May 31, 2010 Job 32:11-35:16

Elihu continued speaking by telling them that he had silently and patiently listened to all they said. He told them he needed to speak his peace or he would burst! He told them his words came from a good heart and that they were sincere. He was a man just like them and God had no favorites.

He told Job he had heard him say that he was innocent. He told him that God is greater than any human and that he was wrong to challenge God. He went on saying that God speaks in many different ways we don't always recognize. We get sick and repent and get better and we tell everyone that we sinned and repented and God forgave us. He told Job to listen in silence to his wisdom.

Elihu began his argument by telling them that Job believed he was innocent and God was guilty of mistreating him, that God was causing Job to suffer for lying. Elihu told them that Job had said that it didn't help to try and please God. He told them God is in control of everything and everyone, and God does His will in His time and in His way. He advised Job to ask God to tell him what he did wrong so he could avoid doing it again. Who makes the rules? God or man? He told Job he had talked against God, rebelled and sinned.

Elihu continued by asking Job if he really believed he was innocent. He asked what difference a man's actions, right or wrong make to God - actions hurt only people. Elihu told Job that people pray in times of trouble then forget all about God when things are good. He told Job that God doesn't listen to the prayers of proud and evil people. He told Job that he was wrong to say that God doesn't punish sin - and in fact, everything Job had said was utter nonsense.

Tomorrow read Job 36-39:12

Job 29:14 - 32:10

Today I am in yosemite and so is everyone else! Still it was beautiful.

So basically Job continued speaking about his good life and kind ways. Job told them that people treated him badly. He told them his life is a misery, and there was nothing good about it. Job had always been a moral and decent God-fearing man. He always remembered that God was there and would judge him for his deeds. Job told them he knew God had created him before he was born. Job told them he had always cared for widows and orphans, he never worshiped idols, or felt compelled to hide sin. He told them he had been a good honest man and tried to do the right thing. And then he stopped speaking. 

Elihu had remained silent the whole time the older men were talking. He was angry that Job's 3 friends couldn't prove him wrong. He understood that wisdom comes from God and not necessarily old age. And he asked the men to listen to him.

Tomorrow's reading Job 32:11 - 35:16       

May 29, 2010 Job 24:13-29:13

Speaking of the riches buried in the earth, here is a photo of a gold nugget displayed at Ironstone Winery in Murphy's California.

Job continued by saying that those who love doing evil wait for the darkness so they can hide in it to do their evil deeds. The wicked and powerful have no real or lasting power. It is an illusion.

Bildad tells Job that God is in control. How can anyone ever be innocent in His sight? To Him not even the light coming from the moon and stars is pure, so how can we humans be?

Job replied by speaking of the wonders of God. Nothing is hidden from Him. He suspends the earth over nothing. He wraps up the waters in clouds and marks the horizon on the face of the waters. These things are a whisper of the things God has done. How little we understand of this whisper...what would we hear if He spoke with thunder?

Job continued saying that his conscience was clear. Wicked men wouldn't know God if they saw Him. Death and destruction are all that await the wicked.

Job spoke about there being mines for silver, gold and copper. Man put an end to darkness with lamps, he finds gems hidden in rocks , he finds treasures all over the earth. But where does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? God knows everything and understands everything. He established the force of wind, and measured the water, directed the rain, and chose the paths for thunderstorm, appraised wisdom and confirmed it, tested it. Then God said, "Wisdom means that you respect me, the Lord, and turn from sin."

Job began to long for the days that had been so good. The good old days when God watched over him, and His light lit Job's path. Job had enjoyed luxury and respect of his peers. People spoke well of him and listened to what he had to say. He helped those less fortunate than him.

Tomorrow read Job 29:14-32:10

May 28, 2010 Job 20:12-24:12

Zophar continued his speech detailing the results of leading a wicked life. He spoke about the destruction and sadness of such a life. There would be no rest for the wicked (or Job.)

Then Job told them to listen carefully to his words as the only consolation they could offer him, but after he was finished, they could continue their mocking. Job listed the ways the wicked succeed in all the earthly definitions of success: healthy and successful children, safe homes without fear, livestock that breeds well, their children dance and sing and make merry, they live in prosperity and die in peace. Yet they tell God to leave them alone! They don't want to know Him or His ways. Job pointed out that they had erred in saying that God punishes the children of sinners. Let God force them to suffer for their own sins. Who can tell God what to do? Job reminded them that nobody gets out of life alive. The earth is full of people who are wicked and do not know God, yet they are buried with honors. Job asked them how they could console him with their nonsense and lies.

Then Eliphaz spoke and listed all the ways Job had sinned against people and God. He told Job that humans were of no use to God. God could do whatever he wished, that he is not blind and he knows everything. He urged Job to surrender to God and he would find peace and prosperity. If Job would just straighten up and fly right and everything would be better for him.

Then Job wished he could go to God's house and speak with him. He would state his case and find out what God would tell him. He wouldn't press charges against Job, He would deliver Job. Though God is always at work, Job could never find Him. Job stated that he had always treasured God's teachings, and followed his commandments. God would do whatever he wished with Job, because He does as He pleases. Job would not remain silent even though he was covered by darkness.

Job continued by asking why God doesn't set a time for judgement. All kinds of people do all kinds of terrible things to each other, but God seems not to notice.

Tomorrow read Job 24:13-29:13

May 27, 2010 Job 16:11-20:11

Job realized that he was at the mercy of Satan. Everything used to be good, but now he was broken. He was gravely wounded time and time again, yet continued on in his tortured existence. He yearned for an intercessor to plead his case with him to God as a friend pleads for his neighbor. He had only a few years left to his life anyway.

Job's spirit was broken and he was convinced he had one foot in the grave. Job begged for God to acknowledge his innocence before he died. Job believed that Godly people would see his innocence and would not assume him guilty. His friends made no sense. Hoping for the grave left him feeling dark and empty.

Then Bildad replied by scolding Job saying that if he didn't make sense they couldn't talk with him. He wondered why Job thought of them as dumb animals, while he cut himself in anger. Sort of like the pot calling the kettle black. He asked if Job expected everything to stop because he suffered? Bildad told him that he was getting what was coming to him for his wickedness. That the end for sinners is gruesome, they have nothing to show for their lives, and the person certainly does not know God.

Then Job replied that if he had gone astray it was his business and not theirs to judge him. He asked them for help and he got an earful of judgement. He told them that God had put him in the situation for reasons no one could know. Even as he begged for help, none came. Everyone had abandoned him in his time of need. Job said, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth." He told them that the same thing could happen to them, then they would understand.

Zophar just had to say something! He was troubled at the accusations and insults which Job spoke. He told him that since Adam sinful people are happy only for a short time. Their worldly success may reach to heaven, but everything will crumble and after their death no one will remember them.

Tomorrow read Job 20:12-24:12

May 26, 2010 Job 12:13-16:10

Job continued speaking and told Zophar that God is the real source of wisdom and strength. He can hold back the rain or send a flood. He can bring the mighty low and confuse the wise. Job told them he understood what they understood. He told them they were useless doctors who treated him with lies. He told them the wisest thing they could do is listen and keep quiet; that if God were there He would correct them. Job told them he was responsible for what happened to him and that he would continue to trust God. He told them if they could prove him guilty, he would give up and die. Then he prayed, and asked two things of God. First he asked God to stop torturing him, second, he asked him to show him what he had done wrong. Job continued praying and in his prayer, he described the shortness of life. Job understood how fragile life is.

Then Eliphaz took another stab at an argument. Still trying to get Job to see that his real problem was that he sinned somehow, Eliphaz continued by describing the ways people fool themselves. He even asked him why he was angry at God. Then he continued with descriptions of dire consequences for shaking one's fist at God.

Then Job replied that he had heard many things such as those. He complained to his friends about their long-winded speeches. He told them he would be a better friend to them than they were being to him. He lamented that speaking didn't relieve his discomfort and remaining silent didn't help either. Job began to see his true opponent, Satan. Men jeered, slapped his face and gathered against him.

Tomorrow read Job 16:11-20:11

May 25, 2010 Job 9-12:12

This lovely girl is my first grandbaby. Today is her 3rd birthday! Happy Birthday Missy Boo!!


Job reminded them that no one could win an argument with God. No one can be righteous before God. He can do things we cannot begin to fathom. He passes us and we can't see him. He has made the constellations of the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades among others. Job told them he couldn't plead his case but only beg for mercy. Job told them that no matter what he did they would still condemn him. He lamented that there was no joy in his life. Job loathed his life and wondered if it pleased God to oppress him. Job felt utterly defeated.

Job complained to God that he didn't understand what he had done to deserve the challenges he faced. He told God that he knew He had created him and that He showered him with kindness. But now, no matter how hard he tried the suffering did not stop.

Then Zophar spoke and called Job's speech foolish. He wished for God to speak and explain things to Job, and that he had punished him less than he deserved. What hope could he have when he knew so little about the mysteries of God? Zophar told him it was easier to tame a wild donkey than to make a fool wise. He told him if he surrendered his heart to God, prayed, and put away his sin and allowed no evil to dwell in his tent then the evil would go away and life would be good again.

Job spoke again and reminded them that he knew as much as they did. He told them that he had always lived right, that God had answered his prayers, only to find that his friends made fun of him. He told them that it was easy to condemn those who are suffering when you have no troubles. Job told them that the best teachers about God were the wild animals and birds, flowers and fish, that any one of them could tell them what God had done, that they were in the hands of God.

Tomorrow read Job 12:13-16:10