WISDOM FROM JOB: GOD IS SURE

Wisdom from Job: God is Sure

“It’s OK to Be a Wise Guy” Wisdom Series, Session 5

RF, February 9, 2020

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TENSION There are times in all of our lives that we just want to hear something.  It doesn’t matter if it goes our way or not, just something! We all need wisdom. This entire series began with Job asking, “where can wisdom be found?”

SOLUTION A certain young man was named king of a great country. His father had been a great king and the young man knew he did not have what it took to reign. The man’s name was Solomon.

1 Kings 3:5 (NKJV) At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

1 Kings 3:9 (NKJV) Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?

God heard Solomon’s prayer.

1 Kings 4:29–34 (NKJV) And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus, Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men—

As we have looked at Job, we have seen that God is sovereign and sometimes God is silent. Today I want us to see that God is sure. He is with us as we go through things we do not understand.

INSTRUCTION We will not read all of Job today; there are 42 chapters! We spent the last two weeks looking at chapters 1–3. Let me draw some insights from the remaining chapters. We will read some verses from Job 42.

WISDOM IS NOT FOUND IN THE WORDS OF OTHER MEN

On chapters 4–32 Job’s three friends begin to speak to him from their own wisdom. They are all wrong. One speaks from experience; one speaks from tradition; one speaks from dogma. They have a very narrow view of God in each of their arguments and they condemn Job for his acts of sin, his inherent wickedness, and his blatant hypocrisy. in short, they tell Job he is suffering because of his past sins.

WISDOM IS NOT FOUND IN OUR OWN WORDS

In the same chapters Job defends himself to the wrong accusations of his friends. There was some truth in what he was saying, but not wisdom. Job is correct to point out that he is not suffering because of his sin; even righteous men suffer.

WISDOM IS NOT FOUND IN THE OPINIONS OF SPIRITUAL MEN

In chapters 32–37 a young observer, Elihu, speaks from his spirit, but it is only his opinion. It is a God influenced opinion, but still an opinion.

He is angry with the friends because they condemned Job but didn’t have an answer to help him. He is angry with Job for thinking he knew more than God. But he also attacks Job with the idea that he is not being punished for his sin but is being disciplined for future struggles.

All this seems right, but is it lacking an answer that brings hope to Job.

When we correct and encourage people, we must give them hope!

WISDOM IS FOUND IN GOD’S WORDS

After all the men are through talking, God shows up and speaks. This is often the way it is. God will not speak until we come to the end of our own ways and our own ideas and opinions.

What did God tell Job? I am God and you’re not. Trust me.

Job 38:1 (NKJV) Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind…

God speaks in the middle of the storm. Just like the fiery furnace in Daniel… Just like Jesus walking on the water… Just like Jesus asleep in the boat…

Just because we are in a storm does not mean God has deserted us. This is what Job feared but God’s voice reassured him he had not been forsaken.

God does not give Job the answers he sought but He gave him the assurance of His Presence.

God testified to Job of His attributes: His eternal existence, His creative acts, His omnipotence over that creation, His omnipresence in every situation, His absolute sovereignty over everything.

WHAT IS MAN’S RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORDS

1. Regeneration

Job 42:5 (NKJV) I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.

2. Repentance

Job 42:6 (NKJV) Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.

3. Renewal

Job 42:8 (NKJV) Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.

4. Restoration

Job 42:10 (NKJV) And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

5. Result

Job 42:12 (NKJV) Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…

APPLICATION

1.    If you are in a storm, God is there with you.

2.    God will speak to you at some point. He may not give you the answers you want but will give you Himself as the ultimate answer.

3.    Ministry will be renewed.

4.    Restoration will come.

 INSPIRATION

Joel 2:25 (NKJV) So I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten…

Isaiah 58:12 (NKJV) Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.