Job Experiences God

Job Experiences God

by

Keith Kaynor

Smashwords Edition

PUBLISHED By:

Father’s Press on Smashwords. Copyright 2003, Keith Kaynor

Library of Congress Control Number 2003091157

Keith Kaynor holds the copyright of this book and has granted the exclusive right to publish it to Father’s Press.

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This study of Job has everything a good Bible-study book ought to have: careful exposition, practical application and good illustrations of Biblical truth. You find yourself carried along from chapter to chapter as though reading an adventure story.

WARREN WIERSBE Pastor and author of one hundred books, popular Bible-conference teacher and former voice of Back to the Bible radio broadcast

The ancient book of Job is not always appreciated by modern people. Perhaps this is because we look for quick, painless, sure-fix solutions to life's problems. But this is not realistic and Job shows that life is full of mysteries that are securely bound up in the loving plans of a gracious God. This book sets out to show how this works. And it succeeds admirably.

STUART BRISCOE Minister-At-Large. Elmbrook Church

I enthusiastically commend this most recent book from the pen and heart of Author Keith Kaynor. I find it most insightful. It is scholarly, instructive, and applicable. It is very readable — the product of an amazing number of quality illustrations which hold the attention of the reader and focus a spiritual truth. This book is a valuable addition for every pastor's/teacher's library that will enrich the pulpit ministry and the classroom lectern.

WILBERT WELCH Chancellor, Cornerstone University and Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary

If you've ever had trouble making sense of Job beyond the opening chapters, Keith's book will turn the lights on.

JOHN GREENING National Representative of the General Association of Regular Baptists

Job is one of the most puzzling, yet endearing books in all of Scripture. Puzzling, as it asks more questions than it answers; endearing because Job lost everything and found God. In this immensely helpful book, Keith Kaynor shows us that sometimes great faith results from great struggles, and true joy from the worst suffering. This is an essential book for pastors and anyone who is asking life's more important questions.

PHIL CALLAWAY Author and Editor of 'Servant' Magazine

In his book, Job Experiences God, Keith Kaynor weaves together exegesis, insight and Biblical application in a way that makes the action come alive. The book not only helps us better understand that age-old question: ‘Why do the righteous suffer?’ but also helps us better understand ourselves and God’s purpose which is wrought through difficult circumstances.

HAROLD J. SALA President Guidelines International Ministries

Suffering must be important to God since it is the theme of one of His longest books. Perhaps a subtitle for Keith Kaynor's encouraging book on Job could be 'Suffering to the Glory of God.' Mr. Kaynor challenges the reader throughout the book to trust and live for God no matter the difficult or painful circumstances.

DOUG NICHOLS International Director ACTION International Ministries

Cover Art: Job’s greatest challenge came in chapter 42. Would he be able to pray for the three men who had been so critical of him?

Other books by Keith Kaynor

When God Chooses: The Life of David

Jungle Myths: ABWE’s Medical Work on the Amazon River

Genuine Christianity: Everything you have wanted to know about Christianity without having the Bible shoved down your throat.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. NIV Copyright VERSION. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

My body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering… Men open their mouths to jeer at me; they strike my cheek in scorn and unite together against me. My face is red with weeping, deep shadows ring my eyes…mockers surround me. I must dwell on their hostility. Even little boys scorn me…they ridicule me…trembling seizes my body…the churning inside me never stops. My body burns with fever. (7:5, 16:10, 17:2, 18:6, 21:6, 30:27, 30:30)

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the latter day He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet will I see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes — I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me. (19:25-27)

I will never admit you are right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. (27:5)

Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him. (13:15)

You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God and not trouble? (2:10)

How to Benefit Most from this Book

The text of Job is not repeated in this book because it is assumed the reader has a Bible opened to Job. Without frequent reference to the text of Job, this book will be disjointed. This book illuminates THE Book. All books are secondary to Scripture. May books help assist the reader’s understanding of the divinely inspired Book, not be a substitute for It.

This book is not intended to be a scholarly study. Nor is it a verse-by-verse commentary. I am not a Hebraist. I touch only briefly on academic questions of authorship, location, and date. Accepting the cannonicity of Job, we can get right to the table and begin eating.

Possibly even my goal of commenting on each chapter of Job (my chapter numbers correspond to the chapters in Job) is out of harmony with today’s quick reads, digests and devotions on the run. When real suffering comes, it is not over quickly, so our study of God’s explanation needs to match His thoroughness. When we are hurting, an extra 150 pages is welcome information, not an irritant. Maybe Job is a long book because any suffering is too long.

Use of this material

While I have copyrighted this material, may God be pleased to use what He has given me. People who believe the Bible—that Jesus Christ is God in a human body; that salvation is available by grace through faith; that the Bible is the inerrant message of the Living God; that Jesus Christ is coming again to the earth He created — may copy and use this material. Nothing quoted or used should be sold for profit. Give credit to the Holy Spirit for whatever is of value herein.

Previously Published by BookShare, A Ministry of Action International Ministries

ACTION is an evangelical and interdenominational missionary-sending organization. It was in 1972 that missionaries working with Christ for Greater Manila (CGM) in the Philippines first envisioned ACTION. The mission was begun with a sense of urgency for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the masses in Asia and the world. ACTION missionaries reveal Christ to neglected and abused children and their families in urban areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. ACTION’s strategy is evangelism, discipleship and development. ACTION is also involved in Christian camping, education and enterprises that advance the Gospel.

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ACTION Website: www.actionintl.org

Gratefully Acknowledged

God: He has allowed Marilyn and me to experience a little of the ultimate — Him.

Lifetime Companion: My wife, Marilyn, first proposed this publication in 1993. She has been understanding of the many hours of work required to publish such a book. She is my most steady and faithful cheerleader.

Professionals:

* Kristen Stagg, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania

Formerly of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. She read, edited, and critiqued the manuscript.

* David Egner, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Marilyn Kaynor’s English professor at Grand Rapids Baptist College (now Cornerstone University). David read, edited, and critiqued the manuscript. Professor Egner retired from RBC (Radio Bible Class) in 2002 where he had been a staff writer for over two decades.

* Gail Kedde, Caledonia, Michigan

Cover art and nine original drawings

* Jennifer Martin, Vancouver, Washington

Computer expertise

* Nanette Peterson, Seattle, Washington

Computer expertise

Sharp-eyed Proofreaders:

* Marilyn Kaynor, Clinton Township, Michigan

* Elizabeth Kaynor, Mount Clemens, Michigan

* Hal Derksen, Kalamazoo, Michigan

* Kathy Lowell, Mukilteo, Washington

Table of Contents

Job: Our Universal Man

Job: God’s Balancing Answer to the Simplicity and Optimism of Proverbs

Two Points of Contrast Between Job and Proverbs

How We Know Job is an Old Book and What That Means to Us

THE BET

The spiritual Super Bowl of the universe was about to be played out in a very small stadium — the mind, will, emotions, and body of one man — Job.

When the compliments of the Creator about Job aroused the ire of the evil one, God allowed him to test the purity of Job’s motives. The bet was struck.

ROUND TWO

"Your boy has lost his toys, but let him feel some pain and he will howl and curse you."

Mrs. Job’s 12 immortal words.

Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar — Job’s equals — came to help their friend. These philosopher-theologians will solve Job’s problem and alleviate his suffering.

WISHING FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE

In about 2000 B.C., Job did it. In 1918 Teddy Roosevelt did it. In 1971 President Lyndon Johnson did it.

This is Job’s only pre-friends statement. He will not need to wait long for their opinion. Until recently, he shared their world and life view. He has seen their eyes; watched their body language.

ELIPHAZ AND HIS DEMONIC DREAM-REVELATION

The high brahmin of orthodoxy spoke first to present the prosecution’s case. Without a word of sympathy, he presented his sowing and reaping philosophy. Without knowing it, he was seduced into presenting a dream-revelation that was from satan.

JOB, YOU CAN CRY IF YOU WANT TO

"Although evil people prosper for a while, eventually they get their due," said Eliphaz. Unwilling to admit his sin left Job with the option of crying if he wanted to.

WILL ANYONE LISTEN TO MY TROUBLES?

"A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty," said Job.

WILL ANYONE LISTEN TO MY TROUBLES?

"A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty," said Job.

SATANIC TERRORISM

This aspect of Job’s suffering has not been given adequate recognition in Jobian literature.

In the 1980s, America reeled as terrorists seemed to operate with impunity. Airplanes were blown out of the sky. Evil pirates captured the Achille Lauro. Such human terror is bad enough. Job tasted the acid of supernatural warfare with an invisible foe.

BOMBER BIL(DAD)

Bil is the winner of The Most Caustic Statement of the Book Award. Bildad’s attitude was harsh judgment, followed by strong encouragement.

Whereas Eliphaz drew on personal experience, Bildad drank from the wells of the past. History provided his arguments.

IF

The key to this chapter is the big, little word if. If one factor was different, would our lives suddenly be whole and happy again? Job found that if is half of life.

EVERY BELIEVER’S PORTRAIT

To the nine if scenarios of chapter nine, Job added five more brush strokes to Every Believer’s Portrait. Though our suffering does not equal Job’s, still we identify with him. His portrait is our portrait.

ZINGERS FROM ZOPHAR

Verses 5 and 6 earn Zophar the runner-up award for The Most Caustic Statement of the Book. In an effort to dwarf Job into repenting, Zophar held him up against the vastness of space.

CONCLUSION TO THE FIRST ROUND OF SPEECHES

Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar (hence EliBilPhar) were sure Job was hiding something. What was in his secret box? They saw Job like some saw C.I.A. agent Peter Karlow, whose story was aired by ABC’s 20/20.

THE PHANTOM 26th VERSE

People can be blissfully unaware of their negative impact on others. That was the case of journalist-turned-captive Terry Anderson, who was held as a prisoner for seven years in Lebanon.

EliBilPhar were equally unaware. In chapter 12, Job pointed out that the very individuals that are normally honored by society, sometimes experience the opposite. That is the point of the implied phantom 26th verse.

FAITH BY THE NARROWEST OF MARGINS

Job’s wonderful statement in verse 15 was a point of light in a sea of darkness. For Job, this chapter was faith by a whisker.

Many of our victories are so narrow, we may not know we have won. To start a business requires enormous energy and risk. Beating cancer is consuming. Leading a church can stymie good and godly pastors. Job was winning, but by such a narrow margin as to appear defeated.

HOPE: LITTLE, LESS, SOME, AND NONE

Cultists quote this chapter for their own purposes.

A JOB-LIKE EXPERIENCE WITH HEALTH

THE JOBIAN BACK-OFF MANEUVER

The J.B.O.M. has a difficulty factor of 10+, so it is rarely attempted.

What did Eliphaz say in his first speech of the second round? Did he continue to pound Job, or did he execute the difficult, but God-honoring J.B.O.M.?

JOB’S COMFORTERS DIDN’T UNDERSTAND

A check-list to help us avoid being Job’s Comforters.

EGO STRENGTH

Our man Job showed a healthy credit balance in his ego checkbook. His sparring with EliBilPhar said in effect, Don’t count me out.

SELF-DESTRUCTION

Bildad thought Job was tilting toward self-destruction. To assist, Bomber Bil used 15 verses to envision Job in Hell.

The meat in Job 18 is in verses 2-4, which deal with emotional self-destruction; illustrated by Merriweather Lewis.

AN ERUPTION OF FAITH

Here, or hereafter, those who believe in the Redeemer, win.

JOB-BASHING

Fifteen times Zophar spoke of the material things the wicked forfeit. Never had Job said, I miss my Laz-Y-Boy chair. Nor had he complained, Life without the hot-tub is so hard. Zophar was not listening, typical of bashers.

Bildad had invested 85% of the 18th chapter telling Job what he could expect as a wicked person (make no mistake, Bildad was saying Job was going to Hell). Not to be outdone, Zophar used 89% of Job 20 to reassure Job that the wicked perish.

LITTLE PEOPLE AND THEIR LIMITED THINKING

Zophar argued that wicked people live short lives because God does not tolerate them. Job countered that even some spiritual pretenders live prosperously into old age. I imagine Job shouting, What about John D. Rockefeller for example?!

ELIPHAZ’S DRAMATIC SHIFT

In the book’s only major change in argument, Eliphaz shifted 180 degrees to say, Even if you were righteous, God would not be pleased. Job, you add nothing to God’s glory.

To make this shift, Eliphaz jettisoned his argument of the previous 15 chapters.

LEFT HANGING, BUT STILL TRUSTING

Job was unaware of how close he was to victory.

Only a bit over halfway through the book, the end is in sight. We are done hearing from Dr. Theologus Eliphaz. Zophar passes up his turn in the last cycle of speeches. Bildad was content to press for agreement to some broad, sweeping generalities in his last speech (chapter 25). Not aware of victory being in sight, Job had to trust and hang on.

OTHERS ARE GUILTY, BUT GOD DOES NOTHING

When his situation continued to be unjust, Job asked an ancient question: Why does the Almighty not set times of judgment? Why must those who know Him look in vain for such days?

A JOB-LIKE EXPERIENCE IN A MARRIAGE

OF GOD & GALAXIES, MEN AND MAGGOTS

In chapter 24, Job complained that injustice went unanswered. In chapter 25, Bildad countered with, Sinful people, who are no more than maggots, have no business accusing God of injustice.

The prosecution rests, your Honor.

CLOTHED IN MYSTERY

God apparently likes mysteries — He has many of them. He knows where oil is in the ground, the cure for cancer, and what will happen tomorrow.

Not about to receive Bildad’s lecture about God’s mysterious supervision of the world, Job launched into one of his own to top Bildad’s. (This thought from Warren Wiersbe's Be Patient. Pages 84, 85.)

RETAINING ONE’S OWN INTEGRITY

In the key verse in the book, Job said, I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. (v. 5)

Since all people have done enough evil to condemn them to Hell, the believer constantly battles guilt and needs to join Job by paraphrasing him as follows: Even though I agree that sin has ruined me and corrupted my every motivation (Romans 7:21), I will never admit that you [satan] are right. I have been justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, so I refuse to be swamped with guilt.

HOW WE CAN BECOME WISE

Neither world travel, nor the exploration of ultimate experiences like death or destruction, can make us wise.

Job tells us how to become wise.

JOB’S PAST: GLORY

Chapter after chapter, Job had said nothing about his life. Now, about to finish speaking, Job shared about the things God spoke about first (1:1, 8, 2:3). What was first with God was last with Job.

But was the grand old man merely glamorizing his past? Could his claims be true?

JOB’S PRESENT: MISERY

JOB’S FUTURE: VINDICATION

Job predicted his future in a series of if…then scenarios. If I have walked in falsehood, then I will accept the consequences.

Knowing that he was innocent, this was a backhanded way to predict his future vindication.

WHAT I KNOW

Elihu, as a younger man, told us what he knew. Characterizing youth’s case against EliBilPhar, Mason says Elihu saw Job and EliBilPhar as …unmotivated, lacking fire in their bellies, and compromisers. The passing of years causes some to relax their discipline, and abandon their dreams. They no longer risk spontaneity or adventure. (2. Mike Mason The Gospel According to Job. Page 309)

HOW GOD SPEAKS TODAY

Job argued that God was silent to him, so Elihu countered that God spoke through dreams, visions, pain and angels.

Elihu was sure his thoughts were God-approved. We react to the overly-righteous claiming divine authority. We are cool to people whose assumption of power is beyond their giftedness or the consistency of their own spiritual lives. But we are drawn to godly humility, of which Elihu was in short supply. He spoke of himself 47 times in chapters 32 and 33.

HUNGERING FOR AFFIRMATION

Even though Elihu promised not to flatter anyone (32:21), he cozied up to the threesome: "You wise men…listen to me, you men of learning; let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn what is good…so listen to me, you men of understanding (34:2, 4, 10, 34).

THE JOB-LIKE EXPERIENCE OF A PASTOR

A BATTLE YOU WILL FIGHT

Being misquoted and misinterpreted is a common battle.

MEANINGLESS MORALIZING

Elihu spoke truth as he lectured Job. Because it did not apply to Job, it had all the value of swimming lessons shouted from high ground to a drowning man.

AMAZED AT GOD

Jesus said that unless an adult was child-like toward God, he could not exercise saving faith (Luke 18:17). To be child-like is to be amazed. To be continuously amazed about God is to be refreshed by who and what God is. Elihu exhibits this quality.

JOB’S COMPREHENSIVE EXAM

God broke His silence by giving Job a 71-question Earth, Animals, Atmosphere, Sky and Stars exam. But the real thing God was testing for was not on the exam.

ASK THE ANIMALS

Comprehensive exam continued.

BEHEMOTH

"Animals for $1000," respond contestants on Alex Trebek’s television show Jeopardy.

The implied message of the comprehensive exam was, Job, if you can’t accomplish things I have asked about (power), and you don’t know answers to My questions (knowledge), and you haven’t done what I have done (experience) (Wiersbe’s classification of the 71 questions), you are out of your league and foolish to imagine that I should account to you for your suffering.

THE SATANIC BEAST

The second half of chapter 41 describes a supernatural being. The chapter divides into two parts: (1) the description of an earthly animal, leviathan; and (2) something that can only be supernatural. Was God giving Job a veiled explanation of what was happening to him?

JOB’S TOUGHEST TEST

Reader and writer come to chapter 42 with some expectations. We need closure about the bet, who was right between Job and EliBilPhar, and how it will work out for our friend Job. We need some theological meat and potatoes to sustain us on our own long journey. We want to see the good guy ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after. Does he?

Instead of immediate vindication as chapter 42 opened, Job faced his toughest test. Health and material prosperity returned after Job passed this last test, which tipped the bet toward God.

TIMELESS TRUTHS

Appendix A Pastor, You Aren’t Feeding Me

Appendix B Pastor, Sometimes I Feel so Worthless

Appendix C The New Wave of Wounded

Index

Job: Our Universal Man

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) has been called the renaissance man or the universal man. Because he pursued physiology, flight, medicine, engineering, art, and music he is regarded as a man for all fields of human endeavor, all human situations. As a child of the past, he gazed into the skies, and helped astronomy leap into the future, cracking open the western world to discoveries of a new scientific age.

That’s what Job is to all of us — a man for all seasons of the human heart. He experienced our moods. Job felt; we feel. Job raged; we have raged. Job was down; we have been down. Job is our man.

Job had a great family — you’ve had a great family; the children born to you filled you with dreams. You had great plans for them. Great love for them. Job lost his family — you have lost your family to one degree or another (best case scenario, your son/daughter got married and now belongs to another). Job was rich but became poor — you’ve been rich in earlier days, but have lost much. Job battled friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar — you have battled friends.

Job thought he had the world on a string − sometimes we have felt that way. Prior to his suffering, life had been easy for Job to understand. Suddenly he was plunged into mystery. Our lives, previously sunny, have cascaded down into mysterious fog. Job battled guilt — we have battled guilt. Job had the feeling that God was disappointed in him — we face that one, too.

Job is our man for all seasons, all situations. Name it, and Job has experienced it. Job tells the truth. It is almost impossible to pervert Job into pious pabulum. He is unreducible. He refuses to be sanitized. Job is uncut, unedited, uncensored. Raw Job.* I call my friend Job spiritual sushi.

Job takes us to the top and bottom of our emotional register. Like Job, the person of faith knows what it is to be torn apart by the enormity of God.

Some readers can’t identify with Job − life has been fairly easy and they have done well. Yet for the person who struggles and agonizes, the very darkness in the Bible is Its gold. The presence in Scripture of a book so difficult, chaotic and tumultuous is a comfort to the suffering, since it brings reassurance that misery’s case is being presented.

This book says to the believer, Don’t be surprised if you find yourself confused, doubting, afflicted and crushed. That does not mean God is against you. More is happening than you know.

Job is a long book, maybe because suffering, no matter how short, seems too long. Job spoke about months (7:3; 29:2) of suffering. Your suffering is a long time also — be it less or more than Job’s.

There is something honest about this book. Something that defies the scholars. Something as immense and untamable as the leviathan who erupts in chapter 41.

Job stood against the tide of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar and the accepted orthodoxy of his day, so even non-Christians like Job. Job can hold his own anywhere — in the university lecture hall or the street. People who are not drawn to any other Bible character — including the Lord Jesus (He demands so much) are drawn to Job.

Because Job absorbed so much suffering, people read about him respectfully. In the eyes of the world, Job is less a saint and more a comrade in arms. He is seen as the anti-religion spokesman of the Bible, since he opposed the loveless Pharisees of his day − no wonder he is popular with everyone.

Job’s suffering gives him an automatic in with outsiders — the poor, the prisoner, the lame, the disadvantaged, the minority person, the less gifted, the ordinary people in a Barbie-doll world and especially with the falsely accused.*

Like both Republicans and Democrats claim Abraham Lincoln, everyone claims Job.

He was brilliant, but he was reduced to looking like a dishonest fake. Job — you have to love this man. He is our universal man for all seasons of the human heart and experience. And through it all, Job has the ultimate experience — God.

Job: God’s Balancing Answer to the

Simplicity and Optimism of Proverbs

The Bible is balanced. Much of the Bible exhorts, commands, encourages and challenges God’s people to do, obey, serve, give and sacrifice. Job doesn’t ask us to do anything and it balances the Bible’s demand for activity by introducing the reality that life has mysteries. Job says to us, Here is one man’s story whose life turned out differently than he planned.

In addition to Job’s place in the total Bible, consider the balance that is achieved by the four different purposes for the Bible’s wisdom literature:

Proverbs are probabilities, not iron-clad, double-your-money-back guarantees. Though they carry verbal, plenary inspiration,