Job Chapters 29-42 - GOD is Sovereign - Nov. 27, 2005

Sunday School Lesson – Honor the Sovereign LORD – November 27, 2005

This our final lesson in our series “When Life Cave’s in”.

Our background scripture is Job 38:1-42:17

Our focus scripture is Job 42:1-13, 16-17

We have been on a journey with Job through a portion of his life. Job has suffered mightily for something GOD allowed which his friends tried to convince him GOD was punishing him because of some sin. Neither Job nor his friends knew the real reason Job was suffering. It is a test. It is a test which benefits all of us through the ages. It gives us insight to know GOD in a more intimate way especially when we encounter trials and tough circumstances. The end result for Job and his friends is they will know GOD in a more intimate way after the test than they did before the test.

When unwanted or uncontrolled circumstances come into our life, our normal reaction is to blame GOD or god. GOD is the true GOD that is CHRIST’S FATHER, THE CREATOR and THE FATHER of us who are Christians through the miracle of rebirth. Then there is god who is defined as a god other than GOD.

We make many things god, such as power, money, education, intelligence, friends, the church, religion, the pastor, a good luck charm, something someone in whom we have confidence told us at a point in our life, tradition, notions, some artifact or stature, an image, an angel, a saint, etc. That is why it is so important when GOD or god is blamed for a situation we understand which GOD or god the person is blaming. Do we really know GOD?

Last week’s lesson was on wisdom, Chapter 28 of Job. This week we jump to the last Chapter in Job for our study.
We need to fill in some of the events between Chapters 28 and 38. They cover some of the following points:
- Job sums up his testimony in Chapters 29-31. Job maintains his innocence of any sin. He challenges anyone to prove him otherwise.
- Another friend of Job enters the picture. His name is Elihu. Elihu has been listening to all that has been said. Elihu responds in Chapters 32-37. Elihu has not spoken because he is younger than the other three of Job’s friends but he has remained silent as long as he can. Led by GOD’S SPIRIT Elihu is critical of Job’s three (3) other friends. He defends the justice of GOD but he does not contribute all suffering to GOD. Notice that GOD does not rebuke Elihu when we study GOD’S speech in Job 42:7, when GOD rebukes Job’s three (3) friends. Elihu mixes some truth with tradition but his intent is to speak to Job what GOD has laid upon his heart and mind. This reveals Elihu’s concept of GOD and the relationship Elihu has with GOD even though he is younger than Job’s friends. The beauty of the Christian life is that a new Christian can know GOD more intimately than a Christian who has been a Christian for many years. The key is not how long one has been a Christian but whether or not we have released the control of our life to GOD so we can get to know HIM in a more intimate way.
- There are certain portions of Elihu’s speech that give glimpses of CHRIST, which sparked in my mind the wonderful blessing we have as Christian’s to be indwelt and empowered by THE HOLY SPIRIT. We have THE HOLY SPIRIT to comfort us when we are going through difficult times in our life. THE HOLY SPIRIT helps us to look beyond our circumstances and look back at them from GOD’S perspective. It is hard for us to view situations when we look from our perspective.


- We as Christians can get into the pit of despair very easy. I was there this week. I was bathing in self-pity and woe-is-me. A beautiful gospel song came over the radio and brought the joy and blessings of THE LORD to my mind. This set my feet upon the SOILD-ROCK and lifted my heart out of the miry-clay of life into the sunshine of the presence of our LORD. What a blessing!

GOD makes two (2) speeches in Job 38:1-40:2 and 40:6-41:34. Job makes a brief response to GOD in Job 40:3-5.

When GOD speaks in Job 38:1-40:2 HE does not tell Job why he is suffering. HE does not mention Satan or the test.

Keep in mind that Job had told GOD he wanted to approach HIM and ask HIM some questions but if GOD spoke first Job would answer HIM. GOD is doing the talking. Then GOD gives Job an opportunity to speak.

Job is having an encounter with GOD HIMSELF. Job is still covered with boils and suffering. GOD gives Job the opportunity to speak. Job has the option of challenging GOD but he does not. After GOD’S speech Job sees GOD in a different way and with a new understanding. GOD has revealed HIMSELF to Job.

If GOD had explained the situation to Job about this being a test then Job would have been enlightened but this information could have possibly prevented Job from receiving the full benefit of the test. Job is still in the dark so-to-speak but he is having an encounter with GOD and Job is still living. Remember common belief was that no human could approach GOD and live.




GOD asks Job a series of questions when we read Job Chapters 40-41. Job 40:1-9 is the beginning of GOD challenging Job to answer HIS questions.

1 The Lord answered Job: 2 Will the one who contends with the • Almighty correct [Him]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. ? Let him who argues with God give an answer.[1] Lit God respond to it 3 Then Job answered the Lord: 4 I am so insignificant. How can I answer You? I place my hand over my mouth.[2] Jb 21:5; 29:9; 31:14 5 I have spoken once, and I will not reply; twice,[3] Jb 33:14 but [now]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. I can add nothing. 6 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:[4] Jb 38:1; 2 Kg 2:1,11; Ezk 1:4 7 Get ready to answer Me like a man; When I question you, you will inform Me.[5] Jb 38:3 8 Would you really challenge My justice? Would you declare Me guilty to justify yourself?[6] Jb 9:20; 13:18; 22:3 9 Do you have an arm[7] Ex 6:6; 15:16; Dt 5:15 like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His?

Then GOD goes to HIS second speech and asks Job if he still questioned either HIS justice or HIS power?

Today’s study brings understanding to GOD’S purpose for testing Job.

Let’s read Job 42:1-6 (Job’s Final Speech after GOD’S speech to him.)
Job Replies to the Lord
1 Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 I[1] Alt Hb tradition reads You know that You can do anything[2] Isa 44:24; 45:7; Jn 1:3 and no plan of Yours can be thwarted. 3 [You asked,]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. “Who is this who conceals [My]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. counsel with ignorance?”[3] Jb 38:2 Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to[4] Lit me, and I did not know. 4 [You said,]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. “Listen now, and I will speak. When I question you, you will inform Me.”[5] Jb 38:3 5 I had heard rumors about You, but now my eyes have seen You.[6] Jb 19:27; Gn 32:30; Ex 33:18–23 6 Therefore I take back [my words]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. and repent in dust and ashes.[7] LXX reads I despise myself and melt; I consider myself dust and ashes [8]



Job and GOD are having a conversation. Job responds to GOD with “I know”. GOD got Job’s attention with HIS speech about HIM creating the world, all that is in the world and how HE is in control of all things. Job has had an encounter with GOD and as a result Job’s relationship with GOD has moved from what he has heard about GOD to now having an intimate relationship with GOD and knowing GOD firsthand and personal. In fact Job says “my eyes have seen YOU”.

Notice, “I take back my words and repent in dust and ashes”. When we encounter GOD we feel unworthy and unclean. Job felt the words he had spoken to GOD were brash and had hurt GOD; therefore he was deeply sorry as expressed by his statement of “repent in dust and ashes”.

GOD told Job in 38:2-41:34 that HE had created everything and HE was still in control of it. HE is still sovereign, all powerful and all knowing. Job’s suffering was not a reason for Job to question whether or not GOD was being fair.

Job realizes that GOD is wise and acts justly. Nothing happens on earth that takes GOD by surprise or prevents HIM from carrying out HIS plan and purpose.

This revelation resulted in a major change in Job’s life. It changed Job’s attitude toward GOD from one of rebellious pride, arrogance and that GOD owed him an explanation for his suffering to accept whatever GOD allowed into his life. This is confidence and trust in GOD. It recognizes the sovereignty of GOD.

JESUS tells us in Luke 11:11-13
11 What father among you, if his son[12] Other mss read son asks for bread, would give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give[13] Lit the Father from heaven will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
GOD brought Job to a new level of understanding and knowledge about GOD. Oh, if HE would only use magic dust to reveal HIMSELF and bring us into a more mature relationship with HIM rather than some of the circumstances we have to encounter in life.

This again is a point we have to trust that GOD knows us and what it takes for us to know HIM in a more intimate way or for us to deal with an obstacle in our life that hinders us from serving HIM more completely.

Such an encounter is not to be feared. I often tell THE LORD, help me to learn this lesson well because I DO NOT want to have to repeat it. But JESUS tells us when we are yoked with HIM life becomes easier. When we try to live life in our own strength it often becomes unbearable.

Matthew 11:28-30 (JESUS is speaking)

28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

It is never wrong, in my opinion, to ask GOD why when life’s circumstances come down upon us. GOD is sovereign, all powerful, all knowing and is in control of all things. We know GOD is in all things bringing about the best which can be extracted from a situation even when the things are the result of our bad decisions. Keep in mind when we sin we pay the consequences for our sin. If we speed and get caught, we have to pay the consequences. If we abuse drugs we have to pay the consequences. If we neglect our health we have to pay the consequences.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Job searched himself for any sin he might have committed. He could not find any. GOD revealed to Job that HE is sovereign and is in control of all things. Job finally reconciled himself to this fact and rested in GOD.

This is an excerpt from The Herschel Hobbs Commentary published by LifeWay Christian Resources, Job encountered GOD and “he (Job) sensed GOD saying to him, in effect: It is not your part to know the why of all things. Yours is to realize who I AM, to believe that you can trust ME in all things. Job’s peace came not from answers to questions but from the realization that GOD was there and that HE cared. (Smith, Job: A Study in Providence and Faith, 133)

Let’s read Job 42:7-9

Jb 2:8; 2 Sm 13:19; Est 4:1,3 7 After the Lord had finished speaking[9] Lit speaking these words to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has. 8 Now take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer a burnt offering for yourselves.[10] Gn 8:20; 22:2–13; Ex 10:25 Then My servant Job will pray for you.[11] Gn 20:7,17; Nm 21:7; 1 Sm 2:25 I will surely accept his [prayer]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. and not deal with you as your folly deserves. For you have not spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has.” 9 Then Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord had told them, and the Lord accepted Job’s [prayer]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .

After GOD finishes with Job HE turns HIS attention to Job’s three (3) friends. Notice GOD does not chastise Elihu for the reasons already mentioned.

GOD begins with Eliphaz because he has been the leader of the group. GOD is angry with Job’s friends because they had not spoken the truth about HIM.

Truth means “being established and securely determined”.
Recall that JESUS said HE is THE TRUTH. TRUTH is a person.

John14:6 (JESUS is speaking)

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

GOD uses the phrase “MY servant Job” four (4) times. GOD calls Job’s name each time the phrase is used. The fact that GOD uses the phrase means Job has a place of special honor. By GOD referring to Job as “MY servant” confirms to everyone and especially to Job that Job’s suffering is not due to sin.

GOD requires Job’s three (3) friends to obtain seven (7) bulls and seven (7) rams and offer them as a burnt offering for their sin. This is a hefty sacrifice, which shows the seriousness of their sin.

The sin is the result of Job’s friends not speaking the truth about GOD. They offered Job a philosophy that was based upon tradition and had no foundation. They did not help Job during his suffering but criticized him. They were relying upon tradition, logic and the teachings of others, rather than GOD. They had a distorted view of GOD which needed to be changed.

The bulls and rams were to be offered as a sacrifice and Job was to pray for them. To their credit they did as GOD instructed and avoided the wrath of GOD. They had an encounter with GOD and had to make a decision, obey or not. They decided to obey GOD which resulted in them being spared and forgiven by GOD and being enlightened by GOD.

This is a foreshadow of CHRIST giving HIS LIFE on THE CROSS for each of us as sinners. We as a human must be obedient and accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR to avoid eternal punishment.

When we ask CHRIST to forgive us of our sins and ask HIM to come into our life we are born into GOD’S family and inherit eternal life at that moment. CHRIST intercedes for all Christians now. HE is our mediator.

Satan would love to bring us down as a Christian and devour us but CHRIST stands between us and Satan. CHRIST’S shed blood protects us. We have the hedge row around us. We have the blood of CHRIST sprinkled upon the doorpost of our heart. We are in the hands of GOD and CHRIST. We are well protected. Just do not let temptation cause us to escape our wall of protection.

Hebrews 7:25
25 Therefore He is always able to save[8] Or He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

Let’s read Job 42:10-13, 16-17:
God Restores Job
10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his prosperity[12] Ps 85:1; Jr 29:14; Zph 2:7 and doubled his [previous]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. possessions.[13] Jb 1:13–19 11 All his brothers, sisters, and former acquaintances came to his house and dined with him in his house. They offered him sympathy and comfort[14] Jb 2:11; 21:34; Gn 50:21; Ps 69:20 concerning all the adversity the Lord had brought on him.[15] Jb 1:13–19; 2:7–11; Isa 45:7 Each one gave him a qesitah,[16] The value of the currency is unknown; Gn 33:19; Jos 24:32 and a gold earring. 12 So the Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the earlier. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 He named his first [daughter]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. Jemimah, his second Keziah, and his third Keren-happuch. 15 No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance with their brothers. 16 Job lived 140 years after this and saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 17 Then Job died, old and full of days.[17] Gn 25:8; 35:29

Verse 10 is a key verse. Here it is in the King James Version of the Bible 10 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.

The words “turned the captivity of Job” is the point Job was healed of his boils. When Job was obedient to GOD by praying for his friends, GOD healed Job and restored his prosperity.

This is a message to us. We must be sure to pray as GOD leads us, especially for those who have not treated us as they should.

The scripture tells us in Romans 12:19 (2 Bible translations)

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His[2] Lit the wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay,[3] Dt 32:35 says the Lord.

The scripture also tells us in Romans 8:31

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

GOD is building character in each of us. GOD uses circumstances in life to bring us into full spiritual maturity and become more like CHRIST.

Our study brings us back to the key point, GOD is sovereign and the relationship we have with GOD through CHRIST determines how we cope with life’s circumstances.

As for me, I am still under construction.