SUBJ: A
challenge from the scripture in regard to the trials we face in this
present world and to where we are to look. We hear it in this part of
the speech of Elihu.
AIM: That we
might heed the words of the Lord and "seek ye first the Kingdom of God,"
rather than engage in the reasonings of this present world.
INTR: Being familiar with most of the
book of Job, it is in the end that we hear a proper analysis of the
situation in that this young man appear with a God-honoring to Job and
his friends. 1. They had reasoned in every way from a human
perspective as men are apt to do and in so doing attempted to think for
God rather than submit to Him. 2. Job manifested early that he was a
man of faith, but trial brought him to the brink of serious error and
doubt of the purpose of God. 3. His friends looked for the cause in
Job and while much of what they said was true in substance but was
applied in a tone of legalism and looked for merit in Job.
THESIS: It is often the last resort of
men to look to God when He should be the first and only source of hope
to which we look.
I. The central challenge of Elihu (v. 10) 1.
What they were not saying - "Where is God my make..." or where is God in
your thoughts, or what is God doing in all this. 1) Job was left to
this according to the purpose of God to prove him. 2) He did not
afflict Job but would have been just in doing so. 2. The standard
answers as to where is God might be: 1) In Heaven ruling and reigning
2) Everywhere: Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I
flee from thy presence? (Psalms 139:7). 3) His eyes in every place:
"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the
good." Proverbs 15:3 4) And numbering the very hairs of your head.
3. Consider the discerning power of the Word: For the word of God is
quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even
to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all
things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to
do. (Hebrews 4:12-13) 4. We are able to witness the outward actions
of men and cannot help but pass judgment on what we think we know, but
only God knows the heart of that individual upon whom we might pass
judgment while we are given the Word of God and the witness of the
Spirit to the teachings of Christ to direct us in the "patient waiting
for Christ." 5. When we defer the leadership of men into ways and
manners that are inconsistent with the tone and action of Christ we err
from the truth and are not asking the right question or praying the
right prayer.
II. Why we should be looking to Him (vv. 11) 1.
He teaches us more than beasts and yet attends to the sparrow’s fall and
all the other activities of creation. 2. He teaches us more and has
given us the power of reason. 3. He makes us wiser than the fowls of
the air.
III. What Jesus, Paul, and others did not do. (vv.
12-13) 1. We find no place where Jesus entered actively engaged in
politics or sought to overthrow the Roman government. 1) It is
certain that He knew they were oppressive and evil. 2) It was what
His followers wanted Him to do. 2. He rather taught in the Sermon on
the Mount that we were to "seek ye first the Kingdom of God." 3. Just
before He was crucified, He declared that "My Kingdom is not of this
world…" 4. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount he described the
character of citizens of His Kingdom 1) He taught of love to our
enemies - "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for
them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the
children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to
rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on
the unjust." (Matthew 5:43-45) 2) He taught us to forgive (can you
pray the prayer He taught?) 5. Do we believe in the wisdom of the
Lord who taught against judgment of others – that is left to Him alone.
6. Consider that He forgave me and you.
IV. Again, from Elihu (v.
14)
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