Year One, March 9

I Work, and Who Can Turn It Back?1

When Job’s three accusers were silent, when Elihu had finished his eloquent speech, and Job had no more to say, the Lord himself came between them. As if with a long series of thunderclaps, the Lord hushed every heart and voice into fear, wonder and respect.

  

Job 38:1-11; 16-17; 22-23; 31-41

1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

How majestic are those words, “Who is this?” Is it a poor, weak, foolish man? Is it Job? My servant Job! Does he speak of that which he cannot understand and dare to complain about his God? Our wisdom is only wisdom when it admits its own foolishness.

3 “Dress for action like a man;

I will question you, and you make it known to me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined its measurements--surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

6 On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone,

7 when the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

We know nothing about the ways of God. How foolish we are to think that we can pry into his mysteries and explain his difficult secrets. We are far better off singing with angels, than doubting with devils. The angels all sang, sang together, and sang with one common joy. Oh, for such unanimous joyful praise among people.

8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors

when it burst out from the womb,

9 when I made clouds its garment

and thick darkness its swaddling band,

10 and prescribed limits for it

and set bars and doors,

11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,

and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?”

16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea,

or walked in the recesses of the deep?

17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,

or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?”

The secrets of earth are too deep for us. The mysteries of eternity are even more so. One thing, however, is comforting; if we do not see the gates of death open, we do know who it is that has opened the door of heaven for us.

22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,

or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,

23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble,

for the day of battle and war?”

31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades

or loose the cords of Orion?

32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season,

or can you guide the Bear with its children?”

Pleiades, Orion, Mazzaroth, and Bear refer to constellations in the stars. Who among us can control the stars or change the seasons?

33 “Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?

Can you establish their rule on the earth?

34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,

that a flood of waters may cover you?

35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go

and say to you, ‘Here we are’?

36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts

or given understanding to the mind?

37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?

Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,

38 when the dust runs into a mass

and the clods stick fast together?

39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion,

or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,

40 when they crouch in their dens

or lie in wait in their thicket?

41 Who provides for the raven its prey,

when its young ones cry to God for help,

and wander about for lack of food?”

In all these things the greatness of the Lord and the nothingness of humanity are obvious. May God keep even one thought of pride from poisoning our spirit.

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¹ Isaiah 43:13

Year One, March 8

The Fear Of the LORD Is the Beginning of Wisdom1

Let us read Job’s famous passage about the search for wisdom.

  

Job 28

1 “Surely there is a mine for silver,

and a place for gold that they refine.

2 Iron is taken out of the earth,

and copper is smelted from the ore.”

The following verses describe mining operations and the dangers to the miner.

3 “Man puts an end to darkness

and searches out to the farthest limit

the ore in gloom and deep darkness.

4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives;

they are forgotten by travelers;

they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.”

That is to say, as the miners are lowered down the mineshaft, their feet dangle and swing to and fro.

5 “As for the earth, out of it comes bread,

but underneath it is turned up as by fire.

6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,

and it has dust of gold.

7 “That path no bird of prey knows,

and the falcon’s eye has not seen it.

8 The proud beasts have not trodden it;

the lion has not passed over it.

9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock

and overturns mountains by the roots.”

The solid rock is broken and those who search for precious metals dig out the hills. Their tunnels go into the center of the mountains and tear out the insides of the hills.

10 “He cuts out channels in the rocks,

and his eye sees every precious thing.

11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle,

and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light.”

Miners take great care to prevent the water from breaking through and flooding the mines. By taking these precautions they are able to penetrate deep into the earth and reveal her secrets.

12 “But where shall wisdom be found?

And where is the place of understanding?

13 Man does not know its worth,

and it is not found in the land of the living.

14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’

and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’

15 It cannot be bought for gold,

and silver cannot be weighed as its price.

16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,

in precious onyx or sapphire.

17 Gold and glass cannot equal it,

nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.”

In ancient times glass was a costly item used only for splendor and luxury. However precious glass might be, wisdom far surpasses it.

18 “No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;

the price of wisdom is above pearls.

19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,

nor can it be valued in pure gold.

20 “From where, then, does wisdom come?

And where is the place of understanding?

21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living

and concealed from the birds of the air.

22 Abaddon and Death say,

‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’

23 “God understands the way to it,

and he knows its place.

24 For he looks to the ends of the earth

and sees everything under the heavens.

25 When he gave to the wind its weight

and apportioned the waters by measure,

26 when he made a decree for the rain

and a way for the lightning of the thunder,

27 then he saw it and declared it;

he established it, and searched it out.

28 And he said to man,

‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,

and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Job comes to the same conclusion as Solomon, who said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” True religion is priceless beyond all the treasures of earth. Children and young men! Seek wisdom first, for then you will be truly rich.

Jesus is the Captain of the mine of wisdom and he will show you the treasures of precious knowledge.

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¹ Psalm 111:10 & Proverbs 9:10

Year One, March 7

For I the LORD Do Not Change1

Our space will not allow us to include much of this wonderful book of Job, but the following is an example of the patriarch’s expressions of distress.

  

Job 23

1Then Job answered and said:

2 “Today also my complaint is bitter;

my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.”

Most people cry before they are hurt, or more than they are hurt; but this was not Job’s case. He had good reason for every groan and when he groaned most he fell short of expressing what he really felt.

3 “Oh, that I knew where I might find him,

that I might come even to his seat!”

Even at his very lowest point this good man knows his true safety is in the Lord. Sinners turn from God in anger. The saints fly to him with hope. Yet sometimes the Lord is a God who hides himself. When he does this, he has wise results to accomplish. He will continue it no longer than is absolutely necessary.

4 “I would lay my case before him

and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would know what he would answer me

and understand what he would say to me.”

Job wished to have the question that his three friends had raised given a fair hearing in the very highest court. He felt that he could freely bring his case before such a righteous judge. It is only the pure in heart who can invite such a thorough investigation. Those who know that they are guiltless through Jesus’ blood are not afraid to appear in the courts of heaven.

6 “Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?

No; he would pay attention to me.”

Innocence does not fear power, but like Una, rides on the lion.2 The Lord never crushes a person because they are down. Rather, he delights to lift up those who have been cast down.

7 “There an upright man could argue with him,

and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

8 “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,

and backward, but I do not perceive him;

9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;

he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.

10 But he knows the way that I take;

when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”

He comforts himself with the assurance that if he could not find the Lord, and speak in his own defense, yet the case was already known to him, and would in due time be decided in his favor. His faith kept him wonderfully secure during his heavy trial; like a sure anchor in a terribly raging storm.

11 “My foot has held fast to his steps;

I have kept his way and have not turned aside.

12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;

I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”

Job again answers the accusations of his three unfriendly friends. He strongly declares that he is innocent of their charges. He rejects the idea that he is suffering for some secret sin.

13 “But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?

What he desires, that he does.

14 For he will complete what he appoints for me,

and many such things are in his mind.”

Job explains his trials by pointing out that God’s ways are both unchanging and unknowable. He suggests that many more troubles might yet visit him; and for which he might also be unable to find a reason.

15 “Therefore I am terrified at his presence;

when I consider, I am in dread of him.”

Great suffering could not kill his faith, but it reduced his joy. He understood that an absolute God could do whatever he wanted. It is no wonder that he trembled at this thought. Only when we see Jesus do we see that God is love.

16 “God has made my heart faint;

the Almighty has terrified me;

17 yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,

nor because thick darkness covers my face.”

He wished he could have died before these sufferings came on him, but all such wishes have no result. We cannot change what has already happened. Therefore, let us by faith move forward.

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¹ Malachi 3:6

² A reference to an English fairy tale written in the 1590’s by Edmund Spenser. Lady Una is searching for her lost knight when a lion appears, ready to devour her. Una shows no fear, but only remorse for her lost knight. The lion takes pity on Una and allows her to ride on his back as they search together for the lost Knight of the Red Cross.

Year One, March 6

He Will Deliver You from Six Troubles1

Eliphaz, the Temanite, brought wrong and cruel accusations against Job. Nevertheless, he did touch on some important things. We will read two passages of his first speech. In the first, he shows that weak and guilty people must not question the wisdom and justice of God’s actions.

  

Job 4:12-21

12 “Now a word was brought to me stealthily;

my ear received the whisper of it,

13 Amid thoughts from visions of the night,

when deep sleep falls on men,

14 dread came upon me, and trembling,

which made all my bones shake.

15 A spirit glided past my face;

the hair of my flesh stood up.

16 It stood still,

but I could not discern its appearance.

A form was before my eyes;

there was silence, then I heard a voice:

17 ‘Can mortal man be in the right before God?

Can a man be pure before his Maker?

18 Even in his servants he puts no trust,

and his angels he charges with error;

19 how much more those who dwell in houses of clay,

whose foundation is in the dust,

who are crushed like the moth.

20 Between morning and evening they are beaten to pieces;

they perish forever without anyone regarding it.

21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them,

do they not die, and that without wisdom?’”

Compared to God what are humans or even angels? The wisdom of angels is limited and where their wisdom ends foolishness begins. Theirs is not sinful folly, but when compared to the All-Wise God, even angels know very little. How then can we think highly of weak human beings who we know will soon die and turn to dust, and be forgotten? How then can a mere insect like ourselves, who is not only foolish, but also sinful, dare to question what the Eternal God does?

  

Job 5:17-27

In our second selection Eliphaz teaches us not to become discouraged when we receive divine chastisements,2 because they are intended for our highest good.

17 “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves;

therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.”

Do not have a strong dislike for God’s discipline. Do not rebel against it or think God is acting out of anger. And do not disregard it as if it were not important.

18 “For he wounds, but he binds up;

he shatters, but his hands heal.”

The same Lord is in both our afflictions and our relief. He arranges that the one will surely be followed by the other.

19 “He will deliver you from six troubles;

in seven no evil shall touch you.”

Trouble may roar at us like a lion, but it cannot devour us. It may irritate us, but it will not do us real harm. If we suffer a large number of trials we will have an even larger supply of grace.

20 “In famine he will redeem you from death,

and in war from the power of the sword.

21 You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue (a mercy indeed),

and shall not fear destruction when it comes.

22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh,

and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.

23 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field,

and the beast of the field shall be at peace with you.”

The Great Master’s dogs will not bite his friends.

24 “You shall know that your tent is at peace,

and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.

25 You shall know also that your offspring shall be many,

and your descendants as the grass of the earth.”

The Lord is our Friend and he will also be gracious to our children.

26 “You shall come to your grave in ripe old age,

like a sheaf gathered up in its season.

27 Behold, this we have searched out; it is true.

Hear, and know it for your good.”

Not only have we been told this, we have seen that it is true. “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.”3

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¹ Job 5:19

² chasten, chastening or chastisement - The act of discipline which may include scolding, criticizing or pain inflicted for the purpose of correction or moral improvement.

³ Romans 8:28

Year One, March 5

Blessed Is the Man Who Remains Steadfast Under Trial1

Job 2:1-13

1Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD.

Even the devil will attend worship services to serve his own ends. Those who hope to be saved because they attend church services regularly are hoping in the wrong thing. We should also “watch and pray” when we attend Christian services. Satan is there and is busy with his temptations.2

2And the LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”

Satan is full of evil, but he is not idle. A lazy person commits one more sin than the devil himself.

3And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” (Job was a good, honest, and sincere man. These qualities were like a strong fortress that resisted the attacks of hell. The prince of darkness himself personally attacked him. God gave Satan permission to take away everything Job had.)

4Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 5But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” (Satan suggested that bodily pain would be the weapon to wound Job’s faith and even turn that faith into rebellion. The evil one showed his great skill in this plan. Many people have been able to endure every other trial, but were defeated by the suffering of physical pain. Nevertheless, the Lord can make his people more than conquerors even there.) 6And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”

7So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.

Job did not have a soft bed while in this terrible condition, but sat on the hard ashes. He probably did not have a doctor or nurse to help ease his pain. There he sat, the prince of misery; but there was worse to come.

9Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”  In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Satan tried to ruin Job by using the person who should have been his best comforter, but the evil one was defeated. The words of his wife only led Job to proclaim another of those remarkable speeches that are now the treasures of the church.)

11Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. 12And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. 13And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

They showed sympathy, but even this was not allowed to continue. Satan would not let them comfort the afflicted one. Eventually, these three friends became judges of Job’s condition. They decided that such unusual suffering could only have been brought about by unusual sin. Under this impression, they added the last drop of bitterness to Job’s cup by accusing him of hypocrisy and secret sin.

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¹ James 1:12

² Matthew 26:41, Jesus said, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”