If God remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him?

Job 34:1-37
For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes foods. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. He repays a man for what he has done; he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.
But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over man and nation alike, to keep a godless man from ruling, from laying snares for the people.

Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know. (v33)

"Must God tailor his justice to your demands? But you have rejected him! The choice is yours, not mine. Go ahead, share your wisdom with us (New Living Translation)

Job has said God is in the wrong, and there is nothing to be gained by making him our delight. But God is the judge of all people: supreme, just, impartial. Job has added to his other sins resentment and rebellion against God.

Why?

We have to decide which way I have to walk, is right or wrong way? Do the right is not for the reward from the Lord but our responsibility to be a human being. 

God Almighty over all men and nations, who can condemn him or see him? No one.

How?

Praise the name of the Lord. He is worthy to praise and his name should be exalted.

God speaks to us through warning dreams and through suffering

Job 33:1-33
Elihu said to Job that he is not right for Job thought he is pure and without sin.
God is greater than man, why do you complain to him that he answers one of man's words? For God does speak - now one way, now another - though man may not perceive it.
Yet there is an angel on his side as a mediator中間人, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him.
Then he comes to men and says,"I sinned, and perverted that was right, but I did not get what I deserved."
Job has declared himself the innocent victim of God; but God will not answer his charge.
Elihu says God speaks to us through warning dreams and through suffering - in order to save, not destroy us.
Do not complain to the Lord for He is God, he is greater than us. All of us are same have been taken from clay.
Why?
God is full of love, God does not answer to man, but the angle will send warning message to man through dream or some suffering to remind us, like mediator.
God wants to save us not to destroy us. Man dies for his own sins.
How?
Careful to every dream or suffering and mediating does it be good to me?

It is not only the old who are wise

Job 32:1-22
Young man Elihu said:
It is not only the old who are wise not only the aged who understand what is right.
I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter any man.
Elihu has not been mentioned or spoken, before. He has been a silent bystander, holding back out of deference to his elders. But he can bear it no longer. His pent-up thoughts burst out in a long, unstoppable tirade長篇大論.
Elihu is the original angry young man. His elders are lost for words, but he is simply bursting with indignation at Job's attitude, dying to have his say.
Why?
Fear the Lord is wisdom, so even getting older does not means wiser than younger. Young man has more angry than older one. Angry can not do any good thing.
How?
It is not only the old who are wise, fear the Lord is wisdom and wisdom comes from God.

How many of us could honestly do the same as Job?

Job 31:29-40
Job continue described his innocent, he has not rejoiced at his enemy's misfortune, no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for his door was always open to the traveler. If his accuser put his indictment in writing. Surely he would wear it on his shoulder, put it on like a crown.
Turn no one from his door; harboured no secret sins; never kept quiet for fear of what others might think or how they might react.
Job is prepared to swear to all this before God.
How many of us could honestly do the same?
Yet how has God repaid him?
How?
No one like Job has taken it from its rightful owners.

Man's lot from God above

Job 31:1-28
For what is man's lot from God above, his heritage from the Almighty on high? Is it not ruin for the wicked, disaster for those he do wrong? Does he not see my ways and count my every step?
All this has befallen a man who has avoided immorality, even in his thinking; who has played fair with his employees; been generous in relieving need; never become obsessed with money or turned idolater;
Why?
I asked myself what is my lot from God above? What is my heritage from the Almighty on high?
Like a tree planted by stream of water, enjoy the favor from above and doing the right thing for the needy and walking on the righteous way, deliver love of God to others.
How?
I have to make right decision and take my own responsibility.

Dignity is driven away as by the wind

Job 30:1-31
Terror overwhelm me; my dignity is driven away as by the wind, my safety vanishes like a cloud.
Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man when he cries for help in his distress. Have I not wept for  those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?
Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness.
But now: he returns to the bitter present, which has made him the butt (笑柄,屁股) of all, an outcast, incessantly連天 gnawed by pain. All this God has done to him, yet will never tell him why.
How hopeless Job was?
How?
Dignity is driven away as by the wind.
Even those God is his only answer! Jesus is the only answer to all men!

Golden days of God's favour

Job 29:1-25
Job long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over him.
Job was righteousness and had mercy to the needy.
A real man of God can have good word to surrounding people. Like these:
People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.After I had spoken, they spoke no more; my words fell gently on their ears.They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it;  the light of my face was precious to them.
'If only... ' Job looks back longingly to the golden days of God's favour - past enjoyment of home, of success in business, of universal respect. He speaks movingly of his good deeds done in fulfillment of Gods laws. He had expected long life and a good death - the signs of God's favour.
Why?
Only God's word have these power and precious to those who are listining.
Golden days of God's favour 1)success in business 2) universal respect 3)enjoyment of home
How?
God's favour is my blessing and enjoyment of home.

The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding

Job 28:1-28
But where can wisdom be found?   Where does understanding dwell?
No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.
It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,  concealed even from the birds in the sky.
God understands the way to it  and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.
“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
Why?
Is Job or the author speaking in this chapter? The text does not say. But the heart of Job's problem is how to understand the inscrutable高深莫測 ways of God. No miner can uncover a vein of wisdom; all the wealth in the world will not buy it. Only God knows where to find it.
And people become wise through reverence for God and by rejecting evil.
How?
No way to find the wisdom except fear the Lord, then who can shun the evil.

What is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off

Job 27:1-23
As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter.
Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go;
For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off.
His friends want him to deny his integrity, but Job will not perjure himself.
V 13-23 sound strange coming from Job. This has previously been the argument his friends have put forward. Either Job's thinking has changed, or this passage really belongs to one of the others.
Why?
Job consists his integrity, and he don't think he has sinned against God.
How?
Thanks Jesus Christ saved me, I am not so righteous as Job, but I can stand before God and pray to the Lord for the salvation from Jesus blood.

God's majesty is unsearchable

Job 26:1-14
Job said the great power of God and God's majesty is unsearchable.
How you have saved the arm that has no strength!
How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!
He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them.
The thunder of his power who can understand?
v1-4; May be Job interrupting Bildad, who them continues to speak of God's power, to the end of the chapter, like Job 9 with images drawn from ancient creation stories.
In the created universe we catch a glimpse of his wonder.
Why?
All above are truth, we can't save the arm that has no strength, he could not outstretch his hands. So we can't counsel one who has no wisdom.
God created universe are so wonder and unsearchable. Even I am studying the precipitation the physics of could are incredible and who can understand!
How?
Praise be to the Lord, God's majesty is unsearchable.

How then can a man be righteous before God?

Job 25:1-6
Bildad replied:
Dominion and awe belong to God; he establishes oder in the heights of heaven.
How then can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure?
How much less man, who is but a maggot蛆- a son of man who is only a worm!
If the speech is complete as it stands, Job's friends have exhausted their argument. They have nothing more to say.
Bildad merely reiterates the obvious truth that no one is 100 percent perfect in God's sight.
Why?
This does not help Job. What point is there in godly living if God's punishment falls equally on good and bad?
How?
God is the sovereignty Lord, No one is perfect before the Lord, What will be if God's punishment falls equally on good and bad? So do our best to preach gospel to who unknown God.

Servant does not know the plan of his master

Job 24:1-25
Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment? Why must those who know him look in vain for such days?
The groans of the dying rise from the city and the souls of the wounded cry out for help. But God charges no one with wrongdoing.
(It may be that Zophar not Job is speaking in verses 18-25)
18 Yet they are foam on the surface of the water; their portion of the land is cursed, so that no one goes to the vineyard.
24 For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they cut off like heads of grain.
25 If this in not so, who can prove me false and reduce my words to nothing?

Look what goes on in the world; life is neither fair nor just.
God delays judgment, and those who trample the helpless underfoot seem to get away with it.
Why?
Job questioned the unfair life in the world, and God delays judgment to the wicked.
We really don't know the mind of God and his time. But we know that He loves us, He shows kindness to his people. We are the servant of the Lord, a servant does not know the plan of his master. Sometimes we are the friend of God.
No complain, no ask why? but trust in the Lord Almighty. Do the right things and blessing will be his deserve.
How?
For he grants sleep to those he loves(Psalm 127:2). Submit to the sovereignty of the Lord.

Treasured the words of God's mouth more than my daily bread

Job 23:1-17
Job hoped to know where he can find God.  There before Him an upright man would present his case before him, and he would be delivered forever from his judge.
But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of God's mouth more than my daily bread.
He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him.
Why?
Job's thoughts go round and round, always coming back to the same sticking-points癥結點. If only he could find God and put his case to him. But God is not to be found, and his ways are inexplicable費解的.
What I am treasured? Do I treasure the words of God more than my daily bread? Do I consider God's word when I do anything daily?
Job do as he can to follow the decrees of God, but he didn't know why the calamity came upon him, so he like to argue with the Lord, I wanted to know the answer, but God is not to be found.
How?
Treasured the words of God's mouth more than my daily bread. God's words have power and treasure can fill me, enforce me, encourage me, and protect me.

Can a man be of benefit to God? Submit to God and be at peace with him

Job 22:1-30
Eliphaz replied:
It is true: Can a man be of benefit to God? Can even a wise man benefit to God? What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? What would he gain if your ways are blameless?
To wicked on: Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your mouth.
Eliphaz would rather invent(編湊) sins for Job than allow that his own view might be inadequate. He sticks to the same stubborn line of argument. Job is in the wrong!
Job had though to hide his sins from God. Let him make peace with God, put away his sin, and all will be well again.
Why?
Eliphaz insisted that Job is wrong and he sins against God, so Job suffered these misery.
Some words of Eliphaz are truth that man's altitude or contribution can not benefit to God.
To a wicked man if he turn to the Lord, submit to God will be at peace with him.
How?
We do the good things and to be righteous are our responsibility, to honor his Holy name, it is our feedback to God's love.

Comfort others with empathy and love

Job 21:1-34
Job replies that why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?...
One dies in his full vigor, being wholly at ease and secure. Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having tasted of prosperity.
Who declares his way to his face, and who repays him for what he had done?
How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood謊言.
Why?
Zophar's theology is all very well, but it flies in the face of experience.The contribution of Job, the good man, is pitiful.
Yet more often than not, evil people flourish, live happily and die peacefully.
The friends will argue that God's vengeance falls on their children. But what kind of justice is that? Their so-called comfort is nothing but a pack of empty lies.
Only God can declare way of a man, only God repay him for what he had done? We can see only part of his life.
How?
Don't comfort others with words and judgement only, but with empathy and love.

The wicked man's portion from God

Job 20:1-29
Zophar speaks: The wicked will suffer, the wicked man's portion from God will be nothing.
The exulting歡呼雀躍 of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment?
Because he knew no contentment in his belly, he will not let anything in which he delights escape him.
Zophar, like Bildad, is upset by Job, and he takes up Bildad's theme:the fate of the wicked.
Their prosperity is short-lived, their punishment certain. But this is not the point, they are not hearing Job because his case does not fit their general rule.
We hear no more from Zophar after this: either he has nothing further to add, or a section of the third round of speeches has been lost. It is possible that 27:13-23, which sounds so strange coming from Job, belongs in fact to Zophar.
Why?
All they said are correct to the wicked one, but Job does not fit to this general rule.
Sometime we do not know what we had done against the Lord, or have sin but we did not sense it. So the suffering might come upon us. So we need to read the Bible and let the Holy Spirit reminds us let us repent and turn to the Lord.
How?
Read the Bible for me, not for others. humble, pray to the Lord forgive my sin if any.

Faith and hope in God

Job 19:1-29
Though I cry, 'I've been wronged!' I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.
All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me. I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth.
Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me.
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet(after I awake; though this body has been destroyed) in(apart from) my flesh I will see God.
Job believe that there is judgment.
Job's friends have become his tormentors, levelling false accusations and offering no answer to his desperate questions.
He is shut in on himself, despairing, utterly alone.
He has become an object of loathing非常討厭 to those he loves most. Even pity is denied him.
Yet in his darkest moments, faith and hope still well up inside him. He is certain of vindication.
One day God himself will take up his case and clear him - and he will be there to see it.
Then those who have maligned中傷 him will find themselves answerable to God.
How?
Faith and hope still well up inside Job, How about me if I am utterly alone and is wronged by others.

Terrible picture of the fate of the wicked

Job 18:1-21
Bildad the Shihite replied: When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and the we can talk. Why are we regarded as cattle and considered stupid in our sight?
Surely such is the dwelling of an evil man; such is the place of one who knows not God.
Bildad bitterly resents Job's angry rejection of their advice. The arguments is getting personal.
He replies by painting a terrible picture of the fate of the wicked, meant to put Job in his place. But Job is innocent, and Bildad's tirade irrelevant.
Why?
Bildad described much more about the fate of wicked, it meant Job suffering is for his wicked. Actually Job is innocent. Who will know these.
Bildad said about the wicked one is truth, they will ended with terror. But somehow there are righteous man suffer misery, wicked one enjoy their life.
How?
No one knows what he will suffering and why is me? Everything has God's good consideration for he loves me. Avoid the wicked things and do the right things before God's sight.

Where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me?

Job 16,17
Job said to his friend "I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all! I also could speak like you, if you were in my place. But my mouth would encourage  you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief."
Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clan hands will grow stronger.
Where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me?
It is cold comfort his friends have to give.
How easy for them to talk, when it is Job who bears the pain.
God has worn him out with suffering and the cruelty of others. The pictures Job paints convey his intense, unbearable agony - a tortured body and a mind tormented at the thought that God could do all this to him.
Even now he cannot believe God is unjust; there must be one who will plead his cause in heaven. If his case rests till he is dead, what hope is there.
Why?
Cold comforter had been given from Job's friend, those words did not encourage him. These are not friends to him.
Where is my hope? Job wanted to speak to God he is innocent to the guilt.
Job will hold his way of righteous.
God is my only hope, God would not forsake me!
How?
I can not say anything about the suffering or misery. God is the sovereign Lord.

Don't be a self-opinionated man

Job 15:1-35
What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?
The wicked man writhes翻騰 in pain all his return out of darkness.
Eliphaz accused that Job does not fear God.
The debate grows more heated. Job has needled his friends, and they make no allowances for the stress he is under.
It never crosses their minds he may really be innocent. They go on doggedly defending their position and trying to bludgeon Job into submission.
Job is a self-opinionated剛愎自用 old windbag. All he has said - his wild accusations against God; his attempts to justify himself - merely serve to prove his guilt. Job is wring擰 in saying that the wicked get off Scot-free逍遙法外. Their fate is a terrible one.
Why?
No one can answer why the pain of a man who is suffering. Wicked man will writhes in pain in all his return out of darkness, but who knows the truth..
No one can say he is pure and be righteous, so Job's friends accused him more severely.
How?
Don't be a self-opinionated man. Searching the way and vision of the Lord.

Since his days are determine

Job 14:1-22
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one.
Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass.
When a man pass away, he would not know his sons come to honor or brought low, and he perceives it not. He feels only the pain of his own body, and he mourns only for himself.
Life is short and there is no waking a person from the sleep of death.
Job cries to God to hide him away in the land of the dead until his anger is past, and then to restore him.
But despair floods back - what hope is there?
Why?
People under the situation of pain and trouble of innocent, he would rather choose to die.
It seems death can bring the pain away from the flesh.
No one can bring a clean thing out of an unclean, so everyone in the world has sin. No one righteousness in the world, except the Jesus Christ.
How?
Man's days are determined, and the number of his months is with the Lord. Enjoy the life that God gives us.

Altogether be silent would be wisdom

Job 13:1-28
Job said, if only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
Keep silent and let me speak then let come to my what may.
How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.
Job's experience gives the lie to the arguments of his friends. He will put his case to God direct and God will acquit開釋 him.
What are the charges against him?
Why?
Job's friends charged Job must sinned against God so he suffered these terror. Man does not know what the reality of Job and background in Heaven.
Job believe that only the Lord can vindicate him, Job hope to talk with the Lord directly, usually it is impossible.
How?
To comfort a friend in dismay, keep silent would be a good strategy. Keep silent would be better than say wrong words and hurt others.

Men at ease have contempt for misfortune, Why me?

Job 12:1-25
I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?
A mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!
Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate to those whose feet are slipping.
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.
He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders.
Job responds: Job is stung to sarcasm. His friends are not the only ones who can work things out. God is all-wise, all-powerful,
If he turns the norms of wisdom and justice upside-down, what can anyone do about it?
Why?
Compassion is need to everyone. Don't have contempt for misfortune.
There are some who say that we are not truly human until we have suffered. Of course, this is not true, but there are dimensions to our self-understanding and to our realization of what a relationship with God is about, that only emerge when we come face to face with ourselves, often in a situation of suffering or grief.
In the long dialogue section of the book Job is a man in anguish and confused. He is preoccupied with death - in one sense he longs for death as an escape, but then he realizes that if he dies he will not be able to continue to argue his case with God. Who will hear him then when he is in the darkness of Sheol? He longs for God to respond to him so that he can receive an answer to his question. "Why me?"
How?
Why me? No one can answer except God. Most people are sinned in this world, but Job is righteous and blameless and he suffered those misery. How about us?
Be humble and have compassion to those who are suffering misfortune.

True wisdom is not a simple matter

Job 11:1-20
For true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.
A witless愚笨 man can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born a man.(or wild donkey can be born tame馴服)
Zophar the Naamathite said "If you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, you will lift up you face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear." So he thought Job was sinned against the Lord.
Zophar's word are harshest of all. He has no patience with Job's irreverent talk. Does Job think himself innocent? God is letting him down lightly. Job must put away his sin; then God will restore him.
Why?
Everything is black and white to Zophar. He doesn't doubt that his position is right. Yet hits the mark when he asks 'Can you fathom捉摸 the mystery of God?' for it is in these terms that God will answer Job and Job will be satisfied.
For true wisdom has two sides;for true wisdom is not a simple matter(NLT). For he is manifold in understanding(ESV).that they are double to that which is!(KJB)
How?
True wisdom is not a simple matter! God knows what we are suffering. His love endure forever.

Do you have eyes of flesh?

Job 10:1-22
“Your hands shaped me and made me.
Will you now turn and destroy me?
Remember that you molded me like clay.
Will you now turn me to dust again? Disaster destroy both.
Does it please you to oppress me,to spurn the work of your hands, while you smile on the plans of the wicked?
Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as a mortal sees?
Are your days like those of a mortal or your years like those of a strong man, that you must search out my faults and probe after my sin —though you know that I am not guilty and that no one can rescue me from your hand? Why?
Are not my few days almost over?
Turn away from me so I can have a moment’s joy
The creator has turned Destroy. Will he allow no respite before life is over?
Why?
Job query God why  God destroyed him? If he is sinned,he hope God may give him rest before he lay down.
God does have eyes of flesh and even more clearer to see a mortal heart.

Do not square with his belief

Job 9:1-35
How can a mortal凡人 be righteous before God?
How then can I dispute with him? How an I find words to argue with him? Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.
It is all the same; that is why I say,' He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.'
Job believed, as Bildad does, in the justice of God. But his own case will not square with his belief.  to accord or agree:"Your theory does not square with the facts."
God has condemned an innocent man. How can anyone call him to account?
Good, bad - it is all one.
V 5-13 forms a hymn to God. Its images come from ancient creations stories.
Why?
In his bitterness Job sees God as an unjust judge. Like many people before and since. Job's basic problem was to get a hearing at all, and even if he got as the court he cloud not be sure of a fair hearing and impartial administration of the law.
No one can say he is righteousness before the Lord.
How?
Job believed he is innocent, but who can argue with God, Who can get the answer from God?  So he said good and bad are all one be destroyed.

Salt to an open wound

Job 8:1-22
Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
We were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow.
Eliphaz had begun gently. Bildad takes a firmer line as Job's words grow wilder. God is just. He rewards the good and punishes the wicked. Bildad's words are salt to an open wound.
Why?
To be a counselor should face the situation of the weaker, sicker or needed person. Don't put salt to an open wound.
Surely God will reward those who obey his words, but some disaster or trial may come upon them. We don't know why. But God's knows and God has his way to his lived one.
How?
Trust in the Lord and don't put salt to an open wound.