God Speaks
What Is Wisdom and Where Can I Find Understanding?
Verse of the Day: “And [the LORD God] said to the human race, ‘The fear of the LORD–that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'” (Job 28:28 NIV)
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Watch TBR Day 010: Job 24-28
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Job 24-28:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Job 24
1. In His time and in His way, God Almighty will bring judgment to the wicked.
2. Even in this day and age, wicked people do those things against the poor and needy or against God that Job listed or similar activities.
Job 25
1. God is powerful and to be reverently feared.
2. In comparison to the LORD, people are as powerless as worms.
Job 26
1. Who can comprehend the greatness of God’s power as illustrated in the examples from creation Job listed here?
2. Like Job’s “comforters,” people often tell others how to help the poor and needy but fail to do anything themselves.
Job 27
1. God will deal with the wicked in ways that Job described.
2. When truly innocent people seem to be oppressed even by God, they should maintain their integrity and cry out to God for justice, as Job did.
Job 28
1. God, not human searching (or philosophies), is the source of wisdom and understanding.
2. People are told by the LORD God, “The fear of the LORD is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.”
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Job 24-28?
Thank You, LORD God Almighty, that in Your time and in Your way, You will bring judgment to the wicked. Even in this day and age, wicked people do those things against the poor and needy or against You that Job listed or similar activities. God, You are powerful and deserve to be reverently feared. In comparison to You, LORD, we people are as powerless as worms. No one can comprehend the greatness of Your power as illustrated in the examples from creation Job listed. Like Job’s “comforters,” people often tell others how to help the poor and needy but fail to do anything themselves. Forgive us, LORD. Help us to help the poor truly get out of poverty, not just talk about it or throw money at it. [Bless those people who went to Israel and helped harvest crops and cleaned out houses and bomb shelters so that refugees could return safely to their restored homes.] God, You will deal with the wicked in ways that Job described and more. When truly innocent people seem to be oppressed, even seemingly by You, God, they should maintain their integrity and cry out to You for justice as Job did. You, God, not human searching (or philosophies), are the true source of wisdom and understanding. LORD God, continue to remind us, “The fear of the LORD is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.” May we all return to You, seeking wisdom and forsaking our wicked and evil ways. Then You will forgive our sins and restore us, and we will bring You glory forever, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Job 24-28? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will affirm to the LORD that I will leave the judgment of the wicked up to Him but will obey whatever He tells me to do in that regard.
- I will spend time daily praising God for His power and majesty, especially as exhibited in nature.
- I will take definite action on behalf of the poor and needy this week (example: helping in the office of an organization that serves them).
- I will ask the Holy Spirit for specific ways for me to fear the LORD and forsake evil, thus gaining wisdom, then obey whatever He says.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.