Transcript Rejoicing in God’s presence!

Will you ever see the following
in a Hallmark store???
Eliphaz:
Those who plow and sow trouble,
reap it!
Job 4:8.
You’re getting what God knows
you really deserve, Job!
Bildad:
He is only dishing out what
your secret sin deserves…
If only you were pure and upright,
so that He could arise for you.
Job 8:4-6.
If you were only more spiritual, God
would be correcting this right now.
Zophar:
If only you were more faith-filled
and devote, then you could have
avoided all this!
Job 11:13.
These are some of the actually
sayings that we will hear from Job’s
“friends.”
NIV Job 4:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: 2 "If
someone ventures a word with you, will you be
impatient? But who can keep from speaking? 3 Think
how you have instructed many, how you have
strengthened feeble hands. 4 Your words have
supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened
faltering knees. 5 But now trouble comes to you, and
you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are
dismayed. 6 Should not your piety be your confidence
and your blameless ways your hope? 7 "Consider now:
Who, being innocent, has ever perished?
Where were the upright ever destroyed?
8 As I have observed, those who plow evil and those
who sow trouble reap it.
Eliphaz believes Job has deserved
what has happened to him.
He goes on to say that if Job
repents his unrighteousness, a
merciful God will take him back.
5:17 [Eliphaz] "Blessed is the man whom
God corrects; so do not despise the
discipline of the Almighty. 18 For he
wounds, but he also binds up; he injures,
but his hands also heal.
NIV Job 6:1 Then Job replied: 2 "If only my
anguish could be weighed and all my misery
be placed on the scales!”
14 "A despairing man should have the
devotion of his friends, even though he
forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 15 But
my brothers are as undependable as
intermittent streams, as the streams that
overflow 16 when darkened by thawing ice
and swollen with melting snow, 17 but that
cease to flow in the dry season, and in the
heat vanish from their channels.
Job pleads ignorance. He is not
aware of any overt or unrepented
unrighteousness.
7:16 [Job continues] I despise my life; I would not live
forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning. 17 "What
is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so
much attention, 18 that you examine him every morning
and test him every moment? 19 Will you never look away
from me, or let me alone even for an instant? 20 If I have
sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men?
Why have you made me your target? Have I become a
burden to you? 21 Why do you not pardon my offenses and
forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will
search for me, but I will be no more."
Bildad pipes in that Job really
knows his sin before the Lord that
has caused all the trouble:
8:20 "Surely God does not reject a
blameless man or strengthen the
hands of evildoers. 21 He will yet fill
your mouth with laughter and your
lips with shouts of joy. 22 Your
enemies will be clothed in shame,
and the tents of the wicked will be
no more."
Neat imagery from Bildad!
A man who forgets God is like a plant
without rich soil, water, or sun.
Job responds (9:1-22)
• “How can mortal man be righteous before God?”
It is a mystery left to God!
• The Almighty who made the constellations (the
Bear, Orion, and Pleiades) knows all about
everything, even Job.
• Job asserts that he has not committed a sin to
deserve his suffering (9:21).
• Job identifies his friends as one
more form of brutal suffering
in their accusations of sin
to merit his suffering (10:22).
Zophar speaks (11:1-20):
• Zophar is offended that Job claims his
beliefs are flawless and he is pure in God’s
sight (10:3).
• If Job repents of the sins that cause this
misfortune, God will restore him with “a life
brighter than noonday” (11:17).
Job responds (12:1-14:22)
sarcasm:
Surely when you die, all wisdom
will die with you also.”
Job responds (12:1-14:22)
• Who can bring charges of sin against me?
• Show me my offense and my sin!
• If only the grave would cover me!
Eliphaz responds (15:1-35)
• He believes Job has just shaken his fist at
God to claim to be just and innocent.
Job responds (16:1-16)
• “Miserable comforters are you all!”
• “My hands are free of violence and my
prayer is pure before Him.”
• “Surely, mockers surround me!”
Bildad responds (18:1-21)
• “Be sensible. We aren’t dumb livestock
before you.”
• Bildad says Job’s protests their counsel
because he doesn’t know God.
Job responds (19:1-29)
• Job responds that his hope is God.
NIV Job 19:23 "Oh, that my words were recorded, that
they were written on a scroll, 24 that they were inscribed
with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! 25
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he
will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been
destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will
see him with my own eyes-- I, and not another. How my
heart yearns within me! 28 "If you say, 'How we will
hound him, since the root of the trouble lies in him,' 29
you should fear the sword yourselves; for wrath will bring
punishment by the sword, and then you will know that
there is judgment."
Zophar responds (20:1-29)
• “Though man’s pride reaches heaven, he
will perish like his own dung.“
• God punishes those who try to hide their
sin with false piety (like Job’s).
Job responds (21:1-34)
• Will you teach God what should be done?
• All people (good and bad) must die and
face God.
• How about the evil who seem to get away
with their sins?
Eliphaz responds (22:130)
• He says that Job was stingy and uncaring
for others.
• He claims Job has told God that He does
not know what He is doing.
• He says Job needs to repent to be
restored.
• Then Job will be able to truly say he can
delight to see God’s face.
Job responds (23:1-17)
• If Job could find God dwelling on earth, he would
go to him.
• But God knows all and Job humbly reveres the
all-knowing God.
• Injustice happens. The poor suffer. Wickedness
occurs. Kings are done away with. This is a
world where evil abounds and seems to go
unchecked.
• “Deep darkness is dawn [for the wicked].”
• “The womb forgets. The worm feasts.”
Bildad responds (25:1-6)
• 1. God is in complete control with angels
enforcing order. Wickedness isn’t
rampant!
• 2. “How can a man ever claim to be
righteous before God?” “Man is a maggot.
The son of man is a worm.”
Job responds (26:1-31:40)
• “Have you [his friends] helped the weak?”
• “Who has helped you utter these words to
me?” Slam! – No comfort given Job.
• “I will not deny my integrity before the
Lord!”
• In response to Bildad -- Yes, God does
eventually bring down the wicked!
• “Fear of the Lord is wisdom. Shunning evil
is knowledge.”
Job continues…
• He helped the poor and unfortunate when
God blessed him.
• Now, they, those he helped, mock Job.
• He did good to all who suffered.
• He shunned the thought of adultery
knowing it leads to ruin.
• He was a good employer and master.
• He went out of his way to help the
downtrodden.
Job continues…
• He never put his trust in his own wealth.
• He never worshipped the sun or moon as
a pagan.
• He never gloated over his neighbor’s
misfortune.
• He has not been a hypocrite trying to hide
the guilt of sin (common to all).
• Job is now done speaking.
Then a fourth friend speaks, not
mentioned till now.
His name is Elihu.
He was angry with Job for
justifying himself rather than God.
He was also angry with the three
friends because they condemned
Job without cause.
Job 32:3-4.
“My words come from an upright
heart; my lips sincerely speak what
I know. The Spirit of God has
made me; the breath of the
Almighty gives me life.”
NIV Job 33:3-4
Notice Job and Elihu contend that their peace in the
presence of God validates their speech.
-- I know my Redeemer lives…
I will see Him how my heart years for this.
--The Spirit of God gives me breath.
Elihu responds (32:1-37:24)
• I am young but must speak.
• No one has proved Job wrong.
• I am like bottled up wine ready to burst out
of the wineskin!
• Job, no one can claim he is entirely
without sin. God redeems us from the ruin
of our sin so that we can rejoice to see His
face (33:26-33).
Elihu responds (32:1-37:24)
• Job is a scoundrel in their sight.
• Without God, we are nothing.
• God is judge over all. We cannot demand Him
to do anything.
• But God does not despise man. He is just.
• We cannot demand mercy from God when we
feel guilt ridden. His blessing is a gift on His
own terms.
• Elihu condemns Job because it appears that
God does not care about wickedness.
Elihu responds (32:1-37:24)
• God gives us knowledge to serve and obey Him.
• God’s eyes are on the righteous to bless them.
• We should consider if hardship has been caused
by flagrant sin. “If man does not listen, they will
perish.”
• But God does great things beyond our
understanding (37:5)… so that all men revere
Him in His larger divine plan! (37:24).
Elihu states that God eventually
vindicates those who look to him
and stand upright before him.
We all need divine patience.
Elihu continues that God’s ways
are sometimes beyond our finite
and limited understanding as we
wait.
But God is faithful and works all
things for the good of those who
look to Him for help
and make Him their hope.
Guess who breaks in?
Guess who continues
what Elihu is teaching?
Who darkens
My counsel?
God affirms Elihu’s statements.
The Lord does rebuke Job that His suffering is
not altogether meaningless.
Job will now make intercession for his three
friends.
His three friends’ sin has been revealed in His
suffering.
1. They speak evil of God’s intent for His
righteous servant.
2. They stand in the place of God to judge
man.
NIV Job 42:7 After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the
Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me
what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to
my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for
you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have
not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad
the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD
accepted Job's prayer. 10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him
prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. 11 All his brothers and
sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house.
They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him,
and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. 12 The LORD blessed the latter
part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand
camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven
sons and three daughters. 14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah
and the third Keren-Happuch. 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as
beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their
brothers. 16 After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their
children to the fourth generation. 17 And so he died, old and full of years.
“Everything written about
me in the Law of Moses,
the Prophets, and the
Psalms had to be fulfilled
in Me.”
Luke 24:44.
1. A friend suffers.
He loses his loved ones.
He loses his health.
Why?
Because of the devil.
2. The hearts of his
companions understand
their own sinful unbelief
through the suffering of
the righteous.
3. The suffering friend
makes atonement to save
his companions.
4. The one who stands
upright in understanding
is he who rejoices in the
Lord’s presence.
I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand
upon the earth. And after my skin
has been destroyed, yet in my flesh
I will see God; I myself will see him
with my own eyes-- I, and not
another. How my heart yearns
within me! NIV Job 19:25-27
We wait for the blessed hope-- the glorious
appearing of our great God and Savior,
Jesus Christ,
NIV Titus 2:13.
Dear friends, now we are children of God,
and what we will be has not yet been made
known. But we know that when he appears,
we shall be like him, for we shall see him as
he is. Everyone who has this hope in him
purifies himself, just as he is pure.
NIV 1 John 3:2-3.
We are led to rejoice in the Lord’s presence
because we realize our sin as the Righteous Servant suffered.
Dinosaurs?
NIV Job 40:15 "Look at the behemoth, which I made
along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. 16
What strength he has in his loins, what power in the
muscles of his belly! 17 His tail sways like a cedar; the
sinews of his thighs are close-knit. 18 His bones are
tubes of bronze, his limbs like rods of iron. 19 He ranks
first among the works of God, yet his Maker can
approach him with his sword. 20 The hills bring him their
produce, and all the wild animals play nearby. 21 Under
the lotus plants he lies, hidden among the reeds in the
marsh. 22 The lotuses conceal him in their shadow; the
poplars by the stream surround him.
Is this the source of
dragon lore?
NIV Job 41:1 "Can you pull in the leviathan with a fishhook or tie down
his tongue with a rope?
NIV Job 41:12 "I will not fail to speak of his limbs, his strength and his
graceful form. 13 Who can strip off his outer coat? Who would
approach him with a bridle? 14 Who dares open the doors of his
mouth, ringed about with his fearsome teeth? 15 His back has rows of
shields tightly sealed together; 16 each is so close to the next that no
air can pass between. 17 They are joined fast to one another; they
cling together and cannot be parted. 18 His snorting throws out
flashes of light; his eyes are like the rays of dawn. 19 Firebrands
stream from his mouth; sparks of fire shoot out. 20 Smoke pours from
his nostrils as from a boiling pot over a fire of reeds. 21 His breath
sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from his mouth. 22 Strength resides
in his neck; dismay goes before him. 23 The folds of his flesh are
tightly joined; they are firm and immovable. 24 His chest is hard as
rock, hard as a lower millstone. 25 When he rises up, the mighty are
terrified; they retreat before his thrashing. 26 The sword that reaches
him has no effect, nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin. 27 Iron
he treats like straw and bronze like rotten wood. 28 Arrows do not
make him flee; slingstones are like chaff to him. 29 A club seems to
him but a piece of straw; he laughs at the rattling of the lance. 30 His
undersides are jagged potsherds, leaving a trail in the mud like a
threshing sledge. 31 He makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron
and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment. 32 Behind him he leaves a
glistening wake; one would think the deep had white hair. 33 Nothing
on earth is his equal-- a creature without fear. 34 He looks down on all
that are haughty; he is king over all that are proud."
Leviathan
• Book of Job 3:8 "May those who curse days curse that day, those
who are ready to rouse Leviathan "; NIV
• Book of Job 41:1-34: "Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook?
or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?...He beholdeth all
high things: he is a king over all the children of pride." KJV (quoted 1
and 34 only)
• Psalms 74:14: "Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and
gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness." KJV
• Psalms 104:24,25: "O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in
wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. So is
this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable,
both small and great beasts." KJV;
• Isaiah 27:1: "In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong
sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan
that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea."
KJV