The Greatness of God Seen In Job – Lesson Notes

(Job 40:1-5)

Introduction:

* I Kings 18:26-29 – prophets of Baal cried out for hours w/no response. No one was there! Elijah mocked them.

* Paul told the Athenians that God doesn’t dwell in manmade temples (Acts 17:24).

* Creation screams out the truth of God’s existence (Rom. 1:20-21).

* Job was reminded of the Lord’s greatness (Job 38-41).

* Job never knew why he suffered. All he needed to know is God is all-powerful & all wise. That’s all we need know.

* We have a witness of God’s existence and care for us (Acts 14:17).

* God is in control! He has made spiritual immortality available to us! (II Tim. 1:10; Rom. 5:8-9).

1. God is the Powerful Creator.

* He reminded Job of this (Job 38:4). “Who laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you know!” “Who decided its

measurements? Who laid the cornerstone?” (Job 38:5-6).

* Job reminded he knew nothing of the creation of the earth, therefore, not qualified to judge what happened there.

* God controls relationship between earth and sea (Job 38:8-11)

2. God is the Generous Sustainer.

* God asks, “Have you commanded the morning since your days began?” (Job 38:12).

* God has never failed in fulfilling His responsibilities.

* Jesus taught that God is in control of everything (Mt. 5:45).

* Depth of Job’s knowledge probed (Job 38:16-18),

* “Where does daylight and dark come from, Job?” (Job 38:20-21).

* God insists that Job must know, for he dared question God in the first place.

* “What about the weather, Job?” (Job 38:22-30).

* “Who keeps the constellations in order?” (Job 38:31-33).

* God’s message is “I Job, not you.”

* “Who oversees the great and small? (Job 38:39-41). Who sustains every aspect of Creation?” (Job 39:1-30)

3. God is the Perfect Ruler.

* Job had been humbled and had nothing to say (Job 40:4-5). God insisted the lesson continue (v. 7).

* Demanded Job use his power to pass judgment on the wicked (40:9-13).

* Then, humbled him once more with this thought – “Can you save yourself?” (v. 14).

* God introduces Behemoth (most likely a dinosaur - Job 40:15-24) and Leviathan (Job 41:1-34).

* God’s point: If man cannot contend with behemoth or leviathan, he surely cannot stand against Me (Job 40:10-11).

Furthermore, does Job have to accuse God of unjustly governing the world just to prove his innocence? Job’s

knowledge was weak, and his power nearly non-existent.

* God is omniscient; He knows everything – past, present, and future (Eph. 3:10-11; I Peter 1:20).

* God is omnipotent (Rev. 19:6); all powerful (Gen. 17:1 – Almighty/El Shaddai). Spoke universe into being (Gen.1).

* God is onmipresent (present everywhere – Psalm 139:7-12).

Conclusion: Job perseveres.

* Job a great object lesson in remembering who God is and trusting Him (Jas. 5:11).

* Knowing the Lord is compassionate and merciful is enough (II Cor. 12:9).

* Job trusted God (Job 13:15).

Christ died for you (John 3:16) and He expects your obedience (Mark 16:16; Rev. 2:10). Are you trusting Him? Put your trust in Him and become one of His children today!

R.W. McAlister 7/27/08 a.m.