RTW January 31

It’s All In The Attitude And Approach

“You asked, ‘Who is this that question my wisdom with such ignorance?’ ”
Job 42:3

 

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

Asking God questions isn’t wrong, it’s normal.

It’s all in attitude and approach.

  • Approach Boldly
    So, let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16
  • Approach Humbly
    Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (NIV) James 4:10
  • Approach Calmly
    Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6
  • Approach Right Minded
    And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong–you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:3

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5

Something New

Oh, friend, join me in worship to this song today. It makes me think of Job’s moment with God.

 

Something to do

 

 

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15 Comments

  1. Good morning girls. I have a few questions today if anyone cares to give me your thoughts. I always wonder what happened to Job’s wife? Was she the mother of his new children? Does the Bible tell us anything more about his sons and daughters families? How sad for Job that he lost his first set of children. How could any child ever be replaced? If I only lost one child and got 15 more I’m sure I would always grieve over the one I lost. I don’t understand how Job was blessed with more children? Also what can you tell me about Behemoth and Leviathan?

    I love the way Iva May sums up the book of Job so I thought I would share her words today.

    “Everyone loves a good ending to a story, and Job’s story ends well. The Gospel is preached, and God’s grace shines brightly.”

    “God deals with Job’s friends and their misrepresentations of His character by placing Job in the role of priest. He commands them to present themselves and their sacrifice to Job, “Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you” (Job 42:8). They do as God commands, and God accepts their offering and Job’s prayer on their behalf.”

    “Job’s story begins with an altar scene and concludes with an altar scene. Job recognizes the seriousness of sin and comes to God His way, through the shedding of the blood of the clean and innocent on behalf of the unclean and guilty. Job acts in faith, and now, at the conclusion of his story, his friends come to God by faith in the substitutionary death of another.”

    “Job’s suffering is the vehicle through which the Gospel is proclaimed.”

    1. I have never really understood what the point is about Behemoth and Leviathan. Here is a little of what the ESV Study Bible commentary has to say.
      “However, the Lord makes the point that, in speaking about justice on earth, Job is referring to something much more extensive than he could comprehend or accomplish (40:10–14). The Lord illustrates this point further by describing two beasts of creation: Behemoth (40:15–24) and Leviathan (ch. 41). If Job is unable to subdue these powerful beasts who are themselves a part of creation, how much less should he presume to be able to maintain his own right toward the Lord (see 41:9–11).”

      My own thoughts on this were that God was making the point that because He made these large land and sea creatures, nothing is too hard for Him. “Everything under heaven is mine.” (Job 41:11b)

      Here is what the ESV Study Bible has to say about Job’s wife:
      “Notably, Elihu is absent from this final scene. Neither do Job’s wife and Satan—so prominent in the prologue—feature in the close of the book.” That’s all it says, so doesn’t really answer your questions.

      There’s much good stuff in these chapters, even if we don’t understand it all or have answers to all our questions.

    2. If you compare Job 1:2-3 and Job 42:12-13 it shows that God doubled all his animals but he blessed him with the same amount of sons and daughters that he had lost. God was not replacing Job’s children that had died, he was blessing him with an additional 10 children, knowing that one day Job would be reunited with all 20 of his children.

    3. LKennedy, Thanks for sharing this summary and your thoughts and questions! I, too, am often left with things in the Bible that I don’t understand. So many questions! I appreciate how Wendy’s lesson says we can still be at peace, even with questions. God is sovereign. This is where we can rely on our faith and trust that God is working all things for His glory and for our good. We are so loved.

  2. ~Job 42:5 “I had on,y heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.” What a difference this makes! Knowledge vs. Relationship
    ~Seek God above all else. Focus on Him not on things.
    ~Ask God for wisdom that I may speak accurately about Him as He said Job did and for wisdom that I would not be like Job’s friends when speaking with those who are struggling and suffering.
    ~Be quick to humble myself before God and repent when needed.

  3. This was a great lesson. I was having trouble seeing the forest through the trees so I needed to hear about approaching God with the right attitude. Job had so much taken from him. I wonder how I would have responded! I’m not sure I would have questioned God, but I think I would have despaired. And I definitely would have needed wiser friends!

    1. I’m afraid I wouldn’t question God, but instead criticize Him. He did something “wrong”, He didn’t do what I thought He should. And then here is the crux of the problem–God is not obligated to do anything I ask. He blesses me and will at times give me what I ask because He loves me, but I am owed nothing. I am often quick to criticize those who act like God is a heavenly Santa Claus and will bring ehem all they ask for., but if I search carefully at how I view God’s activity in my life, I’m often no different. I know what I want and trust my plan more than His. I expect things of God. God “owes” me nothing, I have no reason to expect anything from Him. The fact that He does indeed bless me just shows His love for me. Good insights this morning

  4. Thanks Wendy for a great lesson today and for sharing the worship song. I love the ending of the book of Job because God blesses Job with twice as more than what he had.

  5. When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before. 42:10

    The power of prayer! Job obeyed God and prayed for his friends. That was an act of faith and trust and God blesses and restored Job.

    What a beautiful ending. I had a lot of questions about this chapter also but Deut 29:29 gave me peace about what I don’t understand.

    The song came to mind “Hills and Valleys” by Tauren Wells.

    https://youtu.be/8iDuZv_5MQk

  6. I made a resolution that in the beginning of this year I would read thru the Bible with Wendy! So far I have made it through January and also enjoyed all the comments that were said! What wisdom, knowledge and understanding that has been revealed! When I look at the book of Job, my mind showed me when we come to Christ, we usually get to the point of feeling we have lost it all. Then we can look up from the foot of Calvary. That is what happened to me. Nothing else matters in this world, but the presence of the Lord! The worship song was very encouraging! Seems like we always have to go back to Him! Awesome study this month! Thank you girls!!

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