Job let’s his friends know that their counsel has achieved nothing. He acknowledges the wicked perish, but what has he done.
Job 26: Job Replies: God's Majesty Is Unsearchable
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 "How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!
3 How you have counselled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!
4 With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?
5 The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants.
6 Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.
7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.
8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them.
9 He covers the face of the full moon and spreads over it his cloud.
10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.
11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.
12 By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.
13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.
14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?"
Job 27: Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity
1 And Job again took up his discourse, and said:
2 "As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,
3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,
4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.
5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.
6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days.
7 "Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.
8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?
9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?
10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?
11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.
12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?
13 "This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:
14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.
15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.
16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,
17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.
18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.
19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.
20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.
21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.
22 It hurls at him without pity; he flees from its power in headlong flight.
23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place.
Things to think about…
1. Job asks in Job 26:1-4 what use has been the counsel of his friends. It has achieved nothing. They haven’t helped him or glorified God. For a person in my position as a pastor this would be a torment to me – “your preaching has achieved nothing” – very discouraging. As Christians our words are to have impact, authority and be a blessing for our hearers. Pray that God’s words that we share never return void or empty.
2. Job in 26:7 declares a truth that Galileo would later confirm with telescopes and models. The earth is held in space – over nothing. “He stretches the north out over the void”. Not flat after all. Of course the bible never said it was. How much should we use the scriptures to speak into our science, astronomy or biology. I often hear that the bible is not a science book. No, but are there any true scientific principles that the bible rejects? As God’s word who created alkl the things, the answer must be, no.
3. Have a look at Job 26:12. It seems to refer to the Red Sea being stilled and that Rahab (possibly Egypt) was shattered. As this happened over 400 years after Jacob lived (He died at 137yo) and Job’s life extended to 140yo, it is unlikely that the Red Sea crossing is being referred to. To guess what Job means here is speculation at best. Rahab means proud. So as Barnes comments the verse could mean “The proud - The pride of the sea. The ocean is represented as enraged, and as lifted up with pride and rebellion. God scourges it, rebukes it, and makes it calm”. This is indeed what Jesus did to the storm confirming His Lordship over His creation.
4. Job says that no matter what, he was going to hold onto his integrity, Job 27:5. He says I have a case before the Lord and He should defend Himself. What do you think? Does God need to answer Job? Job did nothing wrong. Does the Lord have a case to answer as to why He afflicted Job? Do we have a right to question God? Job is teaching us we do, but ultimately, by faith, we are to submit to His sovereign will come what may. Easier said than done as Job is teaching us.
5. Job understands what happens to the wicked, Job 27:8, 13 – God cuts him off, takes away his life. He is for the sword and his descendants don’t have bread, vs 14ff etc. We know the wicked are destined to fall, not so the righteous. Yet on this earth sometimes that is turned on its head, at least for a season, the righteous are oppressed and the wicked are blessed. Are they truly blessed who close their eyes to the truth, regardless of how much worldly wealth or health they have?
6. We see in Job 27:15 that polygamy was a common practise in the ancient Middle East. Lamech – the 4th from Adam took 2 wives and bragged about his pride in killing a younger man, Gen 4:23,24. It is still practised today though becoming more culturally noxious. Paul of course says for those in spiritual leadership that they should be the husbands of one wife. Fortunately, the gospel has extended so much into the west that this is now a requirement by law, that we can only be married to one person at any one time.
7. Consider that the words in Job 27 are recorded as being Job’s words. Even Job acknowledges that the wicked perish alone with their wealth Job 27:16-19. But look at vss 20ff. If uttered by Job’s counsellors we would consider them cruel barbs, especially vss 20, 21 considering what happened to Job’s children. Job knows that there is an ultimate judgement that comes to all, but for the wicked it is without hope. The grace of Christ changes our status from wicked sinner to worshiping saint.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups off over the school holidays.
Prayer Points
1. Pray that the contacts made at carols would continue to join with Christ.
2. Please continue to pray for Glenys Zawada – out of the Wesley Hospital on the 21st Dec. Back for rehab as a day patient in early Jan.
3. The conflicts in Israel and Ukraine. Praise for the peace of Jesus to reign.
4. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday afternoons. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
5. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for the carols and the new contacts made.
2. Praise God for all the work that went into carols. Special mentions – Dan Horne – stayed till late packing and unpacking sound equipment, Rosie Dunn – face painting, Nafisah and Krystal Beatty – Sherbet Stall, Band members Jeromy, Mark, Ric, Zac, Josh, Ben, Suzy, Ashley as well as Bec on computer. Great effort everyone. Doug Horne with sound – big effort. Finally to everyone who cooked – Che, Ric, Dan and who packed up – thankyou.
3. Praise God Doug has known some relief to his headaches.
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Christmas day service, Mon 25th Dec 9:00am.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for December...
Q. 15. Who wrote the Bible? A. Holy men who were taught by the Holy Spirit.
