Wisdom Class 5: Job 32-37 (Answers)

Answers to Wisdom Class 5 Questions
1. Why is the wrath of Elihu aroused? 32:2-3

Elihu appears to have been present through the back forth dialog of the past 30 chapters, but he is now compelled to speak up. When Job justified himself rather than God, Elihu had to respond. Job has been steadfast in the defense of his innocence, but he has also been complaining about God not punishing the wicked, but instead punishing him.

2. Why did Elihu wait so long to speak to Job? 32:4-5

Elihu waited because he was young. He showed respect to the other three, giving credit that with the passing of years a man gains wisdom. But now that he has heard them speak, he responds with "Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice."

3. Why does Elihu ask Job to give his defense to him? 33

Elihu states that he is speaking from an upright heart, and just as Job he is just a man and can be his spokesman before God.

4. What does Elihu accuse Job of doing? Did he do it? 33:13

Job had declared that he is pure, innocent, without iniquity, but God finds occasion against me, He counts me as his enemy. Job has made assumptions that God is the source of his pain and suffering, but God doesn't have to give any reason why something has happened. Job should not blame God for his pain, God isn't even the one bringing this pain upon him.

5. What could God do if he set his heart on it? 34:14-15

If God wanted to, he could destroy the entire world with a breath, all flesh would perish together and man would return to dust. While God has all power, he doesn't have a desire to do anything wicked to man.

6. Does God see everything? Is there any dark place the wicked can hide? 34:21-22

God sees all. Consider Jonah who tried to hide from God in the bowel of a ship when he chose to not do as God commanded. God knows our thoughts and desires and sees every little thing we do. Whenever we are tempted to commit a sin because we know no one will ever know we did it, remember that God is watching. We are never alone.

7. People cry out to God in affliction, when do they not? (but should) 35:9-11

People don't shout with joy to God when things are great. Consider the Israelite history through the Judges. They would cry out to God that they need a deliverer because their sin has caused them some form of suffering. Once they have been saved and things are good, they forget about God and slide back into sin until they are once again crying out. We should be like Job who sacrificed and worshiped God his entire life, from chapter 1 when things were great through all of his trials and finally when he is restored at the end of the book.

8. Even though we don’t see God, we must do what? 35:14

We must wait for him. As chapter 35 verse 14 points out, justice is before him. While Job is suffering, he should know that God is just. Because Job has remained faithful his entire life, God will give his reward after Job dies. If you live a life of sin, disobeying God, you may live a great life with pleasure, relaxation and even do good for others. But God is just, you will be condemned for your disobedience just as someone who had committed terrible crimes just because you didn't obey him. We can have patience because we know God is just and will restore those who obey and punish those who don't.

9. God is mighty, what does he do to the wicked and obedient? 36:5-12

He doesn't despise anyone. He won't preserve the life of the wicked (He has saved a special place prepared for the devil and those who are disobedient). He doesn't withdraw His eyes from the righteous (having paradise prepared for them once their life is over).

10. God’s hand brings all forms of weather, even the animals know this and take cover, what are the reasons he brings weather? 36:26-37:13

Chapter 37 verse 13 lists three reasons He brings weather: for correction, for the land, or for mercy. I think Elihu is illustrating for Job that we cannot possibly know why God is permitting something to happen based on what we can observe. Just like the animals are able to observe the changing weather and take shelter, we must deal with whatever trial comes upon us without trying to examine if it is the result of something we have done or if it is God's hand upon us.

Note:  Give Us A King, The United Kingdom, by Bob and Sandra Waldron and The Holy Bible, new King James Version, Reference Edition, Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.were used in preparing the comments in this post.