Somebody Loves You

Raul Ries: He's saying that Job was a problem and he can't solve it and Job has become a problem to God. All that Job were tried to the uttermost because his answers are like those of the wicked man. I mean Job, look what you've said against God, and God has been there the whole time with you. And how many times we've done the same way, we speak against God not knowing all of the facts that are there.

Guest (Male): Welcome to Somebody Loves You Radio, the Bible teaching ministry of Raul Ries in Diamond Bar, California. It's great to have you along today as we return to the book of Job. Raul will ponder the confusion that can come when we're walking closely with God and still get hit with adversity.

It's natural to feel obedience should earn a free pass from suffering, but Job shows us this isn't the case. Keep listening for a challenge to trust God at all times, understanding that He has already taken care of our greatest need, forgiveness of sins. Here's Raul Ries in the book of Job.

Raul Ries: And then Job looks ahead now to God's justice in chapter 31. Notice this records Job's final defense. The light's coming. Here it comes. I have made a covenant with my eyes, when then I should look upon a young woman. Notice what Job says here. Job says that he has lived a clean life. He's not pursuing after adultery. He says, "I don't even look at a woman that way, God. I keep my eyes straight ahead."

For what is the allotment of God from above and the inheritance of the Almighty from on high? Lord, if I'm not lusting and I'm not doing anything ill, why do I deserve this? Why am I going through this? Is it not destruction for the wicked and disaster for the workers of iniquity? Does he, God, not see my ways and count all my steps? Job, yes He does. Wait till you get to chapter 38.

If I have walked with falsehood or if my foot has hastened to deceit, let me be weighted in honest scales that God may know my integrity. Job, God knows your integrity. God knows you, who you are. Job here is denying that God is dealing dishonestly not only with other people, but he's saying, "God, you think that I'm being dishonest with other people, God? I mean, what's the problem here?"

If my steps have turned from the way or my heart walked after my eyes or if any spot adheres to my hands, then let me sow and another eat. Yes, let my harvest be rooted out. If my heart has been enticed by a woman or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door. So here he's denying concerning any adultery in his life. You notice he says, "I didn't do that, Lord."

Then let my wife grind for another and let others bow down over her. For that would be wickedness. Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment. For what would be a fire that consumes to destruction and would root out all of my increase? He's talking now.

Now look at secondly here. Now Job, he speaks of his employees. He says, "If I have despised the cause of my male or female servants when they complained against me. Lord, I never mistreated my employees. I treated them right. I gave them bonuses. I took care of them. I watched over them. Why is this happening to me when I've done what's right?"

What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how then shall I answer Him? Did not God who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one fashion us in the womb? And then he talks about his neighbors.

Notice, if I have kept the poor from their desire or caused the eyes of the widow to fail or eaten my morsel by myself so that the fatherless could not eat of it? Lord, if I've done anything against my neighbor in any wicked way, show me. Is this why this is happening to me?

But from my youth I reared him as a father, and from my mother's womb I guided the widow. If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing or any poor man without covering, if his heart has not blessed me and if he has not warmed with the fleece of my sheep? If I have raised my hand against the fatherless when I saw I had help in the gate? Lord, everything that I did, I did it righteously before You.

Then let my arm fall from my shoulder, let my arm be torn from the socket. If I am evil, Lord God, go ahead and do that. For destruction from God is a terror to me and because of His magnificence I cannot endure. And notice now Job speaks of the worshippers. Notice here, materialism, idolatry were two of the other sins that Job is denouncing here.

If I have made gold my god, my hope, or said to the fine gold, you are my confidence. God, when I had everything, I didn't put my trust in my bank account or my homes or my sheep or goats or anything else I had. My trust was in You, God. Why is this happening to me when I truly trusted You?

If I have rejoiced because of my wealth was great and because my hand had gained so much? If I have observed the sun when it shines or the moon moving in brightness so that my heart has been secretly enticed and my mouth has kissed my hand? This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, for I would have denied God who is above.

And then notice verse 29. Other sins Job now says that he was not guilty. That's the sin of greed here. Notice what he says. If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me or lifted myself up when evil was found in him? Lord, I never did that.

Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for a curse on his soul. I never said, "Lord, this guy that came against me, go ahead and curse him and don't bless him and do this and that." You know usually what we do against people? I never did that, God.

And then he says here notice now, he longs that someone would hear him for his committee of accusers. Notice here, who's listening to my defense? Oh, that I had one to hear me! Who's going to listen to me? If God doesn't listen to me, who's going to listen to me?

Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me! That my prosecutors had written a book. Job, they have. We're reading it right now. Surely I would carry it out on my shoulder and bind it on me like a crown. I would declare to him the number of my steps like a prince I would approach him.

And now Job speaks of his stewards. He says, "If my land cries out against me and its furrows weep together, if I had eaten its fruit without money or caused its owners to lose their lives?" Look at God, I took care. I never mistreated my employees. I took care of them. I never had fraud in my life or injustice. I always did what was right. Then let thistles grow instead of wheat and weeds instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

And now God speaks, notice, through Job in chapter 32. Job's three friends already had given up on Job. And now Job says, "So these three men cease answering Job." Where are they? How come they're not talking anymore? Because he was righteous in his own eyes.

And then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, who arose against Job. His wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God here. These were actually the members of an Arab tribe, of Elihu, they were actually Arabs.

And he says here, also against his three friends his wrath was aroused because they had found no answer and yet had condemned Job. And now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job. And then when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.

This guy Elihu is the youngest of all. He's not part of the three. He's the fourth guy that now is coming and he's going to speak to Job. Notice Elihu here introduces himself. So Elihu, the son of Barachel, the Buzite, answered and said, "I am a young in years and you are old. Therefore I was afraid and dare not declare my opinion to you."

Imagine a 19-year-old coming to a 60-year-old and try to tell him what to do. The 60-year-old would say, "Hey, get thee behind me. What do you know about life? You're just a young man." So here he's talking about this guy. He says, "I said age should speak." Notice that. That's not always true because there are some old people that are not wise and there are some young people that are wise. You see, that's not always true.

He says, "But there is a spirit in man," verse 8, "and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding." Notice again here he says of Elihu, "Great men are not always wise nor do age always understands justice here." The word of God is the one that gives us what? The authority and the wisdom.

I can remember Grandma Kopp, Sharon's grandmother, man, one of the wisest women I ever knew in my life when it came to giving the counsel and giving the word of God to us. Amazing, beautiful woman.

Therefore I say, listen to me. I also will declare my opinion. Indeed I waited for your words. I listened to your reasonings while you searched out what to say. I paid close attention to you guys and surely not one of you convinced Job or answered his words. You had nothing to say to Job. You spoke a lot but it was all hot wind. You had nothing to say.

Imagine this young guy rebuking all these older guys. Lest you say, "We have found wisdom. God will vanquish him, not man." Now he has not directed words. They are dismayed and answer no more. Words escape them. Here Elihu's desiring to speak out now.

And then here's Elihu, "And I have waited. This is my time now because they did not speak because they stood still and answered no more. I also will answer my part. I too will declare my opinion. For I am full of words and the spirit within me compels me."

Notice what a tremendous statement this is. The spirit that within me, God is in me and it's going to speak. Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent. It's already to burst like a new wineskins. I will speak that I may find relief. I must open my lips and answer.

Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anybody, nor let me flatter any man. For I do not know how to flatter else my Maker would soon take me away. He said, "I'm not going to compromise. I'm coming to speak truth."

Guest (Male): You're listening to Somebody Loves You Radio with Raul Ries. We're here to help you grow in your personal relationship with God and we invite you to visit us online at somebodylovesyou.com for an abundance of resources. You can also email your prayer requests directly to Raul at pastorraul@somebodylovesyou.com. Let's continue now with more of today's teaching.

Raul Ries: Now watch chapter 33 now. God is gracious. He says now Elihu's request here that Job would listen. "But please, Job, hear my speech and listen to all my words. Now I open my mouth. My tongue speaks in my mouth. My words come from the upright heart. My lips utter pure knowledge."

The spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. If you can answer me, set your words in order before me, take your stand. Truly I am as your spokesman before God. I also have been formed out of clay. Surely no fear of me will terrify you nor will notice my hands be heavy on you.

And now Elihu here gives us a summary of Job's charges against God. Notice, "Surely you have spoken in my hearing and I have heard the sound of your word saying, 'I am pure without transgression, I am innocent and there is no iniquity in me.' You talked about how good you are, Job, but yet what? We are sinners."

Yet He finds occasions against me. He counts me as His enemy. He puts my feet in the stocks speaking of God. He watches all my paths. Look, is this you are not righteous? I will answer you for God is greater than man. That is another true statement from Psalm 71:5 here.

Who do you contend with Him? That's speaking of God. For He, God, does not give an accounting of any of His words. For God may speak in one way and in another, yet man does not perceive it. So here God is speaking things from His word and yet Job is not listening.

In a dream, in a vision, in the night when the deep sleep falls upon men while slumbering on their beds. Then God opens the ear of man and seals their instruction. The way God comes through a dream or through somebody talking to you or reading the Bible, whatever it may be, the word of God.

In order to turn man from his deed and conceal pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. Men is also chastened with pain in his bed with strong pain in many of his bones. And yet Job didn't have Hebrews chapter 12, whoever the Lord loves, He chastens. Remember that.

Even Christians suffer like wicked men. Not because we're wicked, but pain's for everyone in this world. He goes on to say, so that his life hates bread and his soul succulent food. He says, "His flesh wastes away from sight, his bones stick out, his once were not seen. Yes, his soul draws near to the pit and his life is to the executioners."

If there is a messenger for him, a mediator, one among a thousand to show man his uprightness? Yes, Jesus is the mediator. Then He, God, is gracious to him and says, "Deliver him from going down to the pit. I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be young like a child's. He shall return to the days of his youth when God heals."

This is what happens. He shall pray to God. He, God, delights in him. He, God, shall see his face with joy for He restores to man his righteousness. Then he looks at men and says, "I have sinned and perverted what was right and it did not profit me." And He, God, will redeem his soul from going down to the pit and his life shall see the light. I love that, how God redeems us.

No matter what we're going through, God will redeem us. God will be there next to us. Behold, God works all these things twice, in fact, three times with a man. To bring back his soul from the pit that he may be enlightened with the light of life.

Give ear, O Job, listen to me. Hold your peace and I will speak. If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you. If not, listen to me. Hold your peace and I will teach you wisdom. Can you imagine how Job must have felt? Here's this young guy rebuking him, telling him, and Job's just sitting there.

And now finally, the last chapter here. Notice God is just. Elihu continues. Elihu further answered and said, notice here he goes. "Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge." He's talking to Job through and his three friends.

Notice here God wants us to bring what? Everything to Him. He wants us to be broken vessels, humbled, because God chastens people. "Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear, you have to have knowledge. For the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. Let us choose justice for ourselves and let us know among ourselves what is good."

And then Elihu here is discussing with Job his claims about God being unjust. For Job said, "I am righteous but God has taken away my justice." Job was mad at God. "Should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable though I am without transgression. I didn't sin against God and look what look at my body. Look at my pain. Look what I'm going through."

What man is like Job who drinks scorn like water? Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity? Notice that is Job and walks with the wicked men? For he, Job, has said, "It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God." I mean Job was talking nonsense. He's rebuking him for this.

And then Elihu's defense here of God's justice here and impartiality in verse 10. "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness and from the Almighty to commit iniquity." Notice God does not do anything wrong ever. He is always right.

For God repays men according to his works and makes men to find a reward according to his way. God is just, you see. Surely God will never do wickedly nor will the Almighty pervert justice. And that's true. Who gave him charge over the earth? Or who appointed him over the whole world? He's God. He's Creator, Healer of everything.

If He should set His heart on it, if He, God, should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath, all flesh would perish together and men would return to the dust. God can destroy us at any moment that He wants. If you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the sound of my words.

Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn God who is most just? It is fitting to say to a king, "You are worthless," and to nobles, "You are wicked." Yet God is not partial to leaders nor does God regard the rich man more than the poor, for they are all the work of His hands. You see, God doesn't is not a respecter of persons.

In a moment they die, in the middle of the night. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand, the righteous and the wicked. We die in the middle night, day, whatever. For His eyes are on the ways of man and He sees all his steps. Wow, that's pretty heavy there.

There is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. You cannot hide from God. I don't care what you do. For He, God, needs no further consider a man that he should go before God in judgment. God breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry. He sets others in their place.

Therefore He knows their works. He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. He strikes them as a wicked man in the open sight of others because they turn back from Him and notice they would not consider any of His ways. They disobey God. They don't want nothing to do with God.

So that they cause the cry of the poor to come to Him. For He hears the cry of the afflicted. They oppress and they depress people. He says when He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can see Him? Whether it is against a nation or men alone.

That the hypocrite should not reign lest the people be ensnared. For has anyone said to God, "I have borne chastening, I will offer no more." Notice that. And then, "Teach me what I do not see. If I have sinned against You, I will do no more. Should He repay it according to your terms just because you disavow? You must choose and not I. Therefore speak what you know."

Men of understanding say to me, wise men who listen to me, "Job speak without knowledge. His words are without wisdom." Notice that here. He's saying that Job was a problem and that it is his own problem, too big and he can't solve it. And Job has become a problem to God.

All that Job were tried to the uttermost because his answers are like those of the wicked man. I mean Job, come on, wake up. Look what you've said against God and God has been there the whole time with you. And how many times we've done the same way? We speak against God not knowing all the facts that are there. For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against who? Against God. Amazing.

Guest (Male): It is so good to be reminded that even good people aren't perfect and we all need salvation from sins. If you've never received Christ as your savior, we pray that you'll turn to Him today in true faith and repentance.

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You'll find that like Job, you can trust God to be with you in your suffering and guide you through the troubles of this world all the way to your heavenly home. To order Raul's nine-message study When Trials Come, visit somebodylovesyou.com or call 800-634-9165. We'll send you the CD set for $23, or if you prefer, the thumb drive for just $13. That's 800-634-9165.

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And we hope you'll be with us again next time for more comfort from the book of Job. If negative voices are compounding your suffering, you'll get encouragement to tune them out and listen only to God's sovereign loving truth. Now with a closing comment, here's Raul once again.

Raul Ries: For people that are here tonight that maybe they've never known Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and there might be someone that's backslidden. But the first thing we need to understand is that if we want God to really hear us, we need to be in right relationship with Him.

The Bible says that if we're not Christians, we need to admit first of all that we have sinned against God. And that as we have sinned against God, we can repent by confessing our sins to Him. And then we can depend on Him by faith, putting our trust in Him and asking Him to come into my heart.

He'll take your sins, He'll cleanse and wash you by His blood, and He'll cast them as far as to the east to the west and bury them in the deepest part of the ocean and never, ever, ever again remember them again. And by the way, He'll give you the assurance of eternal life and He'll give you the assurance that if you were to die tonight you would go to heaven. That's what Jesus Christ will do for you.