Job 34:1-37 Elihu Continues His Speech Trying to Talk on God's Behalf

 

Elihu Continues His Speech Trying to Talk on God's Behalf

Job 34:1-37                                  Book of Job [in Smaller Chunks]

[Additionally,] Elihu answered & said, Hear [what I say,] O you, wise men & [listen] to me, [so] you have knowledge. For the ear [tests] the words, [like] the mouth tastes [food.]

Let us choose [justice for] us. Let us know [for certain] among us, what is good. For Job has said, I am righteous & God has taken away my [justice.] My wound is incurable & [I'm] without [sin.] Should I lie, against [what are] my [rights?]

What man is like Job, who [puts up with others looking down on him, like someone] drinks up water? [Job,] who goes in the company of [those who work sinfully] & [follows] wicked men. For [Job] has said, It [doesn't benefit] a man that he should delight himself with God.

[Matthew 16:26 For what is a man [benefited,] if he shall gain the whole world & lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?] Therefore, [listen] to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God, that He should do wickedness & from the Almighty, that He should commit [sin.]

[Job 8:3 Does God [divert] judgment? Or does the Almighty [divert] justice?] For [God rewards] every man, according to his work & his ways.

[Revelation 22:12-15 And [watch,] I come quickly & My reward is with Me, to give [to] every man shall be according [to] his work. I am the Alpha & Omega, the Beginning & The End, the First & The Last.

Blessed are [those who] do [God's] commandments, [so] that they may have [the] right to the Tree of Life & may enter through the gates into the city. For [outside] are dogs, sorcerers, and [sexual traffickers,] murderers & [those who worship idols & whoever invents & tells lies.]

[Yes,] surely God won't do wickedly, neither will the Almighty [divert justice.] Who has [put God] in charge over the earth? Or who has [put] the whole world [in place?] If [God] gathers together His Spirit & His breath & sets His heart upon man, All [alive] & shall perish together & turn into dust again.

[Job 12:10 In Whose hand is the [life] of every living thing & the breath of all mankind?] If you have [understood] now, hear this & [pay attention to the] words [I say.] Shall [a man who] hates [what is] right, govern? And will you condemn [the man who] is most just?

Is it [appropriate] to say to a king, You are wicked? And to princes, You are ungodly? How much less to [God, Who doesn't show partiality] to [people like] princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? For they are all the work of His hands.

In [only] a moment, they shall die & the people shall be troubled at midnight & pass away & the mighty shall be taken away without [any] hand [from mankind.] For [God's] eyes are upon the ways of man & He sees all [he does.] [Job 31:4 Doesn't [God] see all my ways & count all my steps?]

There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where [those who work sinfully] may hide themselves. For [God won't put] upon man, more than [is] right; [so] he [could] enter into judgment with God.

He shall break mighty men [into] pieces, without number & [put] others in his [place.] Therefore, [God] knows their [actions] & He [overthrows] them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

[God] strikes them [like] wicked men [strike in the plain] sight of others; because they [went astray] from Him & wouldn't consider any [of God's] ways. So [are those who] cause the cry of the poor to come to [God] & He hears the cry of the afflicted.

When [God gives peace,] then who can make trouble? And when [God] hides His face, then who can [see] Him? Whether it's done against a nation or only against a man, [so] that the hypocrite [doesn't rule,] lest the people [become caught in a trap.]

Surely, it is [appropriate] to [say] to God, I have [endured punishment] & I will not offend any more. You [taught] me [what] I didn't see. If I have done [sinfully,] I will do [it] no more.

Should it be according to [what] your mind [thinks?] [God will repay what you've done,] whether you refuse, or whether you choose [to agree.] Not [me.] Therefore, speak [about] what you know. Let men [with] understanding [hearts] tell me & let wise [men pay attention] to me.

Job has spoken without knowledge & his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried [until the bitter] end, because of his answers for wicked men. For [Job] adds rebellion to his sin & he claps his hands among us & multiplies his words against God.

Job 33:1-33 Elihu Asks Job to Listen to His Speeches

 

Elihu Asks Job to Listen to His Speeches

Job 33:1-33                                  Book of Job [in Smaller Chunks]

Therefore, Job, I pray [that] you, hear my speeches & [pay attention] to my words. [Look,] now [that] I have opened my mouth, my tongue has spoken [within] my mouth & my words shall be [from my upright] heart. And my lips shall [express] knowledge clearly.

The Spirit of God has made me & the breath of the Almighty has given me life. If you can answer me, stand up & [put] your words in order [in front of] me. [Look,] I am in God's stead [place,] according to your wish. I am also [a human] formed out of the clay.

[Look,] my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall [I be heavy handed] upon you. Surely, you have spoken [where I could hear] & I have heard your [own] words, saying, I am clean without [sin] & I'm innocent. Neither is there [any] iniquity in me.

[Look, Job] finds occasions against me & he [considers] me [as] his enemy. [God] puts my feet in the [wooden] stocks & He [targets] all paths. [See,] in this, you aren't [right.] [My] answer to you, [is] that God is greater than man. [So, why do] you [argue] against Him?

For [God doesn't give an] account [for] any of His matters. For God speaks once, [yet,] twice & still man doesn't [understand] it. [It's through:] a dream, a vision [in] the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, [while sleeping] upon [a] bed.

Then [God] opens the ears of men & [shares] their instruction, [so] that He may hide pride & [turn] man [away] from [his plan.] [God] keeps back [man's life] from the pit. [Ephesians 4:22 That you put off the [previous] conversation [related] to the old man [you were, who] was corrupt according to deceitful lusts.]

[Man] is also [chastised] with [a] multitude of [painful, aching] bones & pain [while in] bed. So that [Job's life loathes] bread & his soul [loathes fancy foods. [Job's skin has wasted] away, [so] that [it's barely visible.] And [Job's] bones [that used to not be visible, now] stick out.

[Yes, Job's life now] draws near the grave & his life to the destroyers. [James 4:12 There is One Lawgiver, Who is able to save & to destroy. Who are you [to] judge another [person?]

If there is a messenger [or a mediator,] 1 among 1,000, to show to man [God's righteousness] & He is gracious to [Job] & says, I have found a ransom to deliver him from going down to the [grave.]

[Job's skin] shall be [like] a young child's. [Job] shall return to the days [like during] his youth. [Job] shall pray to God & He will [favor Job.] And [Job] shall see [God's] face with joy.

For [God will restore to Job] his righteousness. [God] looks upon men & if any say, I have sinned & I [diverted what] was right & it [wasn't beneficial for me to do this;]

[God] will deliver his soul from going into the pit, [to be enlightened before God.] [Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light & my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?]

[Look,] God [often works through] all these things with man, to bring back his soul from the pit & to be enlightened with the light of the living. [Pay careful attention,] O Job, [stay silent & listen] to me & I will speak.

If you have anything to say, speak & answer me, [because] I desire to justify you. If not, [pay attention] to me & [stay silent] & I shall teach you wisdom. [Proverbs 16:16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding [is] to be chosen rather than silver!]

Job 32:1-22 Elihu Tells Why He Waited

 

Elihu Tells Why He Waited

Job 32:1-22                                  Book of Job [in Smaller Chunks]

So, these 3 men [stopped] to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then, the [anger] of Elihu, the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the [family] of Ram, [grew] against Jobe, because [Job] justified himself, rather than God.

Also, [Elihu's anger grew] against his 3 friends, because they had found no answer & [still] had condemned Job. Now, Elihu had waited [until] Job had spoken, because [they were older] than he. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the [mouth's] of these 3 men, then his [anger grew.]

And Elihu, the Buzite, answered & said, I am young & you are very old. Therefore, I was afraid & [dared] not show you [my] opinion. I said, [Those with advanced age] & the multitude of years should speak & teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man & the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding.

[1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon [extremely much] wisdom & understanding & a [huge] heart even [like] the sand that is on the seashore.] Great men are not always wise. Neither do the aged [always] understand [justice.]

[1 Corinthians 1:26-27 For [consider] your calling, brethren, that not many wise, mighty & noble men are called after [worldly] flesh. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to [confuse] the wise. And God has chosen the weak things of the world to [confuse those who] are mighty.]

Therefore, I said, [Listen] to me. I will also [share] my opinion. [See,] I waited for your words & I [listened] to your reasons, [while] you [pondered] what to say. [Yes,] I [paid attention] to you & [looked,] there [were] none of you [who] convinced Job, or [who answered] his [questions.]

Lest you shall say, We have found out wisdom. God [threw Job] down, not man. [1 Corinthians 1:29 That no [human] flesh should [glorify himself] in [God's] presence.] Now [Job] hasn't directed his words against me. Neither will I answer him with your [accusatory] speeches.

They were amazed & they [no longer] answered & they [stopped] speaking. When I waited, (they [didn't speak], but stood still and no [longer] answered.) I said, I will also [ask] my [portion of the questions.] I will [share] my opinion, [as well.] For I am full of [material,] but the spirit within me [restrains] me.

[Look,] my [stomach] is [churning, like] wine, [that] has no vent. It is ready to burst, like [newly opened] bottles. I will speak, [so] that I may be [relieved.] I will open my lips & answer.

I pray [that] you not let me [show favoritism to] any person & neither let me give flattering titles to [men.] For I [don't] know [how] to give flattering titles. In doing so, my Maker would soon take me away. [Job 27:8 For what hope is the hypocrite, [although] he has [benefitted,] when God takes away his soul?]

Job 31:1-40 Job Wants a Fair Judgment

 

Job Wants a Fair Judgment

Job 31:1-40                                 Book of Job [in Smaller Chunks]

I made a covenant [contract to be faithful, but went astray] with my eyes. Then, why should I think upon a maid [I saw?] For what portion [from] God is there from above? And what inheritance [from] the Almighty from on high?

[Job 20:29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God & the heritage appointed to him by God.] Isn't destruction [for] the wicked? And a strange punishment to the workers of [sin?]

Doesn't [God] see my ways & count all my steps? If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot has [hurried to be deceitful,] Let me be weighed in a [fair] balance, [so] that God may know [my] integrity.

If my [steps] have turned [astray] & my heart [followed] after my eyes & if any [stain] has clung to my hands; then, let me sow [crops] & let another [person] eat [it.] [Still] let my [children] be [uprooted.]

If my heart has been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid [in] wait at my neighbor's door [to sneak into his house when he's not there;] Then, let my wife [be intimate] with another & others [be intimate with her, as well.]

For this is a [destable] crime; [yes,] it is a [sin punishable] by the judges. For [adultery] is a fire that consumes [& leads] to destruction & would [uproot] & my increase.

If I [regarded] my [male or female servant's case with contempt, when they complained against me,] then, what shall I do, when God rises up [against this evil?] And when [God visits] [this issue,] what shall I answer Him?

Didn't He Who made me in the womb [also] make him? And didn't One [form] us in the womb? If I have withheld their desire from the poor, or have caused the eyes of the widow to [grow dim;] or have eaten my [small amount of food by] myself, alone, [when] the fatherless haven't eaten [any;]

(For from my youth, [the fatherless] was brought up with me, [like] with a father & from my mother's womb, I have guided the [widow:]) If I have seen any perish for [lack] of clothing, or any poor with [a] covering;

If [he] hasn't blessed me with a [gut wrenching] blessing & if he weren't warmed by the fleece [covering made from] my sheep; If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw [that I had] help at the gate:

Then, let my arm [be dislocated] from my shoulder blade & my arm be broken from the [bone's socket.] For destruction from God [terrified] me & [because] of His [majesty,] I couldn't endure.

If I have make my hope, gold; or have said to the fine gold, [I have] confidence in you; If I rejoiced, because my wealth was [large] & because I [was handed] much [wealth;]

[Job 1:9-10 Then Satan answered the Lord & said, Does Job fear [respect] God for [nothing?] Haven't you made a hedge [around Job & around] his house & [around] everything that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands & his [possessions have] increased in the land.]

If I [saw] the sun when it shined, or the moon [while] walking in [its] brightness & my heart has been secretly [lured,]

[Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest you lift up your eyes to heaven & when you see the sun, the moon & the stars, even all the host of heaven & should be [drawn] to worship them & serve them, which the Lord, your God, has [separated] & given to all nations under the whole heaven.]

Or has my mouth kissed my [own] hand? [Proverbs 30:8 Remove far from me: vanity & lies. Give me neither poverty, nor riches. Feed me with convenient food for me.] [These] were also [sins] to be punished by the Judge. For I [would] have denied the God, [Who] is above.

If I rejoiced at the destruction of him, [who] hated me, or [elevated] myself when evil found him; Neither have I [allowed] my mouth to sin by wishing a curse [upon] his soul. If I [hid my sins like] Adam, by hiding [my sins in my heart.]

[Was I afraid of a large] multitude, or did the [disapproval] of families terrify me, [so] I kept [silent] & didn't go out of the door?

[Exodus 23:1-2 You shall not raise a false report. [Don't] put your hand with the wicked to be an [untruthful] witness. You shall not follow a multitude to do evil. Neither shall you speak in a [case to divert justice.]

Oh, that [someone] would hear me! [See,] my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me & that [my enemy] had written a book. [Job 16:19 Also [look] now, my witness is in heaven & my record is on high.]

Surely, I would take it upon my shoulder & [wear it like] a crown [for] me. I would declare to [God] the number of my steps, [like] a prince, I would go near Him.

If my land [cries out] against me, or the furrows [of the field] [also] complain; If I have it's [its] fruit without [paying] money, or have caused [its] owners to lose their [livelihood:]

[James 5:4 [Look,] the [wages] of the laborers who have [harvested] your fields, [cry out,] which you [have defrauded them & withheld it.] The cries of [those who have harvested have] entered the ears of the Lord of Sabbath.]

Let thistles grow instead of wheat & [harmful weeds] instead of barley. The words Job [said have] ended.

Job 30:1-31 Job Tells What It Is Like Now

 

Job Tells What It Is Like Now

Job 30:1-31                                 Book of Job [in Smaller Chunks]

But now, [those who] are younger than I, [ridicule] me, whose fathers I would have [looked down upon] to [even consider putting] them with my [sheep] dogs. [Yet, to what purpose] might the strength of their hands [benefit] me, [who] was [ruined by] old age?

They were [bony, because of] famine & [lack of food;] fleeing into the wilderness in [a previous] time, desolate & [ruined;] [those] who cut the mallows by the bushes & juniper roots for their [food.]

They were driven [out] from among men, ([who] cried [out] after them [like] after a thief) & [they lived] in the cliffs [above] the valleys, in caves of the earth & in the rocks. They brayed among the bushes & were [huddled] together under the [sticker bushes.]

They were children of [those lacking good judgment, yes] children of [men of low morals.] They were [the most evil in] the earth. And now, I am their byword, [they sing about.] [Psalm 69:12 [Those who] sit in the gate speak against me & I was the song of drunkards.]

They [detest] me & they flee far from me & spit in my face. Because [God] has [let loose] my cord [tethered to Him] & afflicted me, they have also let loose [their restraint, like a] bridle, before me.

The youth rise [up on] my right [side] & push away my feet. They [rise] up against me [with their destructive] ways. They [interfere with] my path & [although] they have no [helpers,] they [continue to] move my calamity forward.

They came upon me [like a tidal wave, as] they rolled themselves [over] me.  Terrors [overflow] me & they pursue my [life like the passing] wind & my [health] passes away [like] a cloud [disappears.]

The days of affliction have taken hold of me & now my [life] is poured out [of] me. In the night, my bones [pierce] me & my [aching] [muscles have] no rest. The great [strength] of my disease [has] changed [like I change] my garment & [choke] me [around my neck like] the collar of my coat.

He has [thrown] me in the [mud] & I [have] become like dust & ashes. [Job 42:6 Therefore, I [loathe] myself & repent in dust & ashes.] I cry unto You & [Lord,] You don't hear me. I stand up [to You] & You [don't] [respect] me.

You [have] become cruel in opposition against me, with Your strong hand. You lift me up to the wind & [make] me ride upon it & my [possessions disappear.] For I know that You will bring me to death, to the place appointed for all [the] living.

[However,] He won't stretch His hand out to the grave, [although] they cry [about] His destruction. Didn't I [cry out] for him [who] was in trouble? Wasn't my soul grieved for the poor?

When I looked for good, then evil came to me. And when I waited for Light, [only] darkness came there. [Jeremiah 8:15 We looked for peace & a time for health, but no good came & [only saw] trouble.]

My [stomach churned] & didn't rest. The days of affliction prevented me [from having rest.] I went without the [Light] of the sun & [continued] mourning. [1 John 1:7 If we walk in the Light, [like] He is in the LIght, we have fellowship with one another & the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.]

And I cried [out] in the congregation. I am the brother to [jackals] & owls. [Psalm 44:19 [Although] You have [sorely] broken us in the place of [jackals] & [have] covered us with the shadow of death.] My skin [grows] black upon me & my bones are burned with heat.

[Lamentations 4:7-9 Her Nazarites were purer than snow & they were whiter than milk. [Their bodies] were more ruddy than rubies & their polishing was [from sapphires.] Their [appearance] is blacker than a coal & they aren't known in the streets.

Their skin [clings] to their bones. [Their skin] is withered & it [has] become [bony] like a stick. [Those who are killed] with the sword are better than [those who die, because of] hunger. For these [long for] & [are struck down for lack] of the fruits of the field.]

Also, my harp has [changed] to [music for] mourning & my [flute] into the [sound] of [those who weep.]