Israel's Future Isaiah 2

Isaiah 2:2 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it."

According to Scofield's reference Bible notes, mountain can mean kingdom which would clarify this passage.

It will be a great disappointment to the ego's of present day nation giants when they are not the center of attention and commerce but rather all nations look to Jerusalem as the center of things. Similar to the days of David and Solomon except the King of Kings will reign there.

v3 "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."

Remember when Jesus was twelve and he was found in the temple talking to the doctors: Luke 2:47 "And all that heard him were astonished, at his understanding and answers."

The promises of the kingdom and the gospel often get me a little confused or at least makes me pay more attention to how a passage applies when I read it. All the promises made to Israel by the LORD will be fulfilled just as all the promises of the gospel will be fulfilled for Christians.

Romans 11:26-28 "And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes; but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes."

There are many scriptures which describe the Father's tender care of Israel and his love for Israel. See Ezekiel 16:10 "I clothed thee also with embroidered work, and shod thee with badger's skin and I girded thee about with fine linen and I covered thee with silk. I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. v11 and 12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ear, and a beautiful crown upon thine head."

It goes on to say that Israel was carried away by its own beauty and was unfaithful to the one who rescued and cared for her. They turned to another.

v8 "Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made."

Isaiah is a plea for Israel to turn or more specifically Judah and Jerusalem. They did not turn and judgment came.

Although Israel was very stiff necked then, there will be a different day:

v20 "In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats,"

Until that day, judgment is pronounced as we will see in the next chapter as well.

Isaiah 3:13 "The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people."

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Unfaithful City Isaiah 1

Isaiah 1:21 "How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers."

Here we see how it was in Isaiah's time and some prophecy on how it will be.

v27 "Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness."

If you remember, Zion was the city of David. When he first came to Jerusalem, he did not at first secure the whole city but did take Zion and set up residents. He was not going anywhere. Here the kings are buried and a few honored men.

We can jump back to see what was going on that caused the LORD to send Isaiah.

II Chronicles 34:25 "Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands, therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched."

II Kings 21:3 "For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them. v4 And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. v6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, ..."

They have even lost the book of laws until it was found in Josiah's reign.

Judah, Jerusalem, Israel had all fallen a long way from the days when they promised to serve the one true God. To this day, the glory has not been restored but it will happen when the LORD himself reigns from Jerusalem.

Micah 4:1 "But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and people shall flow unto it."

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Compared to Sodom - Isaiah 1

Isaiah 1:10 "Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah."

When Isaiah, stepped up and told Judah and Jerusalem that they were like these two cities, it must have made them turn and listen if but for a moment. The story was surely passed down directly from Abraham after his nephew Lot was rescued by the angels.

Ezekiel 16:49 "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. v50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good."

I believe the daughters referred to those surrounding communities.

Sacrifice without obedience was not acceptable. They were going through the motions of obeying the law but after the ceremonies, it was the same out in their regular life. They were going through the motions at the temple but their heart was not in it and they left off service to the poor and needy and built up themselves.

v11 "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me?..."

v13 "Bring no more vain oblations; ..."

v15 "...I will not hear, your hands are full of blood."

So, if it is not the sacrifices and the motions of worship, then what is the correct thing for Judah and Jerusalem to do.

v16-17 "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow."

The Lord has told them what was going to happen to them if they persisted in evil, yet he still reaches out and pleads with them to return to him with their heart.

v18 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

From here the Lord talks of the cleansing process that will go on in Judah.

v25 "And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin; v26 I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning; afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, the faithful city."

This preaching was going on during the reign of the kings. Apparently, the inhabitants did not want to hear it for judgment was carried out.

I Samuel 12:6-7 "And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers."

Sick Nation - Isaiah 1:5

Isaiah 1:5 "Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more; the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint."

Just about everything has been tried to get the children of Israel to repent and come back to God. They still rebel. The parallel to the discipline of a child is apparent. You know, a spank on the hand, a pop on the back side. Some children are very strong willed and it may take unusual discipline methods for them. Love is unquestioned. It is difficult to watch as a child destroys their own life when doing right would be so much better for them. Such is the case with Israel. Israel is in the wrong thinking mode.

v6 "From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores; they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither molified with ointment."

It is like the LORD is saying, 'Come let me bind up your hurts.' but they would not.

Jeremiah 8:22 "Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?"

Romans 10:21 referring to Isaiah "But to Israel he saith, All day long, I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people."

It is true that when the king of Babylon offered to let Israel go back to their nation, that many stayed where they were because of financial gain.

v7 "Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers."

It seems that the nation is lost. That blessed and promised nation from which would come the Redeemer has gone to waste. Yet a glimmer of hope is there:

v9 "Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been like unto Gomorrah."

It was a dark time for Israel. I have often referred to the promise of Abraham that in him all nations would be blessed. Also, I compared Israel to being a pregnant lady carrying the promise down through the ages until Christ was born. She has eaten the fruits of idols and failed to accept healing but through the remnant, hope still exist.

Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" See also Matt 1:23 and Luke 1:35.

Still, He pleads.

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Starting Isaiah - Isaiah 1

Isaiah 1:1 "The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, Kings of Judah."

Here in verse one, we find out the time Isaiah lived in. We can see something of his longevity. He served during the reign of four kings.

Numbers 12:6 "And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision and will speak unto him in a dream."

The time is after Israel was split into two nations: Judah and Israel. It was after the high point in the kingdom. David has risen to be king and then Solomon followed him and built the great temple. Then there was civil war and the greatness slipped away and they were carried away by idols and other sins.

II Kings 15:1 "In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign."

The purpose is found in the second verse. The LORD's people have sinned. They are reaping the rewards of sin.

v2 "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me."

It was no surprise for the children of Israel when they were conquered and most of them carried away. God gave them advance warning of what would happen and gave them prophets to continual warn them of the dangers of rebellion.

v3 "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider."

I Kings 9:4-7 "And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness to do according to all that I have commanded thee and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father saying There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel. But if ye shall at all turn from following me ye or your children and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you but go and serve other gods, and worship them. Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people;"

Israel did rebel. The nation was ripped into two parts and ultimately destroyed. As we love our own children and still love them even when they make us angry, so the LORD became angry with Israel.

v4 "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters; they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward."

So we begin the book of Isaiah. I expect there will be some difficult passages ahead. The book is historical to us now but it was present day for Isaiah. Also, the book is prophetic in that Isaiah looks forward to redemption and talks of the coming Christ.

So we again quote: II Chronicles 7:14 for it has been said that Israel is God's time clock: v14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

We could use some of that in our nation as well.

Poetry of the Bible

Psalms

Psalms is usually credited to King David although some were written by his chief musician. They are filled with praise and honor toward God. We also find David's appeals to God during his times of trouble.

I Chronicles 25:1 "Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals; and the number of the workmen according to their service was:" It goes on to name them.

So I think we can conclude that the book of Psalm was a direct result of the instructions of David to sing Praise to the Lord.

They are also historical. You can relate many of the Psalms to events in David's life.

It is said (I have not counted to confirm it) that Psalm 119 is the middle book of the Bible. It is all about the word of God and that in itself is amazing.

Psalm 119:9 "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word."

For me, Psalm 22,23,24 stand out. We all know of Psalm 23 "The LORD is my shepherd..."
I have long look at the three books as belonging together. Psalm 22 describes the sufferings of Christ. Psalm 24 talks about the king of glory. Psalm 23 deals with the good shepherd and is beautiful. I have thought for some time that if 22 is the suffering and 24 is the glory then 23 must fall in between in someway in regard to Christ's suffering. I like to think that as he prayed in the garden and confirmed his acceptance of the cross that Psalm 23 was the peace he felt inside as it so boldly walked to the mob and declared that He was the one they sought. While they beat him and drove the spikes, he was beside still waters. Anyway, I can see the picture in my mind, although I don't know if any agree. Psalm 23 can be the state of mind for a Christian during suffering and affliction. We must learn to rise above the troubles of this life through our faith and the grace of God.

Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Proverbs

King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead his people. In his writings he imparts some of that wisdom to us. It is filled with practical things often telling young men how to avoid the pitfalls of life.

Ecclesiastes or

The Preacher is a view from man's point-of-view or perhaps the hopelessness of self efforts in the face of eternity and judgment. It is from the natural man and provides us contrast. I must admit that I do not totally understand it and the words 'all is vanity' seems depressing. So, in these pages we can see the helplessness of man apart from redemption and God's salvation plan.

Song of Solomon

Using the purity of marriage and love, a description and even prophecy of the love of Christ and the church in a language that might seem quite blunt in an unspiritual thought and mysterious in some ways. To a spiritual mind it depicts a pure relationship that almost causes one to pull away from the impact it has on the heart.

Song of Solomon 8:6-7 "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm; for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it; if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. "

I am debating on whether to go through these books now or go on to Isaiah.

Job Repents and is Restored Job 42

Job 42:5-6 "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth thee, Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." See also Romans 10:17

I do not want to breeze over this last chapter for it is the conclusion of the matter.

The devil came to God and the LORD mentioned Job. Satan laid down a challenge that if the hedge were taken away, Job would curse God. Well, the afflictions were upon Job while his friends told him it was because of his wickedness. Job held to his integrity but still there was a lesson for him to learn from all of it. Job was a wise man, a prince, a teacher and a man of standing in the world. He was not equal to or above God. He could not demand of God. He must rely on God's grace just as we do.

Job said it like this: v3 "Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefor have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not."

I Peter 2:10 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strength, settle you."

That's four things that can come out of affliction: perfection (not sinless perfection but maturity), stablish, strength, settle you. These are all indications of a mature Christian who knows that what ever happens around us or to us, God is still in control and knows all the circumstances and needs that we are not aware of and the ones we are aware of.

The conclusion that I got from all this was that even when Satan buffets us, we may still have something to learn from what happens. Our praise may be weak and we may get beaten down but our faith can stay intact. These are enduring times and joy will come in the morning.

Psalm 30:4-5 "Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

After this Job's friends were rebuked and instructed to make appropriate offerings. Then:

v10 "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before."

v15 "And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren."

v16 "After this lived Job and hundred and forty years, and saw his sons and his sons' sons, even four generations." (140 years)

We have now finished the book of Job. I have often read the book but in this study I discovered the character Elihu who prepared Job to talk with the LORD like John was before Jesus. I learned of the patience of the LORD in dealing with his children even when they get a little full of themselves. I learned that affliction can have some rewards although I do not seek the affliction part. I learned that all must repent and depend on the grace of God and not on our own righteousness.

Psalm 1:6 "For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish."

Job repents.

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Leviathan Job 41

Job 41:1 "Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?" v2

Here the Bible describes a creature beyond anything I have ever seen alive or in pictures.

I've tried to thing of some creature that would match the description. The dragon in mythical stories is the only one that comes to mind. I know that many legends come from truths.

For me, if the Bible says it is so, then it is so and there was at this time such an amazing creature although his kingdom seems contrary to Bible teachings: v34 "He beholdeth all high things; he is a king over all the children of pride." Of course, we know that pride comes before a fall.

Let's look at some of the description: v10 "None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?" God is saying, if you cannot tame this creature which I made, God is greater that it.

v14 "Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about."

v18 "By his sneezings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning."

v19 "Out of his mouth go burning lamps and sparks of fire leap out, v20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. v21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth."

v22 "In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him."

I thought this indicated that the creature could influence the emotions of anyone coming near it.

v23 "The flakes of his flesh are joined together; they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. v24 His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone."

It goes on to describe the uselessness of trying to subdue it.

v30 "Sharp stones are under him; he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire."

v31 "He maketh the deep to boil like a pot; he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment. v32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary. v33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear."

That is quite a description. The point is that the LORD has covered many of his creation. Job said he would contend with God. Now, he can see that the LORD is way above him and that humility is appropriate before him.

I think Job may have been aware of this creature since he did not question its existence.

caldron, cauldron: a large kettle

Genesis 1:24 "And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so."

Leviathan used in God's discussion with Job.

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Job's Confession Job 40

Job 40:4 "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth."

Job's confession is in two parts, here in chapter 40 and then in chapter 42:6.

Job is shaking off his robe of self-righteousness before the majesty of Almighty God. Many will be lost because they feel that they do not have to humble themselves before God or trust in HIS plan of salvation.

Luke 18:9-13 "And he (Jesus) spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

So, we have it in the words of the Son of God. We must see that we have a need before we will reach out to the one who can save us.

v9 "Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?"

Almost the whole chapter 29 of Psalms is about the voice of God: v4 "The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

When Jesus was in the ship with his disciples and a storm came up. The disciples thought they would sink but they called the Master and he had but to speak and the waves calmed.

In the book of Genesis, God had to but speak and what we see was created out of nothing but his words. That word was made flesh and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ. John 1:14.

Here in Job 40 the LORD ask Job some questions and then tells him this:

v14 "Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee."

Now we know that we cannot save ourselves. Had that been possible, Jesus would not have had to die. It is logical when you think about it. There would be no reason for God to give up his only begotten son to die for our sins if there was another way for us to save ourselves.

v15 "Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee, he eateth grass as an ox."

He goes on to describe this giant beast. In the next chapter a creature called leviathan is described and it is something else!

Job's confession.

Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one;"

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He Died and Lived to Tell about It

A young man named Josh had what he thought was a good life, going the party circuit, then one rainy evening God got his attention. Last Sunday Morning he told about his experience and how it brought him back to God. Every one should listen to this unrehearsed testimony. It will touch you. Click on the Eleventh Avenue A country church) link and go to Webcast then look for Josh on a Sunday Morning service. Here is the link as well http://www.eleventhavenuebaptistchurch.com

God talks to Job Part 2 Job 39

Job 39:1 "Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?"

In these chapters the LORD builds step by step to a mysterious creature of the deep.

-38-the elements as we call them, the universe and the earth
-39-the animals we do not normally see but still they survive
-40-behemoth, a creature that is unafraid to try to swallow the Jordan
-41-the creature that leaves a trail of light and has scales and breaths fire

In Isaiah it is said of the LORD that he is counsellor(Isaiah 9:6). In job's case he builds a case step by step to convince Job of his wrong.

v13-17 "Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust. And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's; her labor is in vain without fear; Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding."

Job is being brought to a point where he can see for himself that self-righteousness is not sufficient. As Scofield said that is a path to more fruitfulness. I Cor. 11:31,32, Heb 12:7-11.

I Corinthians 11:31-32 "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world."

God talks to Job.

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20,000

Quietly over the weekend, the site reached over 20,000 hits. I know that is not huge by Internet standards and that a lot of the hits are crawlers and such but still it shows that the study is out there and being looked at. May it be a blessing to a few.

God Speaks to Job - Job 38

Job 38:1-2 "Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?"

Now Job starts to learn some things and as my large print Bible says in the heading 'God shows Job's limits'.

The chapter is filled with questions. A teacher often asked questions of students. Not to learn from them but to teach them the answers. God is the master teacher.

v4 "Where was thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding."

v5 "Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?"

v6 "Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof?"

v7 "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Then in verse 9 we learn the answer:

v9 "When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, v10 And said Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?" v11

The LORD tells us that like a child he has created the universe and told it where it can go and where it cannot go. He was there when the child first started out. But Job was not there then.

The passage contains the Where, Who, the When and the How.

Then Job is asked if he was involved in any of the creation:

v12 "Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; v13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?"

A number of verses start with "Hast Thou" and they show Job his limitations. Then Job is pointed to the stars and to the heavens:

v33 "Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?"

The desolate places where Job has not been are cared for by the LORD:

v26 "To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man v7 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?"

It seems like a good time to say 'I didn't think about that.'

Hast thou, Knowest thou, Canst thou, Wilt thou... All questions for Job to ponder.

v3 "Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee and answer thou me."

You know how children are. They go through phases in their childhood. They are tender babies, curious toddlers, willful, then full of knowledge by the time they are 18 or sooner. While their parents try all along to tell them that they have a lot to learn about life. Job had gone by the book, so to speak, and knew himself that he had lived a good life. Even Job could not equate himself with God. He was not so full of wisdom and good deeds that he could declare that he had no sin or that it was God that made mistakes and not himself. Remember the children 'Mom and Dad are old and they just don't get it'.

Job could have endured his affliction (although he was really going through a lot) without accusing God. Job could have admitted that he was not altogether righteous and taken his chastening as a child instead of laying down a challenge to God. But God is his lovingkindness takes Job as a student and teaches him in person from the whirlwind. See also Exodus 19:36 and Ezekiel 1:4.

We serve a big God. I am so glad that he does not seek out an opportunity to destroy us but rather holds out his hand to us in love. See John 3:16

Psalm 40:1 "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry."

God shows Job his limitations.

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Elihu Part 6 Job 37

Job 37:16 "Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?"

We come to the last of Elihu's chapters. He here speaks of the way God balances the weather. We have a weather observation system in place now but back in those days when there was no global travel, this would have been great information but that was not the purpose for giving it here.

Elihu is magnifying the Lord. It is he who set these things in motion and it is he who keeps the delicate balance necessary to keep the earth fertile and yet not destroy it with too much of any one thing.

v5 "God thundereth marvelously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend."

He brings the snow. v6 The beasts go in their dens. v8 Whirlwinds come from the south, cold from the north. v9

v10 "By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened."

I cannot see the relationship of two things but our text verse does say they are wondrous works.

Then of the turning of the clouds at his bidding upon the earth, the world.

v13 "He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy."

Then Job is asked the question: v15 "Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?"

Which is followed by a series of questions to which Job had no answer. Remember there has been much speech about just about everything in previous chapters. Now, all the talk is quiet while these questions are asked. Truth is, these smart men just do not know the answers.

v19 "Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness."

Job had said he would reason with God if he could just come face to face with him. As Job was, I too would be overwhelmed. Perhaps when there is nothing to say, it is best to say nothing.

v23 "Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict."

Exodus 33:20 "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live."

John 1:18 "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."

Like with Adam in the garden, God often shows us our way by asking a question. A person who does not know they are lost will do little if anything to be found. Jesus also asked questions of learned men to show them they were in the presence of one who had more wisdom than they.

Psalm 33:11 "The counsel of the LORD standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."

Elihu's last words to Job.

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Elihu Part 5 Job 36

2Job 36:3-4 "I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. For truly my words shall not be false; he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee."

Those words are from Elihu who has a special place in these studies. He reminds me of John who came before Jesus declaring that people repent and that one greater than he was coming.

Elihu is preparing Job to hear words directly from God who will speak from the whirlwind.

v5 "Behold God is mighty, and despiseth not any; he is mighty in strength and wisdom."

The next few verses remind us of Israel and how God told them if they would follow and obey Him, he would establish them in the land but if not they would be chastened.

v7 "He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous; but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them forever, and they are exalted."

II Chronicles 7:14 "If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

I think many people think that God must do things to people to discipline them but it is that he only has to take his protecting hand off people for bad things to happen. If we push Him away, then he will not impose on us. We do need his protecting and guiding hand in these days.

v10-12 "He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge."

We could say it like this, There are two kinds of rulers: 1) is not a rightful ruler and forces people to serve them, they perhaps are not of the blood line of the king and so do not have a right to the throne; 2) there are rightful rulers, those who treat their people well, who came to the throne because it belongs to them. That is a simple way to put it but it's the best I can do to make my point. God is a rightful ruler. There is none above him. He created what is. It is in His prerogative to establish right and wrong concerning all that is made because he made it.

v26 "Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out."

Things that man could not possibly do, He does. Some would say that it is 'just' the elements or 'mother nature' but it was God who set these things in order so that they would be compatible with man. We could not take the moisture falling from the clouds in one big blast. It would wash away our land and probably us but look at this verse.

v27 "For he maketh small the drops of water; they pour down rain according to the vapor thereof; v28 Which the clouds do drop and distill upon man abundantly."

So tender is the rain that a rose pedal can be hit and glisten in the light but not be damaged.

So the chapter says that God is mighty and then that he is great. I agree.

'God is great, God is good and we thank Him for our food. Amen.

Psalm 107:8 "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"

Elihu part 5.

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Elihu Part 4 Job 35

Job 35:1-3 "Elihu spake moreover, and said, Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's? For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?"

The advantage is to man and the profit is to man. It brings him into a closer relationship to God.

Those things done on earth have a direct bearing on the state of the person committing the acts. However, it is not for God's benefit that people do right for our activity will neither diminish nor lift God up.

v7 "If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?"

Elihu then tells us how God has elevated man above the animals by teaching us more than they. v11 "Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?"

We are reminded that it could have been different if God had so desired it. He is the designer.

Then we come to one of those statements that man makes that is really out of man's control. I've heard people talk about how they are unafraid of the legal system and they will go on and on about how they will tell them a thing or two or maybe not even show up. It is a different story when they stand before the judge either willingly or by the hand of the law.

v14 "Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him."

People can say all they want that God is not real and therefore that they will not stand before him to give account for their life. That belief does not change the fact that God is real and will hold man accountable whether or not they belief in him.

v16 "Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain, he multiplieth words without knowledge."

Amen.

Elihu talks to Job about righteousness or wickedness before God.

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Elihu Part 3 Job 34

Job 34:5 "For Job hath said, I am righteous: let us know among ourselves what is good." v9 "For he hath said, it profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself in God." chapter 9:22

Elihu has brought to their remembrance words spoken before. I think people think that they can say things and never stand in judgment for them. It will be a great surprise to hear those hateful words again.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:36 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

I think the central thought in this chapter is that men's deeds either hurt or benefit them and have no physical effect on God. God having compassion on the cry of the helpless is another matter. He does hear them.

v10 "Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity."

v11 "For the work of man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways."

It is important to be born again which is by the grace of God and not any deeds we have or could do. So far as our life is concerned, we are not to just rest in grace and ignore the needs around us. It is good to do good.

v27-28 "Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways; So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted."

What God seeks is for man to acknowledge his wrongs and not to accuse God of some misdeed because he is reaping the seeds he has sown.

v31 "Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend anymore; v32 "That which I see not teach thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more."

Hebrews 12:6 "For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

Our society has found it cruel to discipline children. They instead let children rule the home and call it love. The results bloom like wild flowers in our nation. Children have grown up without correction and guidance and now run wild with knives and guns. That is not love. It is more like hate or laziness to just let a child find their own way without guidelines in their life. Chastening is love in action.

Now, back to Job. He gets a strong rebuke in the last two verses of this chapter.

v36-37 "My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God."

So Job is being tried in the fire. It is not pleasant. There would be no point to the test if Job had nothing to learn. We are to that part now. I personally do not mind learning something but I (like most students) do not care for test.

Psalm 12:6 "The words of the LORD are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."

Elihu points out Job's mistake.

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Elihu Part 2 Job 33

Job 33:4 "The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life."

Elihu continues with is credentials and tells that he is there at Job's request to God. He gives opportunity for objections then since there were none, ask that he be heard.

First he goes right to one of Job's wrongs: Remember Elihu is talking to Job in God's stead.

v8 "Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying (Job's words)v9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me."

Then he charges God: v10 "Behold he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy."

Elihu's reply: v12 "Behold in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man."

Although Elihu here explains some things to Job, he says God is not accountable to man.

v13 "Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters."

God does warn people of danger: v15 "In a dream, in a vision of the night...v16 Then he openeth the ears of men...v18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit..."

Man is close to perishing but it takes only the concern of one to stop it.

v23 "If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness; v24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom."

Here we are reminded of Jesus and the ransom he paid for lost man. The first speaks to grace not justice and the new birth as in verse 25 "His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: v26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favorable unto him." See also Luke 23:33

Next we see the importance of repentance: v27 "He looketh upon men and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not v28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light." Also Romans 6:23.

Elihu has told of the love of God. He is not the enemy.

I John 3:1 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."

Elihu explains God's ways to Job.

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Elihu Job 32

Job 32:2-3 "Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Busite, of the kindred of Ram; against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job."

The name Elihu means God himself.
Ram (the best I can figure) was the brother of Abram (Abraham) Genesis 22:21 (A'ram).

Elihu was sent in response to one of Job's pleas. See the next chapter verse 6 "Behold I am according to thy wish in God's stead; I also am formed out of the clay." Chapter 9:32.

We can safely say that Elihu has been with the older men throughout the whole ordeal. He is younger than they and has respectfully kept quiet while they battered back and forth.

v7 "I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom."

Now that the older men have exhausted their words Elihu takes a turn but not simply as a bystander. He even attended to there needs. v12 "Yea, I attended unto you, ..." He is there under the inspiration of God.

v 18-19 "For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent, it is ready to burst like new bottles."

I thought of another man who appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Genesis 14:18 "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was the priest of the most high God. Hebrews 7:1 "For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; v2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation king of righteousness, and after that also king of Salem, which is King of peace;"

I would not call it a mystery, although that word came to me, rather it is an unusual personality that comes on the scene. He is filled with wisdom to the point of closing the mouths of these elder wise men.

v16 "When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)" This statement got me to thinking that Elihu may have recorded the book of Job. His statement here is in the first person as were some other prophets when they were rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.

It is as if these men say Elihu in a new light. Elihu had been in attendance and silent. I suppose that is the way of the elder. They expect the younger to be silent and mostly that is appropriate when older people are talking but it is not always God's way. Paul told Timothy to not let them despise his youth. Even Jesus was a young man and I expect that is one thing that rubbed the elder priest the wrong way. They could not withstand his wisdom but still he was just a youngster, so they were confused as to how to handle it. It would be good to take serious note of a name that starts with Eli. Remember Elijah, Elisha?

Well enough on that track. Elihu is on the scene. He speaks with the wisdom of God and we will listen.

Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

Elihu takes over the conversation with Job and his friends.

My absence

Thanks to those who are nice enough to stop by this Bible Study. I enjoy doing it. I am sick right now and cannot concentrate well enough to do a study. I'll be back soon, Lord willing. Milton