Saturday, March 8, 2025

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 LordI 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.


Tuesday, March 4, 2025

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 purposeHe 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 listenthey 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.

Sunday, March 2, 2025

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.