Week 13 of the Devotional Series
The Study of Job: Week Ten
*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our 10th week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 13 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job. *
Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do
Focus: Job 35 – 37
Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.
This week’s devotion includes:
Chapter 35 – “Finding Joy in the Middle of Oppression”
Chapter 36 – “God’s Justice and Discipline”
Chapter 37 – “The God Who Commands the Storm”
(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be broken up over several days.)
Bible Memory:
Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?
Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.
This Week’s Memory Verse — “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
I Do – Watch Me Study
Job Chapter 35
“Finding Joy in the Middle of Oppression”
(Read Job Chapter 35 First)
In Job 35, young Elihu continues speaking to Job. He challenges Job by asking if it’s right for him to say that his righteousness is greater than God’s (Job 35:2–3). However, when we look closely at Job’s words, we see he never claimed this. Job simply wrestled with his suffering and his confusion. He considered himself upright and could not understand why God was treating him as if he were guilty (Job 9:15–22; 10:2–3; 27:2–6).
Elihu misunderstands Job’s words and thinks he is being prideful. Using Job’s complaint, Elihu does point to an important truth: God’s justice is perfect, and hardships are meant to guide us toward humility, trust, and discernment.
Elihu asks Job to look at the heavens and the clouds and asks:
• If you sin, what does it do to God?
• If you are righteous, what benefit is it to Him?
• The oppressed cry because of the many burdens upon them.
These verses remind us that life can weigh us down in many ways. Sometimes it’s career pressures, strained relationships, health battles, or the pain of loss. Each of us faces hardships that can feel overwhelming, but the Bible teaches us many ways to remain joyful always!
Biblical Ways to Maintain Joy Even in Oppression:
1. Rejoice in the Lord, not circumstances
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4
2. Sing and praise (even through suffering)
“Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.” James 5:13
Acts 16:25 shows Paul and Silas praising God even in prison.
3. Remember God’s presence in trials
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10
4. Fix your mind on God’s peace
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” – Isaiah 26:3
5. Look to eternal reward
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17
Now let’s look at how the Bible shows us how to respond to oppression and to those who cause it.
1. Do good to enemies
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
2. Wait for God’s justice
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” – Romans 12:19
3. Overcome evil with good
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21
4. Find strength in Christ
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
5. Pray and commit your situation to God
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
In verse 10, Elihu observes that many oppressed people cry out for deliverance but they don’t seek God Himself. True joy and peace come from turning to God, not just asking Him to remove hardship.
• Psalm 42:8 – “Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
• Again, I think of Paul and Silas praying and singing while imprisoned.
God has given us wisdom and understanding to seek Him rather than merely react like animals in distress (Job 12:7–10; Psalm 32:8–9).
Next, we see where Elihu teaches that prayers may go unheard when pride or sin dominates the heart: I found some other verses that support his claim…
• Proverbs 1:28–29 – “Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer… For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD.”
• Psalm 66:18 – “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
• Isaiah 59:1–2 – “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God…”
God does not ignore us out of cruelty; He desires humility, repentance, and a heart that truly seeks Him.
Job 35:14 points out that even if Job feels he cannot see God, His justice is always present and we should trust Him.
Habakkuk 2:3 says “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Psalm 37:5–6 says “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”
Key Takeaway for Job Chapter 35:
Even in oppression or confusion, joy is possible when we:
1. Rejoice in the Lord.
2. Sing and praise.
3. Seek His presence, not just relief.
4. Trust His justice and eternal plan.
5. Commit our struggles and our oppressors to Him.
God is always just, His peace is sure, and His grace is sufficient for every hardship.
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We Do – Let’s Study Together
Job Chapter 36
“God’s Justice and Discipline:”
(Read Job Chapter 36 First)
Elihu’s speech focuses on how God uses circumstances and sometimes suffering to instruct, correct, or draw people closer to Him. He stresses that God is just, mighty, and wise beyond human understanding.
In Job 36:5–7 Elihu explains God’s justice and power.
“Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous…”
Let’s look at some scripture that supports what Elihu is saying:
• Psalm 33:5 – “He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.”
• Proverbs 15:3 – “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
We can trust that God sees both the wicked and the righteous. When life feels unfair, this reminds us that God’s justice never fails, even if we don’t see it immediately.
Next, Elihu describes how God uses discipline and instruction through suffering. (Job 36:8–10)
“And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction; Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.”
Here are some additional scriptures that support this:
• Hebrews 12:6, 10–11 – “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth… “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness…”
• Psalm 119:71 – “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
God sometimes allows hardship as discipline. He doesn’t do it to destroy us. He does it to correct and refine us. Instead of asking “Why me?” we can ask “What is God teaching me through this?”
In Job 36:11-12 Elihu talks about the choice between obedience and rebellion.
“If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.”
Let’s look at some scripture that supports this:
• Deuteronomy 30:19–20 – “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live…”
• Isaiah 1:19–20 – “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword…”
Our response to God matters. We can choose to walk in obedience and experience His blessing, or resist Him and suffer the consequences of rebellion.
Elihu makes the statement that God’s greatness is beyond our understanding. (Job 36:26)
“Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.”
• Isaiah 55:8–9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD…”
• Romans 11:33 – “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
Even when life doesn’t make sense, we can trust that God understands what we never could.
Here are some simple truths for us to reflect on and remember…When life feels unfair, remember God sees everything clearly, and His justice will prevail. When we face trials, consider that God may be using them to grow us, correct us, or draw us nearer. When we’re tempted to doubt, we can trust His wisdom, even when we don’t understand His ways. In our choices, obedience to God brings blessing and peace and rebellion brings sorrow.
Takeaway from chapter 36:
Elihu’s words in Job 36 significantly line up with the rest of Scripture. While we still must consider his words carefully (since later God Himself will set the record straight), what he says about God’s justice, discipline, and greatness is consistent with biblical truth.
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You Do – Apply It Personally
Job Chapter 37
“The God Who Commands the Storm”
(Read Job Chapter 37 First)
When Elihu speaks in Job 37, he points out the majesty and power of God that’s revealed in creation. He describes thunder as God’s voice and lightning as the works of His hand. With just a word, God tells the snow to fall, the rain to pour, or the storm to roar and they obey Him perfectly. God alone rules the skies. No man has that type of power.
Even the animals have instincts given by Him to take shelter when storms arise. There is order and purpose behind it all, whether we can see it or not. Storms are not random. Verse 12 points out that clouds and winds turn “round about by his counsels.” They move where He directs. They carry out His purposes which may be to bless, to correct, or to display His power. The same rain can be a blessing for one and devastation for another, yet in all cases, it fulfills the sovereign will of God.
Elihu reminds us that God’s wisdom is far beyond ours. At times, it feels difficult to approach Him because we are sinful and so small compared to His majesty (v. 19). But this recognition keeps us humble. Elihu closes the chapter with this truth: “He respecteth not any that are wise of heart” (v. 24). God is not impressed with human pride or self-sufficiency. True wisdom is to bow low before Him, fear the Lord, and turn from evil (Proverbs 3:7).
We may not understand the storms that come into our lives, but we can trust that God is directing them and has a plan. Just as He controls the weather, He is also in control of the details of our lives. Our role is not to reason against Him but to rest in His wisdom and power.
Life Application:
• When storms (in life or in nature) come, remember: God is not absent. He is actively working His purposes.
• Humility is the starting point of true wisdom. The more we recognize our weakness, the more we can lean on God’s strength.
• Instead of asking “Why?” in the storm, we can ask “What is God showing me about Himself through this?”
Journaling Questions:
1. How have I seen God’s power displayed in creation recently?
2. What storms in my life do I need to trust God’s wisdom in right now?
3. In what areas of my life am I tempted to lean on my own wisdom instead of fearing the Lord?
4. How can I practice humility before God today?
Overall Takeaway:
When life feels unfair, overwhelming, or confusing, we can rest in God’s justice, trust His discipline, and marvel at His power. The storms in creation remind us that nothing is outside His control. True wisdom is not found in our own understanding, but in humbly fearing the Lord and trusting His sovereign hand.
PS: I’m so excited for next week’s devotion because we finally get to hear what the LORD Himself says about all that has been happening with Job. I can’t wait to see how God’s words will bring clarity, wisdom, and perspective to everything we’ve studied so far!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for allowing us another week to study your word together. Help us practice our memory verse this week so that we can have Your words hidden inside our hearts. Help us to trust in you with all of our hearts instead of depending on our own understanding. We ask that You will guide us each day. Help us to remember that You know what we cannot see and that You are working it out for our good! Help us to not rely on our own knowledge, but rely on Your word to guide our choices. Give us patience when we desire a different timeline. Help us to choose humility over pride, obedience over rebellion, and counsel over independence.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
The Georgia Nest 