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Poor Comfort… (3 points)
- 1st – The complaint of Job – Chapter 3
- Hebrew POETRY…
- Hebrew POETRY does not attempt to RHYME words – it is not based on similar sounds…
- Hebrew POETRY is formed by the COMPARING or CONTRASTING ideas…
- As we come into the SECOND section of Job – we will see this extensively!
- An idea will be stated – then a number of verses will be dedicated to COMPARING it…
- Then we will see the idea CONTRASTED – giving us a RHYME of ideas!
- Four ROUNDS…
- The SECOND section of Job – Chapters 3-37 – the Wisdom of Men…
- Is broken up into FOUR rounds of debate – THREE between Job and his THREE friends…
- After each FRIEND gives their OPINION – Job will respond and defend himself!
- Then a final FOURTH section when a young man named Elihu gives his opinion…
- After which God will give His TRUTH – which is the THIRD and final section of the Book!
- 1st – A CURSED day… vs. 1-13
- After this Job opened his mouth and CURSED the day… vs. 1
- CURSED [piel] – the word means to count something as insignificant…
- In light of suffering the loss of EVERYTHING – money / family / health…
- Job looked back on THE day he was BORN – and wished it had NOT happened!
- Now we begin the Hebrew POETRY … vs. 2-9
- Job will COMPARE ideas that reinforce how much he wished he had NOT been born…
- May THE day PERISH [be destroyed] on which I was born… vs. 3
- May THE day become [jussive] darkness – may God [אֱלוֹהַּ] NEVER [אַֽל] seek it… vs. 4
- The GENERIC name of God is used almost exclusively in this SECOND section…
- Which gives us a good HINT at the underlying problem ALL these men had…
- They knew ABOUT God – but they did not have a personal relationship WITH God!
- [May men be] TERRIFIED [piel] with the darkness of THE day… vs. 5
- May it NOT [jussive] rejoice [join] among the days of the year [calendar] … vs. 6
- May the night be [jussive] BARREN [childless] – let it NOT [jussive] have joy… vs. 7
- May the stars of the morning look [piel[ for dawn – but NEVER EVER [וָאַיִן וְאַל] see it… vs. 9
- Let them curse THE day – who can raise LEVIATHAN… vs. 8
- What is LEVIATHAN…
- LEVIATHAN [לִוְיָתָן] – 5x in OT – is described to us in Job 41 [entire chapter]
- The description is unmistakable that of a DRAGON – breathes fire – Job 41:19
- God also describes a sauropod – tail like a cedar / bone of bronze – Job 40:17
- We have been taught in school – dinosaurs lived MILLIONS of years ago…
- But that would be in direct contrast to the Bible – day FIVE and SIX of creation – Genesis 1
- The great sea creatures [תַּנִּין] mentioned in Genesis 1:21 – Dinosaurs!
- Many cultures have stories about dragons (Egypt / China / Greece)!
- Dinosaurs did NOT live millions of years ago – they were still around in the time of Job!
- Why the DAY should be cursed… vs. 10-13
- Because THE day did not shut up the door of my mothers womb… vs. 10
- Which could have caused my SORROW to be hidden [hiphil] from my eyes…
- Why did I not die at birth – why did the knees not prevent [piel] me… vs. 11-12
- Then I would have had PEACE – I would have had REST!
- Job wanted to ESCAPE the sorrows of LIFE – rather than LEARN from them!
- Which I am sure we can all RELATE to – no one WANTS to SUFFER…
- We want Jesus to take us OUT of the trials of life – we want the easy way…
- But more often than not God does NOT take away our PROBLEMS…
- Instead – He gives us the grace to ENDURE – go through the valleys of life…
- If life is easy – we tend not to think about God – or take the time to talk to Him…
- It is in the midst of SUFFERING – we hit our knees – we cling onto Jesus!
- And Jesus never leaves us alone in our trials – He is always right beside us!
- Psalms 23:4 – “Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me…” [NLT]
- After this Job opened his mouth and CURSED the day… vs. 1
- 2nd – Better to be DEAD… vs. 14-26
- Job assumes DEATH would be easier – THREE ways [three sources of TRIALS] …
- No HOPE in WEALTH… vs. 14-15
- With – kings and counselors of the earth build RUINS for themselves…
- Or with – princes who had GOLD and filled their houses…
- Job here realizes the foolishness of seeking WEALTH…
- Men can build great palaces – but they will ultimately fall apart…
- Men can fill their houses with GOLD – but it cannot keep them from DEATH!
- Solomon tried everything – looking for happiness – Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
- But Solomon learned instead it was all EMPTY – like chasing after the WIND!
- There is nothing wrong with having MONEY – the problem is when MONEY has us…
- Looking for happiness – answers in MONEY – is chasing the WIND…
- It is not about chasing something that is hard to catch – NOTHING there to catch!
- No HOPE in RELATIONSHIPS… vs. 16-19
- [In DEATH] the [prisoners] cease from troubling – and there the [workers] are at rest…
- The [prisoners] do not hear the voice of their oppressors…
- And the [workers] are free from their masters!
- Job realizes the futility of POSITION – because it does NOT last…
- In the end both WORKER and MASTER – PRISONER and GUARD – all end up together!
- Romans 2:11 – “For there is no respect of persons with God.” [KJV]
- No HOPE in HEALTH… vs. 20-22
- I LONG to DIE more than hidden treasures – but it does not come…
- I will rejoice exceedingly when I can find the GRAVE…
- The physical state of Job was so bad – covered in sores – he just wanted to DIE!
- When we buy food – we often check the expiration date…
- As our bodies wear out – they are telling us we have an expiration date!
- Aging is GRACE – as we look in the mirror – we see we are getting OLD…
- If we never aged – just one day died – there would be no warning to prepare…
- We are going to see Jesus soon – aging is His way to get us ready!
- We get tired of this old achy body – it makes us long for the new model!
- When TROUBLE comes… vs. 23-26
- My SCREAMS [roar] pour out like water before I eat…
- Because the TERROR I FEARED has happened to me…
- I had no comfort / peace / rest – when TROUBLE came!
- Life FELL apart for Job – because Job was not looking to the Lord – Job fell apart as well…
- But he should NOT have feared the TROUBLE – he should have WELCOMED it!
- Romans 5:3-4 – “We also GLORY in [TROUBLES], knowing that [TROUBLE] produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
- Why do we believe the sun will rise tomorrow morning – maybe it will fail…
- We are confident the sun will rise – because it always has – it has never failed!
- In the same way we know TROUBLE brings HOPE – because we have learned…
- That just because we are in the pitch black of night – we know the dawn is coming!
- So we do not PANIC when TROUBLE comes – we PERSEVERE and wait on the Lord…
- Trusting in the Lord – our HOPE in Jesus – because we have learned He is trustworthy…
- Therefore we have GLORY in TROUBLES – because we know it has a purpose!
- Hebrew POETRY…
- 2nd – The first accusation – Chapter 4-5
- 1st – ASSUMING sin… vs. 1-11
- The FIRST – and longest – of THREE responses from Eliphaz… vs. 1-2
- Eliphaz [my god is gold] – from Teman [south] – a descendant of Esau – Genesis 36:11
- The THREE friends had been sitting in silence for SEVEN days…
- Eliphaz asks if speaking would offend Job – but adds he CANNOT hold back a response!
- As we will see – it might have been BETTER if they had STAYED quiet!
- Painter – paint your house… vs. 3-5
- [Job] had instructed [piel] and strengthened [piel] the hands of many…
- [His] words upheld the those who were stumbling – the knees of the feeble…
- But now [trouble] comes to you and you FAINT!
- It is easy to tell others what to do – when we our lives are going smooth…
- But it when life falls apart – do we listen to our own counsel!
- Questioning the INTEGRITY… vs. 6-11
- Is not your REVERENCE your confidence – INTEGRITY [תֹּם] of your ways your hope…
- Interestingly – just like the wife of Job – Eliphaz questions the INTEGRITY of Job…
- The same INTEGRITY – God had complimented Job on before Satan – Job 2:3
- REMEMBER now [imperative] – who being INNOCENT perished – or the righteous cut off…
- As I have SEEN – those who plow iniquity – sow trouble – reap the same…
- By the BLAST of God they perish – by the breath of His anger they are consumed!
- Eliphaz compares the judgement to what can happen to a FIERCE lion…
- Even though they are STRONG – God can break their teeth / and die from lack of food!
- The idea being it did not matter how GREAT Job was – he was not above God…
- The command here is to admit – Job SUFFERED – as a result of his sin…
- This did not happen to a GOOD man – Job was REAPING the results of his wickedness!
- Which is TRUE – we do REAP what we SOW in life – Galatians 6:7
- The problem – Eliphaz was NOT judging ACTIONS – he admitted those were GOOD…
- He was making assumptions about sin in the HEART of Job!
- We absolutely can JUDGE the actions of someone – by comparing them to the Word…
- If what someone is doing in CONTRARY to the Word – then we can say it is WRONG!
- But we CANNOT judge WHY someone does something – what their MOTIVE is…
- Only God knows the motive of the heart – only He can Judge that – Psalm 44:21
- The FIRST – and longest – of THREE responses from Eliphaz… vs. 1-2
- 2nd – WHISPERED sin… vs. 12-21
- The God angle…
- Eliphaz had a SECRET word – a whisper in his ear… vs. 12-15
- A thought from the VISIONS of the night – when deep sleep falls on men…
- Fear came upon him – trembling – which made his bones shake…
- A spirit passed before his face – causing his hair to stand on end!
- He could NOT make out the form – but he HEARD the voice… vs. 16-19
- Can a [man] be more righteous than God!
- God who puts no trust in His servants – the Angels…
- How much less those who dwell in houses – who foundation is DUST – Genesis 2:7
- Again – it is TRUE no man is as RIGHTEOUS as God – Matthew 5:48
- But the argument here is that a SPIRIT accused Job of CLAIMING to be more righteous…
- Eliphaz had to default to a listening to a WHISPER – because there was NO evidence!
- Two PROBLEMS – FIRST – do NOT listen to WHISPERS [especially from unknown spirits]
- When people WHISPER to us – we call that GOSSIP – and it is SIN – Leviticus 19:16
- SECOND – do not invoke the THUS SAYS THE LORD – unless you are absolutely sure…
- People LIKE to bring God into their arguments to try and END a debate…
- But God does not take it lightly when we misspeak on His behalf!
- Deuteronomy 18:20 – “[Anyone] who falsely claims to speak in my name… must die.”
- The God angle…
- 3rd – PROJECTING sin… vs. 1-5
- Call [imperative] out NOW… vs. 1
- Is there ANYONE who will answer you – to which of the HOLY ones will you turn…
- Eliphaz points out that Job has no choice – there is nowhere left to go…
- There is NO one and NO other god [holy one] who can save Him!
- Describing the SIN… vs. 2
- WRATH kills a foolish man – and ENVY slays a simple one…
- Eliphaz ASSUMES that WRATH and ENVY must be the sins of Job…
- Both are sins that cannot been PROVEN – they are issues in the HEART!
- PROJECTING the SIN… vs. 3-5
- I – EVEN I [emphasized in Hebrew] have seen FOOLISH [אֱוִיל] take root…
- But I CURSED his dwelling place suddenly!
- Ironic that the word FOOLISH – is pronounces EVIL…
- Eliphaz had seen WRATH and ENVY – EVIL – take root in HIS heart…
- But he says that he REBUKED it – knowing where it LED!
- His sons are far from SAFETY – they will be CRUSHED in COURT [lawsuits]
- The hungry eat up his HARVEST – the thirsty drinks up his WEALTH [losing everything]
- We are sensitive to the SINS we are convicted about ourselves…
- If we are greedy – we see greed in others / if we are prideful – we see pride…
- Our sin always looks worse on someone else – it is easy to see our sins in their lives…
- But we need to first deal with our own hearts before we reach out to help others!
- Luke 6:42 – “Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” [NLT]
- Call [imperative] out NOW… vs. 1
- 4th – ORIGIN of Sin… vs. 6-7
- Affliction does not come from the dust – nor does TROUBLE spring from the ground…
- Yet man is born to trouble – as the sparks fly upward!
- The conclusion of Eliphaz – is that TROUBLE comes from somewhere…
- Problems do not just SPRING up from the GROUND – they have a SOURCE…
- His argument is the SOURCE is MEN – TROUBLE springs up from them…
- Just as often as SPARKS fly upward from a roaring bonfire!
- The problem again – is that this generalizes the TROUBLES we face in life…
- That is why we are NOT called to POINT out the SOURCE of TROUBLE in the lives of others…
- We are called to POINT them to the SOLUTION – which is ALWAYS Jesus!
- Because Jesus DOES know what is in our hearts – and He alone has the power to fix it!
- 1st – ASSUMING sin… vs. 1-11
Point them to the ONE who see EVERYTHING – and has ALL the asnwers!
3rd – You must Repent – Chapter 5
1st – GO to God… vs. 8-17
I – EVEN I [emphasized in Hebrew] would SEEK God – to God would I commit my [words] …
Why go to the Lord – here comes more Hebrew POETRY…
He gives rain on the earth – and sends waters on the fields…
He sets on high those who are lowly – those who mourn are lifted to safety – James 4:6
He [breaks] the [plans] of the crafty – so their hands cannot carry out their plans…
They will meet with darkness in daytime [confusion] – grope at noontime as at night!
But He saves the needy from the sword – so the poor have HOPE!
God can either be FOR us – or He can be AGAINST us…
Of God AGAINST us – we are in trouble – we will SUFFER!
Therefore – it is incredibly important that we are NOT prideful!
James 4:6 / I Peter 5:5 – “God resists the proud, but give grace to the humble.”
Considering what God can do – HELP or HINDER…
Behold HAPPY [straight path] is the man who God corrects…
Therefore do NOT [jussive] despise the chastening of the Almighty!
God loves us too much to let us get away with our sin – so He INSTRUCTS us…
Not because He is angry – or mad at us – but because of His great love for us!
God desires to teach us – His kids – how to live a RIGHTEOUS and holy life
Like any child – we have a hard time believing it is for our own good…
But when we are punished by the Lord – is proves we are His kids!
Hebrews 12:5 – “Whom the LORD loves He chastens [same word] …”
2nd – There is HOPE… vs. 18-27
Eliphaz finishes his FIRST response to Job – with an attempt at comfort…
[God] bruises – but He binds up / He wounds – but His hands make whole…
He shall deliver you in six troubles – yes – in seven [complete] no evil shall touch you…
In famine He shall redeem you from death – and in war from the power of the sword…
You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue [gossip]
You shall laugh at destruction and famine [lack of food]
And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth…
You shall visit your dwelling and find nothing amiss [no theft]
You shall also know that your descendants shall be many [lots of kids / grandkids]
You shall come to the grave at a full age [die an old man]
Command to LISTEN… vs. 27
Behold – WE [three friends] have searched out – and it is TRUE…
HEAR it [imperative] – and KNOW it [imperative] for yourself!
The problem with the COUNSEL of Eliphaz – is it HIS opinion…
He mixes it with some TRUTH – but makes a lot of ASSUMPTIONS…
Because he did NOT know the WHOLE story – Job 1-2
The result is he ends up giving EMPTY words to Job that have no POWER!
We all have opinions – just ask us – and we will tell you…
But people do NOT need our ideas – no matter how well meaning…
Because we do NOT know the WHOLE story – we just end giving people EMPTY words!
When people come to us with problems – do NOT – give them OUR solutions…
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