Becker Bible Teacher Resources

How can man be justified with God?

1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 Dominion and fear [are] with him, he maketh peace in his high places. 3 Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not his light arise? 4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean [that is] born of a woman? 5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. 6 How much less man, [that is] a worm? and the son of man, [which is] a worm? (Job 25:1-6 AV)

Job reproves Bildad, praises God

1 But Job answered and said, 2 How hast thou helped [him that is] without power? [how] savest thou the arm [that hath] no strength? 3 How hast thou counselled [him that hath] no wisdom? and [how] hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? 4 To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?

5 Dead [things] are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof. 6 Hell [is] naked before him, and destruction hath no covering. 7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, [and] hangeth the earth upon nothing. 8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. 9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, [and] spreadeth his cloud upon it. 10 He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. 11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. 12 He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. 13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. 14 Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? (Job 26:1-14 AV)
 

Job's truthfulness
The hypocrite's hopelessness

1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, 2 [As] God liveth, [who] hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, [who] hath vexed my soul; 3 All the while my breath [is] in me, and the spirit of God [is] in my nostrils; 4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. 5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. 6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach [me] so long as I live.

7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous. 8 For what [is] the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? 9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? 10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?

11 I will teach you by the hand of God: [that] which [is] with the Almighty will I not conceal. 12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen [it]; why then are ye thus altogether vain? 13 This [is] the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, [which] they shall receive of the Almighty. 14 If his children be multiplied, [it is] for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. 15 Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep. 16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; 17 He may prepare [it], but the just shall put [it] on, and the innocent shall divide the silver. 18 He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth [that] the keeper maketh. 19 The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he [is] not. 20 Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night. 21 The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. 22 For [God] shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand. 23 [Men] shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place. (Job 27:1-23 AV)
 

Wisdom is God's gift

1 Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold [where] they fine [it]. 2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass [is] molten [out of] the stone. 3 He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death. 4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; [even the waters] forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men. 5 [As for] the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire. 6 The stones of it [are] the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold. 7 [There is] a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: 8 The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it. 9 He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots. 10 He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing. 11 He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and [the thing that is] hid bringeth he forth to light. 12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where [is] the place of understanding? 13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

14 The depth saith, It [is] not in me: and the sea saith, [It is] not with me. 15 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed [for] the price thereof. 16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. 17 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it [shall not be for] jewels of fine gold. 18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom [is] above rubies. 19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where [is] the place of understanding? 21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air. 22 Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. 23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. 24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, [and] seeth under the whole heaven; 25 To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure. 26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: 27 Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out. 28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding. (Job 28:1-28 AV)
 

Job speaks of past wealth

1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, 2 Oh that I were as [in] months past, as [in] the days [when] God preserved me; 3 When his candle shined upon my head, [and when] by his light I walked [through] darkness; 4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God [was] upon my tabernacle; 5 When the Almighty [was] yet with me, [when] my children [were] about me; 6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;

7 When I went out to the gate through the city, [when] I prepared my seat in the street! 8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, [and] stood up. 9 The princes refrained talking, and laid [their] hand on their mouth. 10 The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. 11 When the ear heard [me], then it blessed me; and when the eye saw [me], it gave witness to me: 12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and [him that had] none to help him. 13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment [was] as a robe and a diadem. 15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet [was] I to the lame. 16 I [was] a father to the poor: and the cause [which] I knew not I searched out. 17 And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.

18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply [my] days as the sand. 19 My root [was] spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch. 20 My glory [was] fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand. 21 Unto me [men] gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. 22 After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them. 23 And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide [as] for the latter rain. 24 [If] I laughed on them, they believed [it] not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down. 25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one [that] comforteth the mourners. (Job 29:1-25 AV)

Job is diseased and abhored

1 But now [they that are] younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock. 2 Yea, whereto [might] the strength of their hands [profit] me, in whom old age was perished? 3 For want and famine [they were] solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste. 4 Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots [for] their meat. 5 They were driven forth from among [men], (they cried after them as [after] a thief;) 6 To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, [in] caves of the earth, and [in] the rocks. 7 Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together. 8 [They were] children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth. 9 And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword. 10 They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face. 11 Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me. 12 Upon [my] right [hand] rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction. 13 They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper. 14 They came [upon me] as a wide breaking in [of waters]: in the desolation they rolled themselves [upon me].

15 Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud. 16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me. 17 My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest. 18 By the great force [of my disease] is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat. 19 He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. 20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me [not]. 21 Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me. 22 Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride [upon it], and dissolvest my substance. 23 For I know [that] thou wilt bring me [to] death, and [to] the house appointed for all living. 24 Howbeit he will not stretch out [his] hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction. 25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was [not] my soul grieved for the poor? 26 When I looked for good, then evil came [unto me]: and when I waited for light, there came darkness. 27 My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me. 28 I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, [and] I cried in the congregation. 29 I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. 30 My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat. 31 My harp also is [turned] to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep. (Job 30:1-31 AV)
 

Job speaks of his integrity

1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? 2 For what portion of God [is there] from above? and [what] inheritance of the Almighty from on high? 3 [Is] not destruction to the wicked? and a strange [punishment] to the workers of iniquity? 4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? 5 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; 6 Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity. 7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; 8 [Then] let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.

9 If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or [if] I have laid wait at my neighbour's door; 10 [Then] let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her. 11 For this [is] an heinous crime; yea, it [is] an iniquity [to be punished by] the judges. 12 For it [is] a fire [that] consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase. 13 If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; 14 What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? 15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?

16 If I have withheld the poor from [their] desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; 18 (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as [with] a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;) 19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; 20 If his loins have not blessed me, and [if] he were [not] warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: 22 [Then] let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. 23 For destruction [from] God [was] a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

24 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, [Thou art] my confidence; 25 If I rejoiced because my wealth [was] great, and because mine hand had gotten much; 26 If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking [in] brightness; 27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: 28 This also [were] an iniquity [to be punished by] the judge: for I should have denied the God [that is] above. 29 If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: 30 Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. 31 If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. 32 The stranger did not lodge in the street: [but] I opened my doors to the traveller.

33 If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: 34 Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, [and] went not out of the door? 35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire [is, that] the Almighty would answer me, and [that] mine adversary had written a book. 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, [and] bind it [as] a crown to me. 37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him. 38 If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; 39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: 40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended. (Job 31:1-40 AV)
 

Elihu appears
Wisdom comes not from age
Elihu reproves the "comforters"

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he [was] righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. 3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and [yet] had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they [were] elder than he. 5 When Elihu saw that [there was] no answer in the mouth of [these] three men, then his wrath was kindled.

6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I [am] young, and ye [are] very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. 7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. 8 But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 9 Great men are not [always] wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. 10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. 11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. 12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, [there was] none of you that convinced Job, [or] that answered his words: 13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. 14 Now he hath not directed [his] words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. 16 When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, [and] answered no more;) 17 [I said], I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. 18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. 19 Behold, my belly [is] as wine [which] hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. 20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. 21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. 22 For I know not to give flattering titles; [in so doing] my maker would soon take me away. (Job 32:1-22 AV)

Elihu reasons with Job
God calls men to repent

1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. 2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. 3 My words [shall be of] the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. 4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 5 If thou canst answer me, set [thy words] in order before me, stand up. 6 Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. 7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words, [saying], 9 I am clean without transgression, I [am] innocent; neither [is there] iniquity in me. 10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, 11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. 12 Behold, [in] this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. 13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17 That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, and hide pride from man. 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong [pain]: 20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones [that] were not seen stick out. 22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. 23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: 26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. 27 He looketh upon men, and [if any] say, I have sinned, and perverted [that which was] right, and it profited me not; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

29 Lo, all these [things] worketh God oftentimes with man, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. 31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. 32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. 33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom. (Job 33:1-33 AV)

Elihu speaks of Job's logic
God cannot be unjust
Man must give up pride

1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said, 2 Hear my words, O ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. 3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. 4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what [is] good. 5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. 6 Should I lie against my right? my wound [is] incurable without transgression. 7 What man [is] like Job, [who] drinketh up scorning like water? 8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. 9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, [that he should do] wickedness; and [from] the Almighty, [that he should commit] iniquity. 11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways. 12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. 13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? 14 If he set his heart upon man, [if] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; 15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words. 17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? 18 [Is it fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] wicked? [and] to princes, [Ye are] ungodly? 19 [How much less to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all [are] the work of his hands. 20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand. 21 For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. 22 [There is] no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. 23 For he will not lay upon man more [than right]; that he should enter into judgment with God. 24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. 25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth [them] in the night, so that they are destroyed. 26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; 27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: 28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted. 29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth [his] face, who then can behold him? whether [it be done] against a nation, or against a man only: 30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.

31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]: 32 [That which] I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. 33 [Should it be] according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest. 34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me. 35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words [were] without wisdom. 36 My desire [is that] Job may be tried unto the end because of [his] answers for wicked men. 37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God. (Job 34:1-37 AV)