Journal Through the Bible: Week 5 Saturday

Taken by author

Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?  Job 37:18

Job 36:1-37:24

We are nearing the end of the book of Job. We know this because chapter 37 is the last discourse given by one of his acquaintances. These two chapters are Elihu's final remarks.

One of the reasons why I find Elihu somewhat confusing is that he seems to actually have some understanding of God (which being interpreted means he says that he really doesn't understand the ways of God much at all and claims that Job cannot either, see 36:26) as opposed to the elder friends who constantly say things about how God would never allow bad things to happen to good people so therefore if bad things are happening to Job he cannot possibly be a good person! In other words, their logic is faulty and so is their theology. Elihu strays into that territory some (36:11) but not nearly with the vengeance of those who spoke before him.

Elihu seems to understand that God is God and that in itself brings about a mystery. After all, if man can understand everything about God then He really isn't much of a God, now is He? Therefore I am willing to cut Elihu some slack although I still think he suffers from a certain arrogance and cruelty that often afflicts youth.

Does God make any promises in this passage?

Much depends upon what we make of Elihu's speech. Does he speak for God as he claims in 36:2? If so, then 36:7-16 provide  many promises to various people: the righteous, the wicked, the hypocrites, and the poor.
 

Are there any references to Jesus in these verses?

Not exactly, but as I've pointed out several times Jesus is the Creator so therefore all the wonders mentioned in chapter 37 are done by Him.

As a matter of fact, Jesus is also the righteous judge (as previously mentioned also) so He would carry out the duties found in chapter 36 as well.
 

Are there any references to End Time events or eternity?

Again, much depends upon Elihu's theology being sound. If he means that the righteous will spend their days in prosperity within the context of Jesus' reign on the earth then 36:11 if a future event. If he means that such things are guaranteed to happen here, then his theology is faulty.
 

Does God give any commands in this passage? If so, to whom? And must I obey them?

No, but this passage ends with talk of fearing God, which is always a great command and wise counsel. 

 

Read Through the Bible in 2013: February 11-16

Take Ten

2/11/2013	Genesis 44, 45	Matthew 27
2/12/2013	Genesis 46, 47	Matthew 28
2/13/2013	Genesis 48-50	Mark 1
2/14/2013	Exodus 1-3	Mark 2
2/15/2013	Exodus 4, 5	Mark 3, 4
2/16/2013	Exodus 6-8	Mark 5

See here for background information on Exodus.

See here for background information on the book of Mark.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 5 Friday

source

Job 34:1-35:16

I continue to be confused by Elihu and his arguments. At times he seems to make a lot of sense (34:10-15) and at other times his words border on cruelty (34:36-37). And yet, he points out the patience that God has with a sinner in bringing him to repentance (33:29-30). He also points out that Job should not be finding fault with the way God has chosen to treat him (34:5-9). There is still an element of "you're getting exactly what you deserve" like the others argued but there does not seem to be any morbid curiosity driving a desire to find out if Job has secret unconfessed sins.

Does God make any promises in this passage? If so, to whom? And do they apply to me?

Elihu says that God will never do wickedness or act unjustly (34:12). This is a promise because God is not capable of doing either.
 

Elihu also states that God will not listen to vain arguments or sinful speech. This is repeated by the psalmist in Psalm 66:18.

Are there references to Jesus in this passage?

None that I identified.

Are there references to future events?

None that I identified.

Does God command anyone to do anything? Who? Do those commands apply to me?

None that I identified. 

What is your opinion of Elihu?

 

 

 

Journal Through the Bible: Week 5 Thursday

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Job 32:1-33:33

Job's three "friends" Zophar, Eliphaz, and Bildad have run out of words in their debate against Job. Now a fourth person, a younger man by the name of Elihu, speaks. If you know the story you know that at the end God tells Job to pray for Zophar, Eliphaz, and Bildad and He will accept them but God does not do the same for Elihu. This sets the stage for a dilemma in my mind. Is Elihu right? Or is he wrong? And if he is wrong, why does God not tell Job to pray for him also?

I said recently that the thoughts contained in these blog posts are my thoughts and findings taken from the notes I make when I read my Bible and  not the result of consulting commentaries. That is the case today as well except that I am somewhat biased to one opinion as the result of something I read last year. I read in Henry Morris' book on Job last year and he believed that Elihu overstepped his authority and saw himself as an intercessor between Job and God. If that be the case - dare I say it? - that claim borders on the New Testament description of the unpardonable sin! If so, then perhaps that is why Job was not told to pray for Elihu.

On the other hand, Elihu's arguments are not exactly those of the former three but he does make some of the same points. If Elihu carefully and honestly represents a Godly position there would be no need for Job to pray for him at the end.

Does God make any promises in this passage?

It depends on which view of Elihu you believe.

It is true that God will be gracious to the man that is ransomed (see 33:24) and He will do the wonderful things proclaimed in 33:24-30.

Is there any reference to Jesus in this passage?

Yes, Jesus is the complete intercessor no matter which view one takes. He is the Man ("formed out of the clay" 33:6) who came to represent God.

His terror does not make the righteous afraid (33:7).

He is the one that keeps the soul from the pit of destruction (33:18)

He is the messenger, the interpreter, one among a thousand, that shows man uprightness (33:23).

He is the one that pays the ransom for man's atonement (33:24).
 

Is there any reference to future (to us) events?

Yes! Job 33:24-29 are a beautiful portrayal of the future that a believer has with God.  Other scriptures agree that youth and vigor will return to each person and that a believer will live forever with God (see John 14:23).

Does God give any commands? If so, to whom? And must I obey them?

God does not give any commands in this passage.