THEN JOB ANSWERED Job 42:1-6

Go back to chapter one and read the first few verses, and then summarize the next 36 chapters. Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu come to comfort Job, but rebuke him instead. Job fires back with his claim to total innocence. In chapter 37, Gods responds to Job with a rapid fire series of questions and Job is humbled.

(1) Jobs Recognition: vs 1-2

Job, after being questioned by God concerning creation, understands God’s omnipotence. He recognizes that there is nothing God can’t do.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

He also understands that what ever God’s plans are, man he can accomplish them and no force can stop them!

Isaiah 55:8–9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.

We don’t always understand God’s plan, but we just have to trust Him! He knows the end from the beginning and He will do that which is best. (Romans 8:28)

(2) Job’s Realization: vs 3

Job, now realizes how finite his mind is and how little he really understands. He uses the very question that God ask him; Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel By words without knowledge?

By doing this he acknowledges that he was wrong to demand God to answer him and explain what was happening, without understand the whole picture.

Elihu also rebuked Job for this. Job 34:35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, And his words were without wisdom.

“wonderful” - extraordinarily hard to understand, incomprehensible.

“without knowledge” - have you ever talked to someone about something and after just a few minutes you realize that have no clue what they are talking about. This is probably how God feels when we try to explain or question him, maybe when we tell him how things should be.

(3) Job’s Revelation: vs 4-5

Job changes his tune when coming to God. Earlier he had boldly demanded that God hear his case and and that he gives him an answer. Now he is humbled and and begs God to listen. .

Job 13:20–22 Only do not two things unto me: Then will I not hide myself from thee. Withdraw thine hand far from me: And let not thy dread make me afraid. Then call thou, and I will answer: Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

The word “demand” is not as strong as it seems. It means to ask with the idea of a favor, it is mo0re of a plea than a harsh request.

Job is now humbled at God’s greatness and seeking His instruction and direction.

We need to realize that we are not going to come to God with our head up, chest out, and telling God what he isa going to do. We need to humble ourself and listen to Him.

“but now my eye seeth thee” Job is not saying that he visibly saw God, but spiritually. Open The Eyes of my Heart I want to see you.

Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Job also admits that even though he was a complete and mature believer, he had never truly seen God for who he really is. The old saying “now I see”

It was now more than just hearing about him, he became real. (The way you feel when you see the sites in Israel, you no longer read the Bible in black and white, its now in color.)

(4) Job’s Resignation: vs 6

After Job really sees God for who he is, and sees himself as who he is, he is overwhelmed by the vast difference between the two.

“abhor” - despise, look down on. Job loathed the man he saw. Have we ever come to the place in our life when we were unhappy with who we have become?

Job 40:4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

Then Job does the only thing that could bring him peace, “repent” - to be sorry and grieve, (carries the idea of breathing heavily)

Joel 2:12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

“dust and ashes” - a sign of true humility, repentance and self abasement.

True repentance comes from a humbled heart a broken and a contrite spirit!

Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.