Have we learned to trust God’s decisions throughout history, or are we critics, evaluating God by worldly standards? Let’s look at Job 40.
As we try to understand some of the more difficult passages in the Bible, are we too quick to become God’s critic?
Then the Lord said to Job, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” Then Job replied to the Lord, “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” (Job 40:1-5 NLT)
Did God challenge Job with questions? Do we criticize God to justify ourselves?
Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind: “Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me. Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified? Or do you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him? (Job 40:6-9 WEB)
Can any of us mere humans adorn ourselves with the majesty and power of God?
Adorn yourself with splendor and majesty; clothe yourself with honor and esteem. Unleash your raging anger; look on all the proud and humble them. Look on all the proud and debase them; trample the wicked in their place. Hide them together in the dust; bind their faces in a hidden place. Then I, even I, will praise you, for your strong hand has delivered you. (Job 40:10-14 CEB)
Did Job know about a huge vegetarian land animal, either living or extinct, with an incredibly large tail?
Behold, Behemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox. Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly. He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron. (Job 40:15-18 ESV)
Are dinosaurs of the sauropod genera large enough to be described as the foremost of God’s creatures? Why do scientists ignore or excuse ancient petroglyphs and engravings of dinosaurs?
He is the foremost of God’s works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him. The hills yield food for him, while all sorts of wild animals play there. He lies under the lotus plants, hiding in the protection of marshy reeds. Lotus plants cover him with their shade; the willows by the brook surround him. Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid; he remains confident, even if the Jordan surges up to his mouth. Can anyone capture him while he looks on, or pierce his nose with snares? (Job 40:19-24 HCSB)
Are we tempted to judge God based upon this world’s standards?
But, my friend, I ask, “Who do you think you are to question God? Does the clay have the right to ask the potter why he shaped it the way he did? (Rom 9:20 CEV)
Have we learned to trust God’s decisions throughout history, or are we critics, evaluating God by worldly standards? You decide!
God's Design (Job 39)
Does the very existence of design prove that there is a grand designer? Let’s look at Job 39.
Does God care for the life cycle and habitation of a mountain goat and the doe?
Do you know when the mountain goat gives birth? Do you watch the doe as it calves its young? Can you count the months of their gestation? Do you know the time when they give birth, when they crouch down to give birth to their offspring, and let go of their birth pangs? Their young are strong; they grow up in the open field; then they go off and don’t return to them. (Job 39:1-4 ISV)
Can we tame the wild donkey, or make the unicorn rhino plow the ground?
Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass? Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings. He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing. Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn? (Job 39:5-12 KJV)
Who made the ostrich’s behavior so puzzling, as if she forgot wisdom?
The ostriches’ wings flap joyously But are they the pinion and plumage of a stork? For she leaves her eggs to the earth And warms them in the dust, And she forgets that a foot may crush them, Or that a beast of the field may trample them. She treats her children cruelly, as if they were not hers; Though her labor be empty, she is without dread, Because God has made her forget wisdom, And has not given her a share of understanding. When she raises herself up high, She laughs at the horse and his rider. (Job 39:13-18 LSB)
Who designed the horse to leap and snort, that is fearless in battle?
Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a mane? Do you make him leap like locusts? His majestic snorting is frightening. He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength; He goes out to meet the battle. He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; And he does not turn back from the sword. The quiver rattles against him, The flashing spear and javelin. He races over the ground with a roar and fury, And he does not stand still when he hears the sound of the trumpet. As often as the trumpet sounds he says, ‘Aha!’ And he senses the battle from afar, And the thunder of the captains and the war cry. (Job 39:19-25 NASB)
Which of us taught the hawk to take flight, or the eagle to soar or gave either one such excellent sight?
Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread its wings toward the south? Does the eagle soar at your command and build its nest on high? It dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is its stronghold. From there it looks for food; its eyes detect it from afar. Its young ones feast on blood, and where the slain are, there it is. (Job 39:26-30 NIV)
Does Paul also address this logic, that the very existence of design proves that there is a grand designer?
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Rom 1:20-21 NKJV)
Does the very existence of design prove that there is a grand designer? You decide!
Does God care for the life cycle and habitation of a mountain goat and the doe?
Do you know when the mountain goat gives birth? Do you watch the doe as it calves its young? Can you count the months of their gestation? Do you know the time when they give birth, when they crouch down to give birth to their offspring, and let go of their birth pangs? Their young are strong; they grow up in the open field; then they go off and don’t return to them. (Job 39:1-4 ISV)
Can we tame the wild donkey, or make the unicorn rhino plow the ground?
Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass? Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings. He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing. Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn? (Job 39:5-12 KJV)
Who made the ostrich’s behavior so puzzling, as if she forgot wisdom?
The ostriches’ wings flap joyously But are they the pinion and plumage of a stork? For she leaves her eggs to the earth And warms them in the dust, And she forgets that a foot may crush them, Or that a beast of the field may trample them. She treats her children cruelly, as if they were not hers; Though her labor be empty, she is without dread, Because God has made her forget wisdom, And has not given her a share of understanding. When she raises herself up high, She laughs at the horse and his rider. (Job 39:13-18 LSB)
Who designed the horse to leap and snort, that is fearless in battle?
Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a mane? Do you make him leap like locusts? His majestic snorting is frightening. He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength; He goes out to meet the battle. He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; And he does not turn back from the sword. The quiver rattles against him, The flashing spear and javelin. He races over the ground with a roar and fury, And he does not stand still when he hears the sound of the trumpet. As often as the trumpet sounds he says, ‘Aha!’ And he senses the battle from afar, And the thunder of the captains and the war cry. (Job 39:19-25 NASB)
Which of us taught the hawk to take flight, or the eagle to soar or gave either one such excellent sight?
Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread its wings toward the south? Does the eagle soar at your command and build its nest on high? It dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is its stronghold. From there it looks for food; its eyes detect it from afar. Its young ones feast on blood, and where the slain are, there it is. (Job 39:26-30 NIV)
Does Paul also address this logic, that the very existence of design proves that there is a grand designer?
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Rom 1:20-21 NKJV)
Does the very existence of design prove that there is a grand designer? You decide!
God's Challenge (Job 38)
Who created earth, oceans, morning, snow, hail, lightning, wind, rain, constellations, the laws of matter? Who feeds wild animals? Let’s begin in Job 38.
Does God finally challenge Job to answer some questions?
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. (Job 38:1-3 KJV)
Where were we when God created this planet and all the angels shouted for joy?
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you know understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:4-7 LSB)
Which of us mere human beings set the boundaries of the sea?
Or who enclosed the sea with doors When it went out from the womb, bursting forth; When I made a cloud its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling bands, And I placed boundaries on it And set a bolt and doors, And I said, ‘As far as this point you shall come, but no farther; And here your proud waves shall stop’? (Job 38:8-11 NASB)
Which of us has told the morning to begin, or shaken the wicked out of the earth?
Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it? The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment. The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken. (Job 38:12-15 NIV)
What control do we have over the deepest ocean or what happens to the dead?
Have you entered the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in search of the depths? Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this. (Job 38:16-18 NKJV)
What control do we have over the cause or properties of light?
Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced! (Job 38:19-21 NLT)
What power do we have over snow, hail, lightning or the wind?
Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? By what way is the lightning distributed, or the east wind scattered on the earth? (Job 38:22-24 WEB)
Which of us provides the rain that makes the grass sprout?
Who cut a channel for the downpours and a way for blasts of thunder to bring water to uninhabited land, a desert with no human to saturate dry wasteland and make grass sprout? Has the rain a father who brought forth drops of dew? From whose belly does ice come; who gave birth to heaven’s frost? Water hardens like stone; the surface of the deep thickens. (Job 38:25-30 CEB)
Which of us set the constellations or created the laws that govern the universe?
Can you arrange stars in groups such as Orion and the Pleiades? Do you control the stars or set in place the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper? Do you know the laws that govern the heavens, and can you make them rule the earth? Can you order the clouds to send a downpour, or will lightning flash at your command? Did you teach birds to know that rain or floods are on their way? Can you count the clouds or pour out their water on the dry, lumpy soil? (Job 38:31-38 CEV)
Which of us provides daily food for the wild lions or flocks of ravens?
Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket? Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food? (Job 38:39-41 ESV)
What great lesson does a loving Lord want us to learn from the birds of the sky?
Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? (Mat 6:26 HCSB)
Who created earth, oceans, morning, snow, hail, lightning, wind, rain, constellations, the laws of matter? Who feeds wild animals? You decide!
Does God finally challenge Job to answer some questions?
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. (Job 38:1-3 KJV)
Where were we when God created this planet and all the angels shouted for joy?
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you know understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:4-7 LSB)
Which of us mere human beings set the boundaries of the sea?
Or who enclosed the sea with doors When it went out from the womb, bursting forth; When I made a cloud its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling bands, And I placed boundaries on it And set a bolt and doors, And I said, ‘As far as this point you shall come, but no farther; And here your proud waves shall stop’? (Job 38:8-11 NASB)
Which of us has told the morning to begin, or shaken the wicked out of the earth?
Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it? The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment. The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken. (Job 38:12-15 NIV)
What control do we have over the deepest ocean or what happens to the dead?
Have you entered the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in search of the depths? Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this. (Job 38:16-18 NKJV)
What control do we have over the cause or properties of light?
Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced! (Job 38:19-21 NLT)
What power do we have over snow, hail, lightning or the wind?
Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? By what way is the lightning distributed, or the east wind scattered on the earth? (Job 38:22-24 WEB)
Which of us provides the rain that makes the grass sprout?
Who cut a channel for the downpours and a way for blasts of thunder to bring water to uninhabited land, a desert with no human to saturate dry wasteland and make grass sprout? Has the rain a father who brought forth drops of dew? From whose belly does ice come; who gave birth to heaven’s frost? Water hardens like stone; the surface of the deep thickens. (Job 38:25-30 CEB)
Which of us set the constellations or created the laws that govern the universe?
Can you arrange stars in groups such as Orion and the Pleiades? Do you control the stars or set in place the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper? Do you know the laws that govern the heavens, and can you make them rule the earth? Can you order the clouds to send a downpour, or will lightning flash at your command? Did you teach birds to know that rain or floods are on their way? Can you count the clouds or pour out their water on the dry, lumpy soil? (Job 38:31-38 CEV)
Which of us provides daily food for the wild lions or flocks of ravens?
Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket? Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food? (Job 38:39-41 ESV)
What great lesson does a loving Lord want us to learn from the birds of the sky?
Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? (Mat 6:26 HCSB)
Who created earth, oceans, morning, snow, hail, lightning, wind, rain, constellations, the laws of matter? Who feeds wild animals? You decide!
God's Works (Job 37)
How can any man hope to understand or approach someone so powerful and majestic as God? Let’s look at Job 37.
Do we wonder at the power of God revealed in the lightning and thunder?
Oh, my mind is disturbed by this and is more troubled than usual. Listen closely to the rumble of his voice, the roar issuing from his mouth. He looses it under the whole sky, his lightning on earth’s edges. After it, a voice roars; he thunders with a mighty voice, and no one can stop it when his voice is heard. God roars with his wondrous voice; he does great things we can’t know. (Job 37:1-5 CEB)
Do we wonder at the kindness and punishment of God in snow and rainstorms?
Snow and heavy rainstorms make us stop and think about God's power, and they force animals to seek shelter. The windstorms of winter strike, and the breath of God freezes streams and rivers. Rain clouds filled with lightning appear at God's command, traveling across the sky to release their cargo— sometimes as punishment for sin, sometimes as kindness. (Job 37:6-13 CEV)
O puny man, have we considered the wondrous works of God? Can we spread out the stars like God?
Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge, you whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind? Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror? (Job 37:14-18 ESV)
How can a man pray to someone with the awesome majesty of God far above even the wisest of us?
Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot prepare our case because of our darkness. Should He be told that I want to speak? Can a man speak when he is confused? Now men cannot even look at the sun when it is in the skies, after a wind has swept through and cleared them away. Yet out of the north He comes, shrouded in a golden glow; awesome majesty surrounds Him. The Almighty—we cannot reach Him— He is exalted in power! He will not oppress justice and abundant righteousness, Therefore, men fear Him. He does not look favorably on any who are wise in heart. (Job 37:19-24 HCSB)
What important character trait makes it possible to approach such an awesome God?
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you will become children of your Father in heaven, because he makes his sun rise on both evil and good people, and he lets rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? (Mat 5:44-46 ISV)
How can any man hope to understand or approach someone so powerful and majestic as God? You decide!
Do we wonder at the power of God revealed in the lightning and thunder?
Oh, my mind is disturbed by this and is more troubled than usual. Listen closely to the rumble of his voice, the roar issuing from his mouth. He looses it under the whole sky, his lightning on earth’s edges. After it, a voice roars; he thunders with a mighty voice, and no one can stop it when his voice is heard. God roars with his wondrous voice; he does great things we can’t know. (Job 37:1-5 CEB)
Do we wonder at the kindness and punishment of God in snow and rainstorms?
Snow and heavy rainstorms make us stop and think about God's power, and they force animals to seek shelter. The windstorms of winter strike, and the breath of God freezes streams and rivers. Rain clouds filled with lightning appear at God's command, traveling across the sky to release their cargo— sometimes as punishment for sin, sometimes as kindness. (Job 37:6-13 CEV)
O puny man, have we considered the wondrous works of God? Can we spread out the stars like God?
Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge, you whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind? Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror? (Job 37:14-18 ESV)
How can a man pray to someone with the awesome majesty of God far above even the wisest of us?
Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot prepare our case because of our darkness. Should He be told that I want to speak? Can a man speak when he is confused? Now men cannot even look at the sun when it is in the skies, after a wind has swept through and cleared them away. Yet out of the north He comes, shrouded in a golden glow; awesome majesty surrounds Him. The Almighty—we cannot reach Him— He is exalted in power! He will not oppress justice and abundant righteousness, Therefore, men fear Him. He does not look favorably on any who are wise in heart. (Job 37:19-24 HCSB)
What important character trait makes it possible to approach such an awesome God?
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you will become children of your Father in heaven, because he makes his sun rise on both evil and good people, and he lets rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? (Mat 5:44-46 ISV)
How can any man hope to understand or approach someone so powerful and majestic as God? You decide!
Is God Good (Job 36)
Does creation prove to us that God is good? Do we trust Him even when we suffer? Let’s look at Job 36.
Does Elihu defend God’s righteousness regardless of Job’s circumstances?
Elihu responded again and said: “Be patient with me a moment longer, and I’ll show you that there’s more to say on God’s behalf. I’ll take what I know to its logical conclusion and ascribe righteousness to my Creator, because what I have to say isn’t deceptive, and the one who has perfect knowledge is with you.” (Job 36:1-4 ISV)
Does Elihu seem to think that God always punishes the wicked and blesses the rights of the poor in this life? Does Elihu seem to think that the righteous reign with kings here and now?
Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted. (Job 36:5-7 KJV)
Do life’s short-term circumstances always depict God’s long-term blessings and cursings?
And if they are bound in fetters, And are caught in the cords of affliction, Then He declares to them their work And their transgressions, that they have magnified themselves. He opens their ear to discipline, And says that they return from wickedness. If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasures. (Job 35:8-11 LSB)
Does Elihu seem to have a short-term view of God’s punishment of the wicked?
But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword, And die without knowledge. But the godless in heart nurture anger; They do not call for help when He binds them. They die in youth, And their life perishes among the cult prostitutes. He rescues the afflicted in their misery, And opens their ears in time of oppression. Then indeed, He induced you away from the mouth of distress, And instead of it, a broad place with no constraint; And your table was full of rich food. (Job 35:12-16 NASB)
Does Elihu seem to believe the same as his three older friends, that Job is receiving God’s just judgment for his sins?
But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you. Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress? Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes. Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction. (Job 35:17-21 NIV)
Does Elihu suggest that nobody who sees God’s creation says that he has done wrong?
Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him? Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, ‘You have done wrong’? Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung. Everyone has seen it; Man looks on it from afar. (Job 35:22-25 NKJV)
Does God control the marvelous cyclic nature of water evaporating and raining back down accompanied by lightning and thunder?
Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted. He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain. The rain pours down from the clouds, and everyone benefits. Who can understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven? See how he spreads the lightning around him and how it lights up the depths of the sea. By these mighty acts he nourishes the people, giving them food in abundance. He fills his hands with lightning bolts and hurls each at its target. The thunder announces his presence; the storm announces his indignant anger. (Job 35:26-33 NLT)
Did Jesus teach that God’s pruning process sometimes causes us pain? Do we trust Him?
I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:1-2 WEB)
Does creation prove to us that God is good? Do we trust Him even when we suffer? You decide!
Does Elihu defend God’s righteousness regardless of Job’s circumstances?
Elihu responded again and said: “Be patient with me a moment longer, and I’ll show you that there’s more to say on God’s behalf. I’ll take what I know to its logical conclusion and ascribe righteousness to my Creator, because what I have to say isn’t deceptive, and the one who has perfect knowledge is with you.” (Job 36:1-4 ISV)
Does Elihu seem to think that God always punishes the wicked and blesses the rights of the poor in this life? Does Elihu seem to think that the righteous reign with kings here and now?
Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted. (Job 36:5-7 KJV)
Do life’s short-term circumstances always depict God’s long-term blessings and cursings?
And if they are bound in fetters, And are caught in the cords of affliction, Then He declares to them their work And their transgressions, that they have magnified themselves. He opens their ear to discipline, And says that they return from wickedness. If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasures. (Job 35:8-11 LSB)
Does Elihu seem to have a short-term view of God’s punishment of the wicked?
But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword, And die without knowledge. But the godless in heart nurture anger; They do not call for help when He binds them. They die in youth, And their life perishes among the cult prostitutes. He rescues the afflicted in their misery, And opens their ears in time of oppression. Then indeed, He induced you away from the mouth of distress, And instead of it, a broad place with no constraint; And your table was full of rich food. (Job 35:12-16 NASB)
Does Elihu seem to believe the same as his three older friends, that Job is receiving God’s just judgment for his sins?
But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you. Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress? Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes. Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction. (Job 35:17-21 NIV)
Does Elihu suggest that nobody who sees God’s creation says that he has done wrong?
Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him? Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, ‘You have done wrong’? Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung. Everyone has seen it; Man looks on it from afar. (Job 35:22-25 NKJV)
Does God control the marvelous cyclic nature of water evaporating and raining back down accompanied by lightning and thunder?
Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted. He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain. The rain pours down from the clouds, and everyone benefits. Who can understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven? See how he spreads the lightning around him and how it lights up the depths of the sea. By these mighty acts he nourishes the people, giving them food in abundance. He fills his hands with lightning bolts and hurls each at its target. The thunder announces his presence; the storm announces his indignant anger. (Job 35:26-33 NLT)
Did Jesus teach that God’s pruning process sometimes causes us pain? Do we trust Him?
I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:1-2 WEB)
Does creation prove to us that God is good? Do we trust Him even when we suffer? You decide!
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