Today's Reading:

Job 40:6-24
Job 41
Job 42
Psalm 29

 
God asked Job serious questions: Are you discrediting God’s justice? Did you condemn God to make yourself look more righteous? If so, look at the world- and cut them off at the knees to humble them. If you can do this- then I God, will admit that you as a human can save yourself by your own “right arm” (strength). Do we really think we can contend with God- that we know better? That we can serve our own justice? We fail and we cannot achieve perfect righteousness, but by embracing humility and acknowledging God’s sovereignty, we can rest in unmerited grace through our faith in Jesus.

Congratulations- Successfully completing a challenging book like Job often requires perseverance, and it's a testament to your hard work, great job! God came to Job through a storm and talked to him asking how, as a human, he thought he could be on par with God. Job silently admitted his lack of knowledge. God asked Job of his own powers and continued in chapter 41 with how miniscule humans were at taming the beasts. The Behemoth, a powerful hippo type creature, muscular with iron like limbs- so strong of a beast that it seemed to have immense powers yet, was controlled by God. And Leviathan, could Job tame the powerful sea creature, it would be like training a dragon to be your pet. If you could not control this dangerous beast that is more terrifying than Behemoth, how could you think that you were as powerful as the Creator. God asked, “Who can stand against me?” (41:10). Only God could humble the creatures. Consider their power, it is overwhelming- until you can control them, you will not understand God’s vast power and limitless knowledge and His authority.

Chapter 42 wrapped up the book of Job. Job humbled himself before God, he finally fully repented for his harsh attitude thinking he was always righteous. God then addressed the 3 friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. As a reminder, Eliphaz thought Job had hidden sin, maybe he was living a double life. Bildad had a more traditional view, that Job had direct consequences for his sins and needed to accept Gods justice. Lastly, Zophar was the harshest of friends, he demanded immediate repentance and said that Job’s sufferings were not enough punishment for the sins he must have committed.

God did not chastise Elihu (behind the scenes friend #4) because Elihu had not accused Job of an actual sin, just reminded Job that all humans had a sinful nature. God was quite angry and did command the other three friends to repent and bring sacrifices to Job, since they were believing the wrong theology of- if something bad had happened you must have sinned. They had wrongly accused Job. God had them offer the sacrifices to Job, Job would pray for them and then God would extend his forgiveness to the friends.

After all the troubles Job had gone through, God restored him and blessed Job with more fortunes than he had before, with a family to love and a long happy life. Grace, justice and inheritance are all extended from God for His Kingdom.

Psalm 29 fit in perfectly with the book of Job, as David wrote the Lord alone is the divine King. Job was searching for God through his troubles and longing to be close to him and restored back to the honor he once held. The Psalm teaches us to give God the glory, because He is worthy, He has unmatched power and He is holy. Simply, praise the Lord. In quiet self-reflection, humble your heart to recognize the majesty and power of the Lord, whose voice speaks over the waters and whose glory fills the earth.

Today's Discussion question: 

In quiet self-reflection, can you humble your heart to recognize the majesty and power of the Lord, whose voice speaks over the waters and whose glory fills the earth?

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