Job responds to the Lord's Charge

Introduction

Biblical Timeline

We are in the second age, The Patriarchs.

We are reading about the Patriarchs. Job is thought of as living during the times of the Patriarchs.

PATRIARCHS The generations of Israel’s founders whose lives are recounted in Gen 12–50. The covenant made by God with Abraham forms the basis of the Mosaic covenant. “Patriarchs” (“fathers”) is the name given to Abraham, his son Isaac, and his grandson Jacob—the major characters in Gen 12–50. This family became the ancestors of the nation of Israel.”

Book of Job

Is understood of as the oldest writing in the Bible. The book of Job is a favorite of many who read the Bible.

We read of an event in the life of Job that we all see as very difficult and learn how he deals with it as he seeks the Lords understanding as to why.

We read the beginning and the end of the book. I will be looking at the end of the book of Job today. What was Job’s response to God’s answer.

Job’s 1st response (Job 40:1-5)

God’s Question (1-2)

God just finished showing Job the vast expanse of the Universe and that God created and controls it. (Job 38-39)

Were you there when…? No

Tell me if you know…? I don’t know.

Were you the one who created…? No, you were.

Job 40:1–2 (ESV)

1 And the Lord said to Job: 2 “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

Question

faultfinder n., someone who is critical of the motives of others” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

to dispute v., to have a disagreement over something (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

to reprove v., to admonish or warn forcefully (as expressing strong disapproval). (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

God is now questioning Job to answer, contend with, or rebuke Him, now with this new understanding of the vastness of the universe and the power of God.

Job’s response (3-5)

Job 40:3–5 (ESV)

3 Then Job answered the Lord and said: 4 “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. 5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”

Throughout the book, Job continues to ask for a chance to ask God why this happened to him. He wanted a chance to question or give a defence before God. Now God is giving him a chance to question Him.

His response

“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?”

Small account - to be trivial v., to be or become of little substance or significance. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Job came away from God’s questions with a better understanding of who he is compared to God. He is finite and little understanding of the vast universe.

“I put my hand over my mouth to silence myself.” (The NET Bible)

Job 40:5 (LES2)

35 I have spoken once, and for a second time; I shall not continue.”

Job’s 2nd response (Job 42:1-6)

(Job 40:6-41:34)The Lord continues talking with Job about 2 creatures (Behemoth and Levitation) that Humans are afraid of, but God controls.

Behemoth (Only used here in Job) “Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. Scholars have debated extensively the identity of this animal. The term “Behemoth” is the plural form for the generic Hebrew word for an animal. The plural number likely has an intensive force, making it mean “the great beast.” Even though Behemoth cannot be controlled by humans, Yahweh made it and securely controls it, so that it is no threat to the divine order in the world (40:19). Only Yahweh has sufficient power to master this formidable part of his creation.” (Estes, Daniel J. Job. Ed. Mark L. Strauss, John H. Walton, and Rosalie de Rosset. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2013. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

“Leviathan is mentioned by name six times in the Hebrew Bible (Job 3:8; 41:1; Pss 74:14; 104:26; Isa 27:1). Most of these passages assert or allude to Yahweh’s power and control over the sea monster. The mythological background of the deity battling and defeating a sea monster (i.e., the Chaoskampf motif) is most evident in Psa 74:14 and Isa 27:1. The only detailed physical description of Leviathan in the Bible is found in Job 41, which describes a powerful and fearsome creature that cannot be tamed or subdued by human power. The combat myth usually results in a cosmogony—the creation of the ordered universe. The biblical writers adopted this motif, but they adapted it to a new setting: The divine combat myth was now used to describe Yahweh’s omnipotence over chaos.” (Mangum, Douglas, and Matthew James Hamilton. “Leviathan.” Ed. John D. Barry et al. The Lexham Bible Dictionary 2016: n. pag. Print.)

Job 41:11 (ESV)

11 Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.

Job’s response (1-6)

Job responds to God with a dialogue between what God said and what he learned. I believe this response of Job is the key to understand the whole book. Job through this life event and the Words of God comes away with a new understanding of himself and God.

Job’s Acknowledgment of God (1-3)

Job 42:1–3 (NET 2nd ed.)

1 Then Job answered the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted; 3 you asked, ‘Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?’ But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know.

Job acknowledges God’s Sovereignty (2) - God can do as he chooses and what he wants to do will not be thwarted.

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

Job answers God’s Question (3)

“you asked, ‘Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?’” (referring to God’s Question in Job 38:2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”)

“But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know.”

“Job does not confess that he has sinned, as the friends have insisted that he must (cf. Zophar’s words in 11:13–15). Instead, he acknowledges that previously he spoke too confidently about matters that in fact exceed the range of his knowledge. Yahweh’s questions have changed Job’s understanding, so that he now realizes how much he did not know.” (Estes, Daniel J. Job. Ed. Mark L. Strauss, John H. Walton, and Rosalie de Rosset. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2013. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

Job’s Understanding grew (4-5)

Job 42:4–5 (NET 2nd ed.)

4 You said, ‘Pay attention, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’ 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen you.

God’s Question (4)

“You said, ‘Pay attention, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’”

“In verse 4, Job restates Yahweh’s words of cross-examination in 38:3 and 40:7.” (Estes, Daniel J. Job. Ed. Mark L. Strauss, John H. Walton, and Rosalie de Rosset. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2013. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

Job 38:3 (ESV)

3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

Job 40:7 (ESV)

7 “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

Job’s Answer (5)

“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen you.”

“Earlier, in 19:25–27, Job expressed his desire to see God. Now, Job’s increased understanding of Yahweh’s superior knowledge has dramatically enhanced his perception of Yahweh, so Job says that his eyes have seen him. Everything Job knew before was just so much hearsay when compared with what he has come to know of Yahweh.” (Estes, Daniel J. Job. Ed. Mark L. Strauss, John H. Walton, and Rosalie de Rosset. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2013. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

Job 19:25–27 (ESV)

25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

Through this situation and hearing from God, He understands God in a whole new light.

Job’s Response (6)

Job 42:6 (NET 2nd ed.)

6 Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes!”

“42:6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes. This verse is the key to understanding the entire book of Job, but it has been rendered in many diverse ways. This cannot be Job’s repentance of sin, or else the friends would be right in their assessment of him. In verse 7 Yahweh makes it very clear that the friends have not spoken the truth, and he instructs them to offer a burnt offering and to ask Job to intercede for them in prayer. The term “despise” here can better be translated “recant” or “retract,” and thus it refers to Job’s withdrawal of his legal claim against God. Job repents in the sense of changing his mind, as he comes to the realization that he is just dust and ashes (cf. Gen. 18:27), a mere human before the transcendent Yahweh. Before the Sovereign Lord, Job is a finite creature who is limited in his knowledge. Because Job now recognizes how little he truly knows compared to the omniscient Yahweh, he retracts his insistence that Yahweh answer him (31:35). Job submits to Yahweh, without any knowledge that Yahweh will restore blessing to him in the epilogue.” (Estes, Daniel J. Job. Ed. Mark L. Strauss, John H. Walton, and Rosalie de Rosset. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2013. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

Our understanding of God.

Do we have an accurate or growing understanding of God and ourselves?

Are we willing to submit to God in the midst of Suffering?

The Lord restores Job (Job 42:7-17)

Job’s righteous actions (Job 42:7-9)

The Lord condemns the words of Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite as a misrepresentation of His Character.

Job spoke more accurately of God (7-8)

Job 42:7–8 (ESV)

7 After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”

Although Job learned more and grew in his understanding of God, what he understood was accurate.

Job prayed for his friends. (9)

Job 42:9 (ESV)

9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the Lord had told them, and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.

The Lord restores Job (Job 42:10-17)

Job 42:10 (ESV)

10 And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Restored his fortunes. (x2) (House, wealth, animals) (10-12)

More Children and grandchildren (13-15)

Job 42:13–15 (ESV)

13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. 15 And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job’s daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers.

The text focuses on his 3 daughters who were lovely and recieved an inheritance with there brothers. This was uncommon in ancient times. This seems to be added to the text to show the blessings of God in the life of Job and his gratitude.

Fullness of life (16-17)

Job 42:16–17 (ESV)

16 And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, four generations. 17 And Job died, an old man, and full of days.

Lessons from Job

Job went through incredible suffering and sought the Lord to give him the reasoning for his suffering. God in answer to Job did not tell him why He allowed it, but revealed a deeper understanding of Himself to Job

Key verse.

Job 42:1–6 (ESV)

1 Then Job answered the Lord and said: 2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

How do we look at times of suffering in our lives?

Do we seek the Lord in the midst to gain wisdom and guidance?

Do we seek Him to use it to make us more Christlike?

Do we seek to come away with a deeper understanding of the character of God?

“God uses suffering to purge sin from our lives, strengthen our commitment to Him, force us to depend on grace, bind us together with other believers, produce discernment, foster sensitivity, discipline our minds, spend our time wisely, stretch our hope, cause us to know Christ better, make us long for truth, lead us to repentance of sin, teach us to give thanks in time of sorrow, increase faith, and strengthen character.” - Joni Eareckson Tada (When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty ed. Zondervan, 2010)

Benediction

James 1:2–5 (ESV)

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.