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The Monologues (Chapters 27-41)Job's Righteousness (Chapters 27-31)Job Continues: The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom (Chapter 27-28)The third round is abandoned before Zophar has a chance to speak. The text now moves from dialogue to monologue. Job begins with his discourse in chapter 27-28 as he expounds upon the nature of wisdom. Job continues to declare his innocence (27:2, 6). The wicked will indeed get what he deserves (27:8-9). The wicked may prosper in this life, but after death, they will face terror (27:19-20). Humans mine the earth for silver and gold (28:1-2). They can find precious metals and iron in the farthest depths of the earth. However, humans rarely seek wisdom with the same diligence. Yet, wisdom is far more precious than gold (12:12-15). The foundation of wisdom is to recognize the wrath of God on those who are wicked. Thus, “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom.” Job Continues II (Chapter 29-31)Job again takes up his discourse, beginning longing for the good old days. However, the good old days are not when he had wealth. Instead, it was when God was with him and he had his family (29:2-4). Job recounts those days, and the righteous acts he performed (29:15-16). But those days are over. Now he is mocked (30:1), taunted (30:9), and abhorred (30:10). God no longer is with him. Indeed, God does not answer him at all (30:20). Job then pleads with God to remember how much Job delighted in justice and took care of the suffering (30:25). Yet when he expected good things to happen, God sent him suffering (30:26). Job is crying out to God, “I'm innocent!” He does this by listing off various sins, asking, “if I did this or that sin, then condemn me.”
But Job has not hidden his sins, as did Adam (31:33). But there is no one to hear him declare his innocence, and God does not answer him (31:35). Elihu's Reprimand (Chapters 32-37)Elihu (Chapter 32-33)Upon hearing Job's boastfulness about his righteousness, the young man Elihu becomes angry. How could Job hope to justify himself this way before God (32:2)? Elihu begins by acknowledging his youthfulness and he acts with proper deference to his elders (32:6). However, Elihu claims that just because someone is old means they are more wise (32:9). Therefore he needs to speak. Furthermore, as a young man, he is not afraid to give the straight scoop (32:17, 22). Clearly, Job is not righteous (33:12), for he has complained against God, and that in and of itself is a sin (33:13). What Job must do is confess his sin and then he will be redeemed (33:26-28). Elihu Continues (Chapter 34)Elihu continues his monologue in chapter 34, affirming again that Job is evil by stating that being righteous doesn't result in prosperity (34:7-9). Surely this is an affront to the justice of God. God does not do any wrong (34:10, 12). No, Job is answering this challenge with he same arguments a wicked person would make (34:36-37). Elihu Continues II (Chapter 35)Elihu asks Job is he thinks he is better than God (35:2). Elihu explains to Job that God isn't speaking to him because God doesn't listen to the wicked (35:10, 15-16). Elihu Continues III (Chapter 36-37)Elihu drones on with his fourth discourse. Elihu now will presume to defend God (36:2). God is mighty (36:5), just (36:6-7), exalted and unsearchable (36:26). God controls all of nature (37:1-13). No one can explain God's wonders (37:14-15). He beyond us (37:23) and He will bring about all justice (37:24). God is ignoring Job because Job thinks he is smarter than God and that God owes him something (37:24). Yahweh's Response (Chapters 38-41)Yahweh Speaks (38:1-40:2)In chapter 38, then we see the response of God. It is almost as if he is fed up with everyone speaking on his behalf. Finally now here is this young punk, Elihu, who presumes to defend Him out of wisdom. Yahweh can no longer be silent. He comes forth in a whirlwind to defend himself. God begins by wondering who it is that presumes to defend Him. “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge” (38:2). He tells us to get ready to defend ourselves, for he is about to challenge our understanding (38:3). After all: Job 38:4 NASB "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, Do we understand the blueprints of the universe (38:6-7)? Are we able to command nature (38:12-18)? Do we understand the nature of light and energy (38:19-24)? Can we control the weather (39:25-30)? Can we control the stars (38:31-330? Can we understand and control the animals (38:39-39:30)? If we can't do any of these things, then what right do we have to question God? Job 40:1-2 NASB Then the LORD said to Job, (2) "Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it." Who can find fault in how he treats us, even if he causes suffering as great as Job's. God is sovereign. God is the creator. He can cause and allow whatever he wants, and we, as his creatures, have no place to question the lot in life he has chosen for us. Job (40:3-5)Job responds with humility before the Lord. He recognizes his own insignificance before God. He'll shut up now, for God has spoken (40:3-5). Yahweh Continues (40:6-41:34)Yahweh continues then with a description of two amazing beasts, the behemoth and the leviathan. There is much conjecture as to what these beasts might be. The behemoth has been compared to the hippopotamus, a mammoth, or an elephant. The leviathan has been compared to a whale, a crocodile, or even a fire-breathing dragon. It is not clear from the original text exactly what these animals are. But it is not necessary to identify the animal to get the point. The parallel between 38:3 and 40:7 tell us that the point is the same. We cannot condemn the judgment of God (40:8). We cannot match the strength of God (40:9). We cannot even save ourselves 40:14). The God who created the great animals, the behemoth and the leviathan, is too complex and deep for us to understand. We cannot even understand why these animals do what they do. How can we hope to understand the God who created them? |
