Reading Job 35-37
My grandchildren were over visiting and I was coloring with my granddaughter. She looked at my paper I was coloring and said, “Seriously, Grandma you are that old and you can color this good!”
Elihu, looks at Job and says, ” Does this kind of thing make any sense? First you say, ‘I’m perfectly innocent before God. And then you say, ‘It doesn’t make a bit of difference whether I’ve sinned or not.” Job 35:1-3
Elihu makes some statements that are true in chapter 35, when times are bad, people cry for help and when times are good never give God a though when things go well. When things are going well God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts. God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom using birds to teach wisdom. He ends this chapter telling Job he talks nonsense.
Chapter 36 Elihu takes a deep breath and keeps on talking saying God is all-powerful. He doesn’t bully innocent people. He champions the rights of victims. He never takes his eyes off the righteous. He promises when we learn from our suffering that God delivers us from our sufferings.
Elihu’s obsessed with putting the blame on God. The Message Bible says,”Oh, Job, don’t you see how God’s wooing you from the Jaws of danger? How he’s drawing you into wind-open places–inviting you to feast at a table laden with blessings? And here you are laden with the guilt of the wicked, obsessed with putting the blame on God. Job 36;16-17
God is powerful, He is infinite, He is grea,t. He pulls water up out of the sey a, distills it, and fills up his rain cloud cistern. Then the skies open up and pour out soaking showers on everyone. God speaks through the thunder. These are symbols of his sovereignty, his generosity, his loving care.
Beloved, do you agree that there is nothing greater than a thunder-storm? The sky l ights up with lightning. The thunder claps. Chapter 37 starts, “Whenever this happens, my heart stops–I’m stunned. I can’t catch my breath. Listen to it! Listen to his thunder. the rolling rumbling thunder of his voice. He lets loose his lightnings from horizon to horizon. lighting up the earth from the pole to pole. In their wake, the thunder echoes his voice, powerful and majestic.
Lastly, Elihu asked Job if he was listening to his speech. Job, stop and smell the roses…..No one stares straight in the sun on a clear and cloudless day.
Mighty God! Far beyond our reach!Unsurpassable!in power and justice! It’s unthinkable that he’d treat anyone unfairly. So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all! If you’re wise, you’ll most certainly worship him.’ Job 37: 24
Is the author of this blog a grandmother? T/F
Job is listening to this speech. T/F
Elihu uses creation as an example of God’s power. T/F
When times are bad people cry out for help. T/F
List three of the attributes of God.
Beloved, the reading tomorrow is chapter 38-40 and we finally hear from God. How do you relate to Elihu speech? Much of what he has said is true. Do you enjoy a good rainstorm?
Father God, thank you for the blessing of rain, and creation. Thank you for the time we have had reading Job. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
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