I'm about to do something that
I've never done before. I have a message in that book right
there with some notes in it. And I was getting ready to preach
out of John chapter 16. And I pray that I'm doing the
right thing. I pray that God truly has directed
me to do what I'm about to do. And if I'm doing the wrong thing,
I pray the Lord forgive me. But I want you to take your Bibles
and turn with me to the book of Job. Turn to chapter 36. Brother Todd Nybert and I were
talking one time and he said, you know, we would do well to
always remember that our desire is to hear what God has to say. I preached just a moment ago
out of Proverbs 17, 27, 28 on knowledge, true knowledge. True
knowledge and understanding. And he that has true knowledge,
true understanding, spares his words. Job had said some things after
he had gone through some tough times, humanly speaking, all
according to God's good pleasure. And Job had tried to elevate
himself. In so doing, question God's providence,
question God's revelation. What I'd like for us to do in
the remainder of this service is I'd like to read, starting
in Job 36, and starting in verse 26, I'd
like to read through the end of this book. There's a few chapters. That's okay. I'd like for us
to read what God has to say. I think this is the right thing.
And I pray the Lord bless these words to our hearts. And I want us to read these scriptures
with this question. Just what do I know? What do
I know? Job 36, 26. Behold, God is great, and we know Him not. Neither
can the number of His years be searched out, for He maketh small
the drops of water. They pour down rain according
to the vapor thereof. which the clouds do drop and
distill upon man abundantly. Also can any understand the spreadings
of the clouds or the noise of his tabernacle? Behold, he spreadeth
his light upon it and covereth the bottom of the sea. For by them judgeth he the people
he giveth meat in abundance. with clouds he covereth the light
and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt. The noise thereof showeth concerning
it the cattle also concerning the vapor. At this also my heart
trembled and is moved out of his place. Hear attentively the
noise of his voice and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
He directeth it unto the whole heaven, and his lightning unto
the ends of the earth. After it a voice roareth, he
thundereth with the voice of his excellency, and he will not
stay then when his voice is heard. God thundereth marvelously with
his voice. Great things doeth he which we
cannot comprehend. For he saith to the snow, be
thou on the earth. Likewise to the small rain, to
the great rain of his strength, he sealeth up the hand of every
man that all men may know his worth. Then the beast go into
dens and remain in their places. Out of the south cometh the whirlwind
and cold out of the north. By the breath of God, frost is
given, and the breath of the waters is straightened. Also
by watering, he wearieth the thick cloud. He scattereth his
bright cloud, and it's turned round about by his counsels.
That they may do whatsoever he commanded them upon the face
of the world and the earth. He causes it to come whether
for correction or for his land or for mercy. Hearken unto this,
O Job, stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. Dost
thou know when God disposed them and caused the light of his cloud
to shine? Dost thou know the balancing
of the clouds? the wondrous works of him which
is perfect in knowledge, how thy garments are warm when he
quieteth the earth by the south wind. Hast thou with him spread
out the sky which is strong and as a molten looking glass? Teach
us what we shall say unto him. For we cannot order our speech
by reason of darkness. Shall it be told him that I speak? If a man speak, surely he shall
be swallowed up. And now men see not the bright
light which is in the clouds, but the wind passeth and cleanseth
them. Fair weather cometh out of the
north with God his terrible majesty. Touching the Almighty, we cannot
find him out. He is excellent in power and
in judgment and plenty of justice. He will not afflict. Men do therefore
fear him. He respecteth not any that are
wise of heart. And the Lord answered Job out
of the whirlwind and said, who is this that darkeneth counsel
by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a
man, for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where was
thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou
hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof,
if thou knowest? Or who hath stretched the line
upon it? Whereupon are the foundations
thereof fastened? Or who laid the cornerstone thereof? When the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy, or who shut up the sea
with doors when it break forth as if it had issued out of the
womb? When I made it the cloud, the
garment thereof, the thick darkness, a swaddling band for it, and
break up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, and said,
hitherto shalt thou come, but no further. And here shall thy
proud waves be stayed. Hast thou commanded the morning
since thy days, and caused the day spring to know his place,
that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked
might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay to the seal.
They stand as a garment, and from the wicked their light is
withholding, and the high arms shall be broken. Hast thou entered
into the springs of the sea? Hast thou walked in the search
of the depth? Have the gates of death been
opened unto thee? Or hast thou seen the doors of
the shadow of death? Hast thou perceived the breath
of the earth? Declare, if thou knowest it all. Where is the way where light
dwelleth? Or as for darkness, where is
the place thereof? That thou shouldest take it to
the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the
house thereof. Knowest thou it because thou
wast then born? Or because the number of thy
days is great? Hast thou entered into the treasures
of the snow? Or hast thou seen the treasures
of the hail? which I have reserved against
the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? By
what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind
that cometh upon the earth? Who hath divided a water course
for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of
thunder? to cause it to rain on the earth
where no man is, on the wilderness wherein there is no man, to satisfy
the desolate and waste ground, to cause the bud of the tender
herb to spring forth. Hath the rain a father? Or who
hath begotten the drops of dew? Out of whose womb came the ice
and the hoary frost of heaven? Who hath gendered it? The waters
are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands
of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Maseroth
in his season, or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of
heaven? Canst thou set the dominion thereof
in the earth? Canst thou lift up thy voice
to the clouds that abundance of water may cover thee? Canst
thou send lightnings that they may go and say unto thee, here
we are? Who hath put wisdom in the inward
parts? Who hath given understanding
to the heart? Who can number the clouds in wisdom? Who can
stay the bottoms of heaven when the dust groweth into hardness,
and the clods cleave fast together. Will thou hunt the prey for the
lion, or fill the appetite of the young lions when they couch
in their dens and abide in the covert to lie in wait? Who provideth
for the raven his food when his young ones cry unto God? They
wander for lack of meat, Knowest thou the time when the wild goats
of the rock bring forth? Or canst thou mark when the hinds
do calve? Canst thou number the months
that they fulfill? Or knowest thou the time when
they bring forth? They bow themselves. They bring
forth their young ones. They cast out their sorrows.
Their young ones are in good liking. They grow up with corn. They go forth, return not unto
them. Who hath sent out the wild ass free? Who hath loosed the
bands of the wild ass? Whose house I have made the wilderness,
and the barren land his dwellings? Who scorneth the multitude of
the city? Neither regardeth he the crying
of the driver. The range of the mountains is
his pasture. He searcheth after every green
thing. Will the unicorn be willing to
serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with
his band in the furrow, or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
Wilt thou trust him because his strength is great, or wilt thou
leave thy labor to him? Wilt thou believe him that he
will bring home thy seed and gather it into thy barn? Gavest
thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks, or wings, feathers,
unto the ostrich, who leaveth her eggs in the earth and warmeth
them in the dust, and forgetteth that the foot may crush them,
or that the wild beast may break them? She's hardened against
her young ones, as though they were not hers. Her labor is in
vain without fear, because God hath deprived her of wisdom.
Neither hath he imparted to her understanding. What time she
lifted up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider. Hast thou given the horse strength?
Hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Canst thou make him
afraid as a grasshopper? The glory of his nostrils is
terrible. He paweth in the valley and rejoiceth
in his strength. He goeth on to meet the armed
men. He mocketh at fear, and is not
afraid. Neither turneth he back from
the sword. The quiver rattleth against him,
the glittering spear, the shield. He swalloweth the ground with
fierceness and rage. Neither believeth he that it
is the sound of trumpet. He saith among the trumpets,
Aha! He smelleth the battle afar off,
the thunder of the captains and the shouting. Doth the hawk fly
by thy wisdom and stretch her wings toward the south? Doth
the eagle mount up at thy command and make her nest on high? She
dwelleth and abideth on the rock upon the crag of the rock, the
strong place, from thence she seeketh the prey. Her eyes, behold,
are far off. Her young ones also suck up blood.
And where the slain are, there is she. Moreover, the Lord answered
Job and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?
He that reproveth God, let him answer it. Then Job answered
the Lord and said, Behold, I am vile. What shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my
mouth. Once have I spoken, but I will
not answer. Yea, twice, but I will proceed
no further. Then answered the Lord unto Job
out of the whirlwind, and said, Gird up thy loins now like a
man. I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou
also disannul my judgment? Will thou condemn me, that thou
mayest be righteous? Hast thou an arm like God, or
canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Deck thyself now with
majesty and excellency, and array thyself with glory and beauty.
Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath, and behold every one that is
proud, and abase him. Look on every one that's proud,
and bring him love. and tread down the wicked in
their place, hide them in the dust together, and bind their
faces in secret. Then will I also confess unto
thee that thine own right hand can save thee. Behold now, behemoth,
which I have made with thee, he eateth grass as an ox, Lo,
now his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel
of his belly. He moveth his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his stones are
wrapped together. His bones are as strong pieces
of brass, his bones like bars of iron. He is the chief of the
ways of God. He that made him can make his
sword to approach unto him. Surely the mountains bring him
forth food. where all the beasts of the field
play. He lieth under the shady trees
in the covert of the reed and fens. The shady trees cover him
with their shadows, and willows of the brook compass him about. Behold, he drinketh up a river
and hasteth not. He trusteth that he can draw
up Jordan into his mouth. He taketh it with his eyes. His nose pierceth through snares.
Canst thou draw out Leviathan with a hook, or his tongue with
a cord which thou lettest down? Canst thou put a hook into his
nose, or bore his jaw through with a thorn? Will he make many
supplications unto thee? Will he speak soft words unto
thee? Will he make a covenant with
thee? Wilt thou take him for a servant forever? Wilt thou
play with him as with a bird? Or wilt thou bind him with thy
maidens? Shall the companions make a banquet
of him? Shall they part him among the
merchants? Canst thou fill his skin with
barbed irons, or his head with fish spears? Lay thine hand upon
him, remember the battle, do no more. Behold, the hope of
him is in vain. Shall not one be cast down even
at the sight of him? None so fierce that dare stir
him up. Who then is able to stand before
me? Who hath prevented me that I
should repay him? Whatsoever is under the whole
heaven is mine. I will not conceal his parts,
nor his power, nor his comely proportion. Who can discover
the face of his garment? Who can come to him with his
double bridle? Who can open the doors of his
face? His teeth are terrible roundabout. His scales or his
pride shut up together as with closed seal. One is so near to
another that no air can come between them. They're joined
one to another, they stick together that they cannot be sundered.
By his knees the light does shine, his eyes are like the eyelids
of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning lamps
and sparks of fire leap out. Out of his nostrils go a smoke
as out of a seething pot or cauldron. His breath kindleth coals, His
flame goeth out of His mouth, and His neck remaineth strength,
and sorrow is turned into joy before Him. The flakes of His
flesh are joined together. They are firm in themselves,
they cannot be moved. His heart is as firm as a stone,
yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone. When he raises
up himself, the mighty are afraid. By reason of breakings they purify
themselves. The sword of him that layeth
in him cannot hold the spear, the dart, nor the aborigine. He esteemeth iron as straw, as
brass, as rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him flee. Sling stones are turned with
him into stubble. Darts are counted as stubble.
He laugheth at the shaking of a spear. Sharp stones are under
him. He spreadeth sharp pointed things
into the mire. He maketh the deep to boil like
a pot. He maketh the sea like a pot
of ointment. He maketh the path to shine after
him. One would think the deep to be hoary. Upon earth there's
not his like who is made without fear. He beholdeth all high things.
He is a king over all the children of pride. And Job answered the
Lord and said, I know that thou canst do everything. and that
no thought can be withholding for thee. Who is he that hideth
counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that
I understood not. Things too wonderful for me,
which I knew not. Here I beseech thee, I will speak,
I will demand of thee and declare thou unto me. I have heard of
thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee.
wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes. And
it was so that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job,
the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, my wrath is kindled
against thee and against thy two friends for thou have not
spoken to me the thing that is right as my servant Job hath. Therefore Take unto you now seven
bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer
up for yourselves a burnt offering, and my servant Job shall pray
for you. For him will I accept, lest I
deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of
me that thing which is right, like my servant Job. So Eliphaz
the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamite,
Naamathite, went and did according as the Lord commanded them. The
Lord also accepted Job. And the Lord turned the captivity
of Job when he prayed for his friends. Also the Lord gave Job
twice as much as he had before. Then came there unto him all
his brethren, all his sisters, all they that had been of his
acquaintance before. and did eat bread with him in
his house, and they bemoaned him and comforted him over all
the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. Every man also gave
him a piece of money, and every man an earring of gold. So the
Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.
He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, 1,000 she-asses,
and he had also seven sons and three daughters. He called the
name of the first, Jemima. The name of the second, Keziah. The name of the third, Kerenhepa. And in all, the land was no woman,
no women, found so fair as the daughters of Job. And their father
gave them inheritance among their brethren. After this, Job, after
this lived Job 140 years and saw his sons and his sons' sons
even four generations. So Job died being old and full
of days. Our Father, how we thank you
this morning for this blessed time to read the precious Word
of God. And Lord, thank you for teaching
us something Lord of who we are, to behold the wonder, Lord, somewhat,
of who you are. Lord, how we realize, oh, how
nothing we know. Lord, have mercy upon us. Thank you. for this place that
you've raised up. Thank you for the blessing of
being able to have the gospel preached all of these years,
and that Lord, that you would allow it to continue. Bless,
I pray, your precious word. Lord, cause us to muse upon these
things. Forgive us where we have thought
so lightly of you, so disrespectfully. Lord, have mercy. Lord, I ask
you now, bless your word. Bless your word to the calling
out of your sheep. Lord, bless your word to the
comforting of your people. Lord, teach us today. We ask
for Christ's sake. Amen.