Job 37

Verses 1-5:

“My heart pounds as I think of this.
It trembles within me.
2 Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice
as it rolls from his mouth.
3 It rolls across the heavens,
and his lightning flashes in every direction.
4 Then comes the roaring of the thunder—
the tremendous voice of his majesty.
He does not restrain it when he speaks.
5 God’s voice is glorious in the thunder.
We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Once again, what power! I'm not sure if I'll have a lot to say about this chapter, so I would recommend just imagining the imagery that is being described here.

Verses 6-13:

6 “He directs the snow to fall on the earth
and tells the rain to pour down.
7 Then everyone stops working
so they can watch his power.
8 The wild animals take cover
and stay inside their dens.
9 The stormy wind comes from its chamber,
and the driving winds bring the cold.
10 God’s breath sends the ice,
freezing wide expanses of water.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture,
and they flash with his lightning.
12 The clouds churn about at his direction.
They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.
13 He makes these things happen either to punish people
or to show his unfailing love."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Verses 14-24:

14 “Pay attention to this, Job.
Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!
15 Do you know how God controls the storm
and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds?
16 Do you understand how he moves the clouds
with wonderful perfection and skill?
17 When you are sweltering in your clothes
and the south wind dies down and everything is still,
18 he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror.
Can you do that?

9 “So teach the rest of us what to say to God.
We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.
20 Should God be notified that I want to speak?
Can people even speak when they are confused?
21 We cannot look at the sun,
for it shines brightly in the sky
when the wind clears away the clouds.
22 So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God.
He is clothed in dazzling splendor.
23 We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty;
but even though he is just and righteous,
he does not destroy us.
24 No wonder people everywhere fear him.
All who are wise show him reverence.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

And the arrogance comes back into play here in this last section. OK, maybe it's not arrogance, but it sure sounds like it to me, haha.

"God in Heaven, You are powerful! You are our God and our provider. I pray for every person reading this right now, and ask that You would bless them. I pray that You would provide for them when things seem bleak and that they would grow stronger in their relationship with You. As always, may we give You all the praise and honor and glory in our lives. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 36

Verses 1-10:

"Elihu continued speaking:

2 “Let me go on, and I will show you the truth.
For I have not finished defending God!
3 I will present profound arguments
for the righteousness of my Creator.
4 I am telling you nothing but the truth,
for I am a man of great knowledge.

5 “God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone!
He is mighty in both power and understanding.
6 He does not let the wicked live
but gives justice to the afflicted.
7 He never takes his eyes off the innocent,
but he sets them on thrones with kings
and exalts them forever.
8 If they are bound in chains
and caught up in a web of trouble,
9 he shows them the reason.
He shows them their sins of pride.
10 He gets their attention
and commands that they turn from evil."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Wow, Elihu's a little prideful don't you think? Check out verse 4, lol. While he does have some pretty accurate descriptions of our caring and holy God, I think his pride is getting in the way of him effectively consoling Job.

Verses 11-21:

11 “If they listen and obey God,
they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives.
All their years will be pleasant.
12 But if they refuse to listen to him,
they will be killed by the sword
and die from lack of understanding.
13 For the godless are full of resentment.
Even when he punishes them,
they refuse to cry out to him for help.
14 They die when they are young,
after wasting their lives in immoral living.
15 But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer.
For he gets their attention through adversity.

16 “God is leading you away from danger, Job,
to a place free from distress.
He is setting your table with the best food.
17 But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged.
Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld.
18 But watch out, or you may be seduced by wealth.
Don’t let yourself be bribed into sin.
19 Could all your wealth
or all your mighty efforts
keep you from distress?
20 Do not long for the cover of night,
for that is when people will be destroyed.
21 Be on guard! Turn back from evil,
for God sent this suffering
to keep you from a life of evil."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

There's a lot of food for thought in this section. At the beginning of this section, Elihu sounds like he's a proponent of the 'health and wealth' gospel, meaning that if you are truly in God's perfect will, you will have prosperity and good health. Now while I don't agree with that theology, I do believe that if a person is in the perfect will of God and is so connected to Him through prayer and devotion, that no matter what situations or conditions find their way to him, he will be content and happy because of his relationship with the Almighty. I do also agree with Elihu that there are times when God allows things to happen to you and me in order to get our attention, however I'm not sure if EVERY little thing could fall into that.

Verses 22-33:

22 “Look, God is all-powerful.
Who is a teacher like him?
23 No one can tell him what to do,
or say to him, ‘You have done wrong.’
24 Instead, glorify his mighty works,
singing songs of praise.
25 Everyone has seen these things,
though only from a distance.

26 “Look, God is greater than we can understand.
His years cannot be counted.
27 He draws up the water vapor
and then distills it into rain.
28 The rain pours down from the clouds,
and everyone benefits.
29 Who can understand the spreading of the clouds
and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven?
30 See how he spreads the lightning around him
and how it lights up the depths of the sea.
31 By these mighty acts he nourishes the people,
giving them food in abundance.
32 He fills his hands with lightning bolts
and hurls each at its target.
33 The thunder announces his presence;
the storm announces his indignant anger."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

What a mighty God we serve! I've recently been working on increasing my prayer life and trying to be more effective in my prayer life, and in the process of doing this, I've begun to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of how mighty our God is. I'm so incredibly thankful for His love and grace. Reading these words brings a mental picture of his might and power, and brings me to my knees in adoration and praise. What about you?

"Father You are mighty and worthy of all of our praise and so much more! I pray God that You would be lifted higher in our lives than everything else! May we remove anything that competes with You for the number one position in our lives and give our all to You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 35

Verses 1-8:

"Then Elihu said:

2 “Do you think it is right for you to claim,
‘I am righteous before God’?
3 For you also ask, ‘What’s in it for me?
What’s the use of living a righteous life?’

4 “I will answer you
and all your friends, too.
5 Look up into the sky,
and see the clouds high above you.
6 If you sin, how does that affect God?
Even if you sin again and again,
what effect will it have on him?
7 If you are good, is this some great gift to him?
What could you possibly give him?
8 No, your sins affect only people like yourself,
and your good deeds also affect only humans."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I would have to argue a different point than Elihu. I believe that our sin does affect God. It brings Him great grief. Each time that we sin, we contribute to the ongoing evil, pain, and suffering that takes place in this world. I don't think God just sits up there and watches it all happen without being 'affected' by it. Secondly, our good works CAN serve as gifts to our God. On numerous occasions, Paul wrote about us living our lives and doing the best we can on everything that we do, offering it all up as an offering and an act of worship to our God.

Verses 9-16:

9 “People cry out when they are oppressed.
They groan beneath the power of the mighty.
10 Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator,
the one who gives songs in the night?
11 Where is the one who makes us smarter than the animals
and wiser than the birds of the sky?’
12 And when they cry out, God does not answer
because of their pride.
13 But it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen,
to say the Almighty isn’t concerned.
14 You say you can’t see him,
but he will bring justice if you will only wait.
15 You say he does not respond to sinners with anger
and is not greatly concerned about wickedness.
16 But you are talking nonsense, Job.
You have spoken like a fool.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I can't help but show some interest in verse 13. There are times when I can say that this seems true and there are times when I can say that this seems false. I think it's important to remember above all else that our God is an interpersonal God, seeking an interpersonal relationship with mankind, not some legal relationship. If we are able to keep this in the forefront of our minds, I think a lot of the troubling things we hear about God can be easily dismissed, remedied, or corrected.

"Father I pray that You would forgive us when we get things wrong. May we seek to grow closer to You, and in doing so not misrepresent You to the people around us. I pray that evangelism would become a high priority and passion of ours and that we would make the most of every opportunity You provide to share Jesus with the people who don't yet know Him. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 34

Verses 34.1-9:

"Then Elihu said:

2 “Listen to me, you wise men.
Pay attention, you who have knowledge.
3 Job said, ‘The ear tests the words it hears
just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’
4 So let us discern for ourselves what is right;
let us learn together what is good.
5 For Job also said, ‘I am innocent,
but God has taken away my rights.
6 I am innocent, but they call me a liar.
My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’

7 “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job,
with his thirst for irreverent talk?
8 He chooses evil people as companions.
He spends his time with wicked men.
9 He has even said, ‘Why waste time
trying to please God?’"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Elihu seems to me to be a bitter man. I'm not sure what would cause him to be so, but just looking at his statements here, I can tell that what he says and is going to say isn't going to be the most constructive words spoken in this conversation. Then again, I COULD be reading more into it than I should.

Verses 10-20:

10 “Listen to me, you who have understanding.
Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin!
The Almighty can do no wrong.
11 He repays people according to their deeds.
He treats people as they deserve.
12 Truly, God will not do wrong.
The Almighty will not twist justice.
13 Did someone else put the world in his care?
Who set the whole world in place?
14 If God were to take back his spirit
and withdraw his breath,
15 all life would cease,
and humanity would turn again to dust.

16 “Now listen to me if you are wise.
Pay attention to what I say.
17 Could God govern if he hated justice?
Are you going to condemn the almighty judge?
18 For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’
and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’
19 He doesn’t care how great a person may be,
and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor.
He made them all.
20 In a moment they die.
In the middle of the night they pass away;
the mighty are removed without human hand."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Pretty heavy stuff don't you think? I can't help but see some truth in Elihu's words here. While I'm not sure I would have spoken them in the way that he has, leading to a point/goal that I'm not sure would be conducive to Job in his situation.

Verses 21-30:

21 “For God watches how people live;
he sees everything they do.
22 No darkness is thick enough
to hide the wicked from his eyes.
23 We don’t set the time
when we will come before God in judgment.
24 He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone,
and he sets up others in their place.
25 He knows what they do,
and in the night he overturns and destroys them.
26 He strikes them down because they are wicked,
doing it openly for all to see.
27 For they turned away from following him.
They have no respect for any of his ways.
28 They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention.
He hears the cries of the needy.
29 But if he chooses to remain quiet,
who can criticize him?
When he hides his face, no one can find him,
whether an individual or a nation.
30 He prevents the godless from ruling
so they cannot be a snare to the people."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

There are times that I have wondered if I have done things to make the poor cry out and catch God's attention. I can't help but think about all of the times when I've had an opportunity to stop and help someone, even if it's just buying them a sandwich from a fast food place and yet I didn't. I know these days the tendency is that there are a lot of people who are 'faking' their cover stories to get money for drugs and alcohol, but there are still some people who are legitimately in need all around us. My question that I need to ask myself each day is, "How can I be Christ to them today?"

Verses 31-37:

31 “Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned,

but I will sin no more’?
32 Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me.
If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’?

33 “Must God tailor his justice to your demands?
But you have rejected him!
The choice is yours, not mine.
Go ahead, share your wisdom with us.
34 After all, bright people will tell me,
and wise people will hear me say,
35 ‘Job speaks out of ignorance;
his words lack insight.’
36 Job, you deserve the maximum penalty
for the wicked way you have talked.
37 For you have added rebellion to your sin;
you show no respect,
and you speak many angry words against God.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Verses 31-32 pose very good questions in my opinion. Why DON'T we tell God these things? Also verse 33 points out a little information that I think is important. Elihu says that Job has chosen to reject God. Now while he's wrong about Job, I find it interesting that he attributes it to a choice. In order for Calvinism to be correct, there would be no choice, because Job would irresistibly have to reject God. The mere fact that Elihu pointed this out, I think is pretty big. While his conclusion about Job may be incorrect, I'm not so sure his underlying premise about choice is.

"Father please forgive us when we fail to live as You call us. I pray that we would grow closer to You and in turn be transformed into the people You desire for us to be! Thank You for loving us and for sending Jesus to save us from sin and the realm of evil. May we recommit our lives to You each and every day. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 33

Verses 1-11:

“Listen to my words, Job;
pay attention to what I have to say.
2 Now that I have begun to speak,
let me continue.
3 I speak with all sincerity;
I speak the truth.
4 For the Spirit of God has made me,
and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 Answer me, if you can;
make your case and take your stand.
6 Look, you and I both belong to God.
I, too, was formed from clay.
7 So you don’t need to be afraid of me.
I won’t come down hard on you.

8 “You have spoken in my hearing,
and I have heard your very words.
9 You said, ‘I am pure; I am without sin;
I am innocent; I have no guilt.
10 God is picking a quarrel with me,
and he considers me his enemy.
11 He puts my feet in the stocks
and watches my every move.’"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Now Elihu has Job solely in his sights. I have to at least commend this dude for his approach in talking to Job. So many times we just simply assume we understand what a person is saying, even when they might not seem to be as clear as they could be. Here Elihu repeated back what he heard Job say. This is a very important thing that I've learned that can help you avoid misunderstanding and arguments when talking with someone, haha.

Verses 12-22:

12 “But you are wrong, and I will show you why.
For God is greater than any human being.
13 So why are you bringing a charge against him?
Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints?
14 For God speaks again and again,
though people do not recognize it.
15 He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night,
when deep sleep falls on people
as they lie in their beds.
16 He whispers in their ears
and terrifies them with warnings.
17 He makes them turn from doing wrong;
he keeps them from pride.
18 He protects them from the grave,
from crossing over the river of death.

19 “Or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds,
with ceaseless aching in their bones.
20 They lose their appetite
for even the most delicious food.
21 Their flesh wastes away,
and their bones stick out.
22 They are at death’s door;
the angels of death wait for them."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

The biggest critique, based upon what I said about the previous section is that he didn't give Job a chance to respond to his understanding of what Job had said, or at least not that we're shown here in the book. I agree with Elihu's words in verse 14. There are many times that God is speaking to us, yet we fail to realize it because we aren't looking for it. It's a little funny that this verse came up here, because this idea is what this semester's theme is based off of. So you guys should feel privileged because you've gotten a sneak preview of what we're going to be doing this fall. =)

Verses 23-33:

23 “But if an angel from heaven appears—
a special messenger to intercede for a person
and declare that he is upright—
24 he will be gracious and say,
‘Rescue him from the grave,
for I have found a ransom for his life.’
25 Then his body will become as healthy as a child’s,
firm and youthful again.
26 When he prays to God,
he will be accepted.
And God will receive him with joy
and restore him to good standing.
27 He will declare to his friends,
‘I sinned and twisted the truth,
but it was not worth it.
28 God rescued me from the grave,
and now my life is filled with light.’

29 “Yes, God does these things
again and again for people.
30 He rescues them from the grave
so they may enjoy the light of life.
31 Mark this well, Job. Listen to me,
for I have more to say.
32 But if you have anything to say, go ahead.
Speak, for I am anxious to see you justified.
33 But if not, then listen to me.
Keep silent and I will teach you wisdom!”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Reread verses 23-24. I know that he's saying this about an angel, but think about this. If this is true of an angel, think about our situation where God's own SON is mediating for us! Now, I'm sure these people would have been confident and assured if an angel had done this for them, but how confident and assured should we be that we have Jesus doing this for us!?!? What do you guys see here?

"Father thank You for saving us! Thank You for allowing Your Son to be our intermediary. I pray that You would fill us with the confidence and assurance that comes from Your Spirit. May we align ourselves with Your will and the message that You want the entire world to hear. We love You! It's in Jesus' name that pray, amen."

Job 32

Verses 1-6:

"Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.

2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. 3 He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. 4 Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. 6 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said,

“I am young and you are old,
so I held back from telling you what I think."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

And here we finally hear from the 'other' friend. I wonder if Job felt a small personal victory when his other friends decided not to respond any more, but then quickly became disappointed because this other friend then took the opportunity to speak up. Not only that, but this friend is angry at literally everyone else in this conversation, haha.

Verses 7-10:

7 "I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak,
for wisdom comes with age.’
8 But there is a spirit within people,
the breath of the Almighty within them,
that makes them intelligent.
9 Sometimes the elders are not wise.
Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.
10 So listen to me,
and let me tell you what I think."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I agree to an extent with Elihu's statement here. There have been MANY people who I have met and who are older than I am who don't seem to have much more wisdom than even I do. Yet at the same time on the other end of the spectrum, I've met people older than me who are much smarter than me! It's super frustrating when you're in a situation where you are supposed to listen/learn from someone who belongs in the first category.

Verses 11-22:

11 “I have waited all this time,
listening very carefully to your arguments,
listening to you grope for words.
12 I have listened,
but not one of you has refuted Job
or answered his arguments.
13 And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us.
Only God can convince him.’
14 If Job had been arguing with me,
I would not answer with your kind of logic!
15 You sit there baffled,
with nothing more to say.
16 Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent?
Must I also remain silent?
17 No, I will say my piece.
I will speak my mind.
18 For I am full of pent-up words,
and the spirit within me urges me on.
19 I am like a cask of wine without a vent,
like a new wineskin ready to burst!
20 I must speak to find relief,
so let me give my answers.
21 I won’t play favorites
or try to flatter anyone.
22 For if I tried flattery,
my Creator would soon destroy me."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Wow, is Elihu seemingly prideful or what?!? I can't imagine being Job and hearing this come out of this guy's mouth. I can say, from what he's describing, that at least he feels a conviction about what he believes. What do you guys see/think?

"Father I pray that You would keep us humble. Whenever we begin to think too highly of ourselves or of the things that don't really matter. I hope that every day, we would keep You first and that we would seek to honor You with everything we do in our lives! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 31

Verses 1-8:

“I made a covenant with my eyes
not to look with lust at a young woman.
2 For what has God above chosen for us?
What is our inheritance from the Almighty on high?
3 Isn’t it calamity for the wicked
and misfortune for those who do evil?
4 Doesn’t he see everything I do
and every step I take?

5 “Have I lied to anyone
or deceived anyone?
6 Let God weigh me on the scales of justice,
for he knows my integrity.
7 If I have strayed from his pathway,
or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen,
or if I am guilty of any other sin,
8 then let someone else eat the crops I have planted.
Let all that I have planted be uprooted."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Job certainly was a man of character. Every guy who breathes and calls Jesus' their Lord would do well to memorize and follow Job's example here in verse 1. This is the biggest challenge that I personally believe any male will face in his life. If he loses this battle, his life is going to be filled with many difficulties all along the way, and I don't wish those on anyone.

Verses 9-15:

9 “If my heart has been seduced by a woman,

or if I have lusted for my neighbor’s wife,
10 then let my wife belong to another man;
let other men sleep with her.
11 For lust is a shameful sin,
a crime that should be punished.
12 It is a fire that burns all the way to hell.
It would wipe out everything I own.

13 “If I have been unfair to my male or female servants
when they brought their complaints to me,
14 how could I face God?
What could I say when he questioned me?
15 For God created both me and my servants.
He created us both in the womb."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Job certainly knew the potential of lust, the potential to harm a person that is. Verses 9-12 might be another good chunk of verses to memorize if you are a guy. Think about how severe Job sees lust as being. Even without a person physically action on his impulses and desires, the lusting alone, in Job's eyes, calls for extreme consequences.

Verses 16-25:

16 “Have I refused to help the poor,

or crushed the hopes of widows?
17 Have I been stingy with my food
and refused to share it with orphans?
18 No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father,
and all my life I have cared for widows.
19 Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes
and the needy with nothing to wear,
20 did they not praise me
for providing wool clothing to keep them warm?

21 “If I raised my hand against an orphan,
knowing the judges would take my side,
22 then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place!
Let my arm be torn from its socket!
23 That would be better than facing God’s judgment.
For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there?

24 “Have I put my trust in money
or felt secure because of my gold?
25 Have I gloated about my wealth
and all that I own?"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Taking care of the poor and less fortunate has always been something that is close to the heart of God. Job understood that. I think this is something that  needs to be re-realized within the church today. Think about this the next time you see someone in need and have the means to help them out. 

Verse 26-34:

26 “Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies,

or the moon walking down its silver pathway,
27 and been secretly enticed in my heart
to throw kisses at them in worship?
28 If so, I should be punished by the judges,
for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven.

29 “Have I ever rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies,
or become excited when harm came their way?
30 No, I have never sinned by cursing anyone
or by asking for revenge.

31 “My servants have never said,
‘He let others go hungry.’
32 I have never turned away a stranger
but have opened my doors to everyone.

33 “Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do,
concealing my guilt in my heart?
34 Have I feared the crowd
or the contempt of the masses,
so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors?"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Verses 29-30 really serve as a conviction for me. There have been many times when I've thought and even prayed that God should do something about a person that I considered my enemy. It's kind of helpful to look at this from Job's perspective. I think it would help us become more like Jesus.

Verses 35-40:

35 “If only someone would listen to me!

Look, I will sign my name to my defense.
Let the Almighty answer me.
Let my accuser write out the charges against me.
36 I would face the accusation proudly.
I would wear it like a crown.
37 For I would tell him exactly what I have done.
I would come before him like a prince.

38 “If my land accuses me
and all its furrows cry out together,
39 or if I have stolen its crops
or murdered its owners,
40 then let thistles grow on that land instead of wheat,
and weeds instead of barley.”

Job’s words are ended."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

What a defense right? If Job were in court today, I feel like he would have a pretty good case going for him. I also find it funny that the chapter ends with the words, "Job's words are ended." Haha! =)

"Father in Heaven, I pray that You would mold us into men and women who live for You. Take away our fears and hesitations. May we be quick to love and slow to hate. May we be quick to help and slow to turn away from someone in need. I ask that each and every day, we would all become more like Your Son and would be aware of the situations You put us in to share Jesus. I pray all of this in Jesus' name, amen."

Job 30

Verses 1-8:

“But now I am mocked by people younger than I,
by young men whose fathers are not worthy to run with my sheepdogs.
2 A lot of good they are to me—
those worn-out wretches!
3 They are gaunt with hunger
and flee to the deserts,
to desolate and gloomy wastelands.
4 They pluck wild greens from among the bushes
and eat from the roots of broom trees.
5 They are driven from human society,
and people shout at them as if they were thieves.
6 So now they live in frightening ravines,
in caves and among the rocks.
7 They sound like animals howling among the bushes,
huddled together beneath the nettles.
8 They are nameless fools,
outcasts from society."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

In continuation of what he said in the last chapter about his former condition, now he talks about the 'reward' he's experiencing. Sort of stinks huh? Once again, I can't blame Job for his thoughts and beliefs on the matter by any means.

Verses 9-15:

9 “And now they mock me with vulgar songs!
They taunt me!
10 They despise me and won’t come near me,
except to spit in my face.
11 For God has cut my bowstring.
He has humbled me,
so they have thrown off all restraint.
12 These outcasts oppose me to my face.
They send me sprawling
and lay traps in my path.
13 They block my road
and do everything they can to destroy me.
They know I have no one to help me.
14 They come at me from all directions.
They jump on me when I am down.
15 I live in terror now.
My honor has blown away in the wind,
and my prosperity has vanished like a cloud."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Job feels abused and attacked by his so called friends. He almost gives me the impression here that his friends waited for an opportunity to 'grill' Job (look at verses 11 and on).

Verses 16-23:

16 “And now my life seeps away.
Depression haunts my days.
17 At night my bones are filled with pain,
which gnaws at me relentlessly.
18 With a strong hand, God grabs my shirt.
He grips me by the collar of my coat.
19 He has thrown me into the mud.
I’m nothing more than dust and ashes.

20 “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer.
I stand before you, but you don’t even look.
21 You have become cruel toward me.
You use your power to persecute me.
22 You throw me into the whirlwind
and destroy me in the storm.
23 And I know you are sending me to my death—
the destination of all who live."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

All of these attacks have drained what was left of Job. His only hope was/is God, and even He doesn't answer Job's pleas for understanding, or at least not yet.

Verses 24-31:

24 “Surely no one would turn against the needy
when they cry for help in their trouble.
25 Did I not weep for those in trouble?
Was I not deeply grieved for the needy?
26 So I looked for good, but evil came instead.
I waited for the light, but darkness fell.
27 My heart is troubled and restless.
Days of suffering torment me.
28 I walk in gloom, without sunlight.
I stand in the public square and cry for help.
29 Instead, I am considered a brother to jackals
and a companion to owls.
30 My skin has turned dark,
and my bones burn with fever.
31 My harp plays sad music,
and my flute accompanies those who weep."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Job's state now is a state of depression. But once again, who could blame the guy? Good thing there are changes coming up in Job's situation. (Spoiler alert!) ;)

"Father I pray that You would fill us with strength and hope. May we not be overcome with the disappointments or evil in the world, but instead be filled with Your Spirit and Your strength. May we rely on You more and more every day. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 29

Verses 1-6:

"Job continued speaking:

2 “I long for the years gone by
when God took care of me,
3 when he lit up the way before me
and I walked safely through the darkness.
4 When I was in my prime,
God’s friendship was felt in my home.
5 The Almighty was still with me,
and my children were around me.
6 My cows produced milk in abundance,
and my groves poured out streams of olive oil."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Here Job's reminiscing on the days past. I can't fault him or blame him for that either. If I were to go through what Job had, I probably wouldn't be able to help thinking back and even longing for the days when things were as good as they were for him.

Verses 7-17:

7 “Those were the days when I went to the city gate
and took my place among the honored leaders.
8 The young stepped aside when they saw me,
and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
9 The princes stood in silence
and put their hands over their mouths.
10 The highest officials of the city stood quietly,
holding their tongues in respect.

11 “All who heard me praised me.
All who saw me spoke well of me.
12 For I assisted the poor in their need
and the orphans who required help.
13 I helped those without hope, and they blessed me.
And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.
14 Everything I did was honest.
Righteousness covered me like a robe,
and I wore justice like a turban.
15 I served as eyes for the blind
and feet for the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor
and assisted strangers who needed help.
17 I broke the jaws of godless oppressors
and plucked their victims from their teeth."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

You could probably say that Job would probably be a kind of peacemaker today. He'd be the guy who wouldn't stand for injustice, especially when it is done right in front of him to less fortunate people. I think this is a characteristic of Job that sticks out as something Jesus would have (and actually does) commended. 

Verses 18-25:

18 “I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family
after a long, good life.
19 For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water,
whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
20 New honors are constantly bestowed on me,
and my strength is continually renewed.’

21 “Everyone listened to my advice.
They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
22 And after I spoke, they had nothing to add,
for my counsel satisfied them.
23 They longed for me to speak as people long for rain.
They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.
24 When they were discouraged, I smiled at them.
My look of approval was precious to them.
25 Like a chief, I told them what to do.
I lived like a king among his troops
and comforted those who mourned."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I a little bit wish that Job were alive today. I feel like he would be a needed sense of refreshment in a world that desperately needs that! I guess in another way, that should be a convicting motivation for me to model my life after Job here, who is exhibiting a lot of what Christ calls for us to show in our own lives. What do you guys see here?

"Heavenly Father thank You for Jesus! I pray that each day we wake up, we would embrace and not run from the opportunities that You put in our path(s). May we face each challenge with patient endurance, love, and grace just as You approach us. May we live our lives in a similar way as Job. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen."

Job 28

Verses 1-11:

“People know where to mine silver
and how to refine gold.
2 They know where to dig iron from the earth
and how to smelt copper from rock.
3 They know how to shine light in the darkness
and explore the farthest regions of the earth
as they search in the dark for ore.
4 They sink a mine shaft into the earth
far from where anyone lives.
They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth.
5 Food is grown on the earth above,
but down below, the earth is melted as by fire.
6 Here the rocks contain precious lapis lazuli,
and the dust contains gold.
7 These are treasures no bird of prey can see,
no falcon’s eye observe.
8 No wild animal has walked upon these treasures;
no lion has ever set his paw there.
9 People know how to tear apart flinty rocks
and overturn the roots of mountains.
10 They cut tunnels in the rocks
and uncover precious stones.
11 They dam up the trickling streams
and bring to light the hidden treasures."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I have to say that it's simply amazing at how much people could do in Job's day. I don't know if you have ever thought of this or not, but I sometimes get caught up in the thinking that the people in Job's day didn't know how to do some of this stuff. Yet here Job is, talking about these things and using them as examples to show the wisdom and understanding of man in regards to the earth and the things of it. It's pretty amazing for me to think about at least.

Verses 12-19:

12 “But do people know where to find wisdom?
Where can they find understanding?
13 No one knows where to find it,
for it is not found among the living.
14 ‘It is not here,’ says the ocean.
‘Nor is it here,’ says the sea.
15 It cannot be bought with gold.
It cannot be purchased with silver.
16 It’s worth more than all the gold of Ophir,
greater than precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
17 Wisdom is more valuable than gold and crystal.
It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold.
18 Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it.
The price of wisdom is far above rubies.
19 Precious peridot from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it.
It’s worth more than the purest gold."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Wisdom ultimately comes from somewhere (or someone) not of this physical world. Wisdom comes from God. He is the one who has created us. He's provided us with the methods of testing hypotheses. He's given us the ability to think cognitively. Without Him, we wouldn't even be here! Therefore all wisdom comes from God! This is a pretty important concept to think about, which brings even more appreciation for our Creator! 

Verses 20-28:

20 “But do people know where to find wisdom?
Where can they find understanding?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all humanity.
Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it.
22 Destruction and Death say,
‘We’ve heard only rumors of where wisdom can be found.’

23 “God alone understands the way to wisdom;
he knows where it can be found,
24 for he looks throughout the whole earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 He decided how hard the winds should blow
and how much rain should fall.
26 He made the laws for the rain
and laid out a path for the lightning.
27 Then he saw wisdom and evaluated it.
He set it in place and examined it thoroughly.
28 And this is what he says to all humanity:
‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom;
to forsake evil is real understanding.’”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Verse 28 is a POWERFUL statement! Read it again, slowly if you have to! Solomon echos this in the book of Proverbs when he says that 'the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.' True wisdom, is realizing and honoring God for who He is, and obeying Him, doing what He desires and takes pleasure in.

"Father God, thank You! I thank You for wisdom and for the opportunity that we have to experience it! I pray that each person reading this right now would be filled with Your Spirit and that You would grant them wisdom. May they always turn to You when they don't understand something, and may You reward them for their dedication to You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 27

Hey guys! Sorry once again for the lapse! I'm currently in KY for a grad school class and my computer is being VERY picky about what internet networks it will connect to. At the moment, it will only connect to McDonlads (Ironic, huh?). Regardless, I'm back and I'll try to keep up this week. Hopefully I'll be able to do this at the school rather than a McDonalds lobby. =)

Verses 1-6:

"Job continued speaking:

2 “I vow by the living God, who has taken away my rights,
by the Almighty who has embittered my soul—
3 As long as I live,
while I have breath from God,
4 my lips will speak no evil,
and my tongue will speak no lies.
5 I will never concede that you are right;
I will defend my integrity until I die.
6 I will maintain my innocence without wavering.
My conscience is clear for as long as I live."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Talk about the character to stick by your position when you know that you're right and others are wrong! I think there are many Christians alive today that would do well to take notes and learn from Job's example here. There are too many Christians stepping down from their positions, just because our culture and society are putting pressure on us to change and become acceptable to them.

Verses 7-12:

7 “May my enemy be punished like the wicked,
my adversary like those who do evil.
8 For what hope do the godless have when God cuts them off
and takes away their life?
9 Will God listen to their cry
when trouble comes upon them?
10 Can they take delight in the Almighty?
Can they call to God at any time?
11 I will teach you about God’s power.
I will not conceal anything concerning the Almighty.
12 But you have seen all this,
yet you say all these useless things to me."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

We are immensely blessed to be adopted children of God! We still have our hope when we die, unlike the wicked and godless. Job explains to his friends that they have been 'blowing-hot-air' despite Job's attempts at teaching them about God's power.

Verses 13-23:

13 “This is what the wicked will receive from God;
this is their inheritance from the Almighty.
14 They may have many children,
but the children will die in war or starve to death.
15 Those who survive will die of a plague,
and not even their widows will mourn them.

16 “Evil people may have piles of money
and may store away mounds of clothing.
17 But the righteous will wear that clothing,
and the innocent will divide that money.
18 The wicked build houses as fragile as a spider’s web,
as flimsy as a shelter made of branches.
19 The wicked go to bed rich
but wake to find that all their wealth is gone.
20 Terror overwhelms them like a flood,
and they are blown away in the storms of the night.
21 The east wind carries them away, and they are gone.
It sweeps them away.
22 It whirls down on them without mercy.
They struggle to flee from its power.
23 But everyone jeers at them
and mocks them."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Based upon what Job has to say here, who would ever want to stay wicked? It's something that has always baffled me. Granted these events don't always occur constantly to the wicked, but they do suffer because of the things that they are involved in that are opposed to God's desire for us. What do you guys see in this chapter?

"Father thank You for redeeming us! I pray that You are glorified in our lives! May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to You! May we be strengthened by Your Spirit, so that we won't abandon our principles, but will stand tall and stand strong, resisting the temptation and the pressure to give in to society's demands and abandon the principles that You call us to stand for. I pray for this country, and that You would convict our leaders of things that are not pleasing to You. May You grant them grace and forgiveness, and guide them on a path that leads them to making more God-honoring decisions. I pray all of this in Jesus' name, amen."

Job 26

Verses 1-4:

"Then Job spoke again:

2 “How you have helped the powerless!
How you have saved the weak!
3 How you have enlightened my stupidity!
What wise advice you have offered!
4 Where have you gotten all these wise sayings?
Whose spirit speaks through you?"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that these words from Job would be dripping with sarcasm. What do you think?

Verses 5-14:

5 “The dead tremble—
those who live beneath the waters.
6 The underworld is naked in God’s presence.
The place of destruction is uncovered.
7 God stretches the northern sky over empty space
and hangs the earth on nothing.
8 He wraps the rain in his thick clouds,
and the clouds don’t burst with the weight.
9 He covers the face of the moon,
shrouding it with his clouds.
10 He created the horizon when he separated the waters;
he set the boundary between day and night.
11 The foundations of heaven tremble;
they shudder at his rebuke.
12 By his power the sea grew calm.
By his skill he crushed the great sea monster.
13 His Spirit made the heavens beautiful,
and his power pierced the gliding serpent.
14 These are just the beginning of all that he does,
merely a whisper of his power.
Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I wonder if this is something that Job witnessed in his day (verse 12 reference to great sea monster)? I feel like if he did get to witness this, I would definitely want to go back and time and see it for myself too! Who knows? Maybe THIS is the real story of the loch ness monster! =)

"Father You are all powerful! I thank You that You are mindful of us and that You love us enough to not abandon us to our sin and failings. Thank You for saving us! I pray that each day, Your power would be made manifest within us as we live our lives for Your Kingdom and glory here on this earth. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 25

This is probably the shortest chapter I've ever seen! Lol. =)

"Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

2 “God is powerful and dreadful.
He enforces peace in the heavens.
3 Who is able to count his heavenly army?
Doesn’t his light shine on all the earth?
4 How can a mortal be innocent before God?
Can anyone born of a woman be pure?
5 God is more glorious than the moon;
he shines brighter than the stars.
6 In comparison, people are maggots;
we mortals are mere worms.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

God is big. God is powerful. God is... well... God. I don't really think much more needs to be said, do you? Haha. =)

"Father, You are AWESOME! I pray that we will ALWAYS remember You and Your awesomeness! May Your glory shine in our lives and may You be honored with all of our lives! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen."

Job 24

Verses 1-8:

“Why doesn’t the Almighty bring the wicked to judgment?
Why must the godly wait for him in vain?
2 Evil people steal land by moving the boundary markers.
They steal livestock and put them in their own pastures.
3 They take the orphan’s donkey
and demand the widow’s ox as security for a loan.
4 The poor are pushed off the path;
the needy must hide together for safety.
5 Like wild donkeys in the wilderness,
the poor must spend all their time looking for food,
searching even in the desert for food for their children.
6 They harvest a field they do not own,
and they glean in the vineyards of the wicked.
7 All night they lie naked in the cold,
without clothing or covering.
8 They are soaked by mountain showers,
and they huddle against the rocks for want of a home."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Job is deeply confused because what he sees is not what is 'right.' The wicked seem to have it made and the godly and poor just seem to have been given the cold shoulder. If you haven't read Psalm 73 yet, now would be a good time to go and read it. What Job feels isn't anything new and probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Verses 9-17:

9 “The wicked snatch a widow’s child from her breast,

taking the baby as security for a loan.
10 The poor must go about naked, without any clothing.
They harvest food for others while they themselves are starving.
11 They press out olive oil without being allowed to taste it,
and they tread in the winepress as they suffer from thirst.
12 The groans of the dying rise from the city,
and the wounded cry for help,
yet God ignores their moaning.

13 “Wicked people rebel against the light.
They refuse to acknowledge its ways
or stay in its paths.
14 The murderer rises in the early dawn
to kill the poor and needy;
at night he is a thief.
15 The adulterer waits for the twilight,
saying, ‘No one will see me then.’
He hides his face so no one will know him.
16 Thieves break into houses at night
and sleep in the daytime.
They are not acquainted with the light.
17 The black night is their morning.
They ally themselves with the terrors of the darkness."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I'm still amazed by how similar things sound in Job's day to how they look today. I've always loved the metaphor of light and dark, especially because John uses it a lot in his writings, so with Job using it here in this section, I can't help but think of all of the connections one could make with that.

Verses 18-25:

18 “But they disappear like foam down a river.
Everything they own is cursed,
and they are afraid to enter their own vineyards.
19 The grave consumes sinners
just as drought and heat consume snow.
20 Their own mothers will forget them.
Maggots will find them sweet to eat.
No one will remember them.
Wicked people are broken like a tree in the storm.
21 They cheat the woman who has no son to help her.
They refuse to help the needy widow.

22 “God, in his power, drags away the rich.
They may rise high, but they have no assurance of life.
23 They may be allowed to live in security,
but God is always watching them.
24 And though they are great now,
in a moment they will be gone like all others,
cut off like heads of grain.
25 Can anyone claim otherwise?
Who can prove me wrong?”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

People may think they have 'outsmarted' God now, but eventually the truth will come out and be seen by all.

"Father, please help us when we are surrounded with evil. I pray You would give us the strength to stay strong and know that You will bring justice, all we need to do is be patient and trust in You. God thank You for loving us and saving us through Your Son Jesus! It's in His name that I pray, amen!"

Job 23

Verses 1-9:

"Then Job spoke again:

2 “My complaint today is still a bitter one,
and I try hard not to groan aloud.
3 If only I knew where to find God,
I would go to his court.
4 I would lay out my case
and present my arguments.
5 Then I would listen to his reply
and understand what he says to me.
6 Would he use his great power to argue with me?
No, he would give me a fair hearing.
7 Honest people can reason with him,
so I would be forever acquitted by my judge.
8 I go east, but he is not there.
I go west, but I cannot find him.
9 I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden.
I look to the south, but he is concealed."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Job earnestly wants to seek out God. I find it so interesting that many people today don't follow Job's leading and example here. Whenever bad things happen to them, rather than turning to God and seeking Him, they turn away and forsake Him. Have you ever noticed that? What an inspiring and important example Job is setting for us here!

Verses 10-17:

10 “But he knows where I am going.
And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
11 For I have stayed on God’s paths;
I have followed his ways and not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from his commands,
but have treasured his words more than daily food.
13 But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind?
Whatever he wants to do, he does.
14 So he will do to me whatever he has planned.
He controls my destiny.
15 No wonder I am so terrified in his presence.
When I think of it, terror grips me.
16 God has made me sick at heart;
the Almighty has terrified me.
17 Darkness is all around me;
thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

While God is loving and caring, He is also an awe-inspiring God who should instill fear within us. I'm not talking about a crippling fear, although I'm sure that could come, but the fear out of reverence and honor for the creator of the universe. Proverbs shares with us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I can't help but think of the times when I think that I'm wise, only to realize that in what I think I'm wise about, I'm not fearing God like I should. What sticks out here to you guys? Anything?

"Father in Heaven, we love You! I pray that everyone reading this would take this time to reclaim the humbled fear and reverence that we are to have toward You. I also pray that You reassure us of Your love each and every day! I thank You for loving us and for sending Jesus to save us. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 22

Verses 1-5:

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

2 “Can a person do anything to help God?
Can even a wise person be helpful to him?
3 Is it any advantage to the Almighty if you are righteous?
Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect?
4 Is it because you’re so pious that he accuses you
and brings judgment against you?
5 No, it’s because of your wickedness!
There’s no limit to your sins."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I love how Eliphaz assumes the heart of God. I'm not saying that there may not be truth with what he's saying, but I would feel very uncomfortable saying these things or anything similar to this about God's heart without any acknowledgement that I could be wrong, because God is so much bigger, holier, and more awesome than I am. Also Scripture confesses that God's ways and thoughts are so much more higher and deeper than any of ours so we might only be able to come up with a fraction of the truth about God anyway. By the way, I'm thankful that this is where Christianity differs from Gnosticism. Gnosticism calls for salvation by knowledge. You come to understand a certain level of things and poof, you've achieved salvation. As another side note, I'm not saying that this is what certain people are saying, but I've always felt a little uneasy whenever people say that all you have to do to be saved is 'believe', and they mean it in the sense of reaching the level of knowledge that Jesus is God's Son and the Christ. To me, and it really might just be me, this is a little to close to the edge of Gnostic Christianity. Jesus demands your life, to put it frankly. He's to be your Savior AND Lord and you are to live a life of discipleship to Him. OK, I'm off the soap box. =)

Verses 6-11:

6 “For example, you must have lent money to your friend

and demanded clothing as security.
Yes, you stripped him to the bone.
7 You must have refused water for the thirsty
and food for the hungry.
8 You probably think the land belongs to the powerful
and only the privileged have a right to it!
9 You must have sent widows away empty-handed
and crushed the hopes of orphans.
10 That is why you are surrounded by traps
and tremble from sudden fears.
11 That is why you cannot see in the darkness,
and waves of water cover you."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

And here Eliphaz jumps to more conclusions, this time about Job again. One interesting thought here, though, is the fact that the 'sin' Eliphaz is accusing Job of is neglecting those in need. Here's something that has always been at God's heart and will always be, and I can say THAT with confidence, because God has issued a command and an expectation for His people to care for those in need ever since He called the Israelites. Even Jesus said something to this effect.

Matthew 25.34-40:

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Verses 12-18:

12 “God is so great—higher than the heavens,

higher than the farthest stars.
13 But you reply, ‘That’s why God can’t see what I am doing!
How can he judge through the thick darkness?
14 For thick clouds swirl about him, and he cannot see us.
He is way up there, walking on the vault of heaven.’

15 “Will you continue on the old paths
where evil people have walked?
16 They were snatched away in the prime of life,
the foundations of their lives washed away.
17 For they said to God, ‘Leave us alone!
What can the Almighty do to us?’
18 Yet he was the one who filled their homes with good things,
so I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Sounds to me that Eliphaz is accusing Job of being a deist or at least a semi-deist. Basically he's saying that God doesn't see what's going on here so He's not intimately involved in the affairs of His creation. However, there's a blatant hole in his theory because Job has already talked about how God is allowing/doing these things and that He sees what's going on.

Verses 19-25:

19 “The righteous will be happy to see the wicked destroyed,
and the innocent will laugh in contempt.
20 They will say, ‘See how our enemies have been destroyed.
The last of them have been consumed in the fire.’

21 “Submit to God, and you will have peace;
then things will go well for you.
22 Listen to his instructions,
and store them in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored—
so clean up your life.
24 If you give up your lust for money
and throw your precious gold into the river,
25 the Almighty himself will be your treasure.
He will be your precious silver!"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I love verses 21-25, and frankly can't believe that this is Eliphaz speaking, lol. To me this sounds like part of a sermon nearing the invitation/altar-call time. To me it also serves a reminder that I should be forsaking all else and keeping God as the center and ruler of my life.

Verses 26-30:

26 “Then you will take delight in the Almighty
and look up to God.
27 You will pray to him, and he will hear you,
and you will fulfill your vows to him.
28 You will succeed in whatever you choose to do,
and light will shine on the road ahead of you.
29 If people are in trouble and you say, ‘Help them,’
God will save them.
30 Even sinners will be rescued;
they will be rescued because your hands are pure.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Pretty cool thought here. Being in right standing with God and serving Him with the entirety of your life opens the door to some pretty exciting opportunities to see God working through you and in you. =) What do you guys see in this chapter?

"Father we recommit our lives to You. We forsake anything else that tries to fight for number one priority if our lives. We give that space solely to You. I pray that You would use us and do some incredible and miraculous things through us. We love You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 21

Verses 1-6:

"Then Job spoke again:

2 “Listen closely to what I am saying.
That’s one consolation you can give me.
3 Bear with me, and let me speak.
After I have spoken, you may resume mocking me.

4 “My complaint is with God, not with people.
I have good reason to be so impatient.
5 Look at me and be stunned.
Put your hand over your mouth in shock.
6 When I think about what I am saying, I shudder.
My body trembles."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

It sounds like Job's even scared of what he is about to say. I can tell he's finally reached the point of exhaustion with his friends that he's will just to endure the mocking and insults and try to ignore them. Here's where you can see that Job's fear of God is still as strong as ever. He's to the point of trembling when he thinks about saying what he feels.

Verses 7-16:

7 “Why do the wicked prosper,
growing old and powerful?
8 They live to see their children grow up and settle down,
and they enjoy their grandchildren.
9 Their homes are safe from every fear,
and God does not punish them.
10 Their bulls never fail to breed.
Their cows bear calves and never miscarry.
11 They let their children frisk about like lambs.
Their little ones skip and dance.
12 They sing with tambourine and harp.
They celebrate to the sound of the flute.
13 They spend their days in prosperity,
then go down to the grave in peace.
14 And yet they say to God, ‘Go away.
We want no part of you and your ways.
15 Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him?
What good will it do us to pray?’
16 (They think their prosperity is of their own doing,
but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.)

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

This really does sound very similar to what I see around me here in America. What about you guys? It's so sad for me to think about this. I wish there was a fail-proof plan of sharing Jesus with people, that would encourage them in love, convict them, and bring them to a realization that they DESPERATELY need God. This, however, doesn't really exist.

Verses 17-26:

17 “Yet the light of the wicked never seems to be extinguished.

Do they ever have trouble?
Does God distribute sorrows to them in anger?
18 Are they driven before the wind like straw?
Are they carried away by the storm like chaff?
Not at all!
19 “‘Well,’ you say, ‘at least God will punish their children!’
But I say he should punish the ones who sin,
so that they understand his judgment.
20 Let them see their destruction with their own eyes.
Let them drink deeply of the anger of the Almighty.
21 For they will not care what happens to their family
after they are dead.
22 “But who can teach a lesson to God,
since he judges even the most powerful?
23 One person dies in prosperity,
completely comfortable and secure,
24 the picture of good health,
vigorous and fit.
25 Another person dies in bitter poverty,
never having tasted the good life.
26 But both are buried in the same dust,
both eaten by the same maggots."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

I agree with Job's sentiment in verse 19-20. I don't think it makes a whole lot of sense to punish someone else for your own sin. There's a lot of Scripture that supports this too. Some will cite the passages where God talks about punishing so-and-so's children to the nth generation, but I think that could be understood in the sense that since God can foresee things to come, He sees that this particular behavior is going to be passed down from generation to generation, and thus God will deal with them accordingly. I could be completely wrong with that and I'm OK with that. =) Just a thought anyway. =)

Verses 27-34:

27 “Look, I know what you’re thinking.

I know the schemes you plot against me.
28 You will tell me of rich and wicked people
whose houses have vanished because of their sins.
29 But ask those who have been around,
and they will tell you the truth.
30 Evil people are spared in times of calamity
and are allowed to escape disaster.
31 No one criticizes them openly
or pays them back for what they have done.
32 When they are carried to the grave,
an honor guard keeps watch at their tomb.
33 A great funeral procession goes to the cemetery.
Many pay their respects as the body is laid to rest,
and the earth gives sweet repose.
34 “How can your empty clichés comfort me?
All your explanations are lies!”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Wow. Job just overturned all of their arguments against him in one swoop. Pretty impressive. What do you guys see or notice in this chapter?

"Father thank You for caring for us. I pray that we would seek You with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. I pray that You would get the glory for the things in our lives. We love You so much! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 20

Verse 1-11:

"Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

2 “I must reply
because I am greatly disturbed.
3 I’ve had to endure your insults,
but now my spirit prompts me to reply.

4 “Don’t you realize that from the beginning of time,
ever since people were first placed on the earth,
5 the triumph of the wicked has been short lived
and the joy of the godless has been only temporary?
6 Though the pride of the godless reaches to the heavens
and their heads touch the clouds,
7 yet they will vanish forever,
thrown away like their own dung.
Those who knew them will ask,
‘Where are they?’
8 They will fade like a dream and not be found.
They will vanish like a vision in the night.
9 Those who once saw them will see them no more.
Their families will never see them again.
10 Their children will beg from the poor,
for they must give back their stolen riches.
11 Though they are young,
their bones will lie in the dust."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

In the grand scheme things, verses 4-5 carries some truth. When Jesus returns, anyone not with Him is against Him and Scripture is frighteningly descriptive of what awaits those who fall into this category.

Verses 12-21:

12 “They enjoyed the sweet taste of wickedness,

letting it melt under their tongue.
13 They savored it,
holding it long in their mouths.
14 But suddenly the food in their bellies turns sour,
a poisonous venom in their stomach.
15 They will vomit the wealth they swallowed.
God won’t let them keep it down.
16 They will suck the poison of cobras.
The viper will kill them.
17 They will never again enjoy streams of olive oil
or rivers of milk and honey.
18 They will give back everything they worked for.
Their wealth will bring them no joy.
19 For they oppressed the poor and left them destitute.
They foreclosed on their homes.
20 They were always greedy and never satisfied.
Nothing remains of all the things they dreamed about.
21 Nothing is left after they finish gorging themselves.
Therefore, their prosperity will not endure."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

It's really hard for me to find a whole heck of a lot out of discourses such as this. I feel like they're there more so to supplement the surrounding verses/chapters and the rest of the book, to help the account of Job flow better and more smoothly.

Verses 22-29:

22 “In the midst of plenty, they will run into trouble
and be overcome by misery.
23 May God give them a bellyful of trouble.
May God rain down his anger upon them.
24 When they try to escape an iron weapon,
a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce them.
25 The arrow is pulled from their back,
and the arrowhead glistens with blood.
The terrors of death are upon them.
26 Their treasures will be thrown into deepest darkness.
A wildfire will devour their goods,
consuming all they have left.
27 The heavens will reveal their guilt,
and the earth will testify against them.
28 A flood will sweep away their house.
God’s anger will descend on them in torrents.
29 This is the reward that God gives the wicked.
It is the inheritance decreed by God.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Just reading this convicts me of the things I do wrong. Think about God doing this. Kind of frightening, huh? Could you imagine if God physically came around on the earth, shooting the wicked in the back with arrows? I can't help but bet that many people today, myself included, would be much more careful about committing the wicked things that we do.

"Father thank You for Jesus. I pray that You would forgive us for the wicked things we think and do. I pray that Your Spirit would give us the strength to resist temptation and choose the godly way out of difficult situations. We love You so much, and it's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 19

Verses 1-6:

"Then Job spoke again:

2 “How long will you torture me?
How long will you try to crush me with your words?
3 You have already insulted me ten times.
You should be ashamed of treating me so badly.
4 Even if I have sinned,
that is my concern, not yours.
5 You think you’re better than I am,
using my humiliation as evidence of my sin.
6 But it is God who has wronged me,
capturing me in his net."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Job is getting beyond fed up. Who could blame him? Verse 4 stuck out to me a little more than most of the ones before that. I find truth in this but at the same time I can't help think about the passage of Scripture that talks about restoring a brother who has fallen. As I sit here and think about it, I wonder if Job is referring to how much they are hounding him about, really something he hasn't done. It's one thing to restore your brother by leading him on the path back to repentance, if he has committed a sin, and a totally different thing to hound and accuse him of something.

Verses 7-12:

7 “I cry out, ‘Help!’ but no one answers me.
I protest, but there is no justice.
8 God has blocked my way so I cannot move.
He has plunged my path into darkness.
9 He has stripped me of my honor
and removed the crown from my head.
10 He has demolished me on every side, and I am finished.
He has uprooted my hope like a fallen tree.
11 His fury burns against me;
he counts me as an enemy.
12 His troops advance.
They build up roads to attack me.
They camp all around my tent."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Verse 9: what a fun way of saying you're bald, am I right? Haha! I should start telling people I've lost most of the crown of my head, am I right? Justin, you don't have to answer that! ;) Job's language here is very rich with imagery. I think it's kind of sad that there isn't much of that done anymore these days.

Verses 13-22:

13 “My relatives stay far away,
and my friends have turned against me.
14 My family is gone,
and my close friends have forgotten me.
15 My servants and maids consider me a stranger.
I am like a foreigner to them.
16 When I call my servant, he doesn’t come;
I have to plead with him!
17 My breath is repulsive to my wife.
I am rejected by my own family.
18 Even young children despise me.
When I stand to speak, they turn their backs on me.
19 My close friends detest me.
Those I loved have turned against me.
20 I have been reduced to skin and bones
and have escaped death by the skin of my teeth.

21 “Have mercy on me, my friends, have mercy,
for the hand of God has struck me.
22 Must you also persecute me, like God does?
Haven’t you chewed me up enough?"

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Everything Job knew as a norm for him is gone. That way of life is no more. Even he is like a new man to those who surround him.

Verses 23-29:

23 “Oh, that my words could be recorded.
Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument,
24 carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead,
engraved forever in the rock.

25 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and he will stand upon the earth at last.
26 And after my body has decayed,
yet in my body I will see God!
27 I will see him for myself.
Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.
I am overwhelmed at the thought!

28 “How dare you go on persecuting me,
saying, ‘It’s his own fault’?
29 You should fear punishment yourselves,
for your attitude deserves punishment.
Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment.”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Verse 25-27 should stand as a capstone section of this book. In the middle of his situation, he remembers that his redeemer lives. Despite the crap he's going through here in this life, there will come a day when he will meet his God face-to-face, and that thought alone is a huge thing! This is also the portion of Job where you can see "Christ in the Old Testament." Although He's not explicitly mentioned by the earthly name we know Him by, He is also called 'Our Redeemer.' Isn't that cool? =)

"Father in Heaven, thank You for redeeming us through Your Son Jesus! I pray that we would remember Him in our hardships and let Him be our source for strength and hope. May we never forget You in our lives here on earth, and may we live our lives in submission and worship to You! We love You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"

Job 18

Verses 1-10:

"Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

2 “How long before you stop talking?
Speak sense if you want us to answer!
3 Do you think we are mere animals?
Do you think we are stupid?
4 You may tear out your hair in anger,
but will that destroy the earth?
Will it make the rocks tremble?

5 “Surely the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
The sparks of their fire will not glow.
6 The light in their tent will grow dark.
The lamp hanging above them will be quenched.
7 The confident stride of the wicked will be shortened.
Their own schemes will be their downfall.
8 The wicked walk into a net.
They fall into a pit.
9 A trap grabs them by the heel.
A snare holds them tight.
10 A noose lies hidden on the ground.
A rope is stretched across their path."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

A lot of what Bildad says in verses 5-10 relates a lot of truth to me. However, it seems like this isn't the case in today's world. I look around and see wicked people prospering, living a life that seems no where near the pitfall that Bildad shares here. But I know that when Jesus returns, those who are wicked will fall into that pit that Bildad warns about here. I'm reminded of Psalm 73, which is one of my favorite Psalms. Asaph writes about how he saw the wicked prospering and was confused but then finally saw the path that they were on and the end that they will endure on their current path. Look here:

1 "Truly God is good to Israel,
to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud
when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They don’t have troubles like other people;
they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 These fat cats have everything
their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff and speak only evil;
in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 They boast against the very heavens,
and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.
11 “What does God know?” they ask.
“Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12 Look at these wicked people—
enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.

13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain.

15 If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord,
you will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.

21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.

27 Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do."

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Verses 11-21:

11 “Terrors surround the wicked
and trouble them at every step.
12 Hunger depletes their strength,
and calamity waits for them to stumble.
13 Disease eats their skin;
death devours their limbs.
14 They are torn from the security of their homes
and are brought down to the king of terrors.
15 The homes of the wicked will burn down;
burning sulfur rains on their houses.
16 Their roots will dry up,
and their branches will wither.
17 All memory of their existence will fade from the earth,
no one will remember their names.
18 They will be thrust from light into darkness,
driven from the world.
19 They will have neither children nor grandchildren,
nor any survivor in the place where they lived.
20 People in the west are appalled at their fate;
people in the east are horrified.
21 They will say, ‘This was the home of a wicked person,
the place of one who rejected God.’”

(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)

Part of me wonders if what Bildad says in verse 21 is going to be said one day of our nation, if not already. Thinking about it from this perspective, I personally believe that the greater portion of our country has indeed rejected God. It's been argued before, but I think there really is a connection between the rejection of God and the large amount of destruction and crime that has happened within our own country within the past 2 decades alone. I truly believe that if we heed Israel's example and follow the instruction God gave them, our country would be restored and there wouldn't be as much destruction and/or crime.

2 Chronicles 7.14:

14 "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

"Father forgive us for our sins. I pray for our country. As we celebrate our Independence, I pray that our leaders and citizens of our country would remember the grace and mercy that You have shown to us over the years. I pray that You would bring about conviction in each of our hearts and that we, as a nation, would drop to our knees in prayer and submit once again to You. Please keep everyone safe during holiday festivities. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"