Category: Scripture

Then the Lord said to Job, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”

Then Job replied to the Lord, “I am nothing-how could I ever find the answers? I have covered my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”

Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

“Brace yourself like a mine, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Will you discredit My justice and condemn Me just to prove you are right? Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like this? All right, put on your glory and splendor, your honor and majesty. Give vent to your anger. Let it flow against the proud. Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand. Bury them in dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead. Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you.” (vv. 1-14, NLT)

Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

“Who is this that questions My wisdom with ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, for I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundation and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” ( vv. 1-7, NLT)

“Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning? Who makes the rain fall on barren land? Who sends rains to satisfy the parched ground and makes the tender grass spring up?” (vv. 25-2, NLT)

“Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? Who give intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?” (vv. 34-38, NLT)

Job continued speaking:

“I long for the years gone by when God took care of me, when He lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness. When I was in my prime,God’s friendship was felt in my home. The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me. My cows produced milk in abundance, and my groves poured out streams of olive oil. (vv. 1-6, NLT)

Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban. I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. (vv. 14-16, NLT)

Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak. And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them. They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain. When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them. Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned. (vv. 21-25, NLT)

“God alone understands the way to wisdom; He knows where it can be found, for He looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens. HE decided how hard the winds should blow and how much rain should fall. He made the laws for the rain and laid out the path for lightning. Then he saw wisdom and evaluated it. He set in place and examined it thoroughly. And this is what He says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'” (vv. 23-28, NLT)

Job continued speaking:

“I vow by the living God, who has taken away my rights, by the Almighty who has embittered my soul-as long as I live, while I have breath from God, my lips will speak no evil, and my tongue will speak no lies. I never concede that you are right; I will defend my integrity until I die. I will maintain my innocence without wavering. My conscience is clear for as long as I live.” (vv. 1-6, NLT)

Then Job spoke again:

“How you have helped the powerless! How have you saved the weak! How have you enlightened my stupidity! What wise advice have you offered! Where have you gotten all these wise sayings? Whose spirit speaks through you?

The dead tremble-those who live beneath the waters. The underworld is naked in God’s presence. The place of destruction is uncovered. God stretches the northern sky over the empty space and hands the earth on nothing. He wraps the rain in His thick clouds, and the clouds don’t burst with the weight. He covers the face of the moon, shrouding it with His clouds. He created the horizon when He separated the waters; He set the boundary between day and night. The foundations of heaven tremble; they shudder at His rebuke. By His power the sea grew calm. By His skill, He crushed the great sea monster.

His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and HIs power pierced the gliding serpent. These are just the beginning of all that He does, merely a whisper of His power. Who then can comprehend the thunder of His power.”

“Why doesn’t the Almighty bring wicked to judgment? Why must the godly wait for Him in vain? (v. 1, NLT)

“God, in His power, drags away the rich. They may rise high, but they have no assurance in life. They may be allowed to live in security, but God is always watching them. And though they are great now, in a moment they will be gone like all the others, cut off like heads of grain. Can anyone claim otherwise? Who can prove me wrong? (vv. 22-25, NLT)

“But He knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out a pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths: I have followed His ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from His commands, but have treasured His words more than daily food. But once He has made His decision, who can change His mind? Whatever He wants to do , He does SoHe will doe to me whatever He has planned. He controls my destiny. No wonder I am so terrified in His presence. When I think of it, terror. grips me. God has made me sick at heart; the Almighty has terrified me. Darkness is all around me; thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere. (vv. 10-17, NLT)

Then Job spoke again:

“Listen closely to what I am saying. That’s one consolation you can give me. Bear with me, and let me speak. After I have spoken, you may resume mocking me.

My complaint is with God, not with people. I have good reason to be so impatient. Look at me and be stunned. Put your hand over your mouth in shock. When I think about what I am sayin, I shudder. My body trembles.

Why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful? They live to see their children grow up and settle down, and they enjoy their grandchildren. Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them.” (vv. 1-9, NLT)

“But who can each a lesson to God, since He judges even the most powerful?One person dies in prosperity, completely comfortable and secure, the picture of good health, vigorous and fit. Another person dies in bitter poverty, never having tasted the good life. But both are buried in the same dust, both are eaten by the same maggots.

Look, I know what you’re thinking. I know the schemes you plot against me. You will tell me of rich and wicked people whose houses have vanished because of their sins. But ask those who have been around, and they will tell you the truth. Evil people are spared in times of calamity and are allowed to escape disaster. No one criticizes them openly or pay them back for what they have done.” (vv. 27-31, NLT]

“How can your empty cliches comfort me? All your explanations are lies!” (v. 34, NLT)

“How long will you torture me? How long will you try to crush me with your words? You have already insulted me ten times. You should be ashamed of treating me so badly.

Even if I have sinned, that is my concern, not yours. You think you’re better than I am, using my humiliation as evidence of my sin. But it is God who has wronged me, capturing me in His net.” (vv. 1-6, NLT)

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and He will stand upon the earth as last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body, I will see God. I will see Him for myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

How dare you go on persecuting me, saying, ‘It’s his own fault’? You should fear punishment yourselves, for your attitude deserves punishment. Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment.” (vv. 25-29, NLT)