Job 40:6 - 42:17 Job Learned

“Job was not quite broken and at a place of sincere repentance.  He was silent but not yet submissive; so, God continued His address,” my commentary said.  “Instead of confronting Job again with the broad sweep of His creation, God selected only two creatures and asked Job to consider them … ‘Here are two of my best products.  What can you do with them?’”

“The issue now is not the power of God but the justice of God.  Job had said that God was unjust in the way He treated him and in the way He failed to judge the wicked.”  God was basically saying, “I’ll let you do it.”

God had Job consider two creatures – behemoth and leviathan – that were beyond man’s ability to capture or control, and asked Job if he was even as powerful as them, yet they would “beg God for mercy and speak to Him with gentle words,” acting like a pet would.

After all this, “Job knew he was beaten.  There was no way he could argue his case with God … Job humbled himself before the Lord and acknowledged His power and justice in executing His plans.  Then Job admitted that his words had been wrong and that he had spoken about things he didn’t understand.  Job withdrew his accusations that God was unjust and not treating him fairly.  He realized that whatever God does is right and man must accept it by faith … Job had met God personally and seen himself to be but dust and ashes.”

“God called Job My servant.  How did Job serve God?  By enduring suffering and not cursing God, and thereby silencing the devil!  Suffering in the will of God is a ministry that God gives to a chosen few.”

“Job the servant became Job the intercessor.  God was angry with Job’s three friends because they hadn’t told the truth about Him, and they had to be reconciled to Job so he could pray for them.  Job became the umpire between God and his three friends! … We only hurt ourselves when we refuse to forgive others.”

“Job’s greatest blessing was knowing God better and understanding His working in a deeper way … No matter what God permits to come into our lives, He always has His afterword.  He writes the last chapter – and that makes it worth it all.  Therefore, be patient!”

Father, already in my life I’ve watched as You have done this for me – brought me to a better understanding of You, watched as You blessed me, then followed You through suffering to grow me in my faith and teach me to be Your servant.  Thank You for the blessing of knowing You better and understanding Your working in a deeper way.  It is worth the suffering!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford