The Book of Job

The Wrath of Elihu

Lesson #10 for December 3, 2016

Scriptures: [Job 1-2:10; 13:28; 28:28; 32:1-5; 34:10-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17].[1]

1.    So, what have we learned so far from the discussions back and forth between Job and his three friends? There was a lot of repetition of nonsense! Of course, there were some fairly important truths spoken, even by Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. And in each case, Job responded. But, to that point, apparently there was a stalemate. The three friends had not convinced Job of the truthfulness of their words; Job still was certain that he had not committed the terrible crime or sin of which they had accused him.

2.    Read Proverbs 25:11-13[2]. When words are appropriately spoken and carefully thought through, they can be a great blessing. But, that was not the case in the book of Job.

3.    So, what came next? Suddenly, a younger man by the name of Elihu jumped in and added his words of wisdom to the discussion.

4.    Read Job 15:14-16[3], and remember that these words came basically from Eliphaz’s statement in Job 4 which he got from that “vision” in the night from the Devil. Contrast the words of Job recorded in Job 19:25-27[4]. The three friends kept emphasizing that God rewards righteousness and punishes sins. Job continued his laments about how he was being treated-both by God and by his friends.

5.    All four of these participants really believed that they were speaking on God’s behalf. Job made a final speech as recorded in Job 26-31 which we need to look at briefly.

6.    What was the cause for this whole discussion? Wasn’t it that Job seemed to be living a righteous life? (See Job 1-2:10.)[5] Job was not being punished because he was wicked, but rather, because he was righteous! Notice God’s statement about Job. In His foreknowledge, God already knew that Job would prove to be firm for the right. What would have happened if Job had collapsed? What does Job 26-31[6] say about Job’s former life?

7.    Did Job’s three friends have any idea that the words they were mouthing repeatedly might have come from the Devil himself? Did Job know about the Devil? Remember that in light of our first two lessons in this series, our goal is to understand why God said to Eliphaz in Job 42:7-8, GNB: “I am angry with you and your two friends because you did not speak the truth about me, as my servant Job did.” Do we clearly understand what it was that Job said that was correct which was in contrast to what his three friends said?

8.    Look briefly at Job 26-31, Job’s final statement. It is important in reading this section of Job to realize that there are portions for which the original speaker is not clearly known. Some think that Job 26:5-14[7] was the speech of Bildad. Some think that Zophar was the speaker of Job 27:7-10,13-23[8]. Traditionally, these portions have all been attributed to Job. That would make Job apparently contradict himself. How should we decide for sure who gave those speeches? However we understand these sections, they must be considered in the light of Job 31:29-30[9] where Job made it clear that he had never been glad when his enemies suffered. This is part of the reason for believing that the section starting with Job 27:7 was not Job talking. Who do you think was talking in Job 28? Is it clearly Job speaking again in Job 29? The LXX-the Septuagint-the first translation which was from Hebrew into Greek, gives a somewhat different picture of Job than does the original Hebrew that we have. We do not know exactly why.

9.    How did Job become righteous? Wasn’t it a compliment to God that Job really missed their conversations? How did God communicate with Job before this story began? Job kept calling to God; but, God did not seem to answer! Job was not trying to deny the fact that he was a sinner like the rest of us. (Job 31:33)[10]

10.    Was Job actually abandoned by God during this whole experience? Or, did the Holy Spirit and the heavenly angels surround Job to protect him from the Devil? What kind of a “fence” would that be? If they had done that, wouldn’t the Devil have cried, “Foul”?

11.    Job had apparently developed a very solid faith in God.

12.    Is faith something that somebody else does for us? If not, why do we call it a gift of God? (Ephesians 2:8[11]) Would that suggest that when we say we have faith and trust God, that God is really speaking through us and, thus, speaking to Himself? (Compare Galatians 2:20[12].) Almost all scholars-including most Seventh-day Adventist scholars-believe that there is no way that Job himself could have become righteous. They suggest that his only righteousness must have been the righteousness of Christ imputed to him. In Job 1&2, was Satan saying that Job was not justified? Or, could not be justified? Or, that God could not forgive Job? Or, that God could not declare Job to be upright? Hadn’t God already said Job was upright? (Job 1:8; 2:3)[13] Was God lying?

13.    Is it possible to come to the place that when you say that you trust God, it is actually you speaking? Is it possible to make such a decision by yourself? Some Christians are very reluctant to say that.

14.    Was Satan challenging Job’s legal justification? Or, whether his “righteousness” was imputed? If Job had not been really changed, what is this whole book about? How does the Holy Spirit actually do His work in the lives and minds of people? Was the Holy Spirit present when Jesus was dying on the cross? How many of God’s angels and/or the Holy Spirit were protecting Job lest Satan go beyond what God had prescribed that he could do? (See Desire of Ages 753-754.[14])

15.    At the end, when God said that Job had spoken the truth, was He asking us to agree? One of the greatest proofs that God can be trusted is the method He used to show that Job could be trusted. Was God offended by Job’s cries? God was commending Job for what he did! The four were horrified! The real lesson is that God’s approval of all that Job did says wonderful things about God Himself! God has set His seal of approval to that kind of method and that kind of a relationship! Imagine what that says about what kind of government He wants to preside over! Do you like a God who behaves like that?

16.    Read Job 33:1-7,12,19-28[15]. Elihu started, clearly hoping that Job would admit his sin. But, if Job had admitted having committed some terrible sin just to satisfy his friends, he would have been acting in contradiction to God’s statements! Job could not win! Elihu was certain that Job was justifying himself and blaming God! (Job 32:1-5)

17.    Do we know at what point Elihu joined the conversation? Job 32 is the first time his name is mentioned. Do you think he heard all the previous discussions? Elihu was apparently somewhat younger than the other men, and his anger had been kindled over what he had heard. Were any of those statements from Elihu and about Job correct? Did either Job or Elihu know anything about Satan? If you are a monotheist and something bad happens, who must you consider responsible?

18.    After reviewing Elihu’s speeches as recorded in Job 32-37, do you find anything really new? Or, was he just repackaging the old arguments from Job’s three other friends?

19.    Read Job 34:10-15[16]. This seems to be an argument suggesting that since God is so powerful, everything He does must be right. Does might make right? In the case of Job, the question was not whether God had might, but rather, how He uses His might. Can someone possess great power and do what is wrong? Or, should we trust God just because He is powerful and could potentially destroy us? Elihu suggested that if God stopped supporting us, we would cease to exist. Others have said something similar. (Acts 17:25,28)[17]

20.    Ellen White said:

Every pulsation of the heart is a rebound from the touch of the finger of God.—Review and Herald, December 2, 1890, par. 15.

21.    For a summary of Elihu’s arguments, read [Job 34:21-22; 36:5-7; 37:23-24][18]. Do any of the arguments of Elihu-or for that matter of the three friends who spoke earlier-answer Job’s question recorded in Job 9:24[19] (GNB): “And if God didn’t do it, who did?”

22.    If you believe God mechanically rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked, then what conclusion could you come to other than the conclusion of Job’s friends?

23.    All of the participants in this discussion were trying to find logical explanations for what was happening to Job. They all apparently failed. Is there any logical explanation for sin and evil? Think of the story of Lucifer-now Satan-and his fall from heaven to the depths of evil.

It is impossible to explain the origin of sin so as to give a reason for its existence. Yet enough may be understood concerning both the origin and the final disposition of sin to make fully manifest the justice and benevolence of God in all His dealings with evil. Nothing is more plainly taught in [493] Scripture than that God was in no wise responsible for the entrance of sin; that there was no arbitrary withdrawal of divine grace, no deficiency in the divine government, that gave occasion for the uprising of rebellion. Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no reason can be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it is to defend it. Could excuse for it be found, or cause be shown for its existence, it would cease to be sin.—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy 492.2493.0. [Bold type is added.]

24.    Would it be correct to use the word evil in place of sin in Ellen White’s statement?

25.    Read [Ezekiel 28:12-17 ; Isaiah 14:12-15][20]. These passages give us just a very brief view of the fall of Satan. There is no explanation for it except envy and jealousy. How did such thoughts develop in the creature in heaven who had been closest to God? He was a perfect being, created by a perfect God, in a perfect environment.

26.    Why do you suppose none of the participants in this story mentioned the Devil?

27.    Read Job 36:1-4. What do you think about Elihu’s claims about himself?

28.    If God could have resolved the problem of evil or even the issue regarding Job simply by making claims, it would have been over almost as soon as it began. But, God does not resolve issues by making claims; He provides evidence! To prove that Job was a righteous man, God allowed him to go through all of that trouble to show that Satan could not break Job down with his temptations or accusations.

29.    What do you think Job would have said to God about his being used as a kind of guinea pig or pawn in this experiment? Might he have said: “Please, God, use someone else”? Given his prior successes with the human race, the Devil must have been quite certain when this whole discussion started that he would get Job to sin. When it was all over and God was proven right and the Devil was proven wrong, did the Devil concede defeat? So, what was the point? Was it to demonstrate to the rest of the universe that God judges humans correctly?

30.    Jesus also suffered terribly because He was righteous. Why was that necessary? The 144,000 who live through the final events in this earth’s history, standing firmly for the right on God’s side will also suffer terribly. Why will that be necessary? Will that be for the same reason as Job?

31.    The Bible Study Guide for Thursday, December 1, suggests that in situations like that, we just have to have faith! It suggests that we cannot live “by sight”! What does that mean to you? Would you call that a “leap of faith”? Many theologians have talked about a leap of faith. Would God ask us to leap without providing the evidence that what He is asking us to do is the right thing to do?

God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith.—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ 105.2. [Bold type is added.]

32.    Why do we do what we do? Did Job have enough evidence to trust God? (Job 29:15[21])

If you are a believer and are seeking to do God’s will, what makes you willing to obey?

Could you say, “I do what I do because God has told me to, and He has the power to reward and destroy”? Is this why you don’t murder or commit adultery, because God has said you mustn’t? You would otherwise, but you can’t afford to incur His displeasure.

This might be all right for a beginner or a little child, but it suggests that God’s laws are arbitrary and do not make good sense in themselves. That does not speak very favorably of God.

Would you rather say, “I do what I do as a believer because God has told me to, and I love Him and want to please Him”? Is this why you don’t steal or tell lies? You would see nothing wrong or harmful about doing these things. It is just that you want so much to please God. For some reason He does not like it when you steal or lie, and since He has been so good to us, you feel under some [35] obligation to please Him. It would only be grateful and fair.

Again, this might be all right for a beginner or child. It might even be progress beyond the obedience prompted only by fear of punishment and desire of reward. But it still implies an arbitrariness in God’s commandments and does

not speak so well of His character and government.

There is another possible approach to obedience. Could you say this? “I do what I do because I have found it to be right and sensible to do so, and I have increasing admiration and reverence for the One who so advised and commanded me in the days of my ignorance and immaturity.” Then hastening to add, “Being still somewhat ignorant and immature, I am willing to trust and obey the One whose counsel has always proved to be so sensible, when He commands me to do something beyond my present understanding.”—A. Graham Maxwell, I Want to Be Free 34-35.

33.    Did Job win in this situation because he was good at leaping? Or, did Job remain firm in his commitment to God because he had plenty of evidence on which to base his faith before the whole contest began? And what about us? Have we seen adequate evidence on which to base our faith? Are we willing to move forward and trust God even when, at times, we do not understand fully why He would ask us to do certain things?

34.    Is it ever right—or even fair—to explain God’s actions as a kind of simple cause-and-effect response? In this story, could we say that the cause was Job’s supposed sin? Was his suffering the effect?

35.    Do you think God had ever discussed the Devil and his fall and his role on this earth with Job before this whole sequence took place? Or, were Job and his four friends completely ignorant of the story of the Devil?

36.    Do our daily choices-including time we spend with God in study and prayer-impact our faith, making it either grow stronger or weaker?

37.    Elihu started his speech implying that he had the answers! By the time we get to the end of his speech, we find that his answers were the same worn-out answers already given by the other friends of Job.

38.    In our day, do the facts that we know about the rebellion of Satan and his fall from heaven adequately explain in our minds all the evil we see happening around us? Is there any possible rational explanation for why Lucifer/Satan rebelled in heaven? See GC 492.2493.0 quoted in item #23 above. If we try to explain the causes for suffering and death in our day, are we just supposed to throw our hands in the air and not even try to understand them?

39.    Jesus was the very essence of humility. By contrast, Satan was the opposite of humility; he was exhibiting pride, arrogance, and selfishness right in the throne room of heaven!

40.    If we take a humble approach to God’s kingdom, does that mean that we do not ask any questions? If we believe that evil is inexplicable, can we still have faith and trust in God?

41.    If one studies the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, he discovers that there is a huge gap between the leadership and the youth of our church. Why are so few of the young people participating in leadership in the church? Why is there a huge gap in beliefs and practices between the generations?

42.    Many of us recognize that the youth are often motivated by anger against: War, racial segregation, the economic situation, social injustices, etc. Their anger often leads them to make very strong statements or take very strong positions on some things. Was that what happened in the case of Elihu? (See Job 32:4-5[22].) Ellen White wrote:

With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world! How soon might the end come-the end of suffering and sorrow and sin! How soon, in place of a possession here, with its blight of sin and pain, our children might receive their inheritance where “the righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever;” where “the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick,” and “the voice of weeping shall be no more heard.” [Psalm 37:29; Isaiah 33:24; 65:19]—Ellen G. White, Education 271.2. Compare GCB, July 1, 1902, par. 23; GW66.2; Christian Service 30.2; CT 555.2; FLB 332.4; AG 189.8; Mar 122.5; MYP 196.1. [Bold type and content in brackets are added.]

43.    Do you see this happening in your church? In what direction do the young people in your church seem to be heading?

44.    The speech of Elihu extends for six chapters. It is the longest continuous speech recorded in the whole book.

45.    One of the most important statements made by Elihu is found in Job 37:20 (GNB): “I won’t ask to speak with God; why should I give him a chance to destroy me?”

46.    What does this tell us about Elihu’s relationship with God-or the lack of relationship? It is certainly a big contrast with the many times Job wished that he could speak with God.

47.    In Job 34:36-37[23], he suggested that Job was even guilty of rebellion! Did Job in any way mock God?

48.    The picture that Elihu painted in Job 35-37 is pretty scary. He claimed to speak for Yahweh (God), only to find himself corrected by God’s own speech directly out of the storm as recorded in Job 38-41.

49.    Read [Psalm 45:6; James 4:6].[24] The psalm by Korah’s clan suggests that truth, humility, and justice should be the crowning features of the new king. They were certainly not true about Lucifer/Satan, and it was certainly not true about Elihu or even the other three friends of Job.

50.    Sometimes, we as Seventh-day Adventists claim that we have the truth. Is that a correct statement? It might seem that way as we lay out scriptural proof for our beliefs. But, the real question should not be: Do we have the truth? But rather, does the truth have us?

51.    Elihu’s wrath or anger is disappointing. Is there ever an appropriate time for self-righteous anger? Do we ever fall into the trap into which Elihu fell-just rehashing the old arguments?

52.    What can we learn from the final speech of Job and the speech of Elihu?

© 2016, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged.    Info@theox.org

1-Job 1:1 There was a man named Job, living in the land of Uz,[a] who worshiped God and was faithful to him. He was a good man, careful not to do anything evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, one thousand head of cattle, and five hundred donkeys. He also had a large number of servants and was the richest man in the East.

4 Job's sons used to take turns giving a feast, to which all the others would come, and they always invited their three sisters to join them. 5 The morning after each feast, Job would get up early and offer sacrifices for each of his children in order to purify them. He always did this because he thought that one of them might have sinned by insulting God unintentionally.

6 When the day came for the heavenly beings[b] to appear before the LORD, Satan[c] was there among them. 7 The LORD asked him, “What have you been doing?”

Satan answered, “I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth.”

8 “Did you notice my servant Job?” the LORD asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil.”

9 Satan replied, “Would Job worship you if he got nothing out of it? 10 You have always protected him and his family and everything he owns. You bless everything he does, and you have given him enough cattle to fill the whole country. 11 But now suppose you take away everything he has—he will curse you to your face!”

12 “All right,” the LORD said to Satan, “everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job himself.” So Satan left.

Job's Children and Wealth Are Destroyed

13 One day when Job's children were having a feast at the home of their oldest brother, 14 a messenger came running to Job. “We were plowing the fields with the oxen,” he said, “and the donkeys were in a nearby pasture. 15 Suddenly the Sabeans[d] attacked and stole them all. They killed every one of your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

16 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, “Lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

17 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, “Three bands of Chaldean[e] raiders attacked us, took away the camels, and killed all your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

18 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, “Your children were having a feast at the home of your oldest son, 19 when a storm swept in from the desert. It blew the house down and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

20 Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face downward on the ground. 21 He said, “I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing. The LORD gave, and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!”

22 In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God.

Satan Tests Job Again

2 When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the LORD again, Satan was there among them. 2 The LORD asked him, “Where have you been?”

Satan answered, “I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth.”

3 “Did you notice my servant Job?” the LORD asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil. You persuaded me to let you attack him for no reason at all, but Job is still as faithful as ever.”

4 Satan replied, “A person will give up everything in order to stay alive. 5 But now suppose you hurt his body—he will curse you to your face!”

6 So the LORD said to Satan, “All right, he is in your power, but you are not to kill him.”

7 Then Satan left the LORD's presence and made sores break out all over Job's body. 8 Job went and sat by the garbage dump and took a piece of broken pottery to scrape his sores. 9 His wife said to him, “You are still as faithful as ever, aren't you? Why don't you curse God and die?”

10 Job answered, “You are talking nonsense! When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?” Even in all this suffering Job said nothing against God.

Job 13:28 As a result, I crumble like rotten wood,

like a moth-eaten coat.

Job 28:28 God said to us humans,

“To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord.

To understand, you must turn from evil.”

Job 32:1 Because Job was convinced of his own innocence, the three men gave up trying to answer him. 2 But a bystander named Elihu could not control his anger any longer, because Job was justifying himself and blaming God. (Elihu was the son of Barakel, a descendant of Buz, and belonged to the clan of Ram.) 3 He was also angry with Job's three friends. They could not find any way to answer Job, and this made it appear that God was in the wrong. 4 Because Elihu was the youngest one there, he had waited until everyone finished speaking. 5 When he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he was angry

Job 34:10 Listen to me, you men who understand!

Will Almighty God do what is wrong?

11 He rewards people for what they do

and treats them as they deserve.

12 Almighty God does not do evil;

he is never unjust to anyone.

13 Did God get his power from someone else?

Did someone put him in charge of the world?

14 If God took back the breath of life,

15     then everyone living would die

and turn into dust again.

Ezekiel 28:12 Mortal man,” he said, “grieve for the fate that is waiting for the king of Tyre. Tell him what I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying: You were once an example of perfection. How wise and handsome you were! 13 You lived in Eden, the garden of God, and wore gems of every kind: rubies and diamonds; topaz, beryl, carnelian, and jasper; sapphires, emeralds, and garnets. You had ornaments of gold. They were made for you[a] on the day you were created. 14 I put a terrifying angel there to guard you.[b] You lived on my holy mountain and walked among sparkling gems. 15 Your conduct was perfect from the day you were created until you began to do evil. 16 You were busy buying and selling, and this led you to violence and sin. So I forced you to leave my holy mountain, and the angel who guarded you drove you away from the sparkling gems. 17 You were proud of being handsome, and your fame made you act like a fool. Because of this I hurled you to the ground and left you as a warning to other kings.

2-Proverbs 25:11 An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver.

12 A warning given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or jewelry made of the finest gold.

13 A reliable messenger is refreshing to the one who sends him, like cold water in the heat of harvest time.

3-Job 15:14 Can any human being be really pure?

Can anyone be right with God?

15 Why, God does not trust even his angels;

even they are not pure in his sight.

16 And we drink evil as if it were water;

yes, we are corrupt; we are worthless.

4-Job 19:25 But I know there is someone in heaven

who will come at last to my defense.

26 Even after my skin is eaten by disease,

while still in this body[a] I will see God.[b]

27 I will see him with my own eyes,

and he will not be a stranger.

My courage failed because you said,

5-Job 1:1 There was a man named Job, living in the land of Uz,[a] who worshiped God and was faithful to him. He was a good man, careful not to do anything evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, one thousand head of cattle, and five hundred donkeys. He also had a large number of servants and was the richest man in the East.

4 Job's sons used to take turns giving a feast, to which all the others would come, and they always invited their three sisters to join them. 5 The morning after each feast, Job would get up early and offer sacrifices for each of his children in order to purify them. He always did this because he thought that one of them might have sinned by insulting God unintentionally.

6 When the day came for the heavenly beings[b] to appear before the LORD, Satan[c] was there among them. 7 The LORD asked him, “What have you been doing?”

Satan answered, “I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth.”

8 “Did you notice my servant Job?” the LORD asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil.”

9 Satan replied, “Would Job worship you if he got nothing out of it? 10 You have always protected him and his family and everything he owns. You bless everything he does, and you have given him enough cattle to fill the whole country. 11 But now suppose you take away everything he has—he will curse you to your face!”

12 “All right,” the LORD said to Satan, “everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job himself.” So Satan left.

Job's Children and Wealth Are Destroyed

13 One day when Job's children were having a feast at the home of their oldest brother, 14 a messenger came running to Job. “We were plowing the fields with the oxen,” he said, “and the donkeys were in a nearby pasture. 15 Suddenly the Sabeans[d] attacked and stole them all. They killed every one of your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

16 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, “Lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

17 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, “Three bands of Chaldean[e] raiders attacked us, took away the camels, and killed all your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

18 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, “Your children were having a feast at the home of your oldest son, 19 when a storm swept in from the desert. It blew the house down and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

20 Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face downward on the ground. 21 He said, “I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing. The LORD gave, and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!”

22 In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God.

Satan Tests Job Again

2 When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the LORD again, Satan was there among them. 2 The LORD asked him, “Where have you been?”

Satan answered, “I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth.”

3 “Did you notice my servant Job?” the LORD asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil. You persuaded me to let you attack him for no reason at all, but Job is still as faithful as ever.”

4 Satan replied, “A person will give up everything in order to stay alive. 5 But now suppose you hurt his body—he will curse you to your face!”

6 So the LORD said to Satan, “All right, he is in your power, but you are not to kill him.”

7 Then Satan left the LORD's presence and made sores break out all over Job's body. 8 Job went and sat by the garbage dump and took a piece of broken pottery to scrape his sores. 9 His wife said to him, “You are still as faithful as ever, aren't you? Why don't you curse God and die?”

10 Job answered, “You are talking nonsense! When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?” Even in all this suffering Job said nothing against God.

6-Job 26:1 1-2 What a big help you are to me—

poor, weak man that I am!

3 You give such good advice

and share your knowledge with a fool like me!

4 Who do you think will hear all your words?

Who inspired you to speak like this?

[Bildad][a]

5 The spirits of the dead tremble

in the waters under the earth.

6 The world of the dead lies open to God;

no covering shields it from his sight.

7 God stretched out the northern sky

and hung the earth in empty space.

8 It is God who fills the clouds with water

and keeps them from bursting with the weight.

9 He hides the full moon behind a cloud.

10 He divided light from darkness

by a circle drawn on the face of the sea.

11 When he threatens the pillars that hold up the sky,

they shake and tremble with fear.

12 It is his strength that conquered the sea;[b]

by his skill he destroyed the monster Rahab.[c]

13 It is his breath that made the sky clear,

and his hand that killed the escaping monster.[d]

14 But these are only hints of his power,

only the whispers that we have heard.

Who can know how truly great God is?

27 1-2 I swear by the living Almighty God,

who refuses me justice and makes my life bitter—

3     as long as God gives me breath,

4     my lips will never say anything evil,

my tongue will never tell a lie.

5 I will never say that you men are right;

I will insist on my innocence to my dying day.

6 I will never give up my claim to be right;

my conscience is clear.

7 May all who oppose me and fight against me

be punished like the wicked and the unrighteous.

8 What hope is there for the godless

in the hour when God demands their life?

9 When trouble comes, will God hear their cries?

10 They should have desired the joy he gives;

they should have constantly prayed to him.

11 Let me teach you how great is God's power,

and explain what Almighty God has planned.

12 But no, after all, you have seen for yourselves;

so why do you talk such nonsense?

[Zophar][e]

13 This is how Almighty God

punishes wicked, violent people.

14 They may have many sons,

but all will be killed in war;

their children never have enough to eat.

15 Those who survive will die from disease,

and even their widows will not mourn their death.

16 The wicked may have too much silver to count

and more clothes than anyone needs;

17 but some good person will wear the clothes,

and someone honest will get the silver.

18 The wicked build houses like a spider's web[f]

or like the hut of a slave guarding the fields.

19 One last time[g] they will lie down rich,

and when they wake up, they will find their wealth gone.

20 Terror will strike like a sudden flood;

a wind in the night will blow them away;

21     the east wind will sweep them from their homes;

22     it will blow down on them without pity

while they try their best to escape.

23 The wind howls at them as they run,

frightening them with destructive power.

In Praise of Wisdom[h]

28 There are mines where silver is dug;

There are places where gold is refined.

2 We dig iron out of the ground

And melt copper out of the stones.

3 Miners explore the deepest darkness.

They search the depths of the earth

And dig for rocks in the darkness.

4 Far from where anyone lives

Or human feet ever travel,

They dig the shafts of mines.

There they work in loneliness,

Clinging to ropes in the pits.

5 Food grows out of the earth,

But underneath the same earth

All is torn up and crushed.

6 The stones of the earth contain sapphires,

And its dust contains gold.

7 No hawk sees the roads to the mines,

And no vulture ever flies over them.

8 No lion or other fierce beast

Ever travels those lonely roads.

9 Miners dig the hardest rocks,

Dig mountains away at their base.

10 As they tunnel through the rocks,

They discover precious stones.

11 They dig to the sources of[i] rivers

And bring to light what is hidden.

12 But where can wisdom be found?

Where can we learn to understand?

13 Wisdom is not to be found among mortals;

No one knows its true value.

14 The depths of the oceans and seas

Say that wisdom is not found there.

15 It cannot be bought with silver or gold.

16 The finest gold and jewels

Cannot equal its value.

17 It is worth more than gold,

Than a gold vase or finest glass.

18 The value of wisdom is more

Than coral or crystal or rubies.

19 The finest topaz and the purest gold

Cannot compare with the value of wisdom.

20 Where, then, is the source of wisdom?

Where can we learn to understand?

21 No living creature can see it,

Not even a bird in flight.

22 Even death and destruction

Admit they have heard only rumors.

23 God alone knows the way,

Knows the place where wisdom is found,

24 Because he sees the ends of the earth,

Sees everything under the sky.

25 When God gave the wind its power

And determined the size of the sea;

26 When God decided where the rain would fall,

And the path that the thunderclouds travel;

27 It was then he saw wisdom and tested its worth—

He gave it his approval.

28 God said to us humans,

“To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord.

To understand, you must turn from evil.”

Job's Final Statement of His Case

29 Job began speaking again.

Job

2 If only my life could once again

be as it was when God watched over me.

3 God was always with me then

and gave me light as I walked through the darkness.

4 Those were the days when I was prosperous,

and the friendship of God protected my home.

5 Almighty God was with me then,

and I was surrounded by all my children.

6 My cows and goats gave plenty of milk,

and my olive trees grew in the rockiest soil.

7 Whenever the city elders met

and I took my place among them,

8     young men stepped aside as soon as they saw me,

and old men stood up to show me respect.

9 The leaders of the people would stop talking;

10     even the most important men kept silent.

11 Everyone who saw me or heard of me

had good things to say about what I had done.

12 When the poor cried out, I helped them;

I gave help to orphans who had nowhere to turn.

13 People who were in deepest misery praised me,

and I helped widows find security.

14 I have always acted justly and fairly.

15 I was eyes for the blind,

and feet for the lame.

16 I was like a father to the poor

and took the side of strangers in trouble.

17 I destroyed the power of cruel men

and rescued their victims.

18 I always expected to live a long life

and to die at home in comfort.

19 I was like a tree whose roots always have water

and whose branches are wet with dew.

20 Everyone was always praising me,

and my strength never failed me.

21 When I gave advice, people were silent

and listened carefully to what I said;

22     they had nothing to add when I had finished.

My words sank in like drops of rain;

23     everyone welcomed them

just as farmers welcome rain in spring.

24 I smiled on them when they had lost confidence;

my cheerful face encouraged them.

25 I took charge and made the decisions;

I led them as a king leads his troops,

and gave them comfort in their despair.

30 But men younger than I am make fun of me now!

Their fathers have always been so worthless

that I wouldn't let them help my dogs guard sheep.

2 They were a bunch of worn-out men,

too weak to do any work for me.

3 They were so poor and hungry

that they would gnaw dry roots—

at night, in wild, desolate places.

4 They pulled up the plants of the desert and ate them,

even the tasteless roots of the broom tree!

5 Everyone drove them away with shouts,

as if they were shouting at thieves.

6 They had to live in caves,

in holes dug in the sides of cliffs.

7 Out in the wilds they howled like animals

and huddled together under the bushes.

8 A worthless bunch of nameless nobodies!

They were driven out of the land.

9 Now they come and laugh at me;

I am nothing but a joke to them.

10 They treat me with disgust;

they think they are too good for me,

and even come and spit in my face.

11 Because God has made me weak and helpless,

they turn against me with all their fury.

12 This mob attacks me head-on;

they send me running; they prepare their final assault.

13 They cut off my escape and try to destroy me;

and there is no one to stop[j] them.

14 They pour through the holes in my defenses

and come crashing down on top of me;

15 I am overcome with terror;

my dignity is gone like a puff of wind,

and my prosperity like a cloud.

16 Now I am about to die;

there is no relief for my suffering.

17 At night my bones all ache;

the pain that gnaws me never stops.

18 God seizes me by my collar

and twists my clothes out of shape.

19 He throws me down in the mud;

I am no better than dirt.

20 I call to you, O God, but you never answer;

and when I pray, you pay no attention.

21 You are treating me cruelly;

you persecute me with all your power.

22 You let the wind blow me away;

you toss me about in a raging storm.

23 I know you are taking me off to my death,

to the fate in store for everyone.

24 Why do you attack a ruined man,

one who can do nothing but beg for pity?[k]

25 Didn't I weep with people in trouble

and feel sorry for those in need?

26 I hoped for happiness and light,

but trouble and darkness came instead.

27 I am torn apart by worry and pain;

I have had day after day of suffering.

28 I go about in gloom, without any sunshine;

I stand up in public and plead for help.

29 My voice is as sad and lonely

as the cries of a jackal or an ostrich.

30 My skin has turned dark; I am burning with fever.

31 Where once I heard joyful music,

now I hear only mourning and weeping.

31 I have made a solemn promise

never to look with lust at a woman.

2 What does Almighty God do to us?

How does he repay human deeds?

3 He sends disaster and ruin

to those who do wrong.

4 God knows everything I do;

he sees every step I take.

5 I swear I have never acted wickedly

and never tried to deceive others.

6 Let God weigh me on honest scales,

and he will see how innocent I am.

7 If I have turned from the right path

or let myself be attracted to evil,

if my hands are stained with sin,

8     then let my crops be destroyed,

or let others eat the food I grow.

9 If I have been attracted to my neighbor's wife,

and waited, hidden, outside her door,

10     then let my wife cook another man's food

and sleep in another man's bed.

11 Such wickedness should be punished by death.

12 It would be like a destructive, hellish fire,

consuming everything I have.

13 When any of my servants complained against me,

I would listen and treat them fairly.

14 If I did not, how could I then face God?

What could I say when God came to judge me?

15 The same God who created me

created my servants also.

16 I have never refused to help the poor;

never have I let widows live in despair

17     or let orphans go hungry while I ate.

18 All my life I have taken care of them.[l]

19 When I found someone in need,

too poor to buy clothes,

20     I would give him clothing made of wool

that had come from my own flock of sheep.

Then he would praise me with all his heart.

21 If I have ever cheated an orphan,

knowing I could win in court,

22     then may my arms be broken;

may they be torn from my shoulders.

23 Because I fear God's punishment,

I could never do such a thing.

24 I have never trusted in riches

25     or taken pride in my wealth.

26 I have never worshiped the sun in its brightness

or the moon in all its beauty.

27 I have not been led astray to honor them

by kissing my hand in reverence to them.

28 Such a sin should be punished by death;

it denies Almighty God.

29 I have never been glad when my enemies suffered,

or pleased when they met with disaster;

30     I never sinned by praying for their death.

31 All those who work for me know

that I have always welcomed strangers.

32 I invited travelers into my home

and never let them sleep in the streets.

33 Others try to hide their sins,

but I have never concealed mine.

34 I have never feared what people would say;

I have never kept quiet or stayed indoors

because I feared their scorn.

35 Will no one listen to what I am saying?

I swear that every word is true.

Let Almighty God answer me.

If the charges my opponent brings against me

were written down so that I could see them,

36 I would wear them proudly on my shoulder

and place them on my head like a crown.

37 I would tell God everything I have done,

and hold my head high in his presence.

38 If I have stolen the land I farm

and taken it from its rightful owners—

39     if I have eaten the food that grew there

but let the farmers that grew it starve—

40     then instead of wheat and barley,

may weeds and thistles grow.

The words of Job are ended.

7-Job 26:5 The spirits of the dead tremble

in the waters under the earth.

6 The world of the dead lies open to God;

no covering shields it from his sight.

7 God stretched out the northern sky

and hung the earth in empty space.

8 It is God who fills the clouds with water

and keeps them from bursting with the weight.

9 He hides the full moon behind a cloud.

10 He divided light from darkness

by a circle drawn on the face of the sea.

11 When he threatens the pillars that hold up the sky,

they shake and tremble with fear.

12 It is his strength that conquered the sea;[b]

by his skill he destroyed the monster Rahab.[c]

13 It is his breath that made the sky clear,

and his hand that killed the escaping monster.[d]

14 But these are only hints of his power,

only the whispers that we have heard.

Who can know how truly great God is?

8-Job 27:7 May all who oppose me and fight against me

be punished like the wicked and the unrighteous.

8 What hope is there for the godless

in the hour when God demands their life?

9 When trouble comes, will God hear their cries?

10 They should have desired the joy he gives;

they should have constantly prayed to him.

Job 27: 12 This is how Almighty God

punishes wicked, violent people.

14 They may have many sons,

but all will be killed in war;

their children never have enough to eat.

15 Those who survive will die from disease,

and even their widows will not mourn their death.

16 The wicked may have too much silver to count

and more clothes than anyone needs;

17 but some good person will wear the clothes,

and someone honest will get the silver.

18 The wicked build houses like a spider's web[b]

or like the hut of a slave guarding the fields.

19 One last time[c] they will lie down rich,

and when they wake up, they will find their wealth gone.

20 Terror will strike like a sudden flood;

a wind in the night will blow them away;

21     the east wind will sweep them from their homes;

22     it will blow down on them without pity

while they try their best to escape.

23 The wind howls at them as they run,

frightening them with destructive power.

9-Job 31:29 I have never been glad when my enemies suffered,

or pleased when they met with disaster;

30     I never sinned by praying for their death.

10-Job 31:33 Others try to hide their sins,

but I have never concealed mine.

11-Ephesians 2:8  For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.

12-Galatians 2:20 so that it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.

13-Job 1:8 “Did you notice my servant Job?” the LORD asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil.”

Job 2:3 “Did you notice my servant Job?” the LORD asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil. You persuaded me to let you attack him for no reason at all, but Job is still as faithful as ever.”

14-Desire of Ages 753-754

Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. He was counted a transgressor, that He might redeem us from the condemnation of the law. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing upon His heart. The wrath of God against sin, the terrible manifestation of His displeasure because of iniquity, filled the soul of His Son with consternation. All His life Christ had been publishing to a fallen world the good news of the Father’s mercy and pardoning love. Salvation for the chief of sinners was His theme. But now with the terrible weight of guilt He bears, He cannot see the Father’s reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt. {DA 753.1}

Satan with his fierce temptations wrung the heart of Jesus. The Saviour could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal. Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father’s wrath upon Him as man’s substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God. {DA 753.2}

With amazement angels witnessed the Saviour’s despairing agony. The hosts of heaven veiled their faces from the fearful sight. Inanimate nature expressed sympathy with its insulted and dying Author. The sun refused to look upon the awful scene. Its full, bright rays were illuminating the earth at midday, when suddenly it seemed to be blotted out. Complete darkness, like a funeral pall, enveloped the cross. “There was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.” There was no eclipse or other natural cause for this darkness, which was as deep as midnight without moon or stars. It was a miraculous testimony given by God that the faith of after generations might be confirmed. {DA 753.3}

In that thick darkness God’s presence was hidden. He makes darkness His pavilion, and conceals His glory from human eyes. God and His holy angels were beside the cross. The Father was with His Son. Yet His presence was not revealed. Had His glory flashed forth from the cloud, every human beholder would have been destroyed. And in that dreadful hour Christ was not to be comforted with the Father’s presence. He trod the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him. {DA 753.4}

In the thick darkness, God veiled the last human agony of His Son. All who had seen Christ in His suffering had been convicted of His divinity. That face, once beheld by humanity, was never forgotten. As the face of Cain expressed his guilt as a murderer, so the face of Christ revealed innocence, serenity, benevolence,—the image of God. But His accusers would not give heed to the signet of heaven. Through long hours of agony Christ had been gazed upon by the jeering multitude. Now He was mercifully hidden by the mantle of God. {DA 754.1}

The silence of the grave seemed to have fallen upon Calvary. A nameless terror held the throng that was gathered about the cross. The cursing and reviling ceased in the midst of half-uttered sentences. Men, women, and children fell prostrate upon the earth. Vivid lightnings occasionally flashed forth from the cloud, and revealed the cross and the crucified Redeemer. Priests, rulers, scribes, executioners, and the mob, all thought that their time of retribution had come. After a while some whispered that Jesus would now come down from the cross. Some attempted to grope their way back to the city, beating their breasts and wailing in fear. {DA 754.2}

At the ninth hour the darkness lifted from the people, but still enveloped the Saviour. It was a symbol of the agony and horror that weighed upon His heart. No eye could pierce the gloom that surrounded the cross, and none could penetrate the deeper gloom that enshrouded the suffering soul of Christ. The angry lightnings seemed to be hurled at Him as He hung upon the cross. Then “Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” As the outer gloom settled about the Saviour, many voices exclaimed: The vengeance of heaven is upon Him. The bolts of God’s wrath are hurled at Him, because He claimed to be the Son of God. Many who believed on Him heard His despairing cry. Hope left them. If God had forsaken Jesus, in what could His followers trust? {DA 754.3}

When the darkness lifted from the oppressed spirit of Christ, He revived to a sense of physical suffering, and said, “I thirst.” One of the Roman soldiers, touched with pity as he looked at the parched lips, took a sponge on a stalk of hyssop, and dipping it in a vessel of vinegar, offered it to Jesus. But the priests mocked at His agony. When darkness covered the earth, they had been filled with fear; as their terror abated, the dread returned that Jesus would yet escape them. His words, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” they had misinterpreted. With bitter contempt and scorn they said, “This man calleth for Elias.” The last opportunity to relieve His sufferings they refused. “Let be,” they said, “let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.” {DA 754.4}

15-Job 33:1 And now, Job, listen carefully

to all that I have to say.

2 I am ready to say what's on my mind.

3 All my words are sincere,

and I am speaking the truth.

4 God's spirit made me and gave me life.

5 Answer me if you can. Prepare your arguments.

6 You and I are the same in God's sight,

both of us were formed from clay.

7 So you have no reason to fear me;

I will not overpower you.

Job 33:12 But I tell you, Job, you are wrong.

God is greater than any human being.

Job 33:19 God corrects us by sending sickness

and filling our bodies with pain.

20 Those who are sick lose their appetites,

and even the finest food looks revolting.

21 Their bodies waste away to nothing;

you can see all their bones;

22     they are about to go to the world of the dead.

23 Perhaps an angel may come to their aid—

one of God's thousands of angels,

who remind us of our duty.

24 In mercy the angel will say, “Release them!

They are not to go down to the world of the dead.

Here is the ransom to set them free.”

25 Their bodies will grow young and strong again;

26     when they pray, God will answer;

they will worship God with joy;

God will set things right for them again.

27 Each one will say in public, “I have sinned.

I have not done right, but God spared me.

28 He kept me from going to the world of the dead,

and I am still alive.”

16-Job 34:10 Listen to me, you men who understand!

Will Almighty God do what is wrong?

11 He rewards people for what they do

and treats them as they deserve.

12 Almighty God does not do evil;

he is never unjust to anyone.

13 Did God get his power from someone else?

Did someone put him in charge of the world?

14 If God took back the breath of life,

15     then everyone living would die

and turn into dust again.

17-Acts 17:25 Nor does he need anything that we can supply by working for him, since it is he himself who gives life and breath and everything else to everyone.

28 as someone has said,

‘In him we live and move and exist.’

It is as some of your poets have said,

‘We too are his children.’

18-Job 34:21 He watches every step we take.

22 There is no darkness dark enough

to hide a sinner from God.

Job 36:5 How strong God is! He despises no one;

there is nothing he doesn't understand.

6 He does not let sinners live on,

and he always treats the poor with justice.

7 He protects those who are righteous;

he allows them to rule like kings

and lets them be honored forever.

Job 37:23 God's power is so great that we cannot come near him;

he is righteous and just in his dealings with us.

24 No wonder, then, that everyone is awed by him,

and that he ignores those who claim to be wise.

19-Job 9:24 God gave the world to the wicked.

He made all the judges blind.

And if God didn't do it, who did?

20-Ezekiel 28:12 “Mortal man,” he said, “grieve for the fate that is waiting for the king of Tyre. Tell him what I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying: You were once an example of perfection. How wise and handsome you were! 13 You lived in Eden, the garden of God, and wore gems of every kind: rubies and diamonds; topaz, beryl, carnelian, and jasper; sapphires, emeralds, and garnets. You had ornaments of gold. They were made for you[a] on the day you were created. 14 I put a terrifying angel there to guard you.[b] You lived on my holy mountain and walked among sparkling gems. 15 Your conduct was perfect from the day you were created until you began to do evil. 16 You were busy buying and selling, and this led you to violence and sin. So I forced you to leave my holy mountain, and the angel who guarded you drove you away from the sparkling gems. 17 You were proud of being handsome, and your fame made you act like a fool. Because of this I hurled you to the ground and left you as a warning to other kings.

Isaiah 14:12 King of Babylon, bright morning star, you have fallen from heaven! In the past you conquered nations, but now you have been thrown to the ground. 13 You were determined to climb up to heaven and to place your throne above the highest stars. You thought you would sit like a king on that mountain in the north where the gods assemble. 14 You said you would climb to the tops of the clouds and be like the Almighty. 15 But instead, you have been brought down to the deepest part of the world of the dead.

21-Job 29:15 I was eyes for the blind,

and feet for the lame.

22-Job 32:4 Because Elihu was the youngest one there, he had waited until everyone finished speaking. 5 When he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he was angry

23-Job 34:36 Think through everything that Job says;

you will see that he talks like an evil man.

37 To his sins he adds rebellion;

in front of us all he mocks God.

24-Psalm 45:6 The kingdom that God has given you[a]

will last forever and ever.

You rule over your people with justice;

James 4:6 But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

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