Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.

 Job 40:1-41:34 

The Lord said to Job: “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”

Then Job answered the Lord: I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.”

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm: Brace yourself like a man; I will question you,  and you shall answer me. 

“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.

The lotuses conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround it. A raging river does not alarm it; it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth. Can anyone capture it by the eyes, or trap it and pierce its nose?

Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me. “I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs, its strength and its graceful form. Who can strip off its outer coat?  Who can penetrate its double coat of armor? Who dares open the doors of its mouth, ringed about with fearsome teeth?

Why?

The Lord mentioned all God's creations, such as crocodiles who can fight with or attack him. 

From the creations of the Lord, no one can argue with the Lord, for we, human beings are too small and our understanding is very little.

How?

Humble me, for all of us are being created. Listen to the word of the Lord and come closer to the Lord to know the way of the Lord.

God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose

 Job 36:1-33

Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God’s behalf. I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker. Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you.

God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose. He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights.

If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.

God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’? Remember to extol his work,  which people have praised in song. All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar. How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.

How great is God—beyond our understanding!

This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance.

Why?

Elihu said part of it is right, but who can say Job has sinned against the Lord. We cannot even judge others in our world.

Great is our God -- beyond our understanding.

How?

Be humble before the Lord and other people, for we are sinners.

Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!

 Job 34:1-37

Then Elihu said: 

Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water? He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked. For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’

So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.

It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.

He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them, because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.

Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man! To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

Why?

God would not do wrong, but the Lord may test us by not reasonable events.

Elihu insisted that because Job did evil the judgment came upon Job. From history, all the evil doers can not escape from the judgment of the Lord.

How? 

Everyone's life is a special case before the Lord so it is impossible using the same way to understand or judge each one.

It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right

Job 32:1-32

So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: 

I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments. Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.’ But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.

It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.

For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst. I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply. I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone; for if I were skilled in flattery,  my Maker would soon take me away.

Why?

Elihu kept silent for he is younger than the other three friends. Elihu felt Job was righteous in his own eyes so Elihu was angry that Job and these three friends couldn't say the right words.

How?

The old doesn't mean who are wise, no only the aged understand what is right. But younger isn't wise either.

I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me

Job 31:13-40

If I have denied justice to any of my servants,  whether male or female,  when they had a grievance against me, what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account? Did not he who made me in the womb make them?  Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?

“If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless— but from my youth I reared them as a father would, and from my birth I guided the widow—

If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained, if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor, so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage, then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.

If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him—
30 I have not allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against their life—

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.

if my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears, if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, then let briers come up instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.”

Why?

Job described what he had done and what he obeyed the word of the Lord to love others. Do his best to serve others and supply needed persons.

Job is not only pure in his behavior but also in his heart, trust in the Lord instead of gold or great wealth.

Job hoped the Lord answer him, and let his accuser put his indictment in writing. For Job cannot remember what he has to do but did not do it.

How?

May the Lord Almighty keep my heart and my way walking on the way of the Lord!

what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account?

Job 31:1-15

I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman. For what is our lot from God above, our heritage from the Almighty on high? Is it not ruin for the wicked,  disaster for those who do wrong? Does he not see my ways and count my every step?

If I have walked with falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit— let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless. if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled,

If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her. For that would have been wicked, a sin to be judged. It is a fire that burns to Destruction; it would have uprooted my harvest.

If I have denied justice to any of my servants, whether male or female, when they had a grievance against me, what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account? Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?

Why?

Job describes his own behavior if judged by the Lord, Job has confidence his heart is pure and did not turn away from the way of the Lord. May the Lord judge him.

Job complained that his friend looked at him as a sinner so he suffered such a disaster.

How?

Suffering, disaster, and troubles might come from nature's power, Satan, or the Lord's testing. But we know that when we call on the Lord, God will save us when I know I can't face it.

Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness

 Job 30:16-31 

And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering grip me. Night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never rest. In his great power God becomes like clothing to me; he binds me like the neck of my garment. He throws me into the mud, and I am reduced to dust and ashes.

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.

Why?
Under distress or under the testament of the Lord is hard, but only the Lord can save us.

Yet Job hoped for good, evil came, when he looked for light, then came darkness

How?

Our life is full of blessings and full of distress. God is my portion.

They detest me and keep their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face

Job 30:1-15

But now they mock me,   men younger than I, whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs. ...A base and nameless brood, they were driven out of the land. 

And now those young men mock me in song; I have become a byword among them. They detest me and keep their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.

They break up my road; they succeed in destroying me. ‘No one can help him,’ they say. They advance as through a gaping breach; amid the ruins they come rolling in. Terrors overwhelm me; my dignity is driven away as by the wind, my safety vanishes like a cloud.

Why?

Job lost not only the health but also the dignity. Even the detestable men or weak people in society mocked Job.

The job was under physical and spiritual attack by surrounding people.

How?

Our situation sometimes are like Job we might feel helpless. But the Lord is my help and my rock. 

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

 Job 27,28,29

As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter, as long as I have life within me,  the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not utter lies. I will never admit you are in the right;  till I die, I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my innocence and never let go of it;  my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.

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. The deep says, “It is not in me”; the sea says, “It is not with me.” It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.

Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky.

And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone on my head  and by his light I walked through darkness! Oh, for the days when I was in my prime,  when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house, when the Almighty was still with me  and my children were around me, when my path was drenched with cream and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.

Why?

God is in everything and every space. So Job said where can wisdom be found?

Job knew the Lord was his king who controlled everything and his life. Job knew fear of the Lord is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding.

How?

Keep fearing the Lord and shun evil in my daily life.

Who then can understand the thunder of his power?

 Job 25:1-26:14

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied: How then can a mortal be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure? If even the moon is not bright and the stars are not pure in his eyes, how much less a mortal, who is but a maggot— a human being, who is only a worm!”

Then Job replied: How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble! What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight you have displayed! Who has helped you utter these words? And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?

By his power he churned up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces. By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent. And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

Why?

Job's friends pointed no one is righteous, but all are sinners.

Job mentioned that his friends did not help or give advice to needy people or powerless men, They could do nothing to those in trouble.

So as the Lord Almighty, God's power beyond our imagination, who can understand the thunder of his power, his wisdom, and his breath.

How?

Many things are happening in this world, that we do not know why? but we know all of these are under the hands of the Lord. God's love and faithfulness endure forever.

But God drags away the mighty by his power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life.

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? 

“Yet they are foam on the surface of the water;  their portion of the land is cursed, so that no one goes to the vineyards.

They prey on the barren and childless woman, and to the widow, they show no kindness. But God drags away the mighty by his power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life. He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but his eyes are on their ways. For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone;  they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain. “If this is not so, who can prove me false and reduce my words to nothing?”

Why?

Job who mentioned are true and all human situations are correct, No one knows why or can say a reason about it.

There are so many injustices and unfair events in our society. We can say nothing. But in the end, God will judge them in his time and his way.

How?

God is good, his grace and love and salvation endure forever, even if I can't see it now, I trust it and do my best to honor the Lord.

treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread

Job 23:1-17

Then Job replied: Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would find out what he would answer me,  and consider what he would say to me.

But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.

Why?

Job explained his pain and had no way to explain it, but Job had faith in meeting the Lord, and Job knew the Lord knew he was to obey God's word. Even treasured his words more than his daily bread.

Job has faith to meet the Lord, and the Lord will answer him in the time of the Lord.

We might have some suffering and pain in our environment, but all of these our Lord knows it. All of these are good to us, in order make us as gold.

How?

May my way and my everyday couple be walking with the Lord and honor the Holy Name of the Lord. So I should humble myself and obey the word of the Lord as my daily bread.

Can a man be of benefit to God?

 Job 22:1-30

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: “Can a man be of benefit to God? Can even a wise person benefit him? What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? What would he gain if your ways were blameless? “Is it for your piety that he rebukes you and brings charges against you? Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless?

“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 heart.

Why?

Job's friend Eliphaz the Temanite still insisted Job had sinned against the Lord so the calamity came upon Job. They claimed because Job did wickedness was great that these troubles came upon him and his family.

Yes, our righteousness and our good behavior can not benefit God. But God's way beyond our way, God's plan we don't know or meditate on.

How?

Do our best to honor the Lord and accept all training and testing on us. everything that happens to us is good to us.

Two different life styles, who can teach knowledge to God

Job 21:1-34

Then Job replied: “Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you give me. Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, mock on. Is my complaint directed to a human being? Why should I not be impatient? Look at me and be appalled; clap your hand over your mouth. When I think about this, I am terrified; trembling seizes my body.

Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? They see their children established around them, their offspring before their eyes. Their homes are safe and free from fear; the rod of God is not on them.

They spend their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace. Yet they say to God, ‘Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?’ But their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stand aloof from the plans of the wicked.

It is said, ‘God stores up the punishment of the wicked for their children.’   Let him repay the wicked, so that they themselves will experience it! Let their own eyes see their destruction;  let them drink the cup of the wrath of the Almighty. For what do they care about the families they leave behind when their allotted months come to an end?

Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest? One person dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease, well nourished in body, bones rich with marrow. Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good. Side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both.

The soil in the valley is sweet to them; everyone follows after them, and a countless throng goes before them.

Why?

No one can teach knowledge to God, we don't know why there are unfair and injustice things happen in this world. It doesn't mean every evildoer has a bad life or been punished when he is living.

To be a human being what we can do is trust in the Lord and do our best to obey the word of the Lord. Our eyes should look to eternal life instead of the short life in this world.

How?

Trust in the Lord, my way, my life, and my living style are decided by the Lord. What I can do is obey the words of the Lord. God is my master and I am His servant.

Such is the fate God allots the wicked, the heritage appointed for them by God.

Job 20:1-29

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed. I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply.

Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue, though he cannot bear to let it go and lets it linger in his mouth, yet his food will turn sour in his stomach; it will become the venom of serpents within him. He will spit out the riches he swallowed; God will make his stomach vomit them up. He will suck the poison of serpents; the fangs of an adder will kill him. He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream. What he toiled for he must give back uneaten; he will not enjoy the profit from his trading. For he has oppressed the poor and left them destitute; he has seized houses he did not build.

A flood will carry off his house, rushing waters on the day of God’s wrath. Such is the fate God allots the wicked, the heritage appointed for them by God.”

Why?

How?

I know that my redeeme lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth

Job 19:1-29 

Then Job replied: How long will you torment me and crush me with words? Ten times now you have reproached me;  shamelessly you attack me. If it is true that I have gone astray,  my error remains my concern alone. If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and use my humiliation against me, then know that God has wronged me and drawn his net around me.

“Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice. He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; he has shrouded my paths in darkness. 

“He has alienated my family from me; my acquaintances are completely estranged from me. My relatives have gone away; my closest friends have forgotten me. My guests and my female servants count me a foreigner; they look on me as on a stranger. I summon my servant, but he does not answer, though I beg him with my own mouth. My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own family. Even the little boys scorn me; when I appear, they ridicule me. All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me. I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth.

I know that my redeeme lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet] in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

“If you say, ‘How we will hound him, since the root of the trouble lies in him', you should fear the sword yourselves; for wrath will bring punishment by the sword, and then you will know that there is judgment.

Why?

Job complained that his friend had attacked him and had made judgments about him. Even those came, Job left skin and bone only, he knew that my redeemer lives and that in the end, he will stand on the earth. This is Job's faith in the Lord.

Job under very poor and has nothing in his life, even his wife, family, friends and servants do not care for him. To a man, Job was under fresh and spiritual alone.

How?

Who can take pity and love the needy men? How can I miss the love before the needy person?