Sunday School 4-9-06 Job 14(1-2), (11-17), 32(6) (8) 34(12) 37(14) (22)
Elihu “whose God is he” (from Easton’s Bible Dicitonary)
"The son of Barachel, a Buzite" (Job 32:2), one of Job's friends. When the debate between Job and his friends is brought to a close, Elihu for the first time makes his appearance, and delivers his opinion on the points at issue (Job 32:37). (Note from RB: Elihu was the youngest of the “friends of Job” and the closest to being correct as he does understand the greatness and power of God. His failure is his ego. Notice two sections of his discourse to understand his flaw. First of all when he arrives he is angry at Job for “he justified himself rather than God and angry at the three friends because they “found no answer and yet had condemned Job.” The second accusation is correct, but he is wrong at condemning Job. Job never justified himself other than to claim there was no hidden, terrible sin in his life which was correct. People like Elihu are susceptible to one very bad character flaw; they are know-it-alls. Note how he describes himself in Chapter 33 1-6. “1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. 2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. 3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. 4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. 6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.He offers Job no answers, but does speak of deeper theological issues and defends the correctness of the actions of God. Elihu actually has the gall to claim he is speaking in God’s stead! What hubris! Some folks today are just as bad; they claim to have all the answers to every situation. I was given some very good advice as a young preacher which I have always tried to remember; when you don’t know what ever you do say I don’t know. Don’t speak on matters of which you have no understanding or knowledge!)
Eliphaz “God his strength”. (Easton’s Bible Dicitonary)
One of Job's "three friends" who visited him in his affliction (4:1). He was a "Temanite", i.e., a native of Teman, in Idumea. He first enters into debate with Job. His language is uniformly more delicate and gentle than that of the other two, although he imputes to Job special sins as the cause of his present sufferings. He states with remarkable force of language the infinite purity and majesty of God (4:12-21; 15:12-16). (note from RB: the key verses to demonstrate Eliphaz’s feelings are Job 4(7-9) JOB 4:7-9 “Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. 4:9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.” You can see that he accuses Job of some secret sin which God is avenging. Remember last week’s lesson when God called Job a perfect and upright man. We should be reminded not to accuse someone whom God is not accusing!)
Bildad
“Son
of Contention”
(Easton’s Bible
Dicitonary)
one of Job's friends. He
is called "the Shuhite," probably as belonging to
Shuah, a district in Arabia, in which
Shuah, the sixth son of Abraham by
Keturah, settled (Genesis
25:2). He
took part in each of the three controversies into which Job's friends entered
with him (Job
8:1;
18:1;
25:1), and
delivered three speeches, very severe and stern in their tone, although less
violent than those of Zophar, but more so than
those of Eliphaz. (note
from RB: Bildad uses old sayings which while they
may often be true do not answer Job’s plight. Bildad
calls Job an hypocrite; strong words for someone
without knowledge. The key verses that reveal Bildad’s
logic are Job 8:8 and 8:13 “JOB 8:8 For inquire, I pray thee, of the former
age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
JOB
8:13 So
are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:”)
Zophar “chirping or sparrow” (Easton’s Bible Dicitonary)
one of Job's friends who came to condole with him in his distress (Job 2:11. The LXX. render here "king of the Mineans" = Ma'in, Maonites, Judges 10:12, in Southern Arabia). He is called a Naamathite, or an inhabitant of some unknown place called Naamah. (note from RB: Zophar takes his accusations farther than the first two: he plainly calls Job a liar! JOB 11:2-5 “Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? 11:3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
11:4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. 11:5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;)
JOB 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
Life
Notice Job does not say man that is born of a man, but man that is born of a woman. The Hebrew word translated “woman” literally means weak or frail. This verse is literally saying man is born of a frail being so he should understand he is frail himself. Life is the opposite of what the flesh desires. It is of few days and full of trouble rather than full of days and few of troubles. We shouldn’t make too much of this. The Bible tells us countless places about the joys of a life lived in communion with God. Jesus came that we might have abundant life. The Scriptures tells us of joy unspeakable and full of glory. What is going on here then? The answer is that the Scripture reveals both sides of life. A life lived for God is superior and more peaceful than a life lived contrary to His wishes, but every life contains hardships and heartaches. We all experience pain and sorrow. Life passes way too fast. I’ll always remember speaking to Rev. Wade Webb in the last days of his life which he lived for over 90 years; most of it for the Lord. I asked him if his journey had been long. He amazed me by saying it had passed away swiftly. He said it seemed like yesterday that he was healthy, his two daughters and wife lively and vibrant in his home, and he himself preaching all over the area for the Kingdom of God. The pages of his life had turned too swiftly, but he was looking ahead to a city where separation is forbidden. Think about it children; what you want to do for the Lord, you need to do now!
14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
Continueth not
Life on this planet is not permanent, but temporary. No matter how long a man lives he will eventually pass from this veil of tears. The question is not how to keep from dying; it cannot be done. The Scripture tells us that it is appointed unto man once to die. This is one appointment we will keep. It’s OK to take care of ourselves to delay death for as long as possible; the desire to live is imparted into us by our maker, but some folks work so hard to stay alive and don’t do anything to prepare for death. They deny themselves and exercise, they are so careful to avoid accidents; yet despite all their efforts, when God calls for their soul, they answer. Death is certain. Life is fleeting. We must be ready for the inevitable. Have you prepared to die? We prepare for school, we prepare for work, we prepare for retirement, but the most important appointment we have is with death. Are you ready? Some folks say “I just don’t want to talk about it.” That’s OK, but ignoring it does not make it go away!
14:11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
Read carefully
One might think Job is ignorant or denying the resurrection of the dead, but we need to read a little closer. Job is not saying the dead have passed away forever; he said the soul “riseth not till the heavens be no more.” Job knows he will not be resurrected to live on this earth in his body again. He will live again, but not until the heavens be no more. Let me show you two New Testament verses to prove Job right. 2nd Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Some scholars claim the Old Testament saints had no idea of eternal life; that assumption comes from folks who are not digging deep enough. Listen to the rest of this section of Scripture to see Job is looking forward to eternity.
14:13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
Tribulation Period
Is Job talking about being hidden in the grave until God is no longer mad at him? I don’t think that is what this means at all. Job knows the grave cannot hide him from God. He understands God is not like a human being who would forget where Job was. I think Job knew of the coming Tribulation period and he does not want to be resurrected until it is over. The coming 7 year tribulation period is referred to as being the wrath of God. Consider these Scriptures! (1st Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.) (1st Thessalonians 5:1-9 “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,)( Revelation 6:15-17 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?)
Remember me
The phrase “appoint me a set time” refers to a time when hardships have passed. Job is praying God will allow him to avoid this time of the wrath of God, but when His wrath is passed Job desires and expects to be resurrected to live again. I think Job knew more than most modern scholars want to give him credit for knowing!
14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
The eternal question
This question has been asked by every generation of human beings who have ever lived on this earth. Is this all there is? If a man dies, does he live again somewhere? The Bible surely teaches eternal life. Man was never made to be temporary. God breathed His breath into Adam and he became a living soul. Once life has been initiated, it will never end. Even the wicked will live eternally; more correctly, they will die forever. Some say this is just an old wives tale; you cannot prove there is life after death, but they are wrong. Jesus proved it when He got up out of the grave. Because He lives, I will live also! Think of how miserable life would be if we died and there was nothing beyond this life. Our loved ones who have died would be gone from us forever. We would have nothing to look forward to but the pain and separation of death. How discouraging would life be without God! Thank God for the hope of eternal life which is the result of our relationship to Jesus Christ our Lord!
14:15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
The call of death
You can contribute to the heart fund, cancer fund, Aids relief, and many other good causes, but I’ve never heard of a death fund, have you? Death is really the problem we have, but it is a problem we will never solve. God has appointed it unto man to die because of Adam’s sin and every great man has answered that same call. Presidents, kings, prophets, and generals have all had to travel this common journey of man. None has been able to keep his soul when God had a desire for it. The best Doctors, hospitals, and scientists, with their incredible knowledge, have been unable to keep one soul from answering God’s call. They can’t protect you either. Don’t think death will be conquered; prepare for it!
14:16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? 14:17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
New Testament blessings
Some scholars think Job loses his faith here, but I think that is incorrect. What he is doing is reflecting upon the condition of life prior to the grace of God bought by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Job says that God is watching him and taking note of his sins. His sins are “sealed up in a bag” which refers to bills of indictment in a court of law. His iniquity is “sewed up” or in other words they cling to him and he can’t get past them. This is not anger or discouragement speaking; this is reality. The New Testament tells us than no man can be justified by the law. (Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.) Sacrifices were provided for, but the sin was always still present. (Hebrews 10:2-4 “For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”)
JOB 32:6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not show you mine opinion. 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 34:12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. 37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. 37:22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
Elihu
I discussed Elihu in the first section of our lesson today so I wont go too deeply into him again, but I want to point how we can be right and wrong at the same time. Elihu is correct when he refrained to speak before his elders had the opportunity to speak. He is correct when he said the inspiration of the Almighty gives understanding. He is perfectly correct when saying God will not do wickedly. Who can accuse God of perverting judgment; so what’s the problem. The problem is in the attitude of Elihu. He claims to know the mind of God more correctly than anyone else. He is convinced he knows Job’s problem. He is wrong. His discourse ends with the last verse of Chapter 37. Listen to the first two verses of Chapter 38: Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? I don’t think God is speaking to Elihu only, but He is speaking to the 3 friends, Elihu, and to Job. None of them know God and His purposes. Actually, this is none of their business. God is soverign. It is at His discretion to bring upon us what He wills. We must trust the goodness and mercy of God and realize all things are for our good. God will not answer our every query. He expects obedience and faith. Elihu, and folks like him, do not alleviate pain from sufferers; they only add to the misery. Don’t be like him. Don’t be a know-it-all. Be willing to minister and not so quick to judge.
New Living Translation (to be used as a commentary only)
Job 14:1 “How frail is humanity! How short is life, and how full of trouble! 2 Like a flower, we blossom for a moment and then wither. Like the shadow of a passing cloud, we quickly disappear. 11 As water evaporates from a lake and as a river disappears in drought, 12 people lie down and do not rise again. Until the heavens are no more, they will not wake up nor be roused from their sleep.13 “I wish you would hide me with the dead and forget me there until your anger has passed. But mark your calendar to think of me again! 14 If mortals die, can they live again? This thought would give me hope, and through my struggle I would eagerly wait for release. 15 You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork. 16 For then you would count my steps, instead of watching for my sins. 17 My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and you would cover over my iniquity.
32:6 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, “I am young and you are old, so I held back and did not dare to tell you what I think. 8 Surely it is God’s Spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent.
34:12 There is no truer statement than this: God will not do wrong. The Almighty cannot twist justice.
37: 14 “Listen, Job; stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God! 22 Golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor.
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