April 24, 2024

Are you right? (And are you sure?)

Job 33

Robin Clark
Wednesday's Devo

April 24, 2024

Wednesday's Devo

April 24, 2024

Wednesday's Devo

April 24, 2024

Wednesday's Devo

April 24, 2024

Big Book Idea

God is at work even when we can't see it.

Key Verse | Job 33:12

"Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,
for God is greater than man."

Job 33

Elihu Rebukes Job

1  But now, hear my speech, O Job,
    and listen to all my words.
2  Behold, I open my mouth;
    the tongue in my mouth speaks.
3  My words declare the uprightness of my heart,
    and what my lips know they speak sincerely.
4  The Spirit of God has made me,
    and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5  Answer me, if you can;
    set your words in order before me; take your stand.
6  Behold, I am toward God as you are;
    I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.
7  Behold, no fear of me need terrify you;
    my pressure will not be heavy upon you.

8  Surely you have spoken in my ears,
    and I have heard the sound of your words.
9  You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;
    I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.
10  Behold, he finds occasions against me,
    he counts me as his enemy,
11  he puts my feet in the stocks
    and watches all my paths.’

12  Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,
    for God is greater than man.
13  Why do you contend against him,
    saying, ‘He will answer none of man's 1 33:13 Hebrew his words’? 2 33:13 Or He will not answer for any of his own words
14  For God speaks in one way,
    and in two, though man does not perceive it.
15  In a dream, in a vision of the night,
    when deep sleep falls on men,
    while they slumber on their beds,
16  then he opens the ears of men
    and terrifies 3 33:16 Or seals them with warnings,
17  that he may turn man aside from his deed
    and conceal pride from a man;
18  he keeps back his soul from the pit,
    his life from perishing by the sword.

19  Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed
    and with continual strife in his bones,
20  so that his life loathes bread,
    and his appetite the choicest food.
21  His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,
    and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22  His soul draws near the pit,
    and his life to those who bring death.
23  If there be for him an angel,
    a mediator, one of the thousand,
    to declare to man what is right for him,
24  and he is merciful to him, and says,
    ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;
    I have found a ransom;
25  let his flesh become fresh with youth;
    let him return to the days of his youthful vigor’;
26  then man 4 33:26 Hebrew he prays to God, and he accepts him;
    he sees his face with a shout of joy,
and he restores to man his righteousness.
27      He sings before men and says:
‘I sinned and perverted what was right,
    and it was not repaid to me.
28  He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,
    and my life shall look upon the light.’

29  Behold, God does all these things,
    twice, three times, with a man,
30  to bring back his soul from the pit,
    that he may be lighted with the light of life.
31  Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;
    be silent, and I will speak.
32  If you have any words, answer me;
    speak, for I desire to justify you.
33  If not, listen to me;
    be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Footnotes

[1] 33:13 Hebrew his
[2] 33:13 Or He will not answer for any of his own words
[3] 33:16 Or seals
[4] 33:26 Hebrew he
Table of Contents
Introduction to Job

Introduction to Job

Timeline

Author and Date

The unknown Israelite author of this book presents Job as a person living in Uz (see note on 1:1). Job’s godliness (1:1) matches the ideals of Israelite wisdom literature. He clearly knows Yahweh (1:21). The events of the book seem to be set in the times of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).

Theological Themes

The book of Job concerns itself with the question of faith in a sovereign God. Can God be trusted? Is he good and just in his rule of the world? The book shows that the reasons for human suffering often remain a secret to human beings.

In the book of Job, God seems both too close and too far away. On the one hand, Job complains that God is watching him every moment so that he cannot even swallow his spit (7:19). On the other hand, Job finds God elusive (9:11). Though God is greatly concerned about humans, he does not always answer their most agonizing questions.

At the same time, Job’s friends offer no real help. They come to “comfort” him (2:11), but Job ends up declaring them “miserable comforters” who would console him “with empty nothings” (21:34). These friends represent an oversimplified view of faith. They think that all human troubles are divine punishments for wrongdoing. Their “comfort” consists largely of urging Job to identify his sin and repent of it. These friends are negative examples of how to comfort those who are suffering.

The book illustrates that one does not need to fully understand God’s will in order to be faithful while suffering. Those who suffer need not be afraid to express to God their confusion and questions.

Purpose

The book of Job was written to those who struggle with the question of how God can be good when the world is filled with suffering.

The author does not provide a formal defense of God’s justice. Rather, as Job’s friends offer their inadequate answers, the author shows how their reasoning fails. Then, in chs. 38–41, the Lord speaks in his own defense, bringing Job to fuller understanding (ch. 42).

Even during his suffering and confusion, before God finally speaks, Job can triumphantly declare, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (19:25).

Outline

  1. Prologue: Job’s Character and the Circumstances of His Test (1:1–2:13)
  2. Dialogue: Job, His Suffering, and His Standing before God (3:1–42:6)
    1. Job: despair for the day of his birth (3:1–26)
    2. The friends and Job: can Job be right before God? (4:1–25:6)
      1. First cycle (4:1–14:22)
      2. Second cycle (15:1–21:34)
      3. Third cycle (22:1–25:6)
    3. Job: the power of God, place of wisdom, and path of integrity (26:1–31:40)
    4. Elihu: suffering as a discipline (32:1–37:24)
    5. Challenge: the Lord answers Job (38:1–42:6)
  3. Epilogue: The Vindication, Intercession, and Restoration of Job (42:7–17)
The Global Message of Job

The Global Message of Job

Universal Questions

With its story of one man’s life and suffering, the book of Job raises universal questions. Why do people suffer, especially godly people? Where is God in suffering? Can God be trusted amid suffering? Job’s friends try to answer such questions with superficial and simplistic solutions, eventually earning God’s rebuke (Job 42:7–9).

Ultimately we learn from Job that we can hope steadfastly in our sovereign God. Instead of providing easy answers to hard questions, this incomparably glorious, all-knowing, and almighty God presents to people in all places and in all times the simplest, most powerful, and most universal answer to these questions. God’s answer to human suffering has everything to do with his own infinite goodness and care for his creation.

Suffering in a Fallen World

In the life of Job we see the breadth and depth of human suffering. We see suffering in health (Job 2:7), suffering in the loss of property (1:14–17), and suffering in the tragic death of family members (1:18–19). In Job we also listen in on a discussion in the heavenly courtroom between God and Satan (1:6–12; 2:1–7), in which God delights in the upright life of Job. There we are given a window into the normally invisible reasons for our trials and suffering.

Sin and suffering. Suffering is universal, though the kind of suffering differs from circumstance to circumstance. Sometimes we suffer because of our own sin. There is no such thing as sin without consequences. Sometimes God himself directly chastises his people for their sins. However, Job’s friends are wrong to assume that his suffering is a direct result of disobedience (Job 8:4), and it would likewise be wrong to conclude that all or even most suffering in the world today is divine punishment for specific sins. The speeches of Eliphaz (chs. 4; 5; 15; 22), Bildad (chs. 8; 18; 25), and Zophar (chs. 11; 20) reflect such wrong assumptions.

Common suffering. Another type of suffering is what we might call “common suffering.” This is suffering that affects all people without distinction. It is simply the result of living in a fallen world. It includes health problems from colds to cancer. It includes bad weather, earthquakes, and typhoons. It includes financial struggles, and even death itself. Each tragic incident in Job’s life includes an element of this common suffering.

Godliness and suffering. Not only are godly people afflicted with suffering just as others are, but the godly experience some kinds of suffering due specifically to their godliness (Matt. 10:24–33; Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12). Faithfulness to Christ will bring insult and at times persecution—suffering that could be avoided if we were not disciples of Christ. We see this principle in Job, for it was precisely Job’s uprightness that prompted God to single him out to Satan and then led Satan to seek to afflict him (Job 1:8–12).

Devastating suffering. Job’s suffering is uniquely profound and painful. Some suffering, we learn, defies any category. We discover in Job that Satan has a hand in some of the suffering of God’s people (Job 1:6–12; 2:1–7; compare 2 Cor. 12:1–10). But even such demonically instigated suffering is not outside of God’s sovereignty. Nor should our focus be on Satan when we suffer but rather on persisting in steadfast faith amid such God-ordained pain. At the very least a lesson to be learned from Job is that our vision and insight into suffering is severely limited. What is not limited, however, is God’s perfect understanding and sovereign control over every event in our lives. In the “Yahweh speeches” of Job (chs. 38–41), God does not engage Job in the details of his questions and complaints. Rather, God reminds Job that God is God and Job is not. God laid the foundation of the earth (38:4); he is God over the seas (38:8, 16), over the stars (38:31–33), and over every creature (39:1–30; 40:15–41:34).

A Global Message of Comfort and Hope

The almighty, all-good God. Despite its focus on challenges and sufferings, the book of Job speaks a message of great hope to the world. We live in a world longing for comfort and hope, and such hope is found in the sovereign God who sees, who is good, and who is faithful. We are not victims of random fate or uncontrolled circumstances. We are loved faithfully and passionately by a sovereign God who works all things for our good (Rom. 8:28). The suffering global church can take comfort amid suffering, knowing that God is pleased with our faithfulness to him, even as God expressed delight in “my servant Job” (Job 1:6–8; 2:3). James 5:11 reminds us that God will fulfill his good purposes and is indeed compassionate and merciful toward his people.

No neat formulas. Living an upright life of faith in God does not exempt us from suffering. This was the fundamental misunderstanding of Job’s friends (Job 8:6) and the reason that their “comfort” was so “miserable” (16:2). Indeed, in Job and in all of Scripture we see that suffering is a part of the experience of godly people, and that suffering is also a means for our sanctification. Suffering is a blessing as through it we learn that God’s ways and purposes are much greater than we can know (chs. 40–41). His purposes and faithfulness are much greater than the achievement of ease and a comfortable life; the global church must not make an idol out of worldly comfort and earthly abundance.

The sufferings of the Savior. Job confessed faith in the living Redeemer (Job 19:25). That Redeemer would one day come and suffer for us on a cross. Here we have yet another kind of suffering, the atoning sufferings of Christ. He suffered for our salvation, bearing the penalty for our sin. It is also our great privilege to share in his suffering (2 Cor. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:8; 2:3; 1 Pet. 4:13). These are not the sufferings of health problems or bad weather or the consequences of our own folly. These are sufferings that flow from our union with and loyalty to Christ. There is a global attack on the righteous, but God will continue to provide sufficient grace to his people (2 Cor. 12:9).He will grow both his people and his kingdom through such suffering as it is endured in faith.

Our Intercession and Mission of Hope

Though God’s righteous anger burned against the three friends of Job, their folly was forgiven in response to the righteous intervention of Job’s prayers (Job 42:7–9). What then is the Christian response to those who suffer—and to those who cause suffering?

We are to intercede for the world, both in prayer and in life. We are to “comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:4). This comfort must find expression in our ministry and service to those in need both where we live as well as around the world—to orphans, widows, and all those who suffer.

This comfort is most gloriously and eternally known as the church ministers the gospel of new hope in Christ to the world—to the lost, to the downtrodden, and even to our enemies (Matt. 5:44). For the greatest suffering in this world is not the loss of property or even family; it is to be lost in sin, without the living Redeemer.

Proverbs Fact #1: Wisdom

Fact: Wisdom

Wisdom is a key term in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. The word can mean “skilled at making sound decisions in life.” Proverbs 9:10 states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”

Job Fact #1: Comfort

Fact: Comfort

Comfort is a key word in the book of Job. When faced with personal tragedies, Job receives no comfort from his friends (16:2). But when God answers him (see chs. 38–41), he finds the comfort he needs.

Job Fact #7: Three cycles of conversations

Fact: Three cycles of conversations

The book of Job includes three cycles of conversations in which the friends of Job offer their comfort and advice, and then listen as Job responds. The first cycle covers chs. 4–14.

Job Fact #15: Elihu

Fact: Elihu

Elihu is the only character in the book of Job with a Hebrew name.

Job Fact #16: Pits

Fact: Pits

Pits were used for everything from water collection and food storage to animal traps and prisons. Pits were often seen as signs of danger, representing the final destination of the wicked (33:18). Often the wicked are described as falling into the very pits that they themselves dug (Ps. 7:15; Prov. 26:27).

Elihu

Elihu

Elihu rebuked both Job and his three friends. He was angry at Job for defending himself rather than God, and he was angry at Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar for failing to provide an answer for Job. During his lengthy speech, Elihu shifted the focus away from Job to God as the only source of certainty and hope. At the same time, he seemed to overestimate his own understanding, even claiming to speak “on God’s behalf” (36:2). Actually, Elihu didn’t understand the reasons for Job’s suffering any more than the three friends did, and his statements were often similar to theirs. Although there was some truth in Elihu’s argument, his application of those truths and the conclusions he drew about Job were often incorrect. (Job 32:1–5)

Study Notes

Job 33:2–4 Elihu appears to be remembering Job’s earlier statement where he declared that, as long as he had breath, he could not agree that his friends were right (see 27:2–6).

Study Notes

Job 33:9 Elihu summarizes Job’s statements as if Job had argued that he was pure and without transgression. However, it is clear from Job’s regular practice of making burnt offerings that this was not his claim (see 1:5). By mischaracterizing Job’s plea, Elihu ends up offering a similar argument to that of the three friends: God is greater than man (33:12) and thus he must have intended to warn or rebuke Job (vv. 14–30).

Study Notes

Job 33:11 puts my feet in the stocks. Elihu quotes Job (compare 13:27).

Study Notes

Job 33:14 For God speaks . . . though man does not perceive it. Elihu is suggesting that Job has not recognized, and maybe even has ignored, the ways in which God has spoken to him.

Study Notes

Job 33:18 Elihu repeatedly states that the purpose of God’s speaking to a person is to keep his soul from the pit (also vv. 22, 24, 28, 30). Thus he implies that Job’s suffering may serve to correct his overall path rather than simply to punish some hidden sin.

Job Fact #16: Pits

Fact: Pits

Pits were used for everything from water collection and food storage to animal traps and prisons. Pits were often seen as signs of danger, representing the final destination of the wicked (33:18). Often the wicked are described as falling into the very pits that they themselves dug (Ps. 7:15; Prov. 26:27).

Study Notes

Job 33:19–22 pain on his bed . . . strife in his bones. Elihu uses vivid images, to make Job see his physical state as God’s warning to him.

Study Notes

Job 33:23–28 Elihu poses a hypothetical situation in which an angel or mediator might deliver a person (vv. 23–25). He suggests that the appropriate response would be repentance and rejoicing (vv. 26–28). He implies that the loss of all of Job’s possessions and family might be a ransom for his deliverance (v. 24).

Study Notes

Job 33:1–33 Elihu opens and closes this section with a call for Job to listen to his words and answer if he is able (vv. 1–7, 31–33). He then presents a summary of Job’s contentions regarding himself, his circumstances, and God’s seeming silence (vv. 8–13) and then suggests ways in which God speaks in order to turn a person from the way that leads to death (vv. 14–30).

S3:079 Job 33

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Job 33

Job 33 is a personal joy to study, as it speaks to something dear to my heart: community.

Snagging a quick blurb from the Watermark Community Groups webpage, community plays "a vital role in helping relationships flourish in the life of the church. In community we are known, loved, cared for, pursued, encouraged, and challenged to be more like Christ."

And it's that last bit that stuck out to me as we observe Elihu's interaction with Job. We know to this point in the book that Job—even as confirmed by God—is righteous. We also know God to be just. So it's fair that Job—and we—would be grappling with why God would allow Job to suffer to the extent he has.

If I take this situation and conversation out of historical context, and I plop it down in my own living room present day, I start to realistically see how the responses of Job and his three previously mentioned friends would have reached the conclusions they have. Even if I happened to lead a blameless life (which I do not), and my community group had a heart for God's truth (which they do), it's easy to imagine the narrative centering around "you don't deserve this" or "what aren't you telling us." It's natural to want to encourage and love those we commit to do life with, but sometimes what that looks like might obliterate some comfort zones.

So enter Elihu, that one unapologetically boat-rocking, feather-ruffling, Jesus-loving member of your group with the truth bombs. Just because I (or Job) might in fact be blameless and not "deserve" my circumstances, who am I to challenge God? What is it that I can't see because I'm too much in the thick of it?

God's plan, purpose, and timing will never be perfectly mapped out for us. As humans, that can be challenging or often discouraging. But the truth that He DOES have a plan, for a purpose, in His perfect time, is something we can all rally around each other with—all the time.

This month's memory verse

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

– Galatians 5:22-23

Discussion Questions

1. Who is Elihu in your community group? That member who observes all the swirling worldly and godly responses and interjects with a new biblical perspective? Maybe you have several?

2. How can you be a better Elihu to your community?

3. Who could use a reminder that God is in control? Who needs to hear that just because their current circumstance or even final outcome doesn't look like what had been hoped for, God is still moving and has a purpose for them exactly where they are?

4. If an answer to the last question comes to mind, have you prayed for wisdom about approaching this person in truth and love?

Respond to Today's Passage

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MS

Michael Scaman

Bildad spoke 6 verses Job answered with 6 chapters Elihu answers with 6 (even longer chapters) Job 33:6. Here, he says, "I am just like you before God; I too have been pinched off from clay." ( Job also referred to Genesis saying "if I hid my sin like Adam" is found in Job 31:33 ) Elihu will say he has the Spirit of God in various ways. Job 32:8, Job 32:18-19 and Job 33:4 I think no one else talked like this. And the ballad of Elihu continues modified focusing on Job. Title: the Ballad of Elihu as if by Bob Dylan (Verse 1) But Job, you questioned, with pride in your voice, We are both made from but a pinch of clay by God's sovereign choice. Your suffering, you claimed, unjust and severe, Yet humility's lesson you failed to adhere. (Transition) For Elihu knew, in wisdom's embrace, That suffering serves in God's righteous grace. "He rescues the afflicted by their affliction," In trials, He molds, with divine conviction. (Verse 2) So consider, Job, the purpose behind, The trials you face, the anguish you find. For in the midst of pain, God's hand does guide, Through adversity's storm, He walks by your side. (Transition) And now, behold, the mysteries unfold, In the wonders of creation, a story untold. From the place of the whirlwind, where tempests dance, To the voice of God, in His mighty expanse. (Verse 3) For who can fathom the depths of the sea, Or count the stars, as they glide free? In the whirlwind's fury, His presence is near, As God speaks forth, His voice we hear. (verse 4) So listen, oh Job, to the wisdom profound, In suffering's shadow, true faith is found. For God's ways are higher, His purpose divine, In the whirlwind's echo, His glory will shine. (Verse 5) As he speaks, a whirlwind forms, God's presence felt in the raging storms. Not El, Elohim, or Eloah, But Yahweh, the name that silences awe. (Outro) God will continue with the mysteries of creation, Asking, "Were you there?" provoking humble contemplation.
GJ

greg jones

Good morning Robin. Thank you for the work you do to provide JTJ for the rest of us. I thought a lot about this statement. “Just because I (or Job) might in fact be blameless and not "deserve" my circumstances, who am I to challenge God? What is it that I can't see because I'm too much in the thick of it?” And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.” But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’” And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people. Exodus 32:9-14 What if Elihu suddenly showed up in Exodus 32 the same way he suddenly shows up in Job 32? Would he convince Moses not to challenge God? Pfft Moses is an editor (Exodus 32:19, 34:1) A different perspective on Elihu. Consider Job earlier stating: There is no arbiter between us,     who might lay his hand on us both. Job 9:33 within the context of verses 25-35. Job has an accuser, ha satan. There is no one to meditate on behalf of Job between ha satan and God. Job doesn’t know this but we do. And consider how Elihu concludes this chapter here within the context of everything said in the chapter. Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;     be silent, and I will speak. If you have any words, answer me;     speak, ***for I desire to justify you***. If not, listen to me;     be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” As much sense as Elihu makes, if Job is in need of Elihu’s justification before God has he not failed the test? Job is a tough book. But if I can’t ever argue with God, even in ignorance, what kind of relationship is that? Ha satan has that relationship with God. Am I, or Robin, (or his servant Job) not just as valuable? Great devotional this morning thanks again for all you do.
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thanks, Robin. Love how you connected the dots between Elihu's speech and community. Elihu--bless his heart--is WORDY. He acknowledged it, and we read it. So being wordy is biblical, right? *wink* Yeah . . . that's not exactly how it works. Murder is in the Bible, lying is in the Bible, coveting is in the Bible. Those things are in the Bible but they're not "biblical." I'm so ready to hear GOD'S words!!!!!
AL

Amy Lowther

1. There is one person I am associated to who reads a lot and can interject with biblical perspective. The person is very resourceful and informative. 2. Reading the Bible, serving others, listening to sermons, and applying God’s Values in daily life can help me be a better Elihu. 3. Each and every one of us can always use a reminder that God is control, still moving, and has purpose. 4. Everyday. Robin -Thank you for sharing your ideas. You made an excellent point in saying, “God's plan, purpose, and timing will never be perfectly mapped out for us. As humans, that can be challenging or often discouraging. But the truth that He DOES have a plan, for a purpose, in His perfect time, is something we can all rally around each other with—all the time”. Beautiful!