GOD IS GREAT
CHAPTERS 36-41

In the last lesson Elihu, a new character, entered into the debate between Job and his three
friends.   Elihu had listened patiently to all the debate, and when all had exhausted their arguments,
Elihu began to speak.   He was disappointed and upset with Job because Job had accused God of
unfairly punishing him.   He was also angered at Job's friends because they really had no answer
yet they condemned Job.   Job 32:3

Elihu, in chapters 32-35, though conceited gives a very good speech reminding Job of God's
infinite justice, power, and righteousness, as well as how God speaks and how His ways are above
our ways.   Elihu reminds Job that God can give songs in the night.   Job 35:10

  1. Elihu Magnifies God's Greatness.   Chapters 36-37.

    1. Elihu is so full of ideas, he wants to share that he asks Job to bear with a little
      longer.   Job 36:2,3.
    2. Elihu tries to comfort Job by saying, God who is perfect in knowledge, is with him.
      Job 36:4b.
      1. Elihu continues saying that no matter what life may bring God does not
        withdraw His eyes from the righteous.   Job 36:7.
      2. Elihu sets forth that God uses adversity for disciplinary instruction so that they
        will turn from iniquity.   Job 36:10b.
      3. Elihu then says that one's response to God's voice through suffering will
        determine whether a person will spend their days in prosperity and years in
        pleasure.   Job 36:11.
      4. If one ignores God's warning through adversity they will die in their youth.   Job
        36:14a.   (Thus Elihu agrees with Job's three friends.)
    3. Elihu tells Job that some day he would understand his adversity and that he should
      not have longed to plead his case before God.   Job 36:16-21.
    4. Elihu preached that Job should learn the lesson of submission God was teaching him
      through affliction.   Job 36:20,21.
    5. Elihu pleads for Job to get a vision of the greatness of God.   Job 36:26.   God's
      greatness is incomprehensible and His years are eternal.
    6. In the remainder of the chapter Elihu elaborates on God's greatness as revealed in
      nature.   Job 36:27-33.
      1. Job also believed in the greatness of God.   Job 26:7,12.
      2. Elihu pointed out that being aware of God's greatness and then criticizing Him
        was inconsistent.
      3. We cannot praise the greatness of God one day and then question His goodness
        the next.
    7. Elihu reminds Job of how God shows His greatness through His awesome light and
      sound show.   Job 37:1-5.
      1. Elihu points out the greatness of God as displayed in nature as he continues to
        expound on the awesome display of God's power.   Job 37:6-13.
      2. These passages reveal amazing, scientifically correct observations that Elihu
        began in chapter 36, including precipitation and evaportation of water, the clouds
        as reservoirs of moisture.

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    1. Job is admonished to think about his limitations compared to the knowledge, power
      and wondrous works of God.   Job 37:14,15.
    2. If Job was unable to understand these every day wonders in nature, how could he
      possibly dare to present his case before God in a legal battle, as he had pleaded to do.
      Job 37:20.
    3. Job was urged to see God as Almighty and perfect in justice and to prove he is wise
      in heart by worshipping God even though he did not understand what God was doing
      in his life.   Job 37:23,24.   Note Prov. 24:10.
      1. Everything Elihu said was not right, but he was far more on target than Job's
        other friends.
      2. He did not claim that Job was a sinner as the other three had, but he rebuked Job
        for his attitudes.
      3. Job was letting his suffering cause him to become bitter and self- righteous,
        which was wrong.
      4. In this Elihu was correct.

  1. The Lord's First Challenge.   38:1-40:5.

    1. God began to speak to Job and presented 89 questions, none of which Job could
      answer.   Job 38:1-3.
      1. Job was not present when God created the world or determined its dimensions,
        how could he hope to advise God.   Job 38:4,5.
      2. Next God asks Job about the seas, whose limits were determined by Him.   Job
        38:8-11.
      3. God asks Job if he had ever told the sun what to do.   Job 38:12.
      4. God continues to put Job in his place by asking if he had entered the [springs] of the
        sea or explored its depth.   Job 38:16.
      5. God questions Job about the origin of light and how it is diffused.   Job 38:18,19.
    2. By use of questions the Lord takes Job on a journey to impress on him the splendor,
      the order, and the awesomeness of creation, and of God's continuing control of it.
      Note Deut. 4:35.
      1. Job needed to be reminded that God is God and there is none to compare with
        Him.
      2. No man has the right to question God.
    3. God returns to the animal kingdom and asks him if he knows how they live,
      reproduce, how they protect and feed themselves, as well as take care of their young.
      Note Ps. 145:16.
    4. God rebukes Job and asks him if he has any right to question or correct Him about
      worldly affairs that Job clearly knows little about.   Job 40:2.
    5. Job got the message.   Job 40:4.

  2. The Lord's Second Challenge.   40:6-41:34.

    1. God presents a barrage of questions designed to help Job put things in perspective.
      1. Job's presumptuous appeal to contend with God in a court of law suggests an
        assumed equality with God.   Job 40:8.
      2. God challenges Job to play the part of God.   Job 40:9,10.

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      1. God next selects two creatures, and points out that if Job is not wise enough to
        control them, how could he possibly give advice concerning the universe.   Job
        40:15; 41:1.
    1. Job learned that God is not his equal.
      1. If Job could not understand creation, how could he give God suggestions as to
        how He might improve the way He runs things.
      2. If we cannot understand the creation, we certainly cannot understand the infinite
        God who spoke it into being and upholds it.
    2. The work of God's hands should be a testimony to us.   Ps. 19:1.
    3. God is reflected in all of His works.   Rom. 1:20.

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