Elihu was angry with Job because he justified himself. Elihu was also angry with Job’s friends because they did not have a good response to Job. He claimed to have held his mouth, but the elders refused to refute Job properly. Elihu was wise in his own eyes and condemned Job by reminding him of the greatness of God and His superior knowledge and goodness and mercy.
Day 237 - Read Job 30-31
December 16, 2024 • Job 30—31
Job continued his response. He described his reputation as being without honor, even by lowly and shameful men. The young men who were lazy and unworthy of recognition looked down on him with pride. Job was alone without any true friends. His skin was dying and falling from him, and he experienced great pain in his bones. Job offered himself for destruction if found guilty of sin. He argued that he had kept the commands of God and served those in need.
Day 236 - Read Job 28-29
December 15, 2024 • Job 28—29
Job described wisdom and man’s inability to find it or purchase it with Gold. Earth did not possess wisdom and it could not be found in the depths of the sea. It was not a possession to hold, or a prize to be given. The fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding. Job began to summarize his defense in chapter twenty-nine. He remembered the time when he experienced God’s blessings. He cared for those in need, and he was honored. He was once viewed as a righteous man and was admired by all.
Day 235 - Read Job 24-27
December 14, 2024 • Job 24—27
Job continued his response to Eliphaz. He explained that the wicked often prosper and do not always experience judgement on earth. He believed the wicked would receive judgement after death, and the righteous would be exalted. Bildad claimed that men are incapable of being righteous. Job replied to Bildad by explaining the power and majesty of God as beyond man’s understanding. Job continued his discourse. He exclaimed his determination to maintain his integrity. His hope remained in God.
Day 234 - Read Job 22-23
December 13, 2024 • Job 22—23
Eliphaz continued the claim that Job was being punished. He encouraged Job to admit his sin and end his argument that he was being punished unjustly. Eliphaz told Job that God would deliver the guilty if they became obedient. Job replied once again that he desired to plead his case before God. He resigned himself to the power and choice that God made in allowing him to experience pain and sorrow while remaining obedient to the commands of God. He honored God’s word and refused to turn from Him, even in his time of agony.
Day 233 - Read Job 20-21
December 12, 2024 • Job 20—21
Zophar responded to Job with descriptions of the suffering of the wicked. He claimed his response came from his understanding and the spirit within him. Zophar said the heritage of the wicked would end with their possessions being carried away in the day of God’s wrath. Job found no hope or comfort in the words of his friends. He argued that the wicked did prosper. He called his friend’s words to him false and incapable of comforting him.
Day 232 - Read Job 18-19
December 11, 2024 • Job 18—19
Bildad spoke words of condemnation to Job. He defended his own speech by shredding Job with words. He described in detail the despair experienced by the wicked because of God’s punishment upon them. Bildad urged Job to surrender himself as one who did not know God. Job objected strongly to the reproach of his friends. He described himself as one who all others had forsaken, and one who God had put His hand on to destroy. Job did not give his earthly existence hope, but he spoke of the hope of seeing God face to face when his earthly body finally and permanently died. His hope was in the living God, his Redeemer.
Day 231 - Read Job 16-17
December 10, 2024 • Job 16—17
Job replied to the accusations of Eliphaz. He characterized his friends as miserable comforters. They condemned Job and provoked him. They did not understand his grief and pain. Job believed God poured his wrath on him time and again. Job desired his cries be heard. He marked his days on earth as extinct. Job’s friends mocked him, believing they were upright. Job sought hope but was hard pressed to find it.
Day 230 - Read Job 14-15
December 9, 2024 • Job 14—15
Job continued to review his life and God’s power over man. He realized his days were short, but desired to be restored. Eliphaz again attacked Job’s argument by accusing him of useless talk and unprofitable logic. He characterized Job as crafty and lacking in the fear of God. Eliphaz instructed Job as if Job was rebelling against God and had no favor with Him. He described the fate of those who cause trouble, bring evil, and use trickery and deceit.
Day 229 - Read Job 12-13
December 8, 2024 • Job 12—13
Job responded to Zophar with contempt because of his claim that Job was deserving of pain and suffering. Job pointed to God’s power and knowledge, resisting Zophar’s claims. Job viewed God as the all-knowing One who decides all things according to his will. Job believed fully in God’s sovereignty and purpose, even while experiencing pain and wishing for death as a means of mercy. Job refused to allow Zophar to accuse him of being inferior to him. He accepted God’s actions, but desired to present his case before God.
Day 228 - Read Job 10-11
December 7, 2024 • Job 10—11
Job addressed God as the One who created him and the one who was in control. He asked why God chose to punish him and cause him to be disgraced, even though he was upright before God. He asked for grace before his days were over, and before he experienced sorrow to the point of no return. Zophar answered Job by condemning his plea and condemning Job as one who was guilty and deserving of the pain and sorrow. He said the innocent would not experience such pain and sorrow. Zophar contrasts the upright with the wicked but appears to put Job on the side of the wicked.
Day 227 - Read Job 8-9
December 6, 2024 • Job 8—9
Bildad reproved Job and claimed that God punished Job’s children for their transgressions. He asserted that Job’s sin was great, and he must seek forgiveness from God who would hear and respond to him. Bildad described God as just. He would not have inflicted such grief on Job if he did not deserve it. Job spoke of the power of God and his fear of God. He described God as One who had no arbiter capable of presenting an argument before Him. He believed God determined to punish him according to His will. Job desired mercy and longed for God to hear his plea for relief from pain and sorrow.
Day 226 - Read Job 6-7
Job 6—7
Job responded to Eliphaz by justifying his impatience. He felt the weight of his pain and desired relief, even by death. Job knew right from wrong, and he honored God. He described his pain as that of a servant and one without rest. He again justified his desire to die. Job acknowledged sin and desired forgiveness but instead experienced affliction after another. He sought answers, but even more, he desired relief from his pain and grief.
Day 225 - Read Job 4-5
December 4, 2024 • Job 4—5
Eliphaz the Temanite spoke to Job. He spoke of Job in a positive manner, then turns his attention to the present behavior of Job. He suggested that Job was a bad man, and that God never destroyed a good man. His argument was supported by a vision he had in the night. Eliphaz continued to argue that God only punished the wicked, and this punishment is God’s correction of man. His advice to Job was to seek the Lord for forgiveness and salvation. He asserted that God delivers men out of their troubles and pours good things on them.
Day 224 - Read Job 1-3
December 3, 2024 • Job 1—3
Job did right in the eyes of God. He had seven sons and three daughters. His wealth was greater than any other in the east. Satan claimed Job was upright because God blessed him. God gave Satan permission to take from Job, but not to touch him. Satan caused Job to lose his children and possessions, but Job worshipped God and would not sin against Him. God allowed Satan to cause sores to form on Job, but Job did not sin against God. Job’s wife told Job to curse God, but he would not curse or sin against God. Three friends sat with him for seven days without speaking because of his great suffering. Job voiced his hurt and anger from his pain and sorrow.
