Eden to Eternity Vol. 1, Job 22-42
Job: 18/66 | Author: unknown | Old Testament | Wisdom & Poetry | Occurred around 2100 B.C. but written around 1440 B.C. (estimated)
Job 22-42 Summary:
Third Series of Speeches
22. ELIPHAZ SPEAKS
Eliphaz continues to share his perspective on Job's alleged guilt. Noting that the wicked cannot hide from God. Although he did share some *finally* decent advice in verses 21–23,
"Come to terms with God and be at peace; in this way good will come to you. Receive instruction from His mouth, and place His sayings in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be renewed."
Verses 25-27 go on to say,
"The Almighty will be your gold and finest silver. Then you will delight in the Almighty and lift your face up to God. You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and will fulfill your vows."
23 & 24. JOB'S REPLY TO ELIPHAZ
Job states that he wishes he knew where to find God to ensure that his "groaning" has been heard (23:2). He claims that he would argue with God, as God assumes the role of judge, seeking to be cleared of this guilty verdict everyone has been mentioning.
Job repeats his innocence when following the ways of the Lord, but he also admits to being terrified of what God desires for the rest of Job's life.
However, an interesting statement has been made that I found inspirational. After confiding that the Lord's presence is looming and extremely intimidating to Job, he says, "Yet I am not destroyed (also translated to "silenced") by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face" (23:17). It is almost as if God has gone ahead of Job, ensuring that he will not be destroyed by any of the devil's schemes...
25. BILDAD SPEAKS
In Bildad's short but sweet response, he likens men to maggots and worms in comparison to God's purity and majesty (25:6).
26 & 27. JOB'S REPLY TO BILDAD
Job, unpleased with the condescending attitude of yet another friend, reiterates the magnitude of God.
"Who can understand His mighty thunder?" (v. 14)
While remaining persistent in his complaints, Job, ironically, says something insightful in verse three of chapter 27: "As long as my breath is still in me and the breath of God remains in my nostrils, my lips will not speak unjustly, and my tongue will not utter deceit."
It made me stop in my tracks! The breath flowing through my body, even in difficult times, is from a loving God who protects me and has renewal and redemption planned for me!
Then, Job's tone regresses, and he discusses what he believes the wicked, which he is not, are to receive from the Lord.
28. A HYMN TO WISDOM
28:28 says,
"[God] spoke to mankind, 'The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding."
29-31. JOB'S FINAL CLAIM OF INNOCENCE
Job convinces himself that when life was easy and simplistic (when everything was going favorably for him), God was present with him, but now God must not be nearby. He reminisces on the things he enjoyed doing and compares his once blissful nature to his current state of despair and solitude. These chapters end with Job saying that if he is indeed guilty of any crime, let his ways be punished justly.
32. ELIHU'S ANGRY RESPONSE
"So these three men quit answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes. Elihu was angry at Job because he had justified himself rather than God. He was also angry at Job's three friends because they had failed to refute him and yet had condemned God" (32:1-3).
Elihu, younger than the surrounding men, speaks up out of disappointment and anger. In verses 7 and 8, he boldly speaks to his elders, who were assumed to be wise due to experience.
"I thought that age should speak and maturity should teach wisdom. But it is the spirit in a person - the breath of the Almighty - that gives anyone understanding."
Elihu states that he sat patiently, but no one confirmed what he knew to be true.
"My spirit compels me to speak" (32:18).
He prepares his audience for an unbiased response.
33-37. ELIHU CONFRONTS JOB
Elihu simply tells Job that he is wrong.
He proceeds by defending God and his nature, which is not always appreciated by selfish, temperamental humans. Elihu speaks boldly, praising the supernatural work of God and highlighting how intricate and intentional He is.
Verse 10 of chapter 34 says,
"Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding, it is impossible for God to do wrong, and for the Almighty to act unjustly."
Elihu reminds the men of the character of God, who is righteous and unprejudiced.
"Could one who hates justice govern the world?" (34:17)
These chapters display Elihu's determination to correct the perception of God and to present the justification that instead of being punished for previous sins, as Job's friends assert, perhaps he is being warned to stray from a pending sinful nature.
Then, the Lord responds.
38-41. THE LORD SPEAKS
Chapter 38 immediately opens with, "Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind" (v. 1).
The Lord questions the characters of the men who have been discussing God's character and reminds them that they were not with God when He formed the earth they dwell on. With this message, God enlightens them that He is aware of all of the world's moving parts, whereas Job is only focused on what is occurring right in front of him at this very moment.
Chapters 38, 39, 40, and 41 are humble reminders of how vast God's presence is. He presents rhetorical questions about creation, from the earth, the seas, and animals, to how our human minds work.
In the 40th chapter, God and Job reply to one another.
"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who argues with God respond" (v. 2).
Yikes, Job.
But as we have seen Job carry on, he persists in moaning and groaning to God Himself. Job expresses how small and worthless he feels and that someone of this nature could not answer to the Lord. Probably struck with fear, he musters up, "I have spoken once, and I will not reply twice, but now I can add nothing" (40:5). Perhaps Job already forgot the bold things he was saying when referring to God's character, but our Lord did not.
Verses 7-9 display God's rightful frustration with Job: "Get ready to answer me like a man; When I question you, you will inform me. Would you really challenge my justice? Would you declare me guilty to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God's? Can you thunder with a voice like His?" (emphasis mine).
As our eyes dart back and forth over these words communicated between the Lord and Job, feeling embarrassed for Job's temperament, I'm humbled. How often do we question God, like Job and his friends?
How often do we convince ourselves that we know what God is capable of, all to justify how we perceive the quality of our lives?
It's as if I am being lectured when reading these chapters, but boy, did I need this indirect disciplining!
The Lord continues in chapter 41 with metaphors of creatures meant to symbolize chaos, Behemoth and Leviathan, and their corresponding might that Job has no match for. Reiterating in verse 19 that "[Behemoth] is the foremost of God's works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him."
42. JOB REPLIES TO THE LORD & GOD RESTORES JOB
Then Job says something we all need to be reminded of in the opening of chapter 42,
"I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted...Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wondrous for me to know" (v. 2-3).
The Lord acknowledges His disappointment in Job's company since they misspoke about His character. Their perspectives on God's mannerisms were too simplistic to be accurate. However, the Lord addresses Job's honesty, as Job attempted to understand God's character throughout his devastation. He advises the friends to present a burnt offering and tells Job to pray for them.
The point? God wants us to be in constant communication with Him, especially when we feel lost and confused. Rather than make sense of something more complex than we were created for or to accuse God of being unjust, we are to take our questions, comments, and concerns to the one that "everything under heaven belongs to" (41:11).
Then, the Lord restored Job's life. In fact, "the Lord blessed the last part of Job's life more than the first" (42:12). Job no longer faced loneliness since the Lord gave him seven sons and three notably beautiful daughters; he was no longer empty-handed since the Lord gave him thousands of livestock; and his health improved so much so that Job lived to the age of 140 years (12–17).
Just like that.
Job went through the darkest valley to be perched back onto a glorious mountaintop. All of the highs were experienced when Job had his eyes rightly fixed on who he knew God to be.
DG's Reflection questions (pg 35, 39, 41, 45, 47, & 49):
How has God used pain or suffering to strengthen your faith?
What is your response to God when your future seems unclear?
In reference to 1 Peter 1:6-7, what is produced in your life as you endure trials?
What does it look like to seek true wisdom?
According to Psalm 141:3, how can you use your words to lift others up rather than tear them down?
What similarities do you notice between Elihu's speech and the speeches of Job's friends?
How does Christ act as a mediator between God and you, given 1 Timothy 2:5-6?
Elihu claims that Job has a low view of God. What does it mean to have a high view of God?
We can fall into the trap of believing that if we are good, we will receive blessings, and if we are bad, then bad things happen. How does the gospel free us from this way of thinking?
How can you discern who God is when outside sources attempt to lead you astray?
From chapters 38 and 39, what attributes of God stand out to you the most?
How can these chapters remind you that God is in control of all things and you can trust He is at work in your life?
Job displays great humility in his response to the Lord. In what area of your life do you need to humbly submit to God and His plan?
Using Job's response to the Lord in Job 42:1-6 as your guide, write a prayer of repentance, humility, and praise to the Lord.
As you reflect on your time in Job, how have you seen God working to bring restoration in your own life?
One of the many wondrous things about God is His ability to make all things useful and good. One of my favorite verses, Ecclesiastes 3:11, says,
"He has made all things beautiful in its time."
Other translations may read, "He has made all things appropriate in His time," which is a version I also adore. Pain and suffering are not components of life that God cannot redeem or has refused to touch. As I wisen, I look forward to how God will turn these unfortunate situations around for His good.
When facing uncertainty, I *try* to remain diligent in leaning into God. When life begins to spiral and all understanding is lost, I have to remind myself to move closer to God. It is also insightful to assess why I am experiencing such emotions—what am I prioritizing? Where am I placing my value, faith, and purpose? That sensation of impending doom is less apparent when I remain hopeful in the Lord's plan for me rather than adhering myself to the design of the fleeting world.
1 Peter 1:6-7 discusses the evolution of our character when he says,
"You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold, which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Seeking true wisdom requires an open mind and a patient, understanding heart. Wisdom requires accountability and integrity. Wisdom also requires letting others speak or take the lead to share their expertise or knowledge while I remain quiet and attentive. This is a work in progress, but as someone who loves learning, I am dedicated to the cause!
"Lord, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips," is the third verse in Psalms 141 and is a prime example of how important it is for us to be intentional with the words we use to communicate with others in any situation. We are living representations of God's loving character; our words are more powerful than we give them credit. If it isn't healing and productive, then perhaps we will keep such words in the vault!
This leads us to the next topic. Throughout the last few chapters, I noticed that both Elihu and Job's friends were seeking to understand Job's situation from a very simplistic black-and-white view and then tried to speak such things to Job rather than discuss them with their dear friend. It is like watching a parent on a power trip scold their child. It is no wonder that everyone's toes were being stepped on and no resolution or comfort was being generated! Job's three friends thought that Job must be receiving his deserved punishment for all of the sins he obviously committed. Elihu took a different approach and suggested that perhaps Job's character is under construction to avoid temptation and sin, but ultimately, Job should never direct blame on God. After each participant shared their stance of a + b = c, there was misunderstanding and anger. It was a bleak loop that seemed never-ending.
Jesus is the "one mediator between God and humanity, who gave Himself as a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5–6). Jesus linked us to God, salvation, and eternal life! He is the one who brought us to God and ensured we remained together, avoiding the death and doom our sins would lead us to.
A "low view" of God has been observed throughout Job's story. Assuming that God is unjust, late, lost, lazy, and inconsiderate because our momentary emotions tell us so is unacceptable. I would say that a "high view" of God is persisting in awe, praise, faithfulness, and gratitude for all of God no matter the current situation, remaining fearful not because we know that God is powerful and we are scared that He will release this force, but because He is a vast God that our minds cannot fully comprehend but knows that we would never want to exist without.
Romans 3:23 tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," which is why we needed a savior! Aside from Jesus, there has never been a perfect human to walk this earth. We were once broken and lost, but we were found and redeemed. You are renewed when in a relationship with Jesus; this is what He does as a healer! The gospel is a beautiful reminder of the love that exists for us. We are not to think as simply as Job's friends: that because life is challenging and we face hardship, loss, loneliness, or instability, we must be bad and simply label this as the quality of life that we deserve. We are warned that these things will present themselves, but that Jesus has gone ahead and faced them before (and while) conquering the cross, presenting a guide as to how to combat suffering (1 Peter 2:21).
Lastly, and most importantly, deciphering who God is when our company leads us astray can be done when we simply seek it out on our own. Matthew 7:7 says it best:
"Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
“Who put wisdom in the heart or gave the mind understanding?” (38:36)
The attributes that stand out the most to me about God in chapters 38 and 39 are His involvement and attention to detail. These chapters showcase God’s desire to create extraordinary things that convey power and beauty. As a loving Father, He strives to pour Himself into the design of every little thing we encounter, even if we regularly take it for granted.
“Have you ever in your life commanded the morning or assigned the dawn in its place?” (38:12)
Similarly, these chapters are great reminders of how much control God harnesses over HIS creation.
“I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you” (Isaiah 43:2).
God IS active in our lives. The Lord does not tell us we get to avoid the daunting moments in life that may bring about dread, but He tells us that WHEN they occur, He is with us. His hand is over us! When the inevitable comes, do we convince ourselves that God is putting us through hardship, or do we comfort ourselves by acknowledging that it is Him who will deliver us? (The second option!)
Regarding the heavier questions, an area of my life where I am striving to completely surrender to God is my purpose. As someone who identifies as being overly analytical, everything has meaning to me. I seek significance and productivity in everything I do. I am consumed by the existential crisis we all face: What am I here for? I want to create. I want to lead. I want to heal others. But I contemplate if I am doing enough for God’s kingdom when attempting to fulfill the life that was created for me. God placed each of us here “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14), so what am I making of it? Surrendering this, which encompasses the entirety of my existence, has been of utmost importance to me.
Which leads me to the next point!
Job 42:1-6 says, “I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals my counsel with ignorance?’ Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wondrous for me to know. You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. When I question you, you will inform me.’ I had heard reports about you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore, I reject and relent my words and am sorry for them; I am dust and ashes.”
I am extremely thankful that I can silence my anxious thoughts with a quick reminder that I, as a mere human, can not interfere with what God is doing!
Lord,
Thank you for being more wondrous than our minds can even comprehend! Thank you for allowing us to have a relationship with you through our Savior, Jesus Christ. I repent of my selfish ways and ask for forgiveness for accusing you when life is not going my way. Thank you for having a plan that is superior to anything I could ever achieve for myself. Thank you for giving me free will while also ensuring that my flesh does not thwart your heavenly plan! I pray for guidance as I find my purpose and for contentment in every circumstance. Help me to remove distractions so that I can prioritize what is important to you and your kingdom.
Amen.
I love the phenomenon of canvassing scripture, and something catching my eye that did not before. I enjoy reading the stories of characters throughout the Bible and imagining what I would do if I were in their shoes, and I swiftly conclude that I am no better than those who were placed in these positions.
Reading through Job this time around made me aware of my hasty judgment about how he "mishandled" his situation. My sincere apologies, Job! It was a humbling experience, perhaps because my temperament is no different than Job's.
The Book of Job will always be applicable as we navigate trials and blinding emotions. In particular, it emphasizes the importance of being rooted in familiarity with God and not infatuated with victimizing ourselves or dramatizing the struggle.
If you have been hanging in with me for the past few weeks, congratulations! We finished the book of Job!
Throughout our time with Job, we faced suffering, learned the importance of quieting our environments to ruminate on the character of God, and discovered that the world is cruel and unjust. But we have found forgiveness from a righteous Father, who, by the way, reveals that He is involved in every ounce of our distress!
Needing prayer? Submit a prayer request at the bottom of the page!
To learn more about this collection, or to become more familiar with The Daily Grace Co., visit their website!
References
Daniels, K., Dickerson, T., Dickson, K., Hess, A., & Turner, S. (2022). Eden to Eternity (Vol. 1).
The Daily Grace Co. Myers, R., & Williams, A. B. (2020). She Reads Truth Bible. Holman Bible Publishers.
The Bible Project. (2015). Book of Job Summary: A Complete Animated Overview. YouTube. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQwnH8th_fs.
