Explore the Bible Lesson Preview July 7, 2013 Am I on the Right Path? Background: Job 32:1 37:24 Lesson: Job 33:13-22; 36:8-12 Motivation: When bad things happen to good people, the environment created is one of need. Out of this environment, spiritual growth often results. Circumstances either make one bitter or better. Examination: I. Denial of False Assumptions (32:1 33:33) A. The Silence of Three Friends So these three men quit answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. (32:1) The diminished communication that became apparent earlier now ceased entirely. B. The Rebuke of Elihu Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the family of Ram became angry. He was angry at Job because he had justified himself rather than God. He was also angry at Job s three friends because they failed to refute him and yet had condemned him. HCSB, p. 860: 32:2-3 The names Elihu ( He is my God ) and Barachel ( God has blessed ) testify to vital faith. The names Elihu and Ram appear in connection with the later family of David (Ru 4:19; 1 Ch 27:18). Buz was the brother of Uz and Abraham s nephew (Gn 22:20-21). Job was from the land of Uz (Jb 1:1). Elihu was angry because he perceived that Job had argued for his own righteousness, implying that God was therefore unjust (cp. 40:8), and because Job s friends had condemned him without getting to the essential issue in his case. 1 / 5
Some of Elihu s assumptions: 1. Age and Affluence Don t Make a Person Wise It is not only the old who are wise (32:9) Wisdom must come from righteousness (Gen. 6:6; Ps. 78:40; Eph. 4:30; 2 Cor. 5:17-21). 2. God s Ways are Above Our Ways Since God is greater than man. (33:12) Elihu is correct in restating Job s case and correcting Job s attitude toward God. Why do you take Him to court? (33:13). 3. God Communicates in Various Ways dream, a vision (13), pain (19), angels ( 23). Elihu s assumption was that Job was not listening (14b). Elihu states that God speaks to us in dreams (33:14-15), through sickness (19), through a messenger (mediator) (23), and through prayer (26). As Christians, we should certainly turn to God s Word. (Heb 7:25; Rom. 8:26) 4. Man s Repentance is a Key to Understanding I have found a ransom (33:24b). HCSB: p. 862; 33:23-24 Elihu pointed out that the arbitrator Job had longed for between himself and God (9:33; 16:21) was available to bring a person to repentance. Angels often served in this capacity (Gn 48:15-16; Ps 34:6-7). God through His mediating angel supplies grace to ransom and deliver the repentant and surrendered person from death (Ex 14:19-20; Jb 17:3; Ps 49:7-9). In a deeper sense, such a work anticipates God s full revelation in Christ (2 Co 5:18-19; Heb 9:12). Alternatively, the word translated angel may also be rendered as messenger (Jdg 11:13; 1 Kg 20:2-10; Mal 2:7). Elihu may have sensed that he was serving as God s messenger to bring about Job s reconciliation with God (Jb 33:6-7). II. Defense of God s Justice (34:1-7) 2 / 5
A. Job s Fault What man is like Job? He drinks derision like water. (34:7); his answers are like those of a wicked man. (34:36b) Elihu could not understand that he question of Job s righteousness or of God s justice could be answered both/and rather than either/or. Elihu pronounced that Job was wicked and this was all his fault. B. God s Righteousness It is impossible for God to do wrong. (34:10c). Obviously, this is a true statement that leads to a false conclusion concerning Job s guilt. III. Denouncement of Self-Righteousness (35:1-16) Do you think it is just when you say, I am righteous before God? Elihu continued with the premise that Job was self-righteous but that his acts, whether bad (6) or good (7) have no effect on God. In this Elihu is wrong. Good works cause people to glorify God (Matthew 5:16); sin grieves the heart of God (Isaiah 53:10 plus most of the prophet s sermons). God does take notice of our actions (Job 1:8). IV. Declaration of God s Goodness and Power (36:1 37:24) A. Elihu s Authority for there is still more to be said on God s behalf. HCSB; p. 865: 36:3-4 Elihu claimed to have access to the flawless mind of God. Here he professed perfect knowledge for himself; in 37:16 he attributed the same to God. If people are bound with chains and trapped by the cords of affliction, God tells them what they have done and how arrogantly they have transgressed. He opens their ears to correction and insists they repent from iniquity. If they serve Him obediently, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness. But if they do not obey, they will cross the river of death and die without knowledge. (8-12) B. Elihu s Theology After all of Elihu s anger and blustering, he still proposed essentially the same theology as the others. 3 / 5
C. Elihu s Praise Look God shows Himself exalted by His power Remember that you should praise His work... (22, 24) God s power is reason for praise; the water cycle of evaporation and condensation is one of God s wonders mentioned in verse 27. D. Elihu s Poem Listen to this, Job; Stop and consider God s wonders (14) Chapter 37 describes the wonder of God in poetic language. Elihu s final admonition is to Fear Him (37:24) Application: 1. God is worthy of praise, no matter our circumstances. 2. Sometimes, God can only get our attention through circumstances. 3. Adverse circumstances can create an environment for spiritual growth but are not necessarily sent as discipline from God. Explore the Bible Leader Pack Item 10: Poster: Repentance Definition Biblical Illustrator: p. 62, Dreams and Visions in the Old Testament **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.org Dates: 5/30-8/1 MetroLIVE in worship center; 6/24-28 VBS; 7/4 Holiday, church offices closed; 7/6 Men: Pray; 4 / 5
7/7-11 Houston Project; 7/17 RUSH Rally/Prayer time; 7/15-19 SWOC; 7/20-27 RUSH Week, Branson; 7/22-26 - Unique Student Ministry Conf.; 7/26 Family Mission Trip; 7/31 Summer Celebration, students; 8/2-3 Milestone: Adolescence Welcome to 6 th grade; 8/3 New 6 th Grade parents Milestone; 8/3 Inspirational Writers Conf.; 8/10 Children s Ministry Summit; 8/16 Hunt Retreat Grand Opening; 8/18 BIG Sunday Students; 8/19 FBA Orientation; 8/20 First Day of School, FBA; 8/23 Students Back to School Event; 8/24 Men: Serve; 8/25 Back 2 School (Promo) Sunday; 8/28 Next Gen Family Fun Event. 5 / 5