What is Wrong With Wanting Wealth? - Ecclesiastes 4-6

There is nothing wrong if it is desired for the right reasons; nothing if your heart is right in the beginning and you are able to control the sinful and selfish desire that will creep into your life—and there will be no problems until the wealth starts becoming the love of your life…And then it is SIN.

Many want to get rich quickly. If you back up about twenty years, you will remember when the first state lottery tickets were sold and the first winners were getting millions as their share while the state kept ten times what they awarded in prizes. Now that the lottery craze is in several states, the wagering runs into the billions of dollars each month. This is only one open spout that is pouring the income of needy people down the drain. Gaming rooms started behind the woodshed with a quilt on the ground and a pair of dice and now they are housed in the largest hotels from Las Vegas to Atlantic City and huge floating casinos from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. These are not houses of chance—you have no chance to win!

Throw in what is wagered each year at events like horse and dog races, pro and now college games, cock and bull fights, gamblers poker and even the so called friendly card games along with the weekend game of golf. I have no idea what the total dollars lost each year would add up to, but would not be surprised that it is equal to the amount of federal income tax paid each year. It could totally pay for health care for all and/or pay for social security for every American over sixty-two. It is mind-boggling $$$.

The love of money is the root of all evil and it is the cause behind much of the poverty in our world today. This society is highly materialistic and many wager and lose their last dollar in what they think is a gambling machine—when it is not a gamble at all. The wheels are set so that the house wins and the sucker loses. The rich grow richer and hungry kids go without food and clothing. It would appear to many that the winners [the house] would be a bunch of happy people. Their whole life is bent on making and accumulating great wealth. Their hotels and casinos are plush; they drive the finest cars and fly in their personal jets. According to Solomon they of all men are the most miserable; therefore it appears to me that there are really no winners in the gambling world. What will it profit a man if he wins the world and loses his own soul?

There is a saying that it takes one to know one. In this case it takes a rich and unhappy man to know that the rich are miserable people. King Solomon ruled during the most prosperous era of the Jewish world. Israel was also at its political zenith, as it controlled all the land from Egypt on the south, the Mediterranean Sea on the west to the Euphrates River on its Far East boundary. Solomon was the wealthiest of all the Jewish kings, drawing tribute [taxes] from the people throughout this vast area. No doubt that his early success came by permission of God who must have been pleased that Solomon was dedicated to the task of building the elaborate temple in Jerusalem to honor Him. But when the temple planning was all complete and the construction was under way and certain to be completed, Solomon turned his attention wine, women and song. He purchased his huge harem of women from other countries; many of his new wives worshipped other gods.

His many wives all lived in luxury at their personal home but also were furnished elaborate temples designed to worship their pagan gods. The final mistake that he made was that in order to appease them he would attend their pagan worship with them. He should have known better because The Almighty God of Heaven has always been emphatic with His commandment that no one may worship any other God but Him, and the breaking of this commandment has never gone and will never go unpunished.

Solomon had the wealth and misused much of it on pagan women and other gods, and this is the first example of WHAT IS WRONG WITH WANTING WEALTH. Much of his wealth came from peasant laborers who were over worked and over taxed and that made it wrong. A third thing that can make the desire for wealth bring about evil in your life is for your desire to be so great that you are willing to neglect your home life and spiritual life and dedicate your all to making money. Wealth becomes God.

There is no innate harm in a twelve gauge shot-gun; and there is no sin assessed against the owner caused by his purchase of the weapon. There are lawful and legitimate reasons that justify our ownership of a deadly weapon. The problem arises when the gun is misused by the owner or other person for his/her own gratification or evil desires. This same analogy is true where money is concerned. Money is not innately evil but when man misuses it—then it becomes a part of the problem that condemns man to sin.

It is not clear to me why the writers of today’s lesson chose to zero in on wealth when the reading of the lesson indicates major emphasis in the evils of oppression; the results of toil, and the human needs that can be met only through healthy friendships. Solomon was critical of anyone that caused another person to feel oppressed. He did not advocate that one should take their own life; but he did indicate that he thought the dead person was actually more at peace and more at ease than the one still living.

Solomon saw a man working alone and considered this folly. He advocates partnerships because partners can help each other in the accumulation of wealth, and if one is having problems the other is there to be responsible through the time of need. Should death come to one there is a deserving one left to inherit the wealth. There is little to gain if man lives alone, works alone, and dies alone. Living as a hermit miser is truly living a life of vaity.

We are to stand in Awe of God; and we are to avoid ever being a part of any kind of false witnessing. Man should let his words be few, and always mean what he says. We are to keep the promises we make, regardless of the consequence. It is better that we never promise anything helpful to any one than to make a promise and break it. This is even more important when God is involved. I think of two important opportunities where man should always keep his word. When we agree to tithe and then keep some back—God will not ignore the false promise. A pledge to the annual budget of the church should be carefully determined. It would be better to pledge nothing and give a little than to pledge much and not keep the promise.

One thing seemed to bother the teacher [Solomon identifies himself as a teacher] as he observed that here under the sun, many work hard, gather and save and live a frugal life only to leave much of their accomplishments for others to enjoy. He indicates that those who would not help with the task of accumulating wealth in some ways do not deserve the right to enjoy the fruit of other’s labor. This is not fair under the sun, he said. Here again he emphasized the importance of holding on to a meaningful and friendly relationship with someone that can not only help acquire the wealth but also can deserve the blessings that may come after the owner is dead.

Solomon leaves no doubt that there is no honor in working for the wrong reason. And there is no doubt that it is always wrong for man to desire wealth, power, and prestige for personal reasons. Solomon prayed for knowledge and was awarded superior knowledge in abundance. This helps us to understand the importance of selecting the right priorities for our life. We should be very carefully how we give account for any riches that God trust in our care. We know that his reaction can vary from the praise of the widow who gave only a penny… but it was all she had—to the man and wife that sold their farm and gave only half of the proceeds. God’s anger and praise was not determined by the amount they gave—BUT WHAT WAS IN THEIR HEART.

What's Life All About? - Ecclesiastes 1-3

No man has any control over who his parents are or who he is; if you are reading this you are alive whether you like it or not; you are happy or sad, rich or poor, thin or fat. This is your life! What is it all about? Your life started a very short time ago; your life is in existence today; and your life will end in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. You can shorten your life’s existence but you can not eliminate it, because a part of it has already existed. Keep in mind, that you had absolutely nothing to do with your appearance on this universe. So, who are you? Where did you come from? Why are you here? What are you doing here—and last and most important—where are you going when you leave this earthly life?

It is an amazing fact that the vast majority of those alive in this world today, as you read this statement are living much less than a happy and fulfilled life. They are ill, sad, broke, and broken, hungry, homeless, in prison, or on drugs, and can compare their condition with that of Job. Allow me to use one word that will attempt to cover all of these conditions, no matter what they are—most people are EMPTY. A new car [motor] with an empty tank will not run. Empty arteries and veins will result in death. When a lake dries-up and becomes empty, all the fish die. When a person becomes empty they have reached the lowest ebb; they are drained, unproductive and miserable and there is only one key that will unlock their very own filling-station—LOVE is the key…because GOD IS LOVE.

Do you want to be empty for the rest of your life? The answer must be a resounding NO. The book of Ecclesiastes is a short book and easy to read; there are only twelve chapters—and it was written by King Solomon, who prayed for wisdom and received a special anointing of wisdom from God—and he gave us the advantage of God’s wisdom to help us make the right choices in this life. Ecclesiastes will teach you that there are certain paths in life that lead you to emptiness—anyone with wisdom will choose not to follow these empty paths located on the map drawn by Solomon.

What is our life all about? This profound book will help us discover what the true purpose of life really is. It can make you wise. It can impart wisdom to you as you study and utilize its truths. This wisdom can spare us from the emptiness which results—every time in every case—from a life without God. This book teaches that we will never find the meaning of life through money or wealth, pleasure, power, popularity, not even through knowledge as important as it is. Solomon says that the only thing that will ever bring total happiness and complete satisfaction to any person is for us to know that what we are doing is performing that which will accomplish God’s will in our lives. Please read, NO, please study this book because it is a book that can help free us from our scramble for power, prestige, approval and the desire for wealth. Read and believe this book and it will draw you closer to God. Read God’s Word three time a day…it is food!

Few if any doubt that experience is the best teacher. Solomon asked God for wisdom and his wish was granted. Then Solomon used his wisdom to look back over the experiences of his own life and write a book that would help guide people successfully through life. Solomon searched to find what would bring him satisfaction. He was extremely wealthy and there was nothing that he could not afford… if he wanted it, and truthfully he tried about everything. Through this process he discovered that life without God is a fruitless [empty] search for fulfillment. It is not within the power of man to attain happiness because we never seem to have enough; always want more than we have and then… circumstances out of our control can destroy all that we have even before we are able to utilize it.

Solomon uses all the illustrations and examples he can to convey to us that it is impossible to live a fulfilling life apart from God. He insists that men do not naturally and willfully seek to find fulfillment in living a Godly life. It is not normal for man to gravitate toward God unless or until there is a need. One of our Baptist hymn writers must have espoused this same philosophy even about Christians when he wrote these words: “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.” How foolish man is.

There are three phrases that the author uses over and over and it seems to indicate that the author was making a special emphasis in each case. The first phrase is “Under the sun;” and literally is emphasizing that he is talking about every one under the sun—on the earth—under heaven or that ever lived. The second phrase is “Meaningless;” and here the author uses meaningless as synonymous with ‘vanity,’ ‘futile,’ ‘empty,’ or it may simply be beyond man’s comprehension. The last of these often used phrases is “Chasing after the wind.” I personally have no problem with this because it has been one of my choices to explain what I think someone is doing when they are wasting their valuable time. There is more than one strong image invoked by this phrase. Wasting time to gain something worthless; trying to follow the wind when you cannot see it and can not determine when it changes course; chasing the American dream only to find that when you catch it life is still one of anxiety and boredom…these are all examples. Did you ever watch a playful puppy chase his own tail? That is vanity.

In the very first verses, Solomon did not waste any time in shocking his readers into a position of awareness that explained that their lives were meaningless apart from God. Ha you—I tell you that every thing is vanity…useless…empty…What has man got for his labor under the sun? Or, what has man profited without God’s help? He proceeds to build the case that life away from God is empty, meaningless, and out of man’s control. He gives us a good look at some of the simple elements of nature that we take for granted and reminds us that they function in a set pattern and it is all by the hand of God. For example…All streams flow to the sea but it is never filled—and then they return to their beginning but not by way of the same path. The sun rises and sets then hurries back to the east to rise again. Everything keeps working the same…nothing changes…there is nothing new under the sun…and it seems that Solomon is thinking that since God made man his special creation…man should be the one that lasts on and on…man should be the one that never changes and last for ever…but not so…vanity of vanities. This makes it look like things are not right…Isn’t the human being the greatest of the creation? Does man have the greatest worth in the sight of God? The answer is—only when he is in God’s will for his/her life.

This brings to mind a conversation that I had with a successful business lady [who happens to be Baptist] while we attended Rotary Club on Tuesday of this week. She told me that one of her greatest joys in life was having a part in the building of a new university. My ego jumped out and told her about how I was able to obtain federal money to build a needed structure in a certain community…Our pride showed. Now that I have had time to think on things that are lasting…I wish that I had relayed to her that my greatest accomplishments, of which I am really most proud, is that several people have thanked me for being a strong spiritual influence in their lives. If just one of those people meet me in heaven and give me any credit that will be my greatest accomplishment. Man is like a vapor…here a moment and gone. BUT when that same man becomes a Christian he becomes eternal in the presence of God. Solomon makes his case that life apart from God is meaningless by pointing to the futility of trying to leave a legacy. Read 1: 11-14 and remember that the phrase “under the sun” here means “apart from God.” We simply must make our priorities reflect His.

All through the first chapter, Solomon makes several references to the way the world [wind, rivers, oceans, sun & etc.] work. His observations cause us to face the facts about God’s creation and the undeniable truth that life is empty…meaningless, and futile when we are away from God.

Solomon used chapter one to solve the riddle of life through his wisdom and found that apart from God there is no answer. In chapter two he turns to bodily appetites as a possible source of fulfillment. In a way of speaking, Solomon tested himself to determine whether or not unmitigated pleasure can give man what he wants in life. Remember that Solomon was one of the richest men that ever lived and he could afford any pleasure he wished. He admitted that he denied himself nothing that his eyes desired. But when he surveyed all that his hands had done he found his life empty; and that he had been chasing after the wind. Nothing had been accomplished aside from God. God has a plan for YOUR life too; follow it.

Take a look in chapter 2; you will find that the same things that Solomon took for himself in order to be happy are the same as today’s world is chasing after. The desire for more possessions, pleasures, power is nothing new. We must understand that there are no innocent diversions if it takes our attention and service away from God. Even food can cause gluttony; and our wholesome hobbies can get in the way of our spiritual race [Heb.12:1-2].

The third chapter is no doubt the best known of this book—THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERY THING—but we argue that we do not have time for anything. Are you guilty? Do you have enough time? If your answer is no, let me remind you that you have all the time there is and as much as anyone else has. Our problem is learning how to use our time. We should remember that it is possible for us to do all that God expects us to do—only when we are willing to give up our selfish and sinful agenda. We were created to know, love and obey God and live in harmony with our fellow man. Before we were conceived, God knew our names, even the number of hairs on our head…and much more importantly he had a specific plan for our lives. No one…No one can complete your plan; you must complete your plan alone in vanity—or with the leadership and power of God who then will exalt you.

Submit to the Sovereign Lord - Job 38

JOB 38 TO END, JULY 16, 2006
By: John Vandiver


It was late in May when we received our study guides for the summer quarter with the first lesson on Job starting on June 4, 2006. It had been several years since I had attempted to teach the book of Job and my memory seemed to recall that it was not an easy study. One of the toughest questions that a Christian has to deal with is the question…Why do good men suffer while evil men continue to prosper? People today who have studied the bible extensively know that the Israelites firmly believed that any illness, pain or suffering came to them as punishment for their sins. It is no surprise to us when we find that Job’s friends really believed that Job had committed sins against God which he had not confessed. They believed his severe problems in life were just punishment for his sins; and they believed that his punishment would continue so long as he refused to acknowledge that he was a sinner and was unwilling to confess and seek forgiveness.

One important question has arisen from this study and the question is…Does Satan have access to the Throne Room in heaven? I did not think so until I read the conversation between God and the Devil which is said to have taken place in Heaven. God gave Job credit for having a strong faith and believed he would remain true. Satan said that he was faithful only because of God’s blessings; and that if they were removed—Job would curse God. One time when Satin was asked what he was doing, he said that he was going to and fro in the earth destroying. As far as I know he never mentioned being back in heaven. Is this the only place in the scriptures that indicate that Satin and his angels still have access to heaven? Help!

Another important question arises at this point and it is…Did God cause Job all the loss and suffering he went through? It appears that he did and it also appears that it was done to prove Job’s faith and not as punishment for sin. When God asked Satin if he had considered his friend, Job, in my opinion He was suggesting that Job be tried by taking his processions. Later he suggested that the Devil could even take Job’s health away, but could not touch his soul. God did put this limitation on the Devil. Well, we have explored the Word as we studied the conversation between the Devil and God. In one day we saw Job lose his ten children their home and all of his wealth. Another conversation between the Devil and God occurred and then Job lost his health. Two friends counseled Job three times each and one friend counseled him twice. Then last Sunday we heard the young man, Elihu present his thinking about the cause and remedy for Job’s problems. Now, today, we will sit in on the Lord’s first interrogation of Job and it starts with the first verse of chapter 38.

Remember that Job has been trying to find the answer for why he was being made to suffer so greatly. He has made some accusations against God and has demanded that God appear to him and explain why he had been punished severely and why he had lost all that he had, including his health. Jesus Christ was noted for his ability to answer direct questions by asking questions in return. He got his training from his father God who used this means to answer Job. Instead of answering Job‘s questions directly, God asked Job a series of questions that no man could have answered. The questions were in depth regarding God’s creation and His control of all things created. Job could not answer him. His only response was to let God know that he had finally realized the greatness of God was beyond his comprehension and his only response was to be one of recognition and acceptance.

Do you want to read verbatim the greatest mistake Job ever made? In 31: 35-37, he challenged God to meet him in court. He said: “Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing. Surely I would wear it on my shoulder; I would put it on like a crown. I would give him an account of my every step; like a prince I would approach him…”

He is heckling God when he said he wished someone would step up and hear his case. I need a good judge. Why not just let the Almighty be my judge. In the language of 2006, Job said that he would act as his own defensive lawyer; he had all the proof he needed as the defendant and he had signed off on his case. Now it is time for you to bring your indictment of me to the court and let the judge decide who is right and who is wrong.

A good Hollywood producer could take this court scene and make a movie of high drama from a factual case. Job had been accusing God, the judge of heaven and earth, of being prejudiced against him—and he demanded his day in court to present his own case against God. The matter becomes critical at this point because if the judge [God] is unable to rule properly in Job’s case then his ability to rule and judge heaven and earth is at stake. If Job wins this case, he will prove that God is incompetent! This was the BIG issue. Look at this court case from the viewpoint of God. The creator had been charged with wrongdoing by one of his creatures and must defend his own glory and honor. How did he do it?

Job was all set to put God on the witness stand, act as his own defense lawyer and prove that he was innocent. God turned things around and placed Job, the plaintiff, on the witness stand and examined him. There were no other witnesses, no more evidence and no cross-examination. Job had requested this hearing with God so he could present his case 31:25. Job wanted God to present the charges against him; and he was ready to answer each one.

Job got what he wanted—a day in court with God—Job did not want what he got from God. Everyone was shocked when the “Judge” miraculously blew into the courtroom out of a storm or a whirlwind and started asking Job nearly one hundred questions—one after another—with no replies from Job because he did not know the answers. [This is God’s longest conversation recorded in the Holy Bible.] God said that Job had a lot of words but no knowledge. He said to Job, you have talked and shown your ignorance—then He warned him to “Brace yourself like a man.” Then God reminded Job that He had created the earth and all therein, and that He was the one that kept things in order. God spoke as if his creation represented a building project, and ask Job where he was during creation. Who did the measurements, laid the foundation, and placed the cornerstone? Job, where were you while this was happening? On and on the questions came and it was all to make Job see how foolish he was to claim that God had left him to suffer alone and that God could not hear him.

God humbles Job by asking all these questions that Job can not answer. The questions were to remind Job that He—God rules over the earth, the sea, sun, oceans [the deeps], the snow, rain, ice, clouds and over all the planets. God overwhelmed Job with a display of his sovereign majesty…The Great I Am. Job had somehow forgotten that God was the creator and he was a wee part of the creation. As creator, God has the divine right to what he desires with his creation. God is potter…Job is clay…and so are we. It is only possible for us to understand and accept our humble position before God—only when we fully understand the position that God holds over the entire universe. Do we fully understand that we are FINITE compared to God being INFINITE? The difference between is so great that man [Job] can not comprehend Him!

You and I can feel assured that when God decides to explain something to us he will spare no words and use any of his means to do so. Beginning with chapter 38, verse 39, and all of chapter 39 God switches is thought process to include all of the animal kingdom. Remember that Job had accused God of mismanaging his life; now God reminds Job that he has dominion over the lion, raven, goat, doe, donkey, Ox, horse, hawk, and even the great eagle. He created them; he provides for them and even is aware of a sparrow in its fall. God wanted Job to realize His creative genius and providential care of the animal kingdom [and everything else]. Now, He wants us to compare MAN to the animals and see that if he cares for the animals…then we should never doubt that He has a special plan to care for his children.

Here comes the emphasis of this lesson today. WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND A LITTLE HIGHER THAN THE ANIMALS—HOWEVER THE GOD OF CREATION IS SOVEREIGN LORD!

WE MUST SUBMIT TO THE SOVEREIGN LORD

It is imperative. There is no other way. We must yield our lives to the supremacy of God. How? First, realize you are a sinner, lost and doomed for hell. Second, repent of your sins and request that God forgive you. Third, you must accept his salvation by grace through your faith and invite God to come into your life and be your constant guide. The fourth step is an ongoing process where you must submit your all to the sovereign Lord, and live for him daily.

There is someone that you know well; a parent, spouse or child…and it could be you—that has had what seems to be more than their rightful share of hard times and troubles, losses or illness—trials in life that come close to a match for Job. Each of these could make a case study where we could compare the trials to those that Job had; and then compare the way they reacted to friends and toward God. We can learn from their experience. Or, a second scenario is that beginning in the future [maybe soon] you or one that you know will be overcome by the perils of Job. What should you do? How do you react? Will you blame God? Will you criticize God for allowing the Devil to cause you loss or pain? There is no way I can cover thoroughly a comprehensive plan that would fit all cases, but let us look at some brief suggestions.
1. If your spirit is being attacked…your soul is at stake…Satin is at fault, and God is not involved. In this case you are not a Christian and the only solution is to be saved and turn your life over to God.
2. If the problem deals with anything except the soul, God could be involved; either allowing Satin to tempt you or maybe even suggesting that Satin deal with you.
3. As a Christian believer—you will have problems.
4. It is imperative that you read His Word and pray for understanding regarding the plan God has for your life. First, know that He has a plan and that means that there is a reason for your loss or suffering, and that reason is within the mind of God. Have faith to believe that your problem will eventually work for your good. Never blame God. Never complain. Love Him, praise Him, and humbly submit to his will and way for your life…And He will exalt you. This worked for Job…It requires repentance and obedience.
5. If you are down…low…really down on the very bottom—then there is no way to go but UP. Job was there!

In the last chapter of his book we find him bent low, but not broken—humbled as he recalled the supremacy of God. He repented of his low view of God…he repented of his own arrogance…he acknowledged God’s sovereignty and power and renewed his fellowship with God. Job forgave and helped restore his three friends back to God, and God abundantly blessed him with his complete family and greater wealth than he had before the great tragedies struck. God knew the end before the trials started.

To recap how to deal with tragedy, first we must have faith. We must realize that God has sovereignty over our lives. He made us as we are and he can make the circumstances in our lives as he wishes. He has the divine right to mold us into the vessel He needs. Our life is a divine mystery beyond our understanding, and we may never know what God is doing.

Responding Positively to God's Discipline - Job 32 - 38

In any circumstance in which you find yourself, if you have the patients to wait and listen, someone will come along that can tell you something new or different about the cause of your condition and how to remedy it if it is flawed. Personally, I like to listen to some of the old Baptist patriarchs like D. L. Moody, B. H. Carroll, W. O. Vaught, and others that have written commentaries for our enlightenment. My father taught me to always respect my elders and I have never drifted away from that practice. I remember two years ago when I turned eighty, I jokingly made an announcement in the Church library and in our Sunday school class and reminded those listening that it was Biblically correct for the younger ones to stand when I entered the room. It didn’t work!

The practice of honoring older people is a biblical teaching and even before the first book, Job, was hand written on a scroll there was a young man by the name of Elihu that had stood aside and listened as Job and his three friends had conversed for several days. In chapter thirty two this young man entered the conversation by reminding all present that he had waited patiently his turn and had shown due respect—and now he wanted to speak out against Job and his friends. Unlike the first three, Elihu had some insight into the situation and shed some true light and gave Job sound counsel that he desperately needed. He was wound up tight because what he had to say covered six long chapters. Today, as we study the life of Job, we too should pay attention to what Elihu had to say because he must have been more correct than the other friends and Job had been. The reason I say this is that God rebuked Job and his friends in Job 42:7-9, but God did not rebuke Elihu for what he had to say. Here is a case where the younger was the wiser.

If you will read the entire 32nd chapter you will find that it can be summed up by saying Elihu, a younger man had waited his turn and was now anxious to help Job understand what his problem really was. He was angry with Job because he refused to acknowledge his sin of pride that was obvious because of Job arguing that he was not a sinner and Elihu rebuked the three friends for failing to rebut Job’s arguments. The first indication that the young man knew what he was talking about was when he told them that true understanding is only found in God. We are young only during our first few years of life but unfortunately some of us remain immature all of our earthly lives. The bible stresses that this young man was mature beyond his age; however, he too, was not completely right. One example was his feeling that God had told Job why he was suffering and that Job just did not hear him. God does not always completely explain why things occur as they do and the reason is very simple. God wants us to accept our trials, our discipline as being within his will and he wants us to grow our faith until we are able to accept what ever comes our way. We must truly believe that all things will work together for our good—only if we meet the criteria.

Job never did lose his faith in God but he did a lot of complaining and made some accusations against God. JOB DID NOT RESPOND POSITIVELY TO GOD’S DISCIPLINE and this is what our lesson today tells us to do. If God answers all of our questions—so that we always know without a doubt—this would eliminate the use of our faith. This was one error that Elihu made—he assured Job that God had answered him and that Job just did not hear. I do not believe that God will ever answer all of our questions—we must accept his grace by our faith and we must also be willing to accept God’s discipline by faith. Job had lost everything including his health and was in a lot of pain—but this was not his greatest test. His greatest test was that he did not know why he was suffering and God would not tell him. I have painful Arthritis, you have devastating Cancer, our friend has Diabetes and has lost a foot or leg and we do not know why our lives are going this way. We have been looking at these conditions as our test—but they are not the main test. Our greatest test is that we must learn to trust God’s goodness even though we do not understand why we must suffer physically. Think this way…God is good and we can trust him—but life is not always good to us and we cannot put our trust in life.

Elihu told Job that God had not left him without a witness as Job was accusing. Ht told Job that God had been talking to him all along through his suffering, witnesses, dreams, and nature but that Job had forgotten how to listen for God’s voice. Elihu was successful in getting Job to actually hear God speak again and this came because he had recaptured a correct view of God.

In this entire encounter Elihu declares his anger toward Job but then he affirms that true understanding is found only in God and that any believer has no choice but to speak what he knows to be the truth. He is the first one of the speakers that called Job by his name and directed him to listen to him because he is compelled to speak the truth and nothing but the truth. Then he warns Job to not be afraid of what he has to say because it is the truth.

Elihu thinks that Job has sinned in his confessions. He quoted Job as saying, “I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt.” Then he pointed out his inconsistency because he had never claimed to be sinless and had even admitted being a sinner in 7:21.

Regarding Job’s argument that God has stopped talking to him, Elihu emphatically disagreed and added angels to the list of ways that God speaks to man…through angels. It appears to me that he may be considering himself as an angel sent to discuss Job’s trials with him and help get him back on track in God’s favor. Elihu seems to be explaining to Job that he has not listened…because if he had listened he would have heard God. The indication is that if Job would listen—it would be an indication that he wanted to hear; he had heard but he did not like what he heard—he had not really listened because he did not really want to hear what God was teaching him in and through his trials.

It appears to me that one of the greatest thought in this lesson today deals with the question—how do we listen to hear God speak to us? For some reason, I do not feel comfortable when someone tells me that “God told me to do—or say—something specific.” I do not believe that God speaks in an auditable voice to man today. To my knowledge, he has never spoken to me, and I will assure you that I would listen with awe and praise...I would listen because I want to hear.

On July 9, this Sunday morning, God is speaking to us by his written Word, the Bible. If you want to be in his will, you will listen to what he has to say. That means that you will listen to the teacher, the pastor, and your friends because you have a desire to know! You will read the Word and listen because you want to understand what God is saying to you. How can we be sure we are listening to hear the truth and utilizing it to grow?

The very first and most important thing is for us to realize, admit, and humbly react to the written Word of God. How? Just as if He were in this room speaking in an audible voice using the English language that we know and understand. We must believe that the Bible is the Word of God and therefore as the bible is read aloud—God is speaking to us. Secondly, as we listen, we should be alert. You can not sit in this class or in the sanctuary today and “hear” the teacher and/or preacher and please God—unless you listen to what the Word says. You can “hear” the preacher and me and at the same time “listen” to your own heart as it longs for your fishing gear, golf equipment, or deer or turkey stand. In the end we are the looser every time; God is not pleased and we did not get started one moment sooner that we would have…had we listened intently to the Word of God.

Third, we should exercise our intelligence to the max. God’s Word is a cognitive message and it requires us to think rationally and study intensely. I understand that the acceptance of Christ is a matter of the heart of man, but the Holy Scriptures does not come through a mystical experience that bypasses the mind. God works through human intellect in order to get to his heart. We are charged to rightly divide the Word. The last way to listen is with a true heart. We must be blameless. Before you listen to hear God speak…ask him to forgive any sin that would keep you from hearing His word. It is impossible for you to hear Christ as he says you should “Love your neighbor as yourself” while you are listening to your own heart tell you how much you detest your neighbor.

Elihu tried to convince Job that he was half right; Job believed that God was great but could not fully believe that he was good. He needed to understand that God was both great and good. He knew first hand that God had made him a respected and wealthy man by using his power and greatness and now he had to accept by faith that God would be good to him in the end and that all things would work out for his good. Elihu counseled Job to be patient and learn from his affliction, and think of his many trials as God’s means of teaching, and purifying him.

Some may wonder why the book of Job was canonized and many will become weary as they search for the central theme, or a basic overall meaning of the book. Search if you must, but you will not find a better lesson for Christians today who are down and out, who have lost family, friends and wealth similar to Job. If this describes your condition, you must realize that the hand of God that disciplines sinful believers is placed there by God for your benefit and it is absolutely imperative that you learn to RESPOND POSITIVELY TO GOD’S DISCIPLINE.

Analyze Your Actions - Job 29-32

As indicated above, the author of the lesson in Life Way included three chapters in the lesson for today then suggested that chapter thirty one be emphasized. Before we move on, you should take time to read chapter twenty nine—it tells us much about the man Job before his trials started. It gives good reason for God to be happy with Job and complementary about his obedient life. Job accomplishes this by reflecting on the blessings he enjoyed before his great suffering began. He records his memories of the intimacy he enjoyed as he labored as God’s servant and daily walked in close fellowship with God. Job was especially proud of the days when great men respected him above others and sought his wise counsel.

Job may not realize it like I do but he should have been especially happy that he had not lost his memory. This is indicated by his recall of the many incidents that happened throughout the days before his problems. He recalls earlier days when he felt confident and lived expecting a bright and prosperous future. He recalls that men would stand to recognize him and to show their respect. Job contends that he was a blessed man and had really enjoyed his life up to the day when his trials began. In this idea of being blessed I think we find his greatest mistake.

It appears to me that Job had begun to think of all his blessings as coming from God as a gift in exchange for his works. And then after his loss of everything, he interpreted the loss of blessings as an indication that God was displeased with him. We know that this was a wrong assumption; it was because God trusted Job and knew him to be steadfast in his beliefs that he felt safe in recommending him to the Devil as one he could not cause to turn away from his God. Matthew in 5:45 said that Christ reminded his disciples that “He [God] causes his sun to rise on the evil and good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Now, if you want to see a man do a complete turn around psychologically, read chapter thirty. Job was in need of a bottle of Zoloft to pull him out of a deep depression. In the chapter before he was describing the happy days of the past and now he is in the process of cataloguing the pains he is suffering before God. He continues to bewail his present misery that contrasts starkly with his past happiness. Once great men bowed to him and now the scum of society criticizes him and puts him at the bottom of the barrel. Job blames God and says that God has unstrung his bow leaving him helpless and without defense. The physical condition of his body is his pain for the day; and at night he is devastated that God has deserted him.

We will now try to tie these three chapters together and come up with the topic for emphasis today—ANALYZE YOUR ACTIONS. In 29 he reminisced the good old days; in 30 he dropped into depression thinking especially of the things he had done and those he had been accused of doing. Now in 31 we will study him as he attempts to ANALYZE HIS ACTIONS.

I have no idea how many of you have had a job or just an experience that has thrown you into a stressful situation that forced you to act or react unexpectedly. You can be assured that there are times when a stress situation will bring out the unexpected in you—sometimes it brings out the worst in you especially if you are not prepared. There is no way Job could have been ready to face the hardships that came upon him in a very short time frame. He was not prepared by education or former experience.

I completed four years as Superintendent of schools at Russellville Arkansas in 1971. The teachers were members of the Arkansas Teachers Association but the NEA had not taken over all negotiations for them at that time and this was still handled on the local level with a minimum of stress and confrontation. I spent the next four years as Superintendent in Missouri where the local faculty was a members of the NEA who handled all negotiations. The NEA is a hard core labor union whose lawyers that are trained in the negotiating process will not hesitate to do or say anything they feel necessary to reach their goals. It was by far the most difficult job in education, when the school board and the administrators had to sit at the table and listen to the NEA representatives [trained lawyers] accuse them of misuse of funds, squandering of funds, and always neglecting the teachers. It became necessary for me to analyze all of my actions, what I said and even the tone of voice or inflections of voice. It was difficult for me to hold my temper at times…but it was absolutely necessary. I had to evaluate my actions constantly, always looking for a better way to arrive at a decision that would keep the needs of school children first and most important.

Just try to imagine the difficulty that Job must have experienced. He had in a days time lost his family, fortune and was covered with a painful skin condition. Right away his so called friends started accusing him of being a sinner, misuse of his money, not caring for the poor even his own servants. They would not relent and continued to insist that he and his sins were at fault for all that had gone wrong in his life.

In 31 he declares himself innocent and starts analyzing his actions. He started naming sins that he had been accused of and denying that he had committed the sin. “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a woman—I have not walked in falsehood—nor have I hurried after deceit—I have not mistreated the poor—and I have not put my trust in gold or any of my great wealth.” Job affirms his sexual purity two different times and declares his righteousness in his business dealings, his faithfulness to his wife his fairness to his workers, and his hospitality to others, and in all of this he is longing for God to give him a hearing.

Job pledges that his heart and eyes are pure toward other women and that his feet have followed the path of just business dealings with his fellow man. Job refutes the charges made by Eliphaz about possible injustices against the wicked and admits that even if he had committed the charges he deserves God’s judgment. One of his most important confessions was that he had remained faithful in his allegiance to his God. You are again to remember that this event occurred before the writing of the Word of God and Job does not have the bible to go by. Even so, probably by instinct Job longs for God to hear and answer his prayers. If God has a problem with him then he wants God to declare what charges are against him.

There is one basic idea in chapter 31 that can be summed up in one sentence and wrapped in one tortilla shell; and it is: Job affirmed his sexual purity, declared his righteousness, defended his business dealings, was faithful to his wife, fair to his workers, hospitable to others, and still believes and trusts God to charge him if he has faults.

Are you thinking that this is just a bazaar story that actually has no real life application? Let us take a look. Let us start meddling. Allow me to get you to take a good look at your life as Job had to do. Will you analyze your actions? Every believer needs to conduct a personal inventory often.

1. What about your thought life? You are the only person who can look at your secret thoughts. Are they pure? Do you resist lustful desires?
2. Ethics? Have you ever padded an expense account? Turned in more hours than you worked? Have you failed to report ALL of your income to the IRS? Is your word your bond?
3. Home life? Do you have a single devotion to one spouse?
4. Work life? Are you fair to all concerned? Do you discriminate? Take advantage cheap labor? Do you work the same with or without supervision?
5. Community life? Do you reach out to widows, the poor, and needy? How many hours do you volunteer to do community work each year?
6. Attitude toward money? Do you have money or does it have you? Do you tithe? If not, you are a thief—not I—the bible says so. Worse still, it says you are stealing from God. Do you love money?
7. Spiritual life? What are your idols? Do you read the bible on a regular basis? How much & how often? Do you attend on a regular basis: Morning services? Evening services? Prayer time? Revivals? Do you help by serving wherever needed? Do you spend as much time thinking about the creator as you do the creation?
8. Mission life? How are you involved? Could you do more?
9. Your faith? How big is it? Has it ever moved a mountain?
10. Your destination? Hell or Heaven? Are you sure?