Good Questions Job, Part 1

Today on Fellowship in the Word pastor Bill Gebhardt challenges you to become a fully functioning follower of Jesus Christ.

He comes out of the whirlwind to speak, you would think that he's going to say the first thing to say to Job's, sorry, I really imagine lost control to help absolutely not some shocking this God for mercy and compassion doesn't say that all through a series of said Job keeps asking one on one. When God speaks doesn't make statements all the way through the sky never talk member makes a statement last question 77. Thank you for joining us today on this additional Fellowship in the Word pastor Bill Gebhardt Fellowship in the Words the radio ministry of Fellowship Bible church located in Metairie, Louisiana. Let's join Pastor Bill Gebhardt now is once again he shows us God's word will end is the end of the end when you see this book. It's incredibly honest.

The really unusual book when you're reading it you get this feeling that Job is fighting the battle of his life. But the truth of the matter is he's not fighting the battle. He's the battlefield. The battle of the book of Job is between God and Satan and Job are trying to find himself in the sort of the sites of Satan himself. And when you read it you come away with the conclusion that Singh is winning Job's friends, and a talk Dominic and I seem to be reinforcing everything and Job seems to be more more falling apart and he keeps asking the question why he keeps stating to God book, I remain faithful but I just don't understand all this enormous amount of suffering that I'm going through the ultimate summation of the book of Job, though, is actually found in the New Testament is found in the book of James, just one verse, verse 11, James says this, we count those blessed who endured out everything about that when you're doing something the word blessed in Greek means happy and means joyful, we count those happy and joyful, who endured when you're doing something you think there your happy moments. Do you think although I feel really happy about this. She weaving about it differently at least until afterwards. But he says this, we count those blessed of endured you heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcomes of the Lord Lord's dealings, you heard about Job. He said you know that he endured. I've said this over all these years, but the measure of how much faith you have is how much will you endure and remember, God was the one who said of Job is the most righteous man on earth is a consequently God's view is joking, endure anything. He's the most righteous man on earth. The last part of James is a little surprising to us in adversity said you heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and merciful but when you read the book of Job, you're thinking.

I don't words is compassion versus mercy, and it is in the outcome.

It's an interesting thing. So Job agonized through this whole book, and he asked the question you and I often ask. He asked the question why why why why did I lose everything that I had one of my 10 children die.

You see, why am I lost all respect, I'd be in the most respected men in his village to the point where children will walk by the city dump where he was sitting. It's been on and then he had all the health problems, and then he had his marriage on the rocks is white from the curse God and die and only want to know is why because it keeps stating I'm faithful I just don't understand why the Mets were going to pick it up. I want to do with how the Lord was with him in Job 38 go to Job 38 now succumb to this passage, you paid any attention before I skip chapters 32 to 37 now I invite you to read those chapters on your own and when you read them. You'll be glad that I skip okay. The reason for it is it's it's the words of an another character is not one of his three friends is not Job it's Elihu and Elihu's younger than any of these men, but he speaks for five chapters and while he takes way too long to get started.

He spends two chapters just getting started is trying to get started about what he wants to say he's he's condescending. He's a little prideful and easy.

He's not just beating against Joby's beginning as the three friends and Joe but everything he says is true. When he talks about God and there is no response at all to him.

Job doesn't respond. Friends don't respond they just finish and naturally in chapter 38 and unexpectedly and miss you read the story before it says the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind. The Lord all of a sudden wants to speak you get God speaks more right here in these chapters than he ever does a one time he's just speaking. He just comes any speaks out of the whirlwind. Now you see that often in the Old Testament in May whom you find him sitting in a home. Chapter 1 in the world when and in the stormers is way it's like in Exodus 19 when he comes in. Mount Sinai.

God just comes out of the whirlwind and he wants to speak, and it is an interesting thing because when he comes out of the whirlwind to speak, you would think that he's going to say the first thing is going to say to Job is one really sorry about what you're going through. I really am I me.

I can imagine it lost 10 children lost everything you lost her health. All respect. Sorry none of it absolutely none of that sum was shocking to us when we see it this God for mercy and compassion doesn't say that at all. Remember the whole way through the series of said Job keeps asking one question why why XO I want to know why.

When God speaks he doesn't make statements all the way through the sky never talk never makes a statement got asked questions 77 questions he asked Job 77 rhetorical questions and an estimated 77 sevens a perfect number 77 questions God wants to asked Job Job last one why God said, let me ask you 77 questions noticed that the tone of this here's God's first words out of the whirlwind.

Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge, gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you and you instruct me first words. Who is this. He said that darkens counsel and speaks words without knowledge she got understand something here when we ask questions like this were really making statements about God. That's what's happening. That's why comes out of this world when it says this King Alfonso the 10th, the King of Spain in the 13th century said this had I been present at the creation I would've given some useful hints for a better ordering of the universe. We think like that. He said God says look see at one point you, and chapter 12 of Job in verse 22, Job said God brings deep darkness into the light is not Job's in the darkness in God's sovereignty brings any and God says this is out of ignorance that you say something like that.

You ever say stuff like that. You do you want in church.

You don't say stuff like at church, but in real life, people do release to have the thought is to say, this way if God were good then this would've happened if God were good.

Using the inference he can do anything. This would've happened.when you say that it's very clear what you're saying is not good.

That's what you're saying he's not good local radio station says God is good. I next part all the time.

You know what we are to spend more emphasis on the latter part of that is good all the time that some of the time. Now when things are going good for you always. Any good people tell me that over time the life is just overflowing with blessings. Isn't God good is good all the time and that's what God is talking about here, he says, look what you've done. He said go to the challenge I have for you love what God says here he says gird up your loins like a man now in those days were long outer garment.

And if you're going to fight somebody you take the garment from the bottom portal we have been talking in your belt, you have to get it up your legs are free. That's building up your loins card system, gird up your loins like a man what you mean when you have it out you and me, gird up BMA on the question we gird up your loins like a man. He said, and I will ask you and now you instruct me. You're so wise by asking what you'll get to instruct me Joe this is your opportunity. This is what you've waited for while God starts with the inanimate creation. That's where he starts the creation the inanimate creation.

Look at verse four pieces were you when I laid the foundation of the earth. Tell me if you have understanding who set its measurements since you know or who stretched the line on it or what were its bases sunk, what who laid its cornerstone.

He said when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. The Angels were there is one when I created everything out of nothing. I just spoke it was all created where you Job I miss that what we do when I did all this.

These are all rhetorical questions. By the way he is and explain here and expecting an answer from Job in any sense he doesn't get any cases where were you, I created it all and then starting in verse eight he says. Knowing that I created all I maintain at all.

Everything in the inanimate universe.

I maintain it. Everything verse 19 he says, where is the way of the dwelling of light and darkness wears its place, that you may take it to its territory, or that you may discern the past to its home. He said you know, for you were born then and the number of your days is great for sarcasm pieces I Job would explain the theory of like to me. I like to hear that what is like go where his home Job tell me I like I like to hear that from you see how does this all work so you can just imagine how Job feels when all this is happening. You see, God made a lot of statements about himself, but he doesn't just ask questions and you read them for yourselves.

Yes, one after the other after the other. Secondly, most of the inanimate creation any moves. The nature starting in verse 39 in verse 39 of chapter 38, he says, can you hunt the pray for the lion or satisfy the appetite of the young lions is a can you do that.

Chapter 39 verse one. He said do you know the time the mountain goats give birth you observe the capping of the deer and take you understand nature works. I mean, you're so wise you're questioning me to understand all nature nature works. Joe, just imagine if you Job trying to figure this out, but we were much smarter than Joe, I'm in that sense we are seeing how do we explain that mother nature. That's how I see scientist you know you don't mess with mother nature mother nature does the mother nature will whose mother nature to seek women vented mother nature had mother nature handles everything that's our explanation affect our belief behind it is if you had enough time and enough chance you get. Mother nature, and that explains everything.

When I first started questioning this back when the 70s and 80s. They were talking about the whole idea of the creation being 15 20 million years old. Then 100 million years old, and then they said it might be a billion years old and the reason is, the mathematician started figuring out that he can explain it now much time and so now we say it's about 15, 16 billion years old. I just read an article they think it might be at least 2025.

It just goes on.

Give enough time and enough chance. And here we are. That's all it takes guts to look into why the world is the way it is because of me understand the way this works because of me. Verse 26 he says is up by your understanding of the hock source stretching his wings toward the south. Is it in your community you will mounts up and makes his nest on high on the cliffs. He dwells and lodges upon the Rocky Kragen and accessible place is up is that way that you understand that why they do that is interesting and it got to.

That's me.

So chapter 40 verse one the Lord said the Job will the fault finder contend with the Almighty nonmember the beginning of the book of Job. He called Job my servant visit. He said to Satan, if you consider my servant Joe most righteous manner now. I called Job the fault finder. He said your fault finder. He said you will contend with the Almighty let him who re-proves God answer it you reprove me you question me. You, the fault finder see where were you at the creation. I don't remember the way all nature works drilling to do with this. Do you even understand it. No bio so Job answers it says in verse three. Then Job answered the Lord and said, behold, I am insignificant. What can I reply to you. I lay my hand on my mouth. Once I have spoken I will not answer even twice, so I know more.

Job's response to God's questions is this.

I'm not talking. I'm not saying anything more. I put my hand over my mouth mother to talk about this anymore is that I just don't want to talk and when you first meet you think there is. That's what God wanted from Job. It's not a once more.

He wants more. So God gives another speech, the Job says the Lord answered Job out of the storm and said, gird up your loins like a man I'll ask you, and you instruct me when you really and all my judgment will you condemn me that you may be justified. You're questioning my judgment by Nick understand my definition I am God know, by definition, if your God, who can question your judgment just got a point. Knowing how would you question my judgment. I love verse nine. Do you have a normally God and can you thunder with a voice like yours. God loveth this is God's particular young. When I got you got nothing see when my voice comes out it comes out like thunder limb here yours is what I mean that's that's God talking this is an amazing thing.

But God does. He said in verse 11.

Pour out the overflowing severe anger and look on everyone who is proud and make them all God introduces something right here. He said you know what I can do my business.

I take the proud and make them low.

That's a principal. And it's going be something he illustrates here. Everyone, by the way, if you're finding fault with God. Isn't that pride pieces of the Job. He says I make them all he said.

Verse 12 look on everyone who is proud and humble him and tread down the wicked where they stand. Can you do that Job no now introduces two characters that are so often. I think my opinion not being dogmatic but sort of with this. The first one is in verse 15 he says behold now, behemoth introduces the word behemoth and is an interesting thing.

And a lot of the commentators on the safe behemoth the hippopotamus and the second turtle be Leviathan and he's an alligator. I don't think so. I just don't and I'll explain my reason. If that's what you think that's okay. I don't really care. You're just wrong, but but the point of it is this the word behemoth is plural using this it's a plural word but when God describes it, he uses a personal pronoun is always singular. This behemoth this power. This plurality of power.

He prefers to want a personal pronoun which is interesting. He says behold behemoth which I made as well as you, he said, but he was my creature. I made him Jessica made you, he said he eats grass like an ox, and behold a strength is in his loins and he has power and muscles in his belly and he bends his tail like cedar and the sinners of his thighs or knit together in his bones, like tubes of bronze in his limbs like bars of iron. Now please understand something of the support he is speaking poetically. He is speaking metaphorically speaking drastically. He speaking this way. Then he says this in verse 19 he is the first of the ways of God that his maker ring near his sword that were first. This means first in preeminence behemoth is the preeminent notice he is the preeminent in the ways of God. We ask you, what was God's greatest creation see who's the greatest creation, God ever created Lucifer the anointed cherub.

No one like him.

God's as yet he was the first he said and I'm the only one I can bring a sword. Aaron, I still have power over him.

That's what this whole story is about that usual fine but it plays on better with the second one in the second one he says this he said verse one of chapter 41 he said can you draw a lot Leviathan with official. He talks about Leviathan, can you bring him out with official he said. Verse three will he make many supplications to you or he speaking when soft words. Now, if he's an alligator when the last time you talk to nowadays.back to you in cartoons in an alligator to talk but he says he doesn't talk to you and soft words he referred to some bigger Leviathan living as a good one I think will become clear. He says verse 10 no one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him, who then is he that can stand before me. No one arouses him. He is worthy his powerful verse 15 is strong scales are his pride, he said shut up as tight as a seal notice.

Pride is introduced again and then he says in verse 18. His sneezes flash forth white and his eyes are like islands in the morning. He said out of his mouth go burning torches sparks of fire, lead forth and out of his nostril smoke goes forth as from a boiling pot and burning rushes his breath kindles coals and the flame goes forth from his mouth as a sign in our unity generally started about an alligator you're all he's talking about something much, much more important that Sam mimics to explain what I'm talking about when I deal with him first 24. His heart is as hard as stone even as hard as a lower millstone is. That's all I can alligator to you. He has a stone heart know it doesn't, he said in verse 2070. Regards iron is strong. Bronze is rotten wood is great power. Verse 33 makes it abundantly clear. He said nothing on earth is like him.

He said one made without fear. You realize that Satan is no of any is not afraid to pastor Brueggemann. If you ever miss one of our broadcast or maybe you just like to listen to the message one more time. Remember the good a great website called one place.com that's one place.com and you can listen the Fellowship in the Word online that website you will find on today's broadcast but also many of her previous audio program, had Fellowship in the Word we are thinking for those who financially support our ministry and make his broadcast possible. We ask all of our listeners to prayerfully consider how you might help with radio ministry continuous broadcast on this radio station by supporting a monthly forth is the one-time gift support for ministry can be sent to Fellowship in the Word.

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