God is NOT my co-pilot

Enough’s Enough!

Job 40 HCSB

The Lord answered Job: Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who argues with God give an answer. Then Job answered the Lord: I am so insignificant. How can I answer You? I place my hand over my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not reply; twice, but now I can add nothing. Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: 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? Adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory. Unleash your raging anger; look on every proud person and humiliate him. Look on every proud person and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand. Hide them together in the dust; imprison them in the grave. Then I will confess to you that your own right hand can deliver you. Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He eats grass like an ox. Look at the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly. He stiffens his tail like a cedar tree; the tendons of his thighs are woven firmly together. His bones are bronze tubes; his limbs are like iron rods. 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 40:1–2 HCSB

The Lord answered Job: Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who argues with God give an answer.

I actually like how a few other translations render this opening of the conversation.

Job 40:1–2 NASB95

Then the Lord said to Job, “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.”

Job 40:1–2 The Message

God then confronted Job directly: “Now what do you have to say for yourself? Are you going to haul me, the Mighty One, into court and press charges?”

The word that reads contend in the HCSB or Faultfinder in the NASB transliterated to Haul me into court is the Hebrew word TWOT literally means one who reproves…lets think about this…Job has been Reproving God. What does reprove mean?

re·prove

/rəˈpro͞ov/ verb reprimand or censure (someone).

Check out the synonyms:

reprimand, rebuke, reproach, scold, admonish, chastise, chide, upbraid, berate, take to task, rake/haul over the coals, criticize, censure;

reprimand, rebuke, reproach, scold, admonish, chastise, chide, upbraid, berate, take to task, rake/haul over the coals, criticize, censure;

informal tell off, give someone a talking-to, dress down, give someone a dressing-down, give someone an earful, give someone a roasting, rap over the knuckles, slap someone's wrist

Lets remember, God pointed Job out. It was God that said have you seen my servant Job, then he is seemingly silent until now. At this point Job and his friends have been talking for a while and Job has mourned his sorry state.

And God has decided it’s time to explain a few things.

Too many times we go about our conversations with God as if they are a one way street. We Lecture he listens, but there will come a day and a time when God will speak back.. they key is our attitude when he does.

The Right Response.

Job 40:3–5 HCSB

Then Job answered the Lord: I am so insignificant. How can I answer You? I place my hand over my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not reply; twice, but now I can add nothing.

This is where we find Job realizing and relinquishing control. He has had his say. God has let him have his say something very important for us to understand. TO many times we think that being angry with god or not understanding God or wanting to ask God why will make God love us less, will somehow diminish how he sees us, will make him angry or will make him less. None of this is true. We also find God responding to Job in a specific way. God responds to Job in power...

Take your medicine.

Job 40:6 HCSB

Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

Job 40:6–9 HCSB

Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: 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?

God answering from the whirlwind is in direct contrast to

God answers Job from the whirlwind

God expects Job to pay attention

God reminds Job of who’s really in charge.

Hand Him Control

Job 42:1–2 HCSB

Then Job replied to the Lord: I know that You can do anything and no plan of Yours can be thwarted.

Follow his plan…God tells Job to pray for his friends and he does so.

With God even out worst can be turned to something amazing.

Job 42:10 HCSB

After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his prosperity and doubled his previous possessions.

This Weeks Challenge

Do what God is speaking to your heart. Be Jesus with Skin this week. Find someone to bless without an agenda. Pray for them even if they have treated you badly. Take your faith outside of this building and use it.