Job’s complaint continues and Bildad rightfully points out that man can never be in the right before God…or can he?
Job 23: Job Replies: Where Is God?
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 "Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!
4 I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me.
7 There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
8 "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him;
9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
13 But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.
14 For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind.
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him.
16 God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me;
17 yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face.
Job 24:
1 "Why are not times of judgment kept by the Almighty, and why do those who know him never see his days?
2 Some move landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them.
3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge.
4 They thrust the poor off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves.
5 Behold, like wild donkeys in the desert the poor go out to their toil, seeking game; the wasteland yields food for their children.
6 They gather their fodder in the field, and they glean the vineyard of the wicked man.
7 They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold.
8 They are wet with the rain of the mountains and cling to the rock for lack of shelter.
9 (There are those who snatch the fatherless child from the breast, and they take a pledge against the poor.)
10 They go about naked, without clothing; hungry, they carry the sheaves;
11 among the olive rows of the wicked they make oil; they tread the winepresses, but suffer thirst.
12 From out of the city the dying groan, and the soul of the wounded cries for help; yet God charges no one with wrong.
13 "There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths.
14 The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief.
15 The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, 'No eye will see me'; and he veils his face.
16 In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light.
17 For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness.
18 "You say, 'Swift are they on the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the land; no treader turns toward their vineyards.
19 Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters; so does Sheol those who have sinned.
20 The womb forgets them; the worm finds them sweet; they are no longer remembered, so wickedness is broken like a tree.'
21 "They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no good to the widow.
22 Yet God prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life.
23 He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways.
24 They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like the heads of grain.
25 If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?"
Job 25: Bildad Speaks: Man Cannot Be Righteous
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:
2 "Dominion and fear are with God; he makes peace in his high heaven.
3 Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise?
4 How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure?
5 Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes;
6 how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!"
Things to think about…
The case is building between Job and God. Job in chap 23 sees Job wanting a direct response from the Lord. He wants a fair hearing. Only God can answer the questions he has. This is still the case for us today. If we have a complaint against God, it is right to take it to Him for answers. The main problem however is that our sin and pride are generally exposed as the sources of our issues. Even so…God is still the answer.
We see hope being expressed for the first time in Job’s discourse. He says in Job 23:10 “when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold”. This is true, not just for Job but for all those who trust in their Redeemer.
Job says he is not the only one who doesn’t receive justice in Job 24. There are others who have their goods taken by evil men and still the Lord does nothing. Why do the wicked prosper, is Job’s question. He says “If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?” Job 24:25.This is more of Ps 73 isn’t it. We know there is an end for all and all will give an account.
Bildad basically says, God’s will is God’s will. Man cannot be and is has not been born pure and as such he cannot argue against the Lord’s will. Bildad asks ‘can man be made right before God?” Job 25,4. Praise God we know he can. By accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour from sin.
Vision Point for Cell groups
CBC's Vision "To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission".
Cell group questions from Sunday morning’s sermon “God’s got this” Job 19.
1. Jay shared about the 8yo boy who had a serious illness and almost died, but he knew that he was getting better in his body. Have you ever been in a desperate situation outwardly but knew that things were going to be ok. Discuss.
2. Job said he knew his Redeemer lived and that one day he would see him in the flesh on the earth, Job 19:25. Discuss what this means. Where and when was this to/will this happen?
3. God often calls us into tough situations. Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, Is 53:3. We are being conformed into the image of Christ, Rom 8:29 and not our fallen image. Discuss Rom 8:29 and how this happens.
4. Prayer and praise points below.
Prayer Points
1. New Qld government and our premier.
2. US elections this week
3. Those affected by storm damage last week.
4. Zac’s dad, Mark Torrington continues to improve .
5. People who have visited the church that they settle in.
6. Sunday’s messages. The message this week – “God’s on a vacation” Job 23, Jay.
7. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
8. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times.
Praise Points.
1. More visitors on Sunday.
2. Our worship team on Sunday – thanks Josh, Sam, Ben. Sounded amazing.
3. Molly and Katelyn did a great job with visuals and streaming.
4. Young Life will be using our facilities on Friday afternoons. Zach Lipp heading this up. Contact Zac for more details. Starts after school on Fridays 3:30pm.
5. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
6. Praise God for all those who serve at CBC. Thanks again to Helen, Angelo, Catherine, Yuki, Doug, Maddison and many others who go about making CBC an amazing place to worship.
Announcements
1. Carols Sun 20th Dec 6pm. Start with a meal. Carols to start after the meal around 7pm.
2. AGM – Sunday 15th November after the morning service. Open for all.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Kids Church activity sheets provided – either in the house or church.
