Job 23-27
Job spoke much of God’s great works in creation, of the earth, sea, clouds, and their wonders. Notice these words:
“He (God) stretcheth out the north over the empty space, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.”
Men of science now who have instruments to measure with and many books to study, cannot tell these facts of the earth’s position better than Job did so long ago.
“He bindeth up the waters in His thick clouds, and the cloud is not rent” (torn).
Is it not a great wonder that the clouds hold the heavy showers of rain for all the earth?
“He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.”
If you have ever watched great ocean waves come up on the beach, you know how true that is. At first when you see the waves coming toward you so swiftly with their great roar, you think they will never stop; but they do, for the bounds have been set, and are the same year after year.
“He hath garnished (ornamented) the heavens.”
That means the sky we see above us and what is more beautiful than to see the moon and stars on a clear night! Their beauty can be seen from ships, from deserts, or from lands of snow and ice where no other beauties are seen. The sun also “garnishes the heavens”, although we do not think as much of its beauty as of its majesty, and of its light and heat (without which we could not live) but, except for the sun, we could not have or see the beauties of trees, plants and all else; even the light of the moon is light reflected front the sun.
“His hand hath formed the crooked serpent.” A serpent, crawling on the earth, is very opposite from the heavens, vet God formed it also as He did all the animals, birds and insects.
“Lo these are parts of God’s ways.” Job knew he had not spoken of all God’s works.
We do not know if Job had any written words of God, but the words of God he had heard, he prized. He wished for God to show him why he had such troubles, and said,
“He knoweth the way that I take, when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Chapter. 23:10.
Gold is carefully separated from less valuable minerals or from dirt by washings, and it can safely pass through fire. And Job felt that God would keep him in spite of his troubles.
What did Job “esteem” more than his “necessary food”? (Chapter 23.12).
Which friend of Job gave the shortest and last talk? (Chapter, 25). Read chapter 26 in your Bible.
ML 05/12/1940