King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Chapters: Job 32-34
Message: Justified
Hello My Friend,
Yesterday, I took an assessment test, and after failing it, discovered that our study book had an incorrect acronym, and with just that little bit of incorrect information, the entire class failed, and we were not able to retake the test. When the instructor was made aware of the mistake, she asked us why we did not go to the actual website, which in turn, we were a bit upset that she said we could do that when we were not allowed to go through our study notes for the answers, which was wrong anyway. Of course, and thank God, it was just a practice test, but that showed me just how important it is that God’s Word be true, and not one word be added, taken away, or twisted around. And ignorance to the truth will not save anyone, if we do not have His Word right in front of us to make sure that what we are being taught is true, then we only have ourselves to blame for any consequences that result, [Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. – 2 Timothy 2:15-16]
As we continue in the reading of Job, we can sort of understand why these men were speaking out against Job because they really did not have His Word to know that affliction does not always come as a result of sin. They just assumed, just like we too do sometimes, that if all these bad things happened to him all at once, then he must have this secret sinful life that no one knew about, and God is judging him for it. Well, there were actually other people there with Job and his friends, one young man by the name of Elihu sat there the entire time listening to these men as they tried to get Job to admit that his biggest sin was that he thought he was justified in his own eyes, [So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. – Job 32:1-5]
[because he was righteous in his own eyes.] Their assumption is that Job was guilty because he justified himself rather than confess to sin that he had not committed. The word kindle means; [Set on fire; inflamed; excited into action.] So, Elihu is quite angry at Job for justifying himself and also at the three friends for their failure to prove to Job that he was guilty, [I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away. – Job 32:7-10,20-22]
[in so doing my maker would soon take me away.] I swear, ignorance is not bliss, and neither is speaking without the correct information, as Job put it, [O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom. – Job 13:5] We do have a right to justify ourselves, and not one person has the right to force us into believing that we are guilty of something based on their own opinion, [Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? – Colossians 2:16,20-22]
Remember, God had already determined that Job was perfect and upright? Of course, these men did not see that because as far as they were concerned, that much affliction meant that Job was really wicked, especially now that he had been justifying himself. Keep in mind also, that this is Elihu’s opinion from what he was been hearing from the four men. Elihu continues to speak, [My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. – Job 33:3-4,8-14]
[Behold, in this thou art not just:] This was an attempt to show Job that good works are what saves us, if he just admitted that he sinned, then he would be justified. Job never said that he never sinned, he said that he did not do anything to bring all this suffering upon him. No one really knew why Job was suffering, they just made their own assumption that God would never put such suffering on someone who was righteous. And this is why we cannot lean on our own understanding, our perception of what is righteous is not always what God sees as righteous, [For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9]
You see, Elihu, is basing his opinion on what he sees as right in his own eyes. From the bottom of his heart, he truly believes that God has given him this knowledge. This is how Scripture is often used out of context, anyone can pick some Scripture out of the Bible to justify their reason behind it, but that does not mean that is it true. Elihu believes that he has the answer that none of these men could give Job, that Job’s justifying himself was his sin, and God was doing this so that he can let go of his pride. Elihu goes on with some encouragement.
[If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth: He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom. – Job 33:23-33]
[for he will render unto man his righteousness.] Elihu believed that only the righteous can be justified by God and that his claiming his self righteousness alone was his sin. He had the same perception of Job as his other friends, that he was hiding some sin and if he came clean then God would answer him. [for I desire to justify thee.] Elihu formed his opinion on Job based on things that he and his friends said, but had he really listened to what what being said, he would have understood that Job was justified. And who was he to decide what would words would justify him? Elihu literally upbraids Job for claiming he was just before God.
[Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression. What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.– Job 34:2-10]
[Let us choose to us judgment:] Right there Elihu chose Job’s judgment, he insisted that God was punishing him for his sin and that he was completely oblivious to it. He goes on to suggest that Job has no knowledge or wisdom about God, [For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God. When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God. – Job 34:21-23,29-31,35-37]
[For he addeth rebellion unto his sin,] It aggravates me to no end when people believe themselves to be so righteous that they make themselves our judge. There is no doubt that we are all sinners saved by grace, and those who say they have no sin, well, then that is their sin. However, God knows the way that we take, and when our heart is right, when we confess our sin, when we come to God with all our troubles, and when we are upright in our heart, that is when we are justified by God Himself, [Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. – Galatians 2:16,19-21]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You, for justifying me through my faith alone in Your Son. I understand affliction is not always a result of some hidden sin, it is about trusting You and believing that I will endure and be saved. I know what it feels like to be judged by others, to have them form some opinion on me. Lord, help me to respond to these accusations with the true knowledge that You have given me. Also, let me not form opinions of others by hearsay, but learn the facts and truth before I comment on what is actually going on. Let me not lean on my own understanding, but totally on Yours. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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