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No Help… (3 points)
- 1st – Rebuke of Bildad – Chapter 8
- REMINDER: 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…
- An idea will be stated – then a number of verses will be dedicated to COMPARING it…
- OR we will see the idea CONTRASTED – a RHYME of COMPARING or CONTRASTING ideas!
- 1st – DEFENDING God… vs. 1-7
- Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said… vs. 1
- The SECOND section of Job – Chapters 3-37 – the Wisdom of Men…
- Is broken up into FOUR rounds of debates – between Job and his THREE friends!
- Bildad [confusing love] – from Shuah [wealthy] …
- The SECOND of the THREE friends of Job who came to COMFORT him…
- Felt obligated to ANSWER – because of the way Job QUESTIONED God!
- STRONG wind… vs. 2
- How long will you speak [piel] – and the words of your mouth be like a STRONG wind!
- Bildad was NOT impressed by the way Job questioned God…
- He accused Job of being a full of hot air – LOTS of words – but no substance!
- Does God PERVERT justice… vs. 3
- Does God subvert judgment – or does the Almighty pervert justice…
- It would seem Bildad felt the NEED to DEFEND God from Job…
- God in NO WAY needs us to defend Him – as we will see we are the ones who need HELP!
- We often feel pressured by the world to JUSTIFY our FAITH in God…
- But the truth is those in the world are the ones who have to DEFEND their choices…
- One day we will all stand in JUDGEMENT before a HOLY God…
- And we will NOT be the ones asking the questions!
- Job 38:3 – “Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me!”
- Death of his CHILDREN… vs. 4
- If your [children] sinned against [God], He has cast them away for their transgression…
- Addressing the elephant in the room – the DEATH of the children of Job…
- Bildad argues their DEATH was a result of their lifestyle of SIN [perfect] …
- There may be some truth to this – we did see his children liked to get DRUNK – Job 1:4
- But it was WRONG to judge their salvation – even worse to do so to their FATHER!
- One of the hardest things I have every had to do – is a funeral for an unbeliever…
- There is a hopelessness – an emptiness and sorrow that is overwhelming!
- But you certainly NEVER provoke the family by saying God CAST them away!
- We NEVER know who might get into heaven – in fact I think we will be surprised…
- Solomon – one of the wisest men ever to live – is NOT mentioned in – Hebrews 11
- Samson – who NOTHING good is said about – is LISTED in the Hall of FAITH!
- Because our salvation is NOT based on our actions – but on the finished work of Christ!
- SEEK God… vs. 5-7
- IF – you would earnestly SEEK God – and make your supplication to the Almighty… vs. 5
- IF – you were pure and upright – surely now He would AWAKE for you… vs. 6
- Though your beginning was small – yet your latter end would increase abundantly… vs. 7
- Bildad points out there is STILL time for Job to REPENT [not suffer the fate of his kids] …
- If Job SOUGHT [piel] God now – asked for the GRACE [חָנַן] of the ALMIGHTY [שַׁדַּי] …
- If Job asked with a PURE and UPRIGHT heart – then God would AWAKE for him…
- Even though he had lost everything [small] – in the end he would have ABUNDANCE!
- Which is TRUE – we do FIND the Lord when we SEEK Him – Jeremiah 29:13
- The problem – Bildad was DOING exactly what Eliphaz did…
- He was making assumptions about sin in the HEART of Job!
- And 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
- Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said… vs. 1
- 2nd – Look to TRADITION… vs. 8-22
- What do we KNOW… vs. 8-10
- Inquire [imperative] of the former age – consider the things discovered by their fathers…
- For we were born yesterday – and know nothing – because our days on earth are a shadow…
- Will they not teach you and tell you – and utter words from their heart?
- To VALIDATE his PLEA for Job to repent and SEEK God…
- Bildad goes to the WISDOM of the FATHERS – looking to the TRADITION of men…
- The ASSUMPTION is the FATHERS who came before us – were WISER than us…
- Therefore – the TRADITIONS they passed down should be our source for TRUTH!
- The Bible say NEVER forbid a leader from being married – I Timothy 4:3
- The Bible says to NEVER call any leader FATHER – Matthew 23:9
- Why then do we have TRADITIONS of priests NOT marrying – and being called FATHER!
- There can only be ONE source of TRUTH – and it should NOT be TRADITIONS…
- Because it turns out our FATHERS were not WISER – they were just like us!
- And if we look to the TRADITIONS they handed down – we will NOT look to the Word!
- Mark 7:13 – “Making the word of God of no effect through your TRADITIONS.”
- The WISDOM of the FATHERS… vs. 11-19
- Like a papyrus plant that tries to grow without water – and WITHERS… vs. 11-12
- So are the paths of all who forget God – the hope of the HYPOCRITE shall perish… vs. 13
- Like someone who leans on a SPIDER WEB – their confidence will be cut off… vs. 14
- He leans on his house [possessions] – but it does NOT stand… vs. 15
- Like a plant that grows in a GARDEN – but is uprooted never to be seen again… vs. 16-19
- Hebrew poetry that all says the same thing – the HYPOCRITE will NOT prosper!
- HYPOCRITE – [חָנֵף] – someone who does NOT believe in God!
- The problem is FATHERS were wrong – the HYPOCRITES do prosper [at least in this life]!
- When we look at the evil world around us – it can be very upsetting…
- We see people living immoral lives – rejecting the truth of God…
- And the worst part is they seem to be getting away with it…
- They are not suffering – they may even PROSPER – and it seems unfair!
- Psalm 73:16-17 – “I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is. Then I went into your sanctuary… and thought about the destiny of the wicked.”
- The BLAMELESS… vs. 20-22
- God will not cast away the blameless – He will yet fill your mouth with laughing…
- Those who hate you will be clothed with shame – the dwelling of the wicked come to nothing!
- Bottom line – seek God and REPENT – and life will be AMAZING…
- Do not REPENT – and there will be nothing left – God will wipe you out!
- Almost identical to the COUNSEL given to Job by Eliphaz – Job 4
- Accusing him of HIDDEN sin – and commanding him to REPENT and come back to God!
- What do we KNOW… vs. 8-10
- REMINDER: Hebrew POETRY…
- 2nd – No mediator – Chapter 9
- 1st – God is GREATER… vs. 1-13
- Then Job answered and said… vs. 1
- As BOTH Eliphaz and Bildad had argued Job had SIN in his life…
- Job responds to their accusations – by arguing it is IMPOSSIBLE to be RIGHT before God…
- Although he was INNOCENT – who can STAND before a HOLY God!
- God is SMARTER… vs. 2-4
- Truly I know [perfect] it is so – how can a man be RIGHTEOUS before God… vs. 2
- If someone wanted to DEBATE God – they would NOT win one out of thousand times… vs. 3
- He is wise and mighty – who has hardened against Him and prospered… vs. 4
- Job points out NO one can outwit God – he is SMARTER than everyone!
- God is STRONGER… vs. 5-9
- Without warning – He moves the mountains – overturning them in his anger [NLT] …
- He shakes the earth from its place – and its foundations trembles [earthquakes] … vs. 5-6
- He commands the sun – and it does not rise [eclipse] – He seals off the stars… vs. 7
- He does great things past finding out – Yes – wonders without number… vs. 9
- Job points out God has POWER over both the earth and the heavens!
- He does [participle] things we will NEVER understand – AMAZING things beyond counting!
- Among those amazing things…
- He made the Bear – Orion – and the Pleiades – and the chambers of the south… vs. 8
- This is quite the AMAZING comment by Job – talking about CONSTELLATIONS…
- The BEAR – Ursa Major [Latin for bear] – also known as the Big Dipper…
- Orion – [כְּסִיל] – with his BELT – Job 38:31
- The Pleiades – seven sisters [stars] – also known as Taurus!
- Recall – Job was written in the time of Abraham – they had the SAME constellations…
- Most likely because God gave them to Adam as a SIGN in the heavens – Genesis 1:14
- What we call the Zodiac today – is a perversion of the Hebrew Mazzaroth – Job 38:32
- TWELVE CONSTELLATIONS – the story of the Gospel written in the STARS [Signs in the Heavens – Missler]
- Satan is not very creative – he tends to just copy what the Lord does…
- But everything satan does is only a counterfeit / copy of God – SECOND best!
- God is in CONTROL… vs. 11-13
- If He goes by me – I do not see Him – If He moves past – I do not perceive Him… vs. 11
- If He takes away who can hinder Him – who can say to Him – what are You doing… vs. 12
- God will not withdraw His anger – the allies of the proud [are flattened] beneath Him… vs. 13
- Job might not SEE God – but there was no DENYING He is in CONTROL…
- If God wants to take something away – who can ARGUE with him…
- If God is ANGRY – then whoever is opposed to Him gets flattened!
- Which is encouraging – it means no matter how crazy things get – God is ALWAYS in control…
- It gives us hope – because we know everything in life unfolds according to His plan!
- Daniel 4:35 – “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth…”
- Then Job answered and said… vs. 1
- 2nd – I am INNOCENT… vs. 14-21
- SINCE God is GREAT – SMARTER / STRONGER / and in CONTROL of everything…
- How then can I answer Him – and choose my words to reason with Him… vs. 14
- For though I were RIGHTEOUS – I could NOT answer Him – I would beg mercy of my Judge…
- If I called and He answered me – I would not believe that He was listening to my voice… vs. 16
- For He crushes me with a tempest – and multiplies my wounds without cause… vs. 17
- This may be a reference to HOW his children were killed – Job 1:19
- He will not allow me to catch my breath – but fills me with bitterness… vs. 18
- If it is a matter of STRENGTH – indeed He is STRONG!
- And if of JUSTICE – who will appoint my day in COURT… vs. 19
- Job likens God to the ultimate BULLY who is too STRONG for ANYONE to stand up too…
- A BULLY you cannot even take to COURT over the wrong He did to you!
- Job assumed he was BLAMELESS – but…
- Though I were RIGHTEOUS – my own mouth would condemn me…
- Though I were BLAMELESS – [my mouth] would prove me perverse… vs. 20
- I am BLAMELESS – yet I do NOT know myself – I despise my life!
- The moment Job said he was BLAMELESS – his own mouth betrayed him…
- Like the person who says they are not a LIAR – and LIED by starting that!
- No matter what he thought of himself – he recognized he did not KNOW his HEART!
- We might think we are a GOOD person – convince ourselves we are RIGHTEOUS…
- But we are just looking at our ACTIONS – the question is what is in our HEART!
- Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things… who can know it.”
- SINCE God is GREAT – SMARTER / STRONGER / and in CONTROL of everything…
- 3rd – God is NOT good… vs. 22-31
- God lets the innocent suffer…
- It is all one thing – therefore I say – He destroys the blameless and the wicked… vs. 22
- If the scourge slays suddenly – He laughs at the plight of the innocent… vs. 23
- It is ALL the same [one thing] – because BAD things happen to the blameless and wicked…
- And when the BAD things come – God LAUGHS at the struggles of the INNOCENT!
- It is TRUE that BAD things [destroy] happen to both GOOD and BAD people…
- And it is equally TURE that GOOD things happen to both GOOD and BAD people!
- Matthew 5:45 – “[God] makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
- It is NOT true – that God LAUGHS when His children struggle…
- It breaks the heart of our Heavenly Father when His children are hurting…
- But like any GOOD Father – He understands the need to CORRECT His children!
- Proverbs 3:12 – “The LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child…”
- God lets the WICKED rule…
- The earth is given into the hand of the wicked…
- He covers the faces of its judges – if it is NOT He – [then] who else could it be… vs. 24
- Job saw the same INJUSTICE coming from the government of his day we still see today…
- Rulings from the COURT that pervert TRUTH – and God was ALLOWING it!
- Romans 13:1 – “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”
- Paul wrote this during the time Caesar Nero was the emperor of Rome…
- The ruler who clothed Christians in animal skins – then fed them alive to the lions…
- Who rode his chariot down the road lined with burning Christians for light…
- This was the Government of Paul – the one he was saying to SUBMIT to!
- If we want all people to have a rich and easy life – all governments should be PERFECT…
- But if we want people in heaven – BAD governments work best!
- If governments were PERFECT – we would never learn to look to and trust in God…
- It is in the imperfections of our governments we see our NEED for the Lord!
- It is NOT that all the governments are good – God just USES them all for our GOOD!
- Life has no PURPOSE…
- Now my days are swifter than a runner – they flee away – they see no good… vs. 25
- They pass by like swift ships – like an eagle swooping on its prey… vs. 26
- Three vivid images depicting how fast life was passing by!
- If I say – I will forget my complaint – I will put off my sad face and wear a smile… vs. 27
- I would still dread all the pain – for I know YOU will not find me innocent – O God…
- Whatever happens – I will be found guilty – so what is the use of trying [NLT] … vs. 28-29
- If I wash myself with snow [pure] water – and cleanse my hands with soap…
- Yet You will plunge me into the pit – and my own clothes will [hate] me… vs. 30-31
- Job recognized as essential TRUTH – it is impossible to be RIGHTEOUS before God!
- We can put on a HAPPY face [wear a smile] – we can WASH with soap and water…
- But everything we do ONLY affects the OUTSIDE – it does not change our HEART!
- Romans 7:24 – “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death.”
- God lets the innocent suffer…
- 4th – No MEDIATOR… vs. 32-35
- No one between us…
- [God] is not a man – that I may answer Him – and that we should go to court together… vs. 32
- Nor is there any MEDIATOR between us – who may lay his hand on us both… vs. 33
- Job saw the NEED for there to be a BRIDGE between Him and God!
- There is no other way for SINFUL men to approach a HOLY God – than through Jesus!
- Jesus died on the cross so that we could enter the HOLIEST – Hebrews 4:16
- It is only through Him we have complete access – to our Holy and Perfect God!
- I Timothy 2:5 – “There is one God and one Mediator between God and men – Jesus Christ!”
- Fear of the Lord…
- Let Him take His rod away from me- and do not let dread of Him TERRIFY me… vs. 34
- Then I would speak and not FEAR Him – but it is not so with me… vs. 35
- What a CONTRAST – apart from Jesus coming to God is TERRIFYING – Hebrews 10:31
- But with Jesus we are ENCOURAGED to COME and find REST!
- Matthew 11:28 – “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden – and I will give you REST…”
- No one between us…
- 1st – God is GREATER… vs. 1-13
Not just here in this life – but in ETERNAL life with Him!
3rd – The PLEA of Job – Chapter 10
1st – Do NOT condemn me… vs. 1-16
Speaking from the HEART… vs. 1-2
I will give free course to my complaint – speak [piel] in the bitterness of my soul…
I will say to God – do NOT condemn me – show me [imperative] WHY You contend with me!
If Job could STAND before the Lord – he rehearsed to his THREE friends what he would say…
He would SPEAK from the HEART – NOT hold back!
Are you like a MAN… vs. 3-7 [NLT]
What do you gain by oppressing me – why do you reject me – the work of your own hands…
While smiling on the schemes of the wicked!
Are your eyes like those of a human – do you see things only as people see them…
Is your lifetime only as long as ours – is your life so short…
That you must quickly probe for my guilt – and search constantly [imperfect] for my sin…
Although you know I am not guilty – NO ONE [אֵין] can rescue me from your hands!
Job was trying to comprehend the actions of the Lord from a human perspective!
But we ONLY see the moment – we cannot see what tomorrow holds…
That is why we CANNOT understand MANY of the things God does…
Because God does sees things from an ETERNAL point of view – Isaiah 55:8-9
You made me… vs. 8-12
Your hands have made me and fashioned me – an intricate unity – yet You would destroy me!
Remember – I pray – You have made me like clay – and will You turn me into DUST again?
Did You not pour me out like milk – and curdle me like cheese [reference to conception] …
Clothe me with skin and flesh – and knit me together with bones and sinews…
You have granted me life and [GRACE] – and Your care has preserved my spirit!
Job points out from the moment of conception – he was the work of God…
Let a precious work of art – would God now destroy His masterpiece!
Ephesians 2:10 – “We are his workmanship [ποίημα] …”
None of us are a MISTAKE – God made us each a work of ART [poem]!
So you could JUDGE me… vs. 13-16 [NLT]
Yet your real motive – your true intent…
Was to watch me – and if I sinned – you would NOT forgive my guilt…
If I am guilty – too bad for me – and even if I am innocent – I cannot hold my head high…
I am filled with shame and misery if I hold my head high…
Because you hunt me like a lion – display your awesome power against me!
Job FELT like God ONLY made him – so he could JUDGE him for EVERY mistake…
The moment Job dared to lift his head up – God cane HUNTING him like a lion!
We assume that God is up there with His holy 2×4 ready to smack us down when we sin…
But it is just the OPPOSITE – Jesus – who is working to FINISH the work he began in us!
Philippians 1:6 – “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
2nd – LEAVE me alone… vs. 17-22 [NLT]
Why was a BORN…
Again and again you witness against me – you pour out your growing anger on me…
And bring fresh armies [arguments from his friends] against me!
Why then did you deliver me from the womb – why did you not let me die at birth…
It would be as though I had never existed – going directly from the womb to the grave!
I have only a few days left – so leave me alone – that I may have a moment of comfort…
Before I leave – never to return – for the land of darkness and utter gloom…
It is a land as dark as midnight – of gloom and confusion – even the light is dark as midnight!
Job was so CONSUMED by the moment – he never even considered WHY…
God did create him – God did give him life and GRACE…
Not so that He could judge him – but so that Job might know the Lord!
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope…”
This is a verse a LOT of people put on their walls – memorize for comfort…
But most do not remember the CONTEXT – Jeremiah 29:10
God told Israel they were going to go into captivity for SEVENTY years!
Life has good days – and life has bad days…
It can be easy to forget in the hard times – that God is still on OUR side…
Everting that God allows into our lives has ONE purpose – to draw us closer to Him…
His thoughts towards us are ALWAYS peace – not evil – to give us a future and a hope…
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