Job 42:1-6 Complete Jewish Bible
42 Then [at last,] Iyov gave Adonai this answer:
2 “I know that you can do everything,
that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 “[You asked,] ‘Who is this, hiding counsel,
without having knowledge?’
Yes, I spoke, without understanding,
of wonders far beyond me, which I didn’t know.
4 “Please listen, and I will speak.
[You said,] ‘I will ask questions; and you, give me answers’ —
5 I had heard about you with my ears,
but now my eye sees you;
6 therefore I detest [myself]
and repent in dust and ashes.”
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Sovereignty is a tough concept to wrap our heads around, especially in today’s highly influenceable culture.
Without exception, everyone answers to someone.
Public figures change their stances based on the feedback they get. Politicians are swayed by high powered well financed lobbyists, donors.
Corporations react to economic pressures both at home and abroad, stock market changes, world events such as war and changes in leadership at the top of their government’s respective food chains and their ‘partisan’ legislative actions, world banks set their interest rates on loans, those sudden boycotts.
In contrast to the famous sign on Harry Truman’s desk, the buck doesn’t seem to stop anywhere, there is always somebody higher up in the decision making food chain who push agendas. There is no ultimate authority, no sovereignty.
Except with God.
Job just barely scratched the surface of God’s sovereignty when he said to God, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you” (Job 42:2 NLT).
In fact, God will do what He pleases with whomever He chooses whenever He wishes. That’s God’s absolute power. God answers to absolutely no one.
He is not swayed by public opinion or conventional wisdom.
He doesn’t have to ask anyone’s permission or worry about anyone’s reaction.
He doesn’t seek approval, likes, or popularity.
God cannot be second-guessed because everything He does is perfect. His ways are right—always and forever and absolutely without fail.
Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes” (NLT).
Some people challenge His sovereignty by asking, “What about the bad things that happen in life? Are they part of what He wishes?” And the answer is yes.
Evil, suffering, and tragedy aren’t arguments against a sovereign God. They are all firmly under His control. Whatever happens in this life, good or bad, is either caused by God or allowed by God. I know it’s truly 100% hard for some of us to chew on and digest. That’s because we’re limited in our present circumstances.
Can there be an ‘up’ without a ‘down?’
Can there be a ‘left’ without a ‘right?’
Can there be ‘light’ without ‘darkness?’
Can there be ‘life’ without ‘death?’
Not according the God’s own Created Order – Genesis 1
Chaos would abound unchecked…and God will have no part of that – (Genesis 1)
God detests unbalanced scales …
Proverbs 11:1 Complete Jewish Bible
11 False scales are an abomination to Adonai,
but accurate weights please him.
Proverbs 16:11 Complete Jewish Bible
11 The balance and scales of justice have their origin in Adonai;
all the weights in the bag are his doing.
Proverbs 20:23 Complete Jewish Bible
23 Adonai detests a double standard in weights,
and false scales are not good.
Someday, we will better understand the wisdom and purpose of God’s plan.
In the meantime, we take the word of the psalmist who wrote this about God:
“Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans” (Psalm 119:90-91 NLT).
Everything serves God’s plans.
The apostle Paul wrote, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).
Everything is part of God’s good plan.
In Paul’s words, we find the most amazing truth about God’s sovereignty.
The English historian Lord Acton wrote that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
But he was referring to human authorities, none of whom ever possessed “absolute power.”
The amazing truth is that God, who does possess absolute power, uses His max power to accomplish authentic, genuinely good things in the lives of His people.
God’s sovereignty can’t be separated from His love.
That means we can trust Him to care for us.
We may not always understand what that care looks like or why certain things happen, but we can be confident that God will work all things for our good. No one and nothing can thwart His will. We can rest assured in His sovereignty.
Be the Swiftest to Listen and the Slowest to Speak …
Job 42:1-3 Amplified Bible
Job’s Confession
42 Then Job answered the Lord and said,
2
“I know that You can do all things,
And that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained.
3
“[You said to me] ‘Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge?’
Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
Some time ago, while reading Job 42 for my devotions, I had a scary thought:
sometimes we do what Job did when he was trying to make God accountable for his actions (see Job 38-41). Sometimes we talk of things we don’t understand.
Sometimes we try to explain a Bible passage we don’t comprehend. At other times we offer cheap words of comfort or give glib answers to life’s problems.
Job asked for God’s forgiveness for speaking without really understanding.
He repented of speaking up too hastily. At one point Job said, “I [must] put my hand over my mouth” (Job 40:4).
Those of us who are in the habit of being quick to speak may need to literally put our hand over our mouth.
Some of us need to be forgiven for the times we spoke of things we did not understand or for giving answers when there were none.
James 1:19 tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak.
We have to stop talking and start listening.
Years ago a seminar speaker told us that if we hoped to be effective in our service for Christ we had to put James’s warning into vigorous practice.
Unfortunately some of us are not only slow to listen; we are also slow to learn.
We need to ask the intercession of Holy Spirit to help us become slow to speak.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 19 Amplified Bible
The Works and the Word of God.
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
19 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.
2
Day after day pours forth speech,
And night after night reveals knowledge.
3
There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars];
Their voice is not heard.
4
Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth,
Their words to the end of the world.
In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun,
5
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6
The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7
The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;
The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8
The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether.
10
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed];
In keeping them there is great reward.
12
Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.
13
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins;
Let them not rule and have control over me.
Then I will be blameless (complete),
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight,
O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 