Job (Page 2)
God of the Storm
Elihu gives us his final words. They foreshadow God’s words to Job and Job’s response to God. God’s justice cannot be questioned. The trials and storms of life are gifts of love to his people. May we see that in this text that drives us to see God has high and exalted.
Don’t Waste Your Affliction
Elihu instructs Job on God’s instruction through the difficulties of suffering and pain. This is an important reminder for us to not waste the trials God sends our way but to strive for the holiness God is working in us through affliction.
Forgotten Grace
Elihu continues to answer Job and give a defense of God’s justice. However, Elihu, like the other friends, overlook grace and how integral it is to how God relates to his people–even in suffering.May we never forget God’s grace when facing adversity and trial.
Defending God against Questions of Justice
Elihu responds to Job’s questions in defense of God. Job has questioned God’s justice as he suffers. He cannot understand why God has brought this great calamity upon him. Elihu burns with anger as he desires to see God and his justice defended and exonerated. So Elihu takes up this task to explain why Job suffers. This helps us to think through this most profound issue of suffering and the justice of God.
The Discipline of Suffering
Elihu seeks to teach Job why God has brought such suffering in his life–for discipline. Elihu contends that God is not treating him as an enemy, but rather he is treating him as a son. Through Elihu we’re reminded that God does indeed use suffering to discipline his children. Through this God imparts holiness and draws us to look to Christ. May we grow in holiness and in treasuring Christ!
Learning Zeal from Elihu
Elihu bursts onto the scene in Job. We get an introduction on who he is and we consider his zealous passion and defense of God. In his zeal we are rebuked and consider reasons that keep us silent rather than being bold in the defense and proclamation of our great God and his truth.
Giving an Account to God
Job utters his last words before God speaks. In his final words Job gives an account of his actions to God. He is ready to face God and his justice.We learn a valuable lesson here since we must all give an account before God. Will we be bold like Job? Will we shrink back in shame? Will our hypocrisy be made known?May God use this chapter to prepare us to face God.
The Lord Gave and the Lord Has Taken Away
Job, continuing his final speech, recounts how God had blessed him so richly and how God has taken everything away from him. In this lament we learn about Job’s tenacity to rest in the sovereign God and to maintain hope in him.May we learn with him to trust our great God in every and any circumstance. 1. How is lament a language of trust rather than doubt?2. What provides us confidence in dark times that God is always for us?
True Wisdom in a Sea of Foolishness
Job meditates on where wisdom is found as he is surrounded by the voices of fools. He directs us to the source and foundation of all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding: the fear of the Lord.We take time to consider what this means and how it is so very needful and practical to our day and age.May the Word of God have its effect on our lives!
Standing Against the Lies of the Wicked
Job adamantly denies that narrative he is being told by his companions. He defiantly stands his ground and entrusts himself to God to see justice upon those who heap false accusations and suffering upon him. As Job continues his final speech, we are struck with parallels to our day in which we are barraged with a false narrative that calls good evil and evil good. May we learn to stand like Job and entrust ourselves to the one who judges…
Unrivaled Wisdom and Power
We begin to consider Job’s last speech. He begins by comparing the power and wisdom of the Almighty to the wisdom of his friends. We see that God’s wisdom and power has no rivals and that man’s wisdom is foolishness in comparison.May this encourage us to know God’s wisdom and submit to his power and authority. Questions to consider:1. Can you see in your life where you have embraced the world’s wisdom?2. In light of God’s unrivaled wisdom and power,…
Maggots, Worms, and God’s Grace
What do we do with Bildad’s words that compare man with maggots and worms? Is this comparison fair? How does the Bible describe us in comparison with God?In this sermon, we consider man in comparison to God and why this leads us to the wonder and beauty of grace. Questions to consider:1. Can you define total depravity?2. Why can thoughts of our own sin lead us to rejoice?3. How do we commonly deny the need for grace?