Job 38:1 says, Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,  Job was wanting an answer from God, and his friends really hadn't provided it.  Now, God Himself was answering Job from out of a whirlwind.  Though God could have spoken quietly to Job, I believe that He spoke this way so that all those around Job would know that He was the One speaking.  Verse two asks, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?  I believe that God was speaking first to Job, and then to God Job's friends.  When we are suffering in life, who are we to question God or attempt to give Him council.  We need to continue to live by faith.  Verse three says, Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.  I believe that we today might say that God told Job to man up.  God said to Job that He would demand of him.  God has every right to place a demand of obedience and faithfulness on His followers, and also a right to expect us to answer Him.  Verse four asks, Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.  God asked Job where he was when God created the earth.  God challenged Job to tell Him how the world was made if he knew.  People today who do not believe in God have theories about the formation, because they would never use Creation, of the world, but we as followers of Christ can never question that God created everything from nothing.  Verse five asks, Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?  God asked Job if God did not design the world, and the universe as well, then who did.  Even those who propose a cosmic accident as having been the origin of the world have to start with the existence of something and cannot explain the order of the universe.  In verse six God asks, Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;  I believe that God was asking Job who keeps the world suspended in space if God doesn't.  Even if we attempt to explain this as the law of nature, where does that law come from. Verse seven says, When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?  God was still asking Job where he was when God hung the stars in heaven and the angels rejoiced.  If Job, or anyone, should question God's sovereignty, then we should know more and be more powerful than He is.  Verse eight asks, Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?  God was the One Who divided the land and the seas, and God asked Job if God didn't do this, who did.  All these questions point back to the glory of God.  Verse nine says, When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingb and forit,   What makes the earth different from any other planet is its atmosphere, and God asked where this came from if not from Him.  Then, verse ten states,  And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,  God says that He set boundaries on the seas.  Verse eleven says, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?  This is a continuation of God's declaration that He controls the seas and limits their expanse.  If we are to question God, then we should be able to explain the way the universe works without Him.  Verse twelve asks, Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;  God asked Job if he had created day and night.  Once more, we cannot explain nor control the universe, but God knows all its mysteries and sustains it all by His power.  Verse thirteen says, That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?  God could indeed shake all the wicked out of the world, but He chooses to give them a way to redemption instead.  Verse fourteen says, It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. When verse fifteen states, And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.  I believe that God was saying that the fate of the wicked who will not turn to Him in repentance is already sealed.  No matter how strong they may think they are, their high regard for themselves will be broken.

Job 37:14 says, Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.  Elihu once more asks Job to consider the wondrous works of God.  If we are feeling deserted by God today, one of the things we need to do is to consider the wondrous works of God, and I believe most importantly His wondrous work of salvation.  Nothing that happens in the world can take God's salvation from us.  Verse fifteen asks, Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?  Though Elihu was speaking to Job and those around him, the question is just as relevant to us today.  Like Job, we cannot claim to understand everything about how God works in the world.  Verse sixteen asks, Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?  Those forecasting the weather today have computer models of what the weather is going to do, and they are very often wrong.  Elihu reminded Job that God knew what was going to happen whether He was the direct cause or just allowed it to happen.  Verse seventeen then asks, How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?  I believe that Elihu was asking if he still believed that God was the One Who brought him comfort when it came.  If we reach the point of only blaming God for bad things that happen in life and forget the good, then we are not being good witnesses for Him.  Verse eighteen asks, Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?  I believe that these questions were asked to cause Job to do what Elihu had said, and that was to stop and consider.  We today, especially when things are going badly, need to stop and consider all that God has done for us. We need to be secure and content in God's love for us.  We can never be more powerful than God.  Verse nineteen says, Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. We often do not even know what to say to God, but as His followers, He will give us the words.  Darkness, or evil, gets between God and us, but when He forgives us, the barrier is removed.  Verse twenty says, Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.  Elihu said that what he had said was unworthy of being heard by God.  Elihu had done well in his speech about God, but he knew that he was unworthy.  Verse twenty-one says, And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.  Elihu said that the bright light, God Himself, that had been hidden was about to be revealed to them clearly.  I believe that when God speaks, or reveals Himself to people, that there can never be any doubt that He is the One at work.  Verse twenty-two says, Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.  Elihu was almost finished speaking, because he saw the coming majesty of God revealed.  All the clouds of confusion would be swept away. When we are suffering or in doubt, we need to listen for the clear word of God, waiting patiently in faith.  Verse twenty-three says, Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.  As Elihu told those listening to him, we cannot find out God on our own.  God reveals Himself to all people at some point in their life, but they can never find God from their own ability.  We find God only in faith as He reveals Himself to us.  In verse twenty-four Elihu concludes, Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.  Elihu finished by saying that people should fear, or live in awe of the Holy Majesty of God.  We have nothing to say, no matter how wise we are, that will ever add anything to Who God is.

Job 37:1 says, At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.  Elihu was speaking about the power of God.  Elihu said that God's power, and magnificence, made his made his heart tremble.  We need that same feeling of awe in the presence of God today.  I believe that at times we act as though God is somehow limited in the world today.  Because of all the evil around us we act as though God has become almost powerless.  Verse two says, Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.  Elihu was asking Job to not just hear the voice of God, but to listen with understanding.  It is not enough to acknowledge God's work in the world with an impersonal attitude.  We must hear God as He speaks to us individually through the Holy Spirit.  Only when we have that personal relationship can we begin to fully understand God.  Verse three states, He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.  Elihu said that God doesn't just appear to a select few, but He declares Himself so the whole world can see Him.  Verse four says, After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.  Though at times God may speak as a still, small voice, at others He shakes the earth with His voice. We need to remember that God, by His voice, spoke all things into existence.  If God is speaking to us today, no matter how He is doing it, we must listen and heed His voice. Verse five says, God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.  Elihu said that God is at work in ways that we cannot even comprehend.  Job felt deserted by God, but this was in no way true. We cannot allow events in life to cause us to question God.  Verse six says, For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.  Once more, Elihu was stating that God is in control of His world.  Nothing is ever going to take God by surprise, nor will anything ever overpower Him.  Whether the moisture of the heavens falls as rain or snow, God is still the One behind them.  Verse seven says, He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.  Elihu said that when weather conditions become too extreme, whether from rain or snow, people are sealed off from their work.  Verse eight states, Then the beasts go into dens, and remain inside their places.  Elihu said even the beasts, or the animals, were affected by this server weather.  The next four verses speak of God's control of the weather.   Verse nine says, Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.  Then verse ten, By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.  So far, Elihu says that God can control whirlwinds, cold winds, frost, and rain.  Verse eleven continues, Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:  Finally verse twelve concludes, And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.  I personally do not believe that every weather event is a result of God's direct action, just as Job's suffering was not a result of the direct action of God.  Still, God does indeed have it in His power to control every aspect of not only the weather, but the entire universe.  Verse thirteen says, He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.  Elihu said that God could use the weather for correcting people or simply for sustaining the earth.  Once more, we simply have to acknowledge that God is in control no matter what happens.

Today, we will look at some events that occurred shortly after the birth of Jesus.  Luke 2:15 says, And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  The shepherds were in agreement after the angels went back into heaven.  They said that they would go to Bethlehem and see this thing that had come to pass, which God had made known to them.  The angels had told them what had happened, but they wanted to see it for themselves.  We might have a multitude of angels proclaiming the truth about Christ to us today, but it would not bring us the promised salvation without seeing Jesus for ourselves, or having that personal encounter in other words.  The shepherds could have said that what they had seen was impressive and simply gone on their way, but instead they put going to see the truth about Jesus ahead of everything else.  We need to be the same way, putting Jesus first, especially at Christmas time.  Too often, Christ gets lost in the hustle and bustle of Christmas.  Verse sixteen says, And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  We are not told exactly how far the shepherds had to travel, but are told that they came as quickly as they could.  No matter how far a person may be spiritually from God, once hearing the good news of Christ, he or she should make haste to come to Him.  God will call all people to Him, but it is up to each individual to respond to that call, and there is never a good reason to delay.  The shepherds could have said that the announcement of the birth of Jesus was interesting or even exciting, but that they were too busy with too many responsibilities to let it affect them very much, but they didn't.  They took action, and so should we when we encounter Christ.  Verse seventeen says,  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  When the shepherds found Jesus, the told everyone about what they had seen and heard.  When we meet Jesus in a personal relationship, we need to make known what we know about Him.  The shepherds did not just see Jesus and go away quietly.  They had good news to share, and so do we.  Usually, today the day after Christmas is a day to return to our normal lives, but we should be even more ready to share the gospel of Christ.  Verse eighteen says, And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  What the shepherds told those that they encountered got people to thinking about Christ.  What we as followers of Christ tell people today should at least get them to thinking about Christ.  Verse nineteen says, But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  I cannot imagine all the thoughts that were going through Mary's mind.  She had been told that she would give birth to the Messiah, and the shepherds confirmed that this was what had happened.  Though some would make Mary almost a god, she was but a young woman who had something miraculous happen in her life.  I believe that as she kept all these things in her heart that she most likely had many questions about her ability to be fulfill her calling.  If we are followers of Christ today, He has called us for a purpose, and we may at times question our ability to carry out our calling.  At these times, we need to keep our relationship to Christ at the center of our thoughts.  Verse twenty says, And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.  The shepherds returned to work, but they were changed.  They were glorifying and praising God for all they had seen.  The day after Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ, we as His followers should glorify and praise God for what He did for the world when He sent Christ to live and die to redeem us.  Though we should do this every day, we should especially do so at Christmas time, so that Christ is not forgotten as we celebrate His birth. 

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.