TEXT: JOB 35: 10-14
READING: PSALM 46: 1-11
SUBJ: A challenge from the scripture in regard to the trials we face in this present world and to where we are to look. We hear it in this part of the speech of Elihu.
AIM: That we might heed the words of the Lord and "seek ye first the Kingdom of God," rather than engage in the reasonings of this present world.
INTR: Being familiar with most of the book of Job, it is in the end that we hear a proper analysis of the situation in that this young man appear with a God-honoring to Job and his friends.
1. They had reasoned in every way from a human perspective as men are apt to do and in so doing attempted to think for God rather than submit to Him.
2. Job manifested early that he was a man of faith, but trial brought him to the brink of serious error and doubt of the purpose of God.
3. His friends looked for the cause in Job and while much of what they said was true in substance but was applied in a tone of legalism and looked for merit in Job.
THESIS: It is often the last resort of men to look to God when He should be the first and only source of hope to which we look.
I. The central challenge of Elihu (v. 10)
1. What they were not saying - "Where is God my make..." or where is God in your thoughts, or what is God doing in all this.
1) Job was left to this according to the purpose of God to prove him.
2) He did not afflict Job but would have been just in doing so.
2. The standard answers as to where is God might be:
1) In Heaven ruling and reigning
2) Everywhere: Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? (Psalms 139:7).
3) His eyes in every place: "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3
4) And numbering the very hairs of your head.
3. Consider the discerning power of the Word: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
4. We are able to witness the outward actions of men and cannot help but pass judgment on what we think we know, but only God knows the heart of that individual upon whom we might pass judgment while we are given the Word of God and the witness of the Spirit to the teachings of Christ to direct us in the "patient waiting for Christ."
5. When we defer the leadership of men into ways and manners that are inconsistent with the tone and action of Christ we err from the truth and are not asking the right question or praying the right prayer.
II. Why we should be looking to Him (vv. 11)
1. He teaches us more than beasts and yet attends to the sparrow’s fall and all the other activities of creation.
2. He teaches us more and has given us the power of reason.
3. He makes us wiser than the fowls of the air.
III. What Jesus, Paul, and others did not do. (vv. 12-13)
1. We find no place where Jesus entered actively engaged in politics or sought to overthrow the Roman government.
1) It is certain that He knew they were oppressive and evil.
2) It was what His followers wanted Him to do.
2. He rather taught in the Sermon on the Mount that we were to "seek ye first the Kingdom of God."
3. Just before He was crucified, He declared that "My Kingdom is not of this world…"
4. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount he described the character of citizens of His Kingdom
1) He taught of love to our enemies - "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:43-45)
2) He taught us to forgive (can you pray the prayer He taught?)
5. Do we believe in the wisdom of the Lord who taught against judgment of others – that is left to Him alone.
6. Consider that He forgave me and you.
IV. Again, from Elihu (v. 14)
