April 15, 2024

A Reminder of God's Majesty

Job 26

Mallorie Bradlau
Monday's Devo

April 15, 2024

Monday's Devo

April 15, 2024

Monday's Devo

April 15, 2024

Monday's Devo

April 15, 2024

Big Book Idea

God is at work even when we can't see it.

Key Verse | Job 26:14

Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways,
and how small a whisper do we hear of him!
But the thunder of his power who can understand?

Job 26

Job Replies: God's Majesty Is Unsearchable

1 Then Job answered and said:

2  “How you have helped him who has no power!
    How you have saved the arm that has no strength!
3  How you have counseled him who has no wisdom,
    and plentifully declared sound knowledge!
4  With whose help have you uttered words,
    and whose breath has come out from you?
5  The dead tremble
    under the waters and their inhabitants.
6  Sheol is naked before God, 1 26:6 Hebrew him
    and Abaddon has no covering.
7  He stretches out the north over the void
    and hangs the earth on nothing.
8  He binds up the waters in his thick clouds,
    and the cloud is not split open under them.
9  He covers the face of the full moon 2 26:9 Or his throne
    and spreads over it his cloud.
10  He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters
    at the boundary between light and darkness.
11  The pillars of heaven tremble
    and are astounded at his rebuke.
12  By his power he stilled the sea;
    by his understanding he shattered Rahab.
13  By his wind the heavens were made fair;
    his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.
14  Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways,
    and how small a whisper do we hear of him!
    But the thunder of his power who can understand?”

Footnotes

[1] 26:6 Hebrew him
[2] 26:9 Or his throne
Table of Contents
Introduction to Job

Introduction to Job

Timeline

Author and Date

The unknown Israelite author of this book presents Job as a person living in Uz (see note on 1:1). Job’s godliness (1:1) matches the ideals of Israelite wisdom literature. He clearly knows Yahweh (1:21). The events of the book seem to be set in the times of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).

Theological Themes

The book of Job concerns itself with the question of faith in a sovereign God. Can God be trusted? Is he good and just in his rule of the world? The book shows that the reasons for human suffering often remain a secret to human beings.

In the book of Job, God seems both too close and too far away. On the one hand, Job complains that God is watching him every moment so that he cannot even swallow his spit (7:19). On the other hand, Job finds God elusive (9:11). Though God is greatly concerned about humans, he does not always answer their most agonizing questions.

At the same time, Job’s friends offer no real help. They come to “comfort” him (2:11), but Job ends up declaring them “miserable comforters” who would console him “with empty nothings” (21:34). These friends represent an oversimplified view of faith. They think that all human troubles are divine punishments for wrongdoing. Their “comfort” consists largely of urging Job to identify his sin and repent of it. These friends are negative examples of how to comfort those who are suffering.

The book illustrates that one does not need to fully understand God’s will in order to be faithful while suffering. Those who suffer need not be afraid to express to God their confusion and questions.

Purpose

The book of Job was written to those who struggle with the question of how God can be good when the world is filled with suffering.

The author does not provide a formal defense of God’s justice. Rather, as Job’s friends offer their inadequate answers, the author shows how their reasoning fails. Then, in chs. 38–41, the Lord speaks in his own defense, bringing Job to fuller understanding (ch. 42).

Even during his suffering and confusion, before God finally speaks, Job can triumphantly declare, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (19:25).

Outline

  1. Prologue: Job’s Character and the Circumstances of His Test (1:1–2:13)
  2. Dialogue: Job, His Suffering, and His Standing before God (3:1–42:6)
    1. Job: despair for the day of his birth (3:1–26)
    2. The friends and Job: can Job be right before God? (4:1–25:6)
      1. First cycle (4:1–14:22)
      2. Second cycle (15:1–21:34)
      3. Third cycle (22:1–25:6)
    3. Job: the power of God, place of wisdom, and path of integrity (26:1–31:40)
    4. Elihu: suffering as a discipline (32:1–37:24)
    5. Challenge: the Lord answers Job (38:1–42:6)
  3. Epilogue: The Vindication, Intercession, and Restoration of Job (42:7–17)
The Global Message of Job

The Global Message of Job

Universal Questions

With its story of one man’s life and suffering, the book of Job raises universal questions. Why do people suffer, especially godly people? Where is God in suffering? Can God be trusted amid suffering? Job’s friends try to answer such questions with superficial and simplistic solutions, eventually earning God’s rebuke (Job 42:7–9).

Ultimately we learn from Job that we can hope steadfastly in our sovereign God. Instead of providing easy answers to hard questions, this incomparably glorious, all-knowing, and almighty God presents to people in all places and in all times the simplest, most powerful, and most universal answer to these questions. God’s answer to human suffering has everything to do with his own infinite goodness and care for his creation.

Suffering in a Fallen World

In the life of Job we see the breadth and depth of human suffering. We see suffering in health (Job 2:7), suffering in the loss of property (1:14–17), and suffering in the tragic death of family members (1:18–19). In Job we also listen in on a discussion in the heavenly courtroom between God and Satan (1:6–12; 2:1–7), in which God delights in the upright life of Job. There we are given a window into the normally invisible reasons for our trials and suffering.

Sin and suffering. Suffering is universal, though the kind of suffering differs from circumstance to circumstance. Sometimes we suffer because of our own sin. There is no such thing as sin without consequences. Sometimes God himself directly chastises his people for their sins. However, Job’s friends are wrong to assume that his suffering is a direct result of disobedience (Job 8:4), and it would likewise be wrong to conclude that all or even most suffering in the world today is divine punishment for specific sins. The speeches of Eliphaz (chs. 4; 5; 15; 22), Bildad (chs. 8; 18; 25), and Zophar (chs. 11; 20) reflect such wrong assumptions.

Common suffering. Another type of suffering is what we might call “common suffering.” This is suffering that affects all people without distinction. It is simply the result of living in a fallen world. It includes health problems from colds to cancer. It includes bad weather, earthquakes, and typhoons. It includes financial struggles, and even death itself. Each tragic incident in Job’s life includes an element of this common suffering.

Godliness and suffering. Not only are godly people afflicted with suffering just as others are, but the godly experience some kinds of suffering due specifically to their godliness (Matt. 10:24–33; Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12). Faithfulness to Christ will bring insult and at times persecution—suffering that could be avoided if we were not disciples of Christ. We see this principle in Job, for it was precisely Job’s uprightness that prompted God to single him out to Satan and then led Satan to seek to afflict him (Job 1:8–12).

Devastating suffering. Job’s suffering is uniquely profound and painful. Some suffering, we learn, defies any category. We discover in Job that Satan has a hand in some of the suffering of God’s people (Job 1:6–12; 2:1–7; compare 2 Cor. 12:1–10). But even such demonically instigated suffering is not outside of God’s sovereignty. Nor should our focus be on Satan when we suffer but rather on persisting in steadfast faith amid such God-ordained pain. At the very least a lesson to be learned from Job is that our vision and insight into suffering is severely limited. What is not limited, however, is God’s perfect understanding and sovereign control over every event in our lives. In the “Yahweh speeches” of Job (chs. 38–41), God does not engage Job in the details of his questions and complaints. Rather, God reminds Job that God is God and Job is not. God laid the foundation of the earth (38:4); he is God over the seas (38:8, 16), over the stars (38:31–33), and over every creature (39:1–30; 40:15–41:34).

A Global Message of Comfort and Hope

The almighty, all-good God. Despite its focus on challenges and sufferings, the book of Job speaks a message of great hope to the world. We live in a world longing for comfort and hope, and such hope is found in the sovereign God who sees, who is good, and who is faithful. We are not victims of random fate or uncontrolled circumstances. We are loved faithfully and passionately by a sovereign God who works all things for our good (Rom. 8:28). The suffering global church can take comfort amid suffering, knowing that God is pleased with our faithfulness to him, even as God expressed delight in “my servant Job” (Job 1:6–8; 2:3). James 5:11 reminds us that God will fulfill his good purposes and is indeed compassionate and merciful toward his people.

No neat formulas. Living an upright life of faith in God does not exempt us from suffering. This was the fundamental misunderstanding of Job’s friends (Job 8:6) and the reason that their “comfort” was so “miserable” (16:2). Indeed, in Job and in all of Scripture we see that suffering is a part of the experience of godly people, and that suffering is also a means for our sanctification. Suffering is a blessing as through it we learn that God’s ways and purposes are much greater than we can know (chs. 40–41). His purposes and faithfulness are much greater than the achievement of ease and a comfortable life; the global church must not make an idol out of worldly comfort and earthly abundance.

The sufferings of the Savior. Job confessed faith in the living Redeemer (Job 19:25). That Redeemer would one day come and suffer for us on a cross. Here we have yet another kind of suffering, the atoning sufferings of Christ. He suffered for our salvation, bearing the penalty for our sin. It is also our great privilege to share in his suffering (2 Cor. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:8; 2:3; 1 Pet. 4:13). These are not the sufferings of health problems or bad weather or the consequences of our own folly. These are sufferings that flow from our union with and loyalty to Christ. There is a global attack on the righteous, but God will continue to provide sufficient grace to his people (2 Cor. 12:9).He will grow both his people and his kingdom through such suffering as it is endured in faith.

Our Intercession and Mission of Hope

Though God’s righteous anger burned against the three friends of Job, their folly was forgiven in response to the righteous intervention of Job’s prayers (Job 42:7–9). What then is the Christian response to those who suffer—and to those who cause suffering?

We are to intercede for the world, both in prayer and in life. We are to “comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:4). This comfort must find expression in our ministry and service to those in need both where we live as well as around the world—to orphans, widows, and all those who suffer.

This comfort is most gloriously and eternally known as the church ministers the gospel of new hope in Christ to the world—to the lost, to the downtrodden, and even to our enemies (Matt. 5:44). For the greatest suffering in this world is not the loss of property or even family; it is to be lost in sin, without the living Redeemer.

Proverbs Fact #1: Wisdom

Fact: Wisdom

Wisdom is a key term in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. The word can mean “skilled at making sound decisions in life.” Proverbs 9:10 states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”

Job Fact #1: Comfort

Fact: Comfort

Comfort is a key word in the book of Job. When faced with personal tragedies, Job receives no comfort from his friends (16:2). But when God answers him (see chs. 38–41), he finds the comfort he needs.

Job Fact #7: Three cycles of conversations

Fact: Three cycles of conversations

The book of Job includes three cycles of conversations in which the friends of Job offer their comfort and advice, and then listen as Job responds. The first cycle covers chs. 4–14.

Job Fact #15: Elihu

Fact: Elihu

Elihu is the only character in the book of Job with a Hebrew name.

Job Fact #13: Hanging on nothing?

Fact: Hanging on nothing?

Hanging on nothing? Although he didn’t have all the tools of modern science, Job understood that God “hangs the earth on nothing” (26:7). His infinite power keeps every planet, moon, and star in its appointed place (Col. 1:15–17).

Study Notes

Job 26:2–3 How you have helped . . . saved . . . counseled . . . ! The presumed theological correctness of Bildad and the other two friends rings hollow. In their defense of God, they have not helped the poor and needy. In fact, they have wrongly accused Job, who has been the protector of the poor and needy. Nor have they understood the potentially disastrous consequences of their sound knowledge, that is, their firm belief that people are poor as a result of their own sin.

Study Notes

Job 26:4 Job asks his friends to examine whose help and whose breath has been behind their words, so they won’t wrongly assume that they have spoken on God’s behalf.

Study Notes

Job 26:5–10 The state or realm of the dead is not visible to humanity (it is under the waters), but it is naked and has no covering before God (vv. 5–6). Likewise, other things may be hidden: the heavens appear perched over the void, and the earth appears to hang on nothing (v. 7). It is God who has set the limits for all of these things (v. 10).

Study Notes

Job 26:11–14 The world reveals God’s power and understanding as the one who created and governs everything. How, then, can anyone who merely hears the thunder of his power claim to understand it?

Job Fact #13: Hanging on nothing?

Fact: Hanging on nothing?

Hanging on nothing? Although he didn’t have all the tools of modern science, Job understood that God “hangs the earth on nothing” (26:7). His infinite power keeps every planet, moon, and star in its appointed place (Col. 1:15–17).

S3:072 Job 26

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Job 26

At this point, you are over halfway through Job, and you may be a bit lost in this ancient text. Job's friends are spinning you in circles with their arguments and have a habit of sounding similar to truth.  Job's friends, like us, are wrestling with their image of God and the world. Then we hear from Job, whom God called "blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" (Job 1:1). Job experienced immense hardship without losing sight of who God is.

In the middle of his misery, loss, and lack of comfort from his wife and friends, Job pauses in this passage to correct Bildad's misguided view of God. In Job 25, Bildad makes God seem distant, powerful, and indifferent to humanity. Now in Job 26, Job responds by questioning Bildad's own character and lack of compassion, then Job underlines the very loving and intimate nature of God. "With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?" (Job 26:4) And Job reminds us of humanity's first day of existence—"then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life . . . ." (Gen 2:7). Bildad only has the privilege to say these misguided things because God first gave him the breath he had to speak. How often, in our desire to have an explanation, do we forget who God really is? Or the nature of the person to whom we are speaking, and what that person may be walking through?

Then Job continues on to praise God's awe-inspiring power and also how every act of power reveals His mercy and consideration of His creation. In the middle of his pain, Job knows that God is mindful of him. While he still demands answers and the presence of God, he knows he may not fathom what God is doing, but he knows that God is in control and cares for him. "Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?" (Job 26:14)

This month's memory verse

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

– Galatians 5:22-23

Discussion Questions

1. After reading this passage, how would you describe God? And how would you describe man in relation to God? How does this impact how you are living?

2. Think of how you've viewed God during times of injustice or suffering. Which other Scripture passages have you read this year that help clarify who God is? 

3. Has there been a time when you have been more focused on preaching to someone, rather than caring for the person in front of you? 

4. When unexplainable or challenging events occur in your life, what words or actions from your friends have been helpful? Or unhelpful? What Scriptures do you use when walking through those kinds of events with friends?

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

MS

Michael Scaman

Although Bildad is terse and no more comments from the friends, Job is long longer longest picking up steam here Bilded's last speech as 6 verses. Job will go on for 87 verses and his friends don't talk aagain. In chapter 26, Job is mainly addressing Bildad's arguments. We might imagine Larry Crabb the psychologist might making notes like the following on 'Job's friends": - Missed opportunity to embody God's love: Job's friends miss an opportunity to embody God's love by showing compassion, empathy, and understanding. Instead, they further alienate Job and exacerbate his suffering with their harsh words and accusations. - Lack of empathy: Job's friends fail to express genuine empathy or understanding for Job's suffering, instead focusing on theological arguments and reprimands. - Attribution of suffering: They attribute Job's suffering solely to his own sin, failing to acknowledge the possibility of innocent suffering or Job's righteousness. - Rigid adherence to tradition: Their speeches are characterized by a rigid adherence to traditional wisdom and the belief in retributive justice, lacking flexibility or openness to alternative perspectives. - Lack of humility: Job's friends demonstrate a lack of humility by failing to consider the complexity of Job's situation and the limitations of their own understanding. - Focus on persuasion: Rather than offering genuine support or companionship, they focus on persuading Job to repent and conform to their worldview, prioritizing doctrinal correctness over compassion. - Failure to reflect God's character: God is often portrayed as compassionate, merciful, and loving in the Bible. However, Job's friends' responses do not reflect these attributes. They prioritize their own theological correctness over demonstrating God's love. We might image Minerith Meryers Clinic called in for a second opinion and adding: -Emphasis on the importance of empathy: Job's friends' failure to empathize with his suffering highlights the crucial role empathy plays in providing support to those in distress. True empathy involves entering into the emotional experience of another person and providing comfort and companionship. - Need for grace and compassion: Job's friends' rigid adherence to retributive justice overlooks the concept of grace and compassion. They miss the opportunity to extend grace to Job, instead focusing on judgment and condemnation. - Understanding the limits of human understanding: Job's friends' insistence on attributing Job's suffering solely to his sin neglects the reality of innocent suffering and the complexity of human experience. - Recognizing the limits of human understanding can lead to a more humble and compassionate response. Importance of walking alongside others in their pain: Job's friends could have provided valuable support by walking alongside him in his pain, offering comfort, encouragement, and prayer. The clinic might emphasize the significance of companionship and presence in times of suffering.
MS

Michael Scaman

If some members of the fictional writing club 'The Inklings", namely CS Lewis, Tolkien, Madelen L'Engle and Charles Williams were to comments on Job 26, they might say reagarding the limitations of our understanding and the vastness of creation the following: C.S. Lewis: "Job 26 reveals the awe-inspiring mystery of God's wisdom and power, highlighting our limited human understanding. It calls for humility in the face of divine majesty, reminding us of the vastness beyond our comprehension, much like the undiscovered realms of Narnia and the uncharted planets of 'Out of the Silent Planet'." J.R.R. Tolkien: "In Job 26, we witness the cosmic symphony of creation, echoing themes of humility and hope found in my own works. It invites us to contemplate our place within the divine narrative and the promise of redemption, akin to the epic journey of Frodo and the fellowship in 'The Lord of the Rings'." Madeleine L'Engle: "Job 26 intertwines science and spirituality, revealing the interconnectedness of all things. It urges us to embrace wonder and curiosity, seeking truth in the mysteries of creation and the divine order, mirroring the cosmic adventures and scientific inquiries found in 'A Wrinkle in Time'." Charles Williams: "In the majestic poetry of Job 26, we encounter the sublime revelation of divine sovereignty, weaving together the intricate tapestry of creation and beckoning us to contemplate the hidden depths of cosmic mystery, much like the profound spiritual insights and supernatural encounters depicted in 'War in Heaven' and 'Descent into Hell'." Regarding a literary haead on clash with reality, Job wouldn't conceive that despite God defeating the fleeing serpent, Rahab, the first person redeemed in a future promised land would be a prostitute named Rahab. Yet, God redeems her, and Hebrews praises her faith for 'welcoming the spies with kindness'. She almost deserved the name and unlike Eustice wore it proudly.
MS

Michael Sisson

The counsel of Job’s friends is a case study in “truthiness.” “Truthiness” is a term coined by comedian Stephen Colbert to describe something that intuitively sounds true regardless of contradictory evidence, logic, reason, or facts. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truthiness Re: Job 26:12 Job 26:12 (NASB) >>>“He quieted the sea with His power,<<< And by His understanding He shattered Rahab.” Cf. Mt 8:26; Mk 4:39 See also Ps65:7; 89:9; 107:29 While G-d being, or becoming, a man is inconceivable to a Jewish audience, in stilling the wind & the waves, Yeshua did something of which Jews believe only G-d is capable.
GJ

greg jones

Big fan of Steve Harvey’s facial expressions and his ability to comment “good answer!” in a way that lets you know the answer was anything but a good answer. I imagine Job doing his best Steve Harvey impression when he speaks his opening words in verse 26. “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength! How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge! That’s some serious sarcasm right there. With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you? ‘And Job reminds us of humanity's first day of existence—"then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life . . . ." (Gen 2:7).’ Or possibly Bildad you’ve only repeated what Eliphaz has already said. Either way I really like this quote from the deeper dive. “Bildad only has the privilege to say these misguided things because God first gave him the breath he had to speak. How often, in our desire to have an explanation, do we forget who God really is? Or the nature of the person to whom we are speaking, and what that person may be walking through?” Love that. One nerd to another, great devotion this morning.
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thanks so much, Mallorie! There's this one line in verse 7 that is just STUNNING to me: "He suspends the earth on nothing." Given the ancient views of the earth as sitting on the back of a turtle, or a vast tableau resting on pillars, I love how the Holy Spirit speaks physical, scientific truth through these words. I am so grateful that in the 21st century, we all have images in our heads of pictures of our planet taken from space--from the moon, even!--that prove that we live on a globe that is suspended in space, resting on nothing except the power and goodness of the Creator.
AL

Amy Lowther

1. God is very understanding. Man has privilege on earth because of what God has created and what controls. As I see things God has created throughout this earth, I am reminded of God and what he does for everyone. 2. The scripture Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”, helps me clarify God’s identity. 3. No, it is always best to address the needs of the person not the needs you create for them. 4. Friends check in with each other to make sure they are ok. Friends also support each other. Not talking with friends or avoiding them because I feel bad is never helpful. Several scriptures are helpful in friendships. One scripture is 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us”. Another scripture is John 15:13 which says, “ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”. A third scripture is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Mallorie - Thank you for sharing your ideas. You make a good point in saying, “How often, in our desire to have an explanation, do we forget who God really is? Or the nature of the person to whom we are speaking, and what that person may be walking through?”. This does happen, but if we return to God as these thoughts occur and consider how God sees things, we get the best explanations and help a lot of people feel good.