1 Peter 1:1-12, We should be encouraged because of our SECURED future inheritance

• Timeline (key events):

48	I Thessalonians
43-49 or 60's	Mark (probably related to Peter's account)
64	Fire destroys most of Rome;  Nero blames Christians (means JEWS too)
64-67	1, 2 Peter
65	Hebrews (unknown author; Paul/Luke translated)
64-68	Death of Peter (historically crucified head down)
70	Jerusalem and Temple destroyed
90-95	Revelation
90-100	John
90-100	1,2,3 John



• Historical Background:
• Persecution related to Nero's attitude toward Jews (& Christians)
• While not official, it was officially tolerated
• Peter is the author
• Apostle to the Jews
• Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles (although Peter was the first to be presented with the idea of Gentile salvation)
• Purpose of the letter
• 1 Peter 5:12 (ESV) — 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
• To encourage; to stay strong in the faith


1 Peter 1:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.


• Who is the letter written to?
• Acts 2:7–10 (ESV) — 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,  …
• What are the elect?
• How are the elect defined?
• Chosen according to foreknowledge -- {{ Is God "determinate?" Does God foresee things or does God cause everything? }}
• So what does that mean?
• My personal feeling is that it is a very difficult concept to understand.  We are called elect because we elected to believe
• God, in his foreknowledge, knew we would be believe, so we are also chosen before time began
• What does "strangers" mean?
• Literal meaning makes sense ...
• Pilgrims, aliens, foreigners, or aliens residing in a foreign land
• Word "scattered" or "dispersed" is Greek word diasporas which has a very specific Jewish meaning
• Refers to the Jews scattered outside the Holy land
• Would suggest recipients were primarily Jewish
• Other verses 1:14, 18; 2:9,10; 4:1-3, 15 suggest Gentile readers
• Figurative meaning makes sense as well …
• Hebrews 11:13 (ESV) — 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
• 1 Peter 2:11 (ESV) — 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
• Where are Pontus, Galatia, …?
• Present day Turkey


1 Peter 1:3–5 (ESV) — 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.


• What does the word "mercy" mean?
• God not giving me what I do deserve
• How is mercy different from "grace"?
• Grace is God give me what I don't deserve
• What has God caused us to, and what does that mean? Two ways of viewing
1. He caused us to be born again, but that would violate our free will
2. He caused (our rebirth) to be to a living hope through the resurrection of the dead -- but what does that mean?
1. A living hope is that we will live again
2. The resurrection of the dead is the proof. Jesus is the firstfruit of that new hope
3. So, when we are reborn (born again by faith) it is not just a changed life, but a changed future
• What else has our new birth secured for us? An inheritance
• There are four things about our inheritance. What are they and what do they mean?
1. Imperishable -- meaning it can't decay. Our presents bodies, even our planet are in the process of decaying with age
2. Undefiled -- It is not tainted with evil. This is the problem with our present life. Since the rebellion, life is not the way God intended, but it is because of sin
3. Unfading -- Fruchtenbaum suggests the emphasis is on its beauty, which would make it different in meaning from imperishable. It also harkens back to the creation when everything was beautiful
4. Kept in Heaven for you -- it is on safe deposit, a very safe deposit. It can't be taken back. We certainly don't deserve it, but belief in Jesus Christ is a guarantee of our future inheritance
• What does it mean, a salvation to be revealed in the last time?
• Salvation here refers to deliverance in last times (the are common eschatological terms)
• Salvation does not always refer to spiritual salvation (need to look at the context), here it is a physical salvation
• APPLICATION: Thankfulness -- we have a wonderful secure hope that we do not deserve.


1 Peter 1:6–9 (ESV) — 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.


• These verses probably represent the author's thesis statement.  From these verses, what do you think the author's purpose is?
• Strengthen faith
• Prepare them for suffering
• Encourage them
• I know Christians who have suffered horribly all their life -- is this verse then not true for them?  (or how do we reconcile this verse with those experiences)
• God's definition of a "little while" or "short time" may be different from us
• Also, some bring their own suffering upon themselves -- it never ends because they never learn the lesson that God is trying to teach them
• What lessons in your life do you feel you've struggled to learn?
• Faith is very important -- but what is faith?
• Fire destroys things, therefore faith remains despite suffering
• Faith believes God cares, and God can bring good out of trials (Rom 8:28)
• Faith loves God, even though you don't see Him doing what you would like Him to do in your life (this is very hard)
• APPLICATION: How do we respond to trials and testing? Do we seek God or seek what he wants us to learn through the trial?


1 Peter 1:10–12 (ESV) — 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.


• The Rabbis and the prophets searched the scripture intently trying to determine when and where this salvation would take place
• While it is not true today, the sufferings of Christ and the glories led them to believe in two Messiahs: the first would be Ben Yosef (the son of Joseph) and the second would be Ben David (the son of David)
• Today, modern Israel interprets the Ben Yosef or suffering passages as referring to the nation of Israel
• What they didn't understand was that one Messiah would come twice, the first time to suffer for our sins and the second time to establish his Kingdom
• God did give a partial answer to the questions. That they would not understand it. Instead, they were serving us, who now do understand
• An interesting comment concerning the angels
• They are very curious concerning the grace that has been given us


• APPLICATION
• We are to live as strangers in this world, not attached or comfortable (this isn't our home)
• We need to be thankful that in God's mercy we did not get what we deserved
• We need to grow in our faith -- it is of utmost importance and value to God
• We need to be thankful for God's grace and look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ (the second coming of the son of David)

1 Sam 28:3-28:25, What place is God's word in our life?

1 Samuel 28:3–7 (ESV) — 3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. 4 The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.”


• The author sets the stage for this whole chapter. What is the key point and why is it so important?
• Samuel has died
• Saul had leaned on Samuel
• It is clear that Saul had leaned on Samuel at some point, but what do we know about the relationship between Saul and Samuel
• After the disobedience against the Amalekites (15:35), they did not meet again until the day of his death
• Also, Samuel's death was recorded in chapter 25
• Saul needed someone to go to for answers from God, why?
• Because God did not answer, why?
• Because Saul never develop a relationship with God on his own
• Why is Saul calling on God now, and how then does Saul see God?
• Saul is in crisis
• Saul calls on God to meet him in his crisis but ignores him in his everyday life
• What does that make God to Saul?
• God was Saul's servant. But God did not respond when Saul called to him because he is not anyone's servant
• Saul was supposed to be God's servant
• What else do we notice about this incidence with the medium or witch?
• Saul has the appearance of faith. Saul is religious. Saul does do the right things. But Saul has no relationship with God
• Saul is a hypocrite, because when following God's law no longer suits him, he changes the rules
• APPLICATION: Do we see ourselves as a servant to God or God as our servant? How can we tell the difference?


1 Samuel 28:11–19 (ESV) — 11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” 13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage. 15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” 16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”


• This is a tough passage but let's move through it slowly. Saul requests to talk to Samuel. How does the woman respond to the request and how does the woman respond to the actual appearance?
• There is no commentary on the request suggesting she had no issue
• But, her response is very atypical for someone who should be use to this business
• What does the woman's response to Samuel suggest?
• One, this was all make believe and fake, but now real
• Or two, she met with demons and they looked quite different
• Samuel is called a god, but the term can be used for a judge
• The color contrast made have made a difference too
• Either way, this was all quite surprising even to her. Therefore, it is quite possible this was actually Samuel
• Why does Samuel come up from below?
• In the OT, everyone went to Sheol (also called Hades)
• There are two compartments in Sheol
• One is Abraham's bosom or Paradise
• The other is the place for the unrighteous. This place has three parts
• Hades Proper (Hell) for humans
• Abyss, a temporary place for fallen angels
• Tartarus, a place for angels who sinned in Genesis 6
• Jesus removes the occupants of Paradise and takes them with him to Heaven during his resurrection
• Ephesians 4:8–10 (ESV) — 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
• Let's assume this is Samuel, what does he say?
• Samuel repeats his previous prophecy (nothing has changed in God's judgement)
• Samuel adds that God has become his enemy -- far from being his servant, God was against him, why? Because Saul did nothing to bring God glory. Being religious does not bring God glory, only a relationship with God can truly change a person
• Samuel also adds a prophecy that Saul and his sons would die that day
• APPLICATION: Do we have a relationship with God? Or are we just religious?


1 Samuel 28:20–25 (ESV) — 20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. 21 And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. 22 Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” 23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. 24 Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, 25 and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.


• You have to ask yourself, is this section really important. Scripture seems to be very abridged and to the point, yet we have this seemingly innocuous passage. Let's assume it has a purpose, what might that be?
• This all started when Samuel chose to disobey God and perform the sacrifice himself
• He participated in worship but did it on his own terms
• Here, he shares a meal with a medium. The term slaughter is the same term as sacrifice
• As he ends his life, he is sharing a meal with the unrighteous and clearly in disobedience to God
• The passage is a contrast and puts the final stamp on Saul's life. He failed to follow God. He had no heart for God. He had no relationship with God. He lived a duplicitous life. How could he have avoided such a painful ending? What did David do differently (and David made mistakes as well)?
• David loved God's word
• David loved God
• David was obedient to God's word in his life. He applied it
• APPLICATION: The beginning of wisdom is always God's word -- how do we treat God's word in our life? Is regular daily time in God's word a priority for our life?

1 Sam 26:1-27:4; Wait or act--what is God telling us or have we even asked?

1 Sam 26:1-12 (ESV) Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the east of Jeshimon?" 2 So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is beside the road on the east of Jeshimon. But David remained in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness, 4 David sent out spies and learned that Saul had come. 5 Then David rose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying within the encampment, while the army was encamped around him.

6 Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab's brother Abishai the son of Zeruiah, "Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?" And Abishai said, "I will go down with you." 7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him. 8 Then said Abishai to David, "God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice." 9 But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?" 10 And David said, "As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. 11  The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go." 12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they went away. No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them.



• What about the start of this passage seems familiar?
• This is the second time the Ziphites betray David
• Previous passages: 23:19 -- but an attack by the Philistines saves David
• Why does David even suggest going down into the camp with only one man?
• It is done after seeing the situation (vs 5)
• Apparently he recognizes the fact that everyone is asleep
• NOTE: Saul probably had about 3,000 men to David's 600
• What are some impressions we get about Abishai?
• He is very brave
• He is carnal. He sees things from a worldly perspective. You have to seize your opportunity
• He does not recognized God's anointing as special, or he does not look at the spiritual side of life
• David understands that Saul must die before he can be king or probably even stop hunting him. Yet he sees that God must remove Saul and even suggests how God could do it. What were David's thoughts?
• The Lord will strike him down
• His day will come to die
• He will go down in battle and perish
• They take the spear and the water jar, why?
• The spear was almost like a scepter for Saul, and the water jar would have only been for the King's use
• Three times, Saul had thrown the spear at David
• He needed proof, something that would be unmistakable
• APPLICATION: Do we see ourselves as the primary determiner of our future, or do we trust God? We still need to be prudent. We can't' be lazy, but we also need to trust God for our future
• How do you decide when to act (be prudent) or when to wait upon God? In this passage, when a clear command of God would be violated by action. Or likewise, if God has made it clear to you to wait
• We don't wait just because it is the spiritual thing to do
• We do (or should) ALWAYS pray -- that is the spiritual thing to do


1 Sam 26:13-25 (ESV) Then David went over to the other side and stood far off on the top of the hill, with a great space between them. 14 And David called to the army, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, "Will you not answer, Abner?" Then Abner answered, "Who are you who calls to the king?" 15 And David said to Abner, "Are you not a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord. 16 This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the Lord's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was at his head."

17 Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And David said, "It is my voice, my lord, O king." 18 And he said, "Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands? 19 Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the Lord who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the Lord, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.' 20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains."

21 Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake." 22 And David answered and said, "Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. 23  The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation." 25 Then Saul said to David, "Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them." So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.



• Why does David call to Abner?
• It really is a rebuke
• Abner should never have fallen asleep
• He was the commander of the Army, it was his responsibility to protect the king
• Although in Abner's defense, the sleep was a supernatural event (verse 12)
• Also, the contrast is that David did what Abner did not -- he protected the king's life
• Saul recognizes David's voice. What is David's argument to Saul?
• David argues that he had done nothing wrong
• If he did something wrong, then at the worst it is sin that can be atoned by sacrifice
• But he has done nothing deserving death
• His life or transgression is not worth a king's attention
• What would be worth a king's attention?
• A usurper -- but what does David's action show? David's actions prove that the king has nothing to fear
• Technically, David has just proved that he will not kill the king (for the second time), therefore he is not a threat. But, his line is a threat, not only to Saul's line, but to all of Benjamin. Therefore, Saul is being pushed by the tribe of Benjamin to eliminate the threat of David, and of their prominence
• 1 Sam 24:21-22  Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house." 22 And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
• Once again, what is the effect of David upon King Saul?
• Saul confesses his sin
• He repents (temporarily)
• He asks David to come back
• Saul blesses David
• APPLICATION:
• What effect do we have upon others? Do we bring out the best in others? Is our presence in our work place a positive thing?
• Others were pushing Saul, and he was wishy-washy. Unlike David's example later, he was grounded in the word


1 Sam 27:1-4 (ESV) Then David said in his heart, "Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand." 2 So David arose and went over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath. 3 And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail of Carmel, Nabal's widow. 4 And when it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer sought him.



• Interestingly, David does not seem to believe Saul, why?
• Saul has not held to previous promises
• Trust in God does not mean you can be foolish
• The previous plan does not seem to be working
• Was it God's will for him to go to Philistia?
• The text is surprisingly silent of the mention of God's name. In fact, the implication of verse 1 is that he talked to himself
• Possibly this is a moment of weakness for David. He has tired of playing hide and seek with Saul
• It might explain God not protecting David's camp (later in chapter 30). If so, it is one of a few major failures in David's life. In other words, he wasn't perfect. What made David unique was not that he did everything right (he fails in trust), but that he wanted to do everything right (and technically he did not sin)
• Why the Philistines?
• They are the other dominant power
• Saul can't get to him without defeating the Philistines, which he hasn't done yet
• It does seem unusual since the Philistines epitomize the enemy of God
• Why do the Philistines accept David?
• Possibly because they also recognize Saul's hatred
• APPLICATION: We don't know if it was God's will for David to go to Philistia or not, but it doesn't really matter--what matters is the heart--and David's heart was to know God. How can I develop a heart for God? I think it starts with spending time in God's word on a regular basis

Job 38-42 God's Response to Job (and to His Purpose in Job's Suffering)

Job 38:1-2 (ESV) Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
      2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
      3 Dress for action like a man;
      I will question you, and you make it known to me.


• The first things said are usually the most important things. And usually the theme or purpose can be determine from the initial paragraph. What do the opening lines tell us or hint to us?
• Job is in error.
Job 42:7-9 (ESV) After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the LORD had told them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer.
• Job has spoken what is right. There is no contradiction. Job has certainly made some errors, but in regard to the dispute between him and his friends, he was right, God was not judging him for sin. Elihu was also right, that there are things you can learn
• Why does God challenge Job to answer his questions?
• Job thinks that he is wise enough to debate God
• God first attacks this sense of his wisdom and knowledge as being sufficient for Job to trust
• God says two things, Job darkens counsel and Job uses words without knowledge. So, we should expect God to prove this. Why would this be Job's problem?
• He thought he could debate God
• He was known for counseling others
• He thought he was "clever" by sacrificing for his children


Job 38:4-7 (ESV) “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
      Tell me, if you have understanding.
      5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
      Or who stretched the line upon it?
      6 On what were its bases sunk,
      or who laid its cornerstone,
      7 when the morning stars sang together
      and all the sons of God shouted for joy?


• What is a rhetorical question?
• Technically, these are not rhetorical questions since the answers are not obvious
• These questions are education
• What is their purpose--the questions?
• They are intended to reveal how little Job really knows
• They do have one obvious answer -- "don't say anything!"



Job 38:8-21 (ESV) “Or who shut in the sea with doors       when it burst out from the womb,       9 when I made clouds its garment       and thick darkness its swaddling band,       10 and prescribed limits for it       and set bars and doors,       11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,       and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?       12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,       and caused the dawn to know its place,       13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,       and the wicked be shaken out of it?       14 It is changed like clay under the seal,       and its features stand out like a garment.       15 From the wicked their light is withheld,       and their uplifted arm is broken.

16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea,       or walked in the recesses of the deep?       17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,       or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?       18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?       Declare, if you know all this.       19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light,       and where is the place of darkness,       20 that you may take it to its territory       and that you may discern the paths to its home?       21 You know, for you were born then,       and the number of your days is great!



• The questions are phrased in ways that Job could understand. It would be meaningless to ask a question of Job that he could not understand. There is no need to bring up gravity as that would be outside of Job's understanding. On the other hand, that knowledge is required to truly understand the question
• Verse 12-15 tells us what? And how does that fit with reality?
• God has the power to deal with the wicked even now
• But he does not choose to exercise that power
• How do you see verse 21?
• It is a sarcastic statement, but it goes to the heart of God's argument against Job
• Job does not in any way compare to God in knowledge
• Note (Constable): God continues quizzing Job in the following areas?

Weather	38:22-28	To include lightning, path for rain
Constellations	38:31-33	Motions and appearance?
Lion and Raven	38:39-41	How do they get food?
Goat and Deer	39:1-4	How do they bear young?
Donkey and Ox	39:5-12	How are they tamed?
Ostrich and Horse	39:13-25	Why do they act strangely?
Hawk and Vulture	39:26-30	How do they fly?

• Note (Constable): the wild ox (or aurochs, 39:9-12) have been extinct since 1627, was one of the most powerful of all hoofed beasts, exceeded only by the hippo and elephant (Anderson)
• Note (Constable): God’s point in asking Job to consider each of these animals was this. Even upon careful examination there are many things about their individual characteristics, behavior, and life that people simply cannot explain. That is still true today. For reasons unknown to Job God allowed each animal to experience what was His will for that one. Just so, he permits every human being to experience what he or she does for reasons partially unknown to us. Only Yahweh is powerful enough and wise enough to do this.
• “A main function of the Lord’s speeches is to show the absurdity of Job’s attempt to manipulate God by a ‘lawsuit,’ which assumed that his relationship to God is a juridical one.” (Parsons)
• Note (Constable): God rarely used legal metaphors, which Job had employed so often, in His speeches to Job. From now on Job stopped using them. This is an important observation because it shows that the basis of Job and God’s relationship was not a legal one, as Job had assumed. A legal relationship requires equal compensation by both parties for what each of them has done to the other. The basis of God’s dealings with Job was gracious, not legal.



Job 40:1-9 (ESV) And the LORD said to Job:       2 “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?       He who argues with God, let him answer it.” 3 Then Job answered the LORD and said:       4 “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?       I lay my hand on my mouth.       5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer;       twice, but I will proceed no further.”

6 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:       7 “Dress for action like a man;       I will question you, and you make it known to me.       8 Will you even put me in the wrong?       Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?       9 Have you an arm like God,       and can you thunder with a voice like his?



• Starting with the first two verses, what other insight do we get from God?
• Job is a faultfinder of God
• Does Job still think he has that right or authority? Absolutely NOT
• This is Job's first response (of only two) he will make to God. Before, he had gone from angry to demanding a confrontation with God to the point of facing him as a prince (on equal standing). Now how does he feel?
• Job does not even want to answer
• Job is in no position to stand or answer God (he does not compare to God in knowledge or understanding)
• Once again, God challenges Job to answer him. In other words, God is not finished, there is still one other issue to address. Either that, or Job's response is insufficient. More likely, God has two issues. He has addressed the first. He now addresses the second. What is the second?
• Part of the issue is that Job has condemned God as wrong
• The other part seems to center on the topic of power, "an arm like God"


Job 40:10-14 (ESV) “Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity;
      clothe yourself with glory and splendor.
      11 Pour out the overflowings of your anger,
      and look on everyone who is proud and abase him.
      12 Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low
      and tread down the wicked where they stand.
      13 Hide them all in the dust together;
      bind their faces in the world below.
      14 Then will I also acknowledge to you
      that your own right hand can save you.


• This first paragraph gets to the issue fairly well. Job had a lot of wealth. He was recognized as the richest man in the east. But what did he or could he really do?
• He could not get rid of evil
• His power and majesty did not compare to God in any way
• And the most important point: "(his) own right can(not) save (him)"



Job 40:15-24 (ESV) “Behold, Behemoth,       which I made as I made you;       he eats grass like an ox.       16 Behold, his strength in his loins,       and his power in the muscles of his belly.       17 He makes his tail stiff like a cedar;       the sinews of his thighs are knit together.       18 His bones are tubes of bronze,       his limbs like bars of iron.

19 “He is the first of the works of God;       let him who made him bring near his sword!       20 For the mountains yield food for him       where all the wild beasts play.       21 Under the lotus plants he lies,       in the shelter of the reeds and in the marsh.       22 For his shade the lotus trees cover him;       the willows of the brook surround him.       23 Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened;       he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth.       24 Can one take him by his eyes,       or pierce his nose with a snare?



• There is a lot of disagreement on this passage and the next passage, as to whether the animals are mythological or are real animals of the time (such as dinosaurs). There are very good arguments to their reality, but this is one case where, in my mind, it does not matter. It only matters that Job thinks they can exist, why do I argue that?
• God is comparing the power of some of his creation to Job's power
• It would not work to compare God's power to Job, the distance is too great
• Job only needs an idea of terrible power for the comparison to work
• How is the Behemoth described?
• Powerful
• Strong
• Nearly invincible
• The first and last verses of the passage emphasize God's point
• God made him as he made Job
• He is beyond Job's strength, but not beyond God's since God made him



Job 41:1-11 (ESV) “Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook       or press down his tongue with a cord?       2 Can you put a rope in his nose       or pierce his jaw with a hook?       3 Will he make many pleas to you?       Will he speak to you soft words?       4 Will he make a covenant with you       to take him for your servant forever?       5 Will you play with him as with a bird,       or will you put him on a leash for your girls?       6 Will traders bargain over him?       Will they divide him up among the merchants?

7 Can you fill his skin with harpoons       or his head with fishing spears?       8 Lay your hands on him;       remember the battle—you will not do it again!       9  Behold, the hope of a man is false;       he is laid low even at the sight of him.       10 No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up.       Who then is he who can stand before me?       11 Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?       Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.



• There are a lot of possibilities for the Leviathan, from sea monster to Alligator. What is God's point?
• He is also untouchable, yet he is God's creation
• God has created things which are far more powerful than Job
• Vs 5, Job cannot make a pet of the very things God created
• If Job's power does not even compare to a few of the things God created, how can he compare in any way to God?
• NOTES (Constable): To some degree Job, his three friends, and Elihu had all based their arguments on the rationality of God’s acts. God reminded them of Behemoth and Leviathan partially to teach them all that His actions transcend our ability to explain everything rationally.


Job 42:1-6 (ESV) Then Job answered the LORD and said:
      2 “I know that you can do all things,
      and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
      3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
      Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
      things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
      4 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
      I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
      5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
      but now my eye sees you;
      6 therefore I despise myself,
      and repent in dust and ashes.”


• Job responds in typical Jewish reverse order to the issues
1. No purpose of God's can be thwarted (Job must trust in God's power, not his)
2. Job's wisdom and knowledge does not compare to God's (Job must trust in God's wisdom to bring good out of suffering)
• Job quotes God which is a nice way of saying, "you were exactly right"
• Job repents
• Job despises himself (probably his pride)
• Job is probably also sorry that God had to visit him in order for him to realize how wrong he was (no one else in history will get the same explanation)
• Job is not repenting of some previous sin that brought about the suffering. Job sinned because of his suffering. Job is repenting of his arrogance, his impugning God's justice, and his demanding an answer from God