7-20-14. Job 12:1-25. Job Longs To Speak To The Almighty –my devotional

Job 12:1-25                                                                                                    Kevin E. Jesmer

Key verse 12: 7-9                                                                                                7-20-14

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?” (NIV)

Dear Lord Jesus I come to you to know you and grow in the knowledge of you. Please help me follow you each day. Help me to find inner joy and peace and strength through coming to you. Teach me something deep in my heart. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Part 1: There Is An Answer To Be Found In God. (1-12)

Look at verses 1- 12, “Then Job replied: 2 “Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you! 3 But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things? 4 “I have become a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God and he answered— a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless! 5 Those who are at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping. 6 The tents of marauders are undisturbed, and those who provoke God are secure—those God has in his hand. 7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? 10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. 11 Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? 12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (NIV)

These three men had treated Job as though he was totally ignorant with no understanding of God’s ways and God’s actions. They were very arrogant because they were accusing a righteous man of walking in darkness, while they themselves were walking in darkness too. In their lack of understanding, the three friends asserted that prosperity would always follow the one who was tight with God. They needed to just step back and humbly learn together about God and his ways of working.

Job became frustrated with his friends. His friends had completely misunderstood the reason for his suffering. Job replies to their assertions by pointing out that robbers and rebels often prosper. He was certain that his friends’ reasons were both narrow minded and incorrect. He answered Zophar’s argument with great sarcasm; “Wisdom will die with you.” He went on to say that his three friends didn’t need to explain God to him. They were saying nothing he didn’t already know. (12:7-9; 13:1-2) Job knows everything Zophar knows and more. He knows that God is sovereign; that he holds in his hand the life of every creature (10); that to him belong wisdom and power and counsel and understanding.

While it is true that Job did not understand the present situation, there were few people alive who had more knowledge of God, nor the relationship that Job had with God.

God has provided many ways to come know him and his wisdom. In Job 12:1-12, Job was seeking wisdom from the Lord. Though he did not know the answers, he knew that there were answers to be found. He was confident of this because of his observations of nature, the very nature of people, and the aged.

  First, Job’s observations from nature. All of Creation knows that there is a creator. Look at verses 7-10, “7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? 10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”  St Francis of Assis came to know the Lord from his observation of nature. God has embedded into nature many elements that are meant to draw our hearts and our minds heavenwards. Romans 1:19-20: reads, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[g] in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”  (ESV) The next time you are out for a walk in nature, take a close look at what is around you and try to see God in it.

Second, Job believes that God has created us to know about his wisdom. Look at verse 11, “Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?”  We are made in the image of God. We have within us, Go given equipment to come to know the Lord.

Third, Job trusts that wisdom comes with age in verse 12, “12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” If we are seeking the Lord, wisdom does come with age, but not all wisdom. I do believe the truth about Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” And also Proverbs 8:17, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” (ESV)

Even if we are in the darkness, there are definitely ways to find the answers for God has provided the way.

We need to be patient and listen to people, even if they are wrong. Job was frustrated with his friends, but does that mean that he has to stop listening to them?  Look at Job 12:1-3, ““Then Job replied: 2 “Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you! 3 But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?” Job was confident that God would bless him with knowledge of the Almighty when he sought God. But I totally don’t agree that we need to stop listening to people, even if it is painful. It must have been painful to listen to his three friends with their hearts overflowing with self righteousness, pride and their “know it all” attitude. Maybe Job reached his limits to listen. But, if he did have any strength left, he should listen. We need to listen to people too. James 1: 19-20 reads, “19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” People of faith need to be quick to listen. God created us with two ears and only one mouth. We need to use them in proper proportions. We can also learn from people who are wrong. We need to listen to others, and if they are wrong, we can gently instruct at the right time. If they are wrong, we can learn how they are wrong and discover ways to be better witnesses to them. Believers need to be good listeners. We just can not keep talking and not allow others to voice their opinions. If we get frustrated and angry and impatient, then the doors will be closed for an effective witness to someone who is groping in the darkness. From my point of view, I think that God does a whole lot of listening. He lets us know that he is trying to hear us, listen to us and understand us. Those who are effective Gospel witnesses are those who listen, a lot, even to people who are wrong.  I pray to be a better listener.

Part 2:  The Sovereign Lord Wants To Be Found By Us  (13-25)

Look at verses 13-25, “13 To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. 14 What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; those he imprisons cannot be released. 15 If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land. 16 To him belong strength and insight; both deceived and deceiver are his. 17 He leads rulers away stripped and makes fools of judges. 18 He takes off the shackles put on by kings and ties a loincloth around their waist. 19 He leads priests away stripped and overthrows officials long established. 20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders. 21 He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty. 22 He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light. 23 He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. 24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he makes them wander in a trackless waste. 25 They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.” (NIV)

Though Job did not have the Bible, he knew a whole lot about God and his character. Let’s examine some things that Job has learned about God’s character. What God tears down cannot be rebuilt. He makes nations great and destroys them. With God dwell wisdom and strength essentially. God has not only the wisdom to design the course of event, but the power and ability to carry out al that he designs. 17. The wise of the earth cannot resist or escape him. He frustrates their designs and overthrows. them. 19. While some people may be mighty, God is almighty. 21. He holds in contempt those who would come against him. 22. God at times, reveals truth to people which are beyond their power of understanding. 23. The Lord sets up some kingdoms, and then tears down some kingdoms. All are at his mercy. What is the point of all this? Job affirmed that no leader has any real wisdom apart from God. No research or report can outweigh God’s opinion. No scientific discovery or medical advances takes him by surprise.

These words reveal the sovereignty of the Almighty God. Our God is Almighty. He is in control of rulers and nations. He is the God of all history. Actually, history is exactly that, “His story.” But what does that mean practically? If you believe in the almighty power of God, then you should not be afraid. We should be able to embrace Christ’s mission for us, and step out in faith without fear. We can even embrace sickness, pain, loss and even death without fear. We could stand in the courage that faith in the Sovereign Lord gives. With this faith missionaries could walk through the open doors in the North. With this faith I could walk though open doors that God has opened for me. Fear should not be a factor when we are led by God Almighty the Creator of the heavens and the earth and the Sovereign Ruler of people and nations. Matthew 28:20b, “…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Jesus is with us. He is in control. He is our Creator God, Lord, Savior and friend.

But academic knowledge of God does not satisfy Job. He wants to know God personally and talk with him. When we look for guidance for your decisions, we must recognize that God’s wisdom is superior to any this world has to offer. We need to seek for that guidance like Job. We need to put earthly advisors in their proper prospective and not allow them to dampen our desire to know God better and seek his wisdom.

What is truly amazing is that this all powerful, almighty God is will to be sought and found. He is more than willing, for he actually does the seeking. It is his desire to have a personal relationship with us and commune with us and share with us the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. How gracious is the God of the Bible. How wonderful it is to come to know him and be taught by him, but his spirit.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust your sovereignty and seek you and talk with you personally.

One Word: Go beyond knowing about God to actually knowing God.