The House You're Building

God never gave Job the reason for his suffering.   Instead, he wanted Job to trust Him, to maintain his faith despite his circumstances.   And Job complied. The message of Job is that, no matter the circumstances, we can trust God fully.   When all is lost and there is no one to turn to, we can always trust that God is there.   He can be our ever present hope because He created all things, He knows all things, and His power is greater than anything we could ever imagine.   Key Verses:   Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there.   The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.   Blessed be the name of the Lord.   Job 1:21   Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?   Job 2:10   Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.   Job 13:15   But it is still my consolation, and I rejoice in unsparing pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. ...

I’ve typed this introduction a few times now.   It is a humbling thing to find just the right words to prepare one to read God’s response to Job.   Since my words are inadequate, I’ll use His:     Listen to this, stand and consider the wonders of God.   Do you know how God establishes them? (Job 37:14,15 NASV)       We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty; even though He is just and righteous, He does not destroy us (Job 37:23 NLT)       But to man He said, Behold the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord—this is Wisdom (Job 28:28 Amplified)       I know through my study of this book, God has opened my eyes through His Spirit to behold His majesty.   Reading through these next chapters, I am praying that you will catch a glimpse of it too.   For when we witness a piece of God with our frail human eyes, suffering and seeming injustices fade aw...

Job 32 through 37 introduces Elihu, someone we haven’t heard from before during these discourses, but who can no longer stay silent about what he has heard about the cause of Job’s suffering.   Like the others, Elihu explains Job’s suffering based on his own perception of God’s character.   But unlike the others, Elihu is not grouped in God’s displeasure (Job 42:7) in the misrepresentation of Him.   Pay close attention to what Elihu says about God’s character because nothing is more important than knowing Him.   Key verse:   Job 33:28 He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit and my life shall look upon the light.    Read Chapters 32 through 33. ·          What does Elihu say about himself?   Why could he no longer remain silent? ·          What is Elihu’s main charge against Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar? ·     ...

  When the pain of life comes, it’s easy to fantasize how great things used to be.   Sometimes the familiar, though it was also hard, is what we long for.   For example, when traveling in the wilderness, the Israelites complained to Moses that their life was so hard they’d rather be back in Egypt (Numbers 14:2-3) where they experience slavery.   So where does your mind go when suffering comes?   Do you look back only remembering the good times?   This week, Job shows that same human tendency of looking back in the continuation of his response to Bldad that he began in chapter 26.    In his memory is he faithful to God?   Key Verse: Job 31:14 What then could I do when God arises? And when He calls me to account, what will I answer Him?   Job 29 ·          Make a list of Job’s perspective on his relationships, wealth and physical health.   This will help you understand how he...

True wisdom does not come from having more education, more knowledge, or even more experiences; instead, true wisdom comes only from God.   “ For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.   He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,   Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.”   Proverbs 2:6-8.   In these next chapters, Job is beginning to understand that fear, awe, and reverence of God is the beginning of wisdom.   And despite their professed “wisdom” about the source of Job’s woes, his so-called “friends” appear to know nothing.   Key Verse:   “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’” Job 28:28     Read Chapter 25. ·          What is Bildad’s one main point?   Read Chapter 26. · ...