Job 32-42

The three friends that Job has spent the book talking to were out of things to say.  They had not changed their opinions, but they were done.  At that time a new guy, Elihu, stepped up.  He spent chapter 32 telling the men that he had a lot of wisdom to speak, but b/c he was much younger than the other men he waiting until they were done speaking.  He pointed out that even though they had more years than him, that didn't mean they had more wisdom.  Elihu was angry with both Job and the three friends.

In Ch. 33 Elihu says he is sincere in what he says, but he still sounds a little arrogant to me.  He tells Job that he is not pure and without sin.  (Job never said that he was!  He only said that he is blameless...which says to me that he is does not carry around his burdens....he is forgiven.)  Elihu spends the rest of the chapter telling him that he will be restored to a righteous state if he finds favor with God.

Elihu's words did not sound that different to me than the other friends.  He basically told Job that you what comes around, goes around.  So far I am not impressed with this "new, young guy that is so wise."

One problem with the things Elihu had to say is that they did not match up with Job's situation.  Job was not being punished for being bad.  Job did not have an event that he needed to ask for forgiveness.  Job's suffering was a tool of Satin.  Satan wanted to lure Job's loyalty away from God.  That never happened.  Job was sad, suffering, and begging to be free.....but never did he turn away from the Lord.  I think Elihu missed that point!

In Ch 38 The Lord Speaks!

The last few chapters in Job are powerful.  I'm tense just thinking about blogging them.  I'm going to do my best....but it is one that I need to read over again.  (Someday....I'm ready to move on to Psalms!)  In Ch. 38 the Lord first makes the point....Who do those men think they are?  Then he moves on to telling Job who he is not.  The Lord points out that he created EVERYTHING.

In Ch 40:2 the Lord poses the question to Job, "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?  Let him who accuses God answer him!"  All of the feelings that Job was expressing during his time of feeling tortured was gone.  He was so humbled by the Lords presents.  

 It's powerful to read through 38-41.

Ch 41 God is telling Job how powerless he really is.  He discusses a creature called a leviathan.  It's a dragon/dinosaur like creature.  This creatures attributes makes it seem connected to Satan.  Hmmm... dinosaur like creature.....interesting!

He tells Job that man is powerless against this creature.  And, if they are powerless against this creature that lives on the earth....then how do they think they can control God's power?

41:10-11  Who then is able to stand against me?  Who has a claim against me that I must pay?  Everything under heaven belongs to me.  


This chapter has made a big impression on me.  I don't see myself thinking or saying, "Why me?" to God again.  I have no right to ask!

God ends his speech to Job by talking about this Satan-like creature .
(33-34)  "Nothing on earth is equal-a creature without fear.  He looks down on all that are haughty (arrogant); he is king over all that are proud."  


I'm learning that pride is such an important tool of Satan!

After the Lord finished talking to Job he expressed his anger towards Job's friends.  He told them that they were not right.  He told them that Job will be praying for them and that He will accept his prayer and not punish them according to their actions.  He ordered them to go to Job and sacrifice burnt offering.

Job prayed for his friends.  The Lord restored Job.  He not only gave him back the things that he had before Satan crept in, he actually gave him twice as much.  (This was more than Job ever asked for.)  His family was brought back together, he was blessed with more livestock, and more children.  His children were also blessed.

Time to move on to Psalms.  YEAH!