore He does not regard those who are wise of heart.  Let us remember these lessons.  No matter how big we might feel, we need to fear and respect God and humble ourselves before Him.  He deserves our respect and awe.

Question:  Is there anything in particular that when you see it, you are constantly amazed at what God has done in His creation?

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Week 106, Day 5: If man would repent

Today’s Reading:  Job 36:1-33

Some thoughts from today’s reading…

Elihu goes on to speak further about God’s dealings with man.  He says that if man will hear and serve God that the end of his days will be prosperity.  If man is willing to turn away from his evil and open his ears to heeding God’s instructions then good can come.   But the godless lays up anger for himself.  Repentance is key for man to have a good relationship with God.  Man has to be humble to admit when he has done wrong and dedicated to God enough to then turn away from those things and turn his ways back towards the path directed by God’s commands.  Repentance is a constant action of correction and adjustments.  Many men are unwilling to admit their faults and face when they have sinned.  This is a sad condition.  God does not promise forgiveness to a man who is unwilling to yield.  I believe pride is often at the root of such stubbornness. 

Question:  What causes you the most conflict and problems in your walk with God?  In other words what do you often need to repent of most?

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Week 106, Day 4: Not on your schedule

Today’s Reading:  Job 35:1-16

Some thoughts from today’s reading…

Elihu goes on to say that Job has multiplied his words because God does not answer his cries and visit him immediately.  How often does man become aggrevated or distressed because things do not go as he wants them to go and in the time frame he wants?  We have to accept at times that we will have to wait upon the Lord.  Even if you don’t understand why things are happening or going badly, be patient.  That is not easy for us to do.  But certainly we need to guard our tongue during those times lest we speak against God or speak angry words that we will later regret.

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Week 106, Day 3: God is upright

Today’s Reading:  Job 34:1-37

Some thoughts from today’s reading…

Elihu says that Job has charged God with wrong doing.  He has said God has perverted justice and acted wickedly.  Elihu says Job has rejected the recompense for his deeds because it was not on his terms (vs 33).  I again find myself with mixed emotions about what Elihu says.  Once again, Elihu has cited some comments made by Job before making his point.   He shows that he has listened to Job and considered what he said before speaking.  From man’s standpoint I think Elihu has a good point.  If Job was guilty of some sin he should have humbly asked God to show him his iniquity and pledged to not do it again.  Instead he had accused God of perverting justice and rejected his punishment.  But Elihu doesn’t know that Job is indeed innocent.  So part of me agrees with Elihu’s assesment and part of me says that he couldn’t see the whole picture of what is going on.

Question:  Was Job wrong in how he spoke about God’s dealings with him?

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Week 106, Day 2: You are wrong Job for…

Today’s Reading:  Job 33:1-33

Some thoughts from today’s reading…

Elihu addresses how Job is wrong for complaining about how God is treating him.  God’s ways are higher than ours.  Job has overstepped the line in demanding that God give an account to him for why these things have happened.  We often think about asking God why.  Why did something happen or not happen in our lives.  Any time we have that thought cross our minds keep in mind that we need to always maintain a lowly disposition with God.  Demanding an answer or accusing God of wrong doing or mismanagement for not doing thing differently is crossing that line of a humble servant into the realm of a person who has forgotten their place.  We are the created.  We are not going to understand everything and God certainly does not have to answer to us for why He has done something.

Elihu then points out, if I understand him right, that God works often in mysterious ways to pull man back from the “pit”.  God uses affliction at times, He is said to speak in night visions to man, in an effort to bring man back to Him.  How do we know why something has happened.  Perhaps it is “for the best”.  The main point is for us to never quit serving God and seeking to please Him – come what may.

Question:  Have you found anything yet in what Elihu says that would warrant the need for a rebutal from Job?

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Week 106, Day 1: Elihu finally speaks

Today’s Reading:  Job 32:1-

Some thoughts from today’s reading…

Elihu is somewhat of an enigma to me.  He speaks up here at the end of things and has a lot to say to Job and his friends.  And yet, when God speaks to Job He addresses the sins of Job’s friends but does not mention anything about Elihu.  I conclude from this that there is something different about what Elihu said to Job.  As we read through Elihu’s statement, look for what makes his words stand out.

Elihu had waited paitently, listening to everything that was said.  Now that Job’s friends have become silent he is bursting to say something.  I think this in itself speaks volumes about Elihu’s thinking.  Elihu had remained silent because he was younger.  He knew that it was best for him to be silent and listen.  How many young people approach a situation like this?  Also, Elihu is angry with Job’s friends, not just because they have ceased to speak but because they still condemn Job.  If they could find no answer to what Job said then why do they still insist that he is guilty?  Their conclusion is therefore based on nothing more than that is the way they think it ought to be.

Question:  Have you ever been in a discussion where you felt you were bursting to say something?  Why is it a reflection of wisdom to listen, contemplate the peron’s words and then speak?

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