Today being the day we celebrate Christmas, the day of the birth of Jesus, we will leave Job for the day and look at that glorious event.  In Luke 2:1 we read, And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  We know that Mary and Joseph had already been told of the miraculous birth that was to occur, but we must also acknowledge that God was at work through those who did not even believe in Him.  Caesar Augustus declared that people would have to travel to their home of birth to be taxed.  Verse two states, (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  Luke was simply providing a reference to help set the time frame in which this occured.  The birth of Jesus was an actual event that occurred at an actual time, which was set by God.  Today there is a movement to stop using the terms B.C. and A.D., which are based on the birth of Christ, but no matter what people call it, the birth of Christ is indeed the dividing point in history.  Verse three states, And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  Even that first Christmas was a day of travel.  We know this not only by this verse, but also because there was no place left to stay as we know.  Verse four states, And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  Mary and Joseph had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, since he was of the lineage of David, as was Mary.  Verse five states, To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. We may think that the census that happens every ten years is an inconvenience, but at least they come to us where we are.  Imagine having to travel by donkey, and having no choice about it, when expecting a baby at any moment.  They were not traveling for pleasure or to visit relatives, but were instead having to leave home at the worst possible time.  Verse six says, And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  The time came for Mary to deliver her first born child, Whose birth had been foretold to Mary and Joseph.  I cannot imagine all the thoughts that were going through their minds.  Verse seven says, And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  Not only did Mary and Joseph have to travel at this time, but at the end of their travel, there was no room for them to stay expect in a stable. We might be questioning God by this point.  Having been told that the baby would be the Son of God, we might expect Him to be born in a palace, but God's ways are not our ways.  After the birth of Jesus, Mary wrapped in in swaddling clothes.  I know there is a trend today to remove the swaddling from the verse, but I still believe that we should leave it in.  I personally think it denotes Mary's gentle care for Jesus.  Verse eight says, And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  It was just an ordinary night for a group of shepherds.  I believe that for the most part that life was boring and lonely for shepherds.  Verse nine declares, And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  Their routine night changed.  An angel appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shined on them.  Then, it says that they were sore afraid, or terrified.  Their job was to protect the sheep, and I believe at that point they weren't even sure how to protect themselves.  Verse ten says, And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  The angel told them he brought them good news of great joy for all people. God does not leave us in terror if we are only willing to listen to Him.  The birth of Christ is good news for all who will accept Him.  Verse eleven says, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  This is what we should be celebrating on Christmas day.  A Savior was born, who is Christ the Lord.  We should feel that same sense of the glory of God as we celebrate today.  Verse twelve says, And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  The shepherds were told where to find this Baby and how to identify Him.  We today will be called to this same Christ as were the shepherds, and I believe that we will know Him when we encounter Him.  We may refuse to believe, but there will be no doubt about Who Christ is when we meet Him, even without the angels.  Verse thirteen says, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  The one angel became a host of angels.  Verse fourteen states, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  They declared the purpose of the coming of Christ.  Christ came to bring glory to God and peace and good will to people.  This should be the way all Christians feel.  We should glorify God because He sent His Son to be our Savior.  This should lead to an attitude of peace toward all people.

Job 36:16 says, Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.  When a person is not following God, they are travelling the broad way of life.  Nothing is off limits in their approach to life.  We know that as followers of Christ we are called to follow the narrow way, the way that is limited to following God's direction.  Verse seventeen states, But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.  Elihu said that Job attempting to justify himself by his own actions put him among the wicked.  Even if we are followers of Christ, we are still capable of following our own will instead of God's will.  When we do, we can expect God to call us back to repentance.  Verse eighteen says, Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.  Elihu said that there was no earthly way to escape the wrath of God when He came in judgment.  No amount of money, or material wealth, can deliver us from God's judgment.  This thought is continued in verse nineteen, which says, Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.  Our riches cannot buy our ransom, but the free gift that Christ gave on the cross can and does to those who accept Him.  Verse twenty says, Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.  Verse twenty-one says, Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.  Elihu was asking Job to not fall into iniquity by holding his righteous to be above God's righteousness.  By saying that God was treating him unjustly, this is what Job was doing.  We can never accuse God of being unfair without being guilty of sin.  If we do accuse God of this, we are saying that we are more just in our relationship to God than He is in His relationship to us.  Verse twenty-two says, Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?  Elihu said that God teaches us from His exalted position.  There is no one who is capable of teaching God.  God does not leave us to discover the truth about Him on our own, but He reveals Himself to us.  Verse twenty-three asks, Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?  I believe that Elihu was asking Job why he thought he could accuse God of treating him unfairly.  If this were true, then God would indeed be guilty of iniquity.  Verse twenty-four says,  Remember that thou magnify his work, which men beheld.  If we are followers of Christ, we must acknowledge that our very existence is a testimony to God.  He created and sustains us.  Verse twenty-five says, Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.  The glory of God Is not hidden.  Everyone can see the power and magnificence of God simply by looking at His creation.  No matter how much people may claim that the universe is a cosmic accident, they have to acknowledge that everything is held in place by something.  We know that it is held together by God's power, if we are His followers.  In verse twenty-six Elihu declares, Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.  God is and always was.  We cannot point to a time or place when God came into existence, as some would do.  He was not born from other gods, but simply has always existed.  Verse twenty-seven says, For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:  Then verse twenty-continues, Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.  I believe that Elihu was simply stating that God is the ultimate authority of even the elements.  When the rain falls to refresh and renew the earth, we need to acknowledge it as the work of God.  I personally do not believe that all natural disasters are the direct action of God, but are a result of people's sin causing the perfection of God's creation to be thrown out of balance.  The next five verses continue to point out God's superiority to humanity.  Verse twenty-nine asks, Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?  Then verse thirty answers, Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.  All of creation is God's.  He created the heavens and the earth, and night and day, and He has never deserted it.  Verse thirty-one says, For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.  Then verse thirty-two states, With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.  We know that during their wilderness wanderings that God appeared to His people as a cloud by day.  This was not just a fortunate coincidence, but the work of God.  Verse thirty-three says, The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.  I believe that Elihu was saying that even the cattle could see God's work in the rain.  How much more should Job have been able to see this, as we as His followers should also be able to today.

Job 36:1 says, Elihu also proceeded, and said,  Elihu still had more to say to Job and those around him.  We need to share the entire truth of God with those around us, and not just quit at condemning them.  Verse two says, Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.  Elihu asked Job to listen awhile longer because he had yet to speak everything that God had for him to say.  We cannot be satisfied with partial truths about God, but must be willing to listen to Him continually.  Verse three says, I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.  Elihu said that he was speaking on behalf of God and therefore his knowledge came from afar.  If what we say, especially in the name of God, does not come from God, then we need to simply remain quite.  We cannot proclaim faith in God and blame Him for our suffering at the same time.  Verse four states, For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.  Elihu said that what he was saying would not be proven to be false, and that God was with Job.  God has a perfect knowledge and will always be with His people, even if we do not feel as though He is.  In verse five, Elihu declares, Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.  This needs to be our declaration as well.  God does not despise any.  God's strength and wisdom are far superior to anything man may devise so that we can be sure that He will always be with those that are His.  Verse six says, He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.  If the wicked do prosper and live long lives it is not because God has done these things directly.  God may allow them to live long, successful lives, but there is coming a day of judgment.  Also, no matter how poor a person may be, they have a right to come to God for forgiveness and deliverance.  Verse seven says, He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.  I believe that Elihu was saying that not all leaders are evil.  When the righteous person rules, their rule deals with more than the here and now.  Their rule is founded on the principles of God.  Verse eight says, And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;  Then in verse nine, Then he showeth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.  I believe that Elihu said that even with righteous rulers God would make them aware of their sins.  It is easy to let power corrupt, but those who follow God will be made aware when they allow this to start happening.  God will chastise His people if they fail to follow His will, even the righteous rulers.  Verse ten says, He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.  I believe that Elihu was saying that those who follow God will always be open to hearing Him, even if they are being chastised.  Job should have been listening for God to speak to him, but was instead accusing God of being unfair.  Verse eleven says, If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.  We could interpret this to mean that following God results in material blessings, but I believe that it means that we will be content in life as we follow God's will.  Verse twelve says, But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. Those who do not follow God will die without knowledge of salvation, which will be a terrible death.  Verse thirteen says, But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.  Hypocrites will not listen to God while claiming to follow Him.  Even if they are chastised by God, they still refuse to obey Him. Verse fourteen says, They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.  We know that many times sinful actions result in an early death, but even if I it does not, those who do live long lives do so among the unclean.  I believe that this means being spiritual unclean.  Verse fifteen says, He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.  I do not believe that Elihu was saying that being poor and oppressed was a sure sign of being in God's will.  A person can be poor and still not follow God, but God will always be ready to deliver them from the consequences of sin in their lives.  Rich or poor, all can come to God, and if they do, they will be blessed forevermore.

Job 35:9 says, By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.  Elihu now addresses Job's complaint that God does not hear the cries and complaints of the poor and suffering, those who are oppressed in the world.  Matthew Henry says that people feel that God does not hear their cries, or their prayers because they are not crying out in repentance.  They simply want God to show His blessing on them, when spiritually they are no better than their oppressors.  People too often look to God for only material reasons, and when they do they feel that God is not answering them.  We must maintain our faith in God no matter what.  If we are oppressed by the world, we must never allow that oppression to make us feel that God does not hear us.  In verse ten, Elihu states, But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;  I believe that Elihu was continuing to explain the problem with people who were oppressed feeling that God did not answer them, as Job had claimed in his life.  People were not really looking to God acknowledging that He would always be with those who truly believed in Him, but were only looking to Him to get them out of their current situation.  They were not acknowledging God for Who He is, the Creator and Sustainer of life.  Verse eleven asks, Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?  I believe that Elihu was asking what separates us from the rest of the animals of the world, and the implied answer would be our spiritual relationship with God.  Though there may be people today who want to elevate the status of other animals to the point of being equal with people, they will never be.  Who makes us wiser than the fowl of heaven?  God does, because He breathed His Spirit into people alone, and not all animals.  Verse twelve says, There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.   Elihu said that people suffered because of the pride of evil men.  If all people lived under the leadership of God, I do not believe that some would live a life of opulence while others starved.  Too often when they poor and suffering cry out, they are either ignored or despised.  Verse thirteen declares, Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.  Elihu said that God would not hear vanity, or empty words that meant nothing.  When we pray, the first thing we must acknowledge is that God is never going to be unjust in His treatment of people.  I believe that this even applies to the prayers for those who treat us unfairly or even actively persecute us.  I do not believe that we can ask God to forgive our sins and punish those of others and expect Him to do so.  Verse fourteen says, Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.  I believe that this is a truth that every person must acknowledge.  No matter how much people may declare that there is no God or even as His followers that we do not feel that He is treating us fairly, God will always be the ultimate judge of each individual.  Verse fifteen says, But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:  Elihu said that due to Job's lack of trust in God during his suffering that he felt that God was angry with him.  We must continue to put our faith in God's love and forgiveness of us, no matter what may be happening in the world.  If we don't, then we are guilty of sinning against God, and though God will not punish us in great extremity, which would be to allow us to be eternally separated from Him, He will not hear our empty prayers.   In verse sixteen, Elihu says, Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.  Elihu said that since Job was speaking without putting his faith in God to deal with him justly no matter what that Job was speaking a multitude of words without knowledge.  Even if we feel that we are being unfairly treated in life, we can never accuse God of treating us that way.  We must put our trust in God no matter what is happening in our lives.

Job 35:1 says, Elihu spake moreover, and said,  Elihu was not yet finished in his statements to Job.  He now was responding to some of the things that Job had claimed to be true.  If we are to evaluate the statements of other people, we need to be sure that we know what they really said.  Verse two asks, Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s?  Elihu asked Job if he thought that it was right for Job to declare himself more righteous than God.  If we begin to claim that God is unfair in His treatment of us, this is really what we are claiming.  If God is unfair, then we by necessity must be more righteous than He is.  Elihu asked Job if he thought it was right for him to feel this way.  As followers of Christ, we will never be blameless if we claim that God is being unfair in His relationship to us, especially if that feeling is based on material things.  Verse three states, For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?  I believe that Elihu was saying that Job felt that there was no advantage to serving God if he was allowed to suffer so much.  If we are serving God only to receive material blessings, then we are ultimately going to face that question.  We must serve God because of Who He is, and not to gain material things from God.  In verse four Elihu said, I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.  Elihu said he would answer not only Job, but his friends as well.  Just as Job was wrong to question God, so were his friends were wrong to condemn Job as a hypocrite.  At times, both sides may be wrong in their assessment of each other.  His friends and Job both felt morally superior to the other.  Elihu was there to lead both sides to a better understanding of God.  We today should pray for God to send us a voice of reason if we are in dispute with fellow believers about the will and nature of God.  Verse five says, Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.  I believe that Elihu was saying that for Job's friends and Job to receive an answer they were going to have to look upward, or to God.  We are never going to find answers to spiritual questions in material things.  Only by looking to God will we find the truth.  Verse six asks, If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?  I believe Elihu was asking if Job, or anyone, were to commit the most horrible of sins and do so repeatedly how would that possibly make God any less than Who He is.  Our sins never decrease the majesty of God.  All sin can ever do is decrease the standing of the sinner before God.  I realize that sin may hurt those around us, but ultimately in a spiritual sense it is only between a person and God.  Verse seven asks, If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?  Elihu asked Job how instead of being the greatest sinner how being the most righteous person would affect God.  Our righteousness, no matter how great it may be, in no way makes God indebted to us.  We can never become righteous enough to stand before God without an Advocate.  In verse eight Elihu declares, Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.   I believe that Elihu was saying that even though our actions, whether wicked or righteous, might affect those around us, they in no way changed God.  If we are followers of Christ, the first thing we have to acknowledge is that we are sinners.  Then, the second is that we cannot redeem ourselves, but only through Christ can we be redeemed.  After that, we must live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  We cannot feel that God owes us anything.

Job 34:29 says, When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:  I believe that Elihu was getting to the heart of the matter at this point.  If God brings quietness, or peace, into the heart of a person, then nothing is able to take that away.  I believe that this means that no matter what is happening to us in life, that if we are truly following God we will be at peace.  As Paul would later say, no matter what happened, he was content in his life because of his relationship to Christ.  Job should have been, and so should we.  Elihu said that if God hid His face, whether from a nation or an individual, that they would not find Him.  I don't believe that God ever hides Himself from His people, but we may not always understand how He is at work.  Verse thirty says, That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.  We could understand this to mean that Job was being punished because he was hypocritical, but I do not believe that is what Elihu was saying.  I believe that he was speaking of the ultimate fate of the hypocrite.  Verse thirty-one says, Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:  Elihu told Job that people should be willing to accept chastisement from God.  Though this is not what was happening to Job, I believe that Elihu was saying that Job should not claim that God was treating him unfairly.  We should never question God's love for us, no matter what.  In verse thirty-two Elihu continues, That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.  I believe that Elihu was telling Job that even if he did not see a reason for God's chastisement that he was to ask God to reveal it and then do it no more.  I believe that Elihu was saying that we may be guilty of some sin that we really aren't aware of and that we should be willing to accept God's chastisement without attempting to claim that God is punishing us unfairly.  Verse thirty-three says, Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.  Elihu said it was not up to Job or anyone else to decide the fairness of God.  We are limited in our understanding, and God is not.  We should never attempt to force our limited understanding on God, but instead should simply follow Him in faith.  Verse thirty-four says, Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.  I believe that Elihu was asking that if what he was saying was wrong for those who understood God to tell him how.  We should never be unwilling to allow another follower of Christ to show us if we are wrong in our understanding of God.  Verse thirty-four says, Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.  Job had pronounced himself innocent, but by his complaints against God he had proven himself guilty.  Verse thirty-six says, My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.  Elihu said he hoped that Job would be tried for his answer in which he attempted to justify himself before evil men.  I believe that Elihu was speaking of Job's attempt to justify himself at the expense of proclaiming God guilty of being unfair.  Verse thirty seven states, For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.  Elihu said that Job was guilty of rebelling against God by his claim that God was guilty of treating him wrong.  If we are suffering today, we need to never allow ourselves to be guilty of blaming God of treating us unfairly.

Job 34;17 says, Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?  I believe that Elihu was asking Job how he could question God's right to judge.  Even if we feel that our suffering is a direct result of God's actions, we still have no right to question God.  We must always put our faith in God's redeeming nature.  God is not out to destroy people, which could easily do, but instead has provided for their redemption.  Verse eighteen asks, Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?  I believe that Elihu was asking how those earthly rulers would respond to our condemning them as evil and unfit.  At the time that Elihu was speaking to Job, the rulers of nations had absolute power over their subjects.  Still, their power was nothing compared to the power of God, and Job was questioning God's right to judge him and claiming that God was unfair to Him.  If Job made the same claim about those earthly rulers, he could expect that they would not allow him to continue without consequences.  Fortunately, we do have the right to question those in power in America, but that is not true everywhere.  No matter where we are though, we never have the right to question God's fairness in his judgment of anyone.  Verse nineteen says, How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.  Elihu asked Job if earthly rulers would not allow people to speak or act badly toward them, then how much more did God have the right to expect His people to not speak badly against Him.  Elihu said that their material status did not affect God's judgment.  He does not judge the rich and powerful to be more important than the weak and suffering.  Verse twenty states, In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.  No matter how powerful a person may feel in this world, they cannot guarantee that they have even another second to live.  God alone can sustain life.  God will never need people to carry out His judgment, but He does choose to work through people generally.  Verse twenty-one says, For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.  We can be certain that God not only knows our actions, but He even knows the reasons behind those actions.  Verse twenty-two declares, There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.  As Elihu stated, there is no where to hide from God.  No matter how clever we may think we are in hiding our sins from the world, God always sees them.  Verse twenty-three says, For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God,  I believe that Elihu was just once more stating that God does not judge people unfairly.  This I believe means that if God's people are suffering that God is not the direct cause of that suffering.  Verse twenty-four says, He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.  No matter how powerful the rulers of the world may be, they are powerless before God if He brings His judgment on them.  I believe this would mean that not all rulers are placed in power by God.  Verse twenty-five says, Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.  We know that ultimately God will defeat all the evil kingdoms of the world, but it will not be until Christ returns in victory.  Verse twenty-six says, He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;  I believe that Elihu was saying that when God punishes those who rule in evil that there will be no doubt that He is the One doing it.  Verse twenty-seven says, Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:  We may feel that this is what is happening in the world today, but there are still some who are followers of Christ at work in the world.  We need to continue to work and witness for God.  Verse twenty-eight says, So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.  I believe that Elihu was saying that when the poor are oppressed that God takes notice.  One day, God will judge all people based on their relationship to Christ, and if we are truly followers of Christ, we will have concern for those who are less fortunate than us in the material things of this world.