Week Twelve of the Devotional Series
The Study of Job: Week Nine
*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our 9th week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 12 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job. *
Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do
Focus: Job 32 – 34
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 32- “Elihu Speaks”
Chapter 33- “Deliverance from the Pit”
Chapter 34- “God is Always Just”
(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 — “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.” – Job 34:29
I Do – Watch Me Study
Job Chapter 32
“Elihu Speaks”
(Read Job Chapter 32 First)
In Job 32, Job’s three friends Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar stop speaking because they believe Job is only righteous in his own eyes. Then a young man named Elihu joins the discussion. He is upset with Job, thinking Job may be claiming righteousness for himself. At the same time, Elihu is frustrated with Job’s friends because, in his eyes, they have not adequately answered Job or provided true wisdom.
Elihu begins by acknowledging his youth. He says essentially, “I am young and you are old, so I was hesitant to speak at first. But I have been listening carefully, and I cannot remain silent any longer. God has given me understanding, and I must share what I know.”
As you read the next couple of chapters of Job you will see why having discernment is so important. Discernment means listening carefully, considering your words and the words of others with care, and testing everything against God’s Word. Sometimes people may sound confident or wise, but that doesn’t mean everything they say is true. Like Job’s other friends, Elihu does give some truth and wisdom but not always in the right context concerning Job. Elihu’s speech reminds us of the need for discernment.
Reflection Questions / Journal Prompts:
1. How do I usually respond when someone sounds confident or bold? Do I automatically assume they’re right, or do I pause to consider their words?
2. When was a time I believed something that sounded wise but later realized it didn’t align with God’s Word? What did I learn from that experience?
3. What practical steps can I take to grow in discernment? Consider these ideas…
- Study and Meditate on Scripture Daily
God’s Word is the ultimate standard of truth. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” – Psalm 119:105
We can practice this by reading, highlighting, and memorizing Scripture regularly to train your mind to recognize truth.
2. Pray for Wisdom and Understanding
God gives wisdom generously to those who ask. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” – James 1:5. We can begin each day with a prayer asking God to guide our thoughts and decisions.
3. Test Everything Against God’s Word
Not every teaching or advice is from God. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21. When we hear teaching, compare it to Scripture before accepting it as truth.
4. Seek Godly Counsel
Wise, mature believers can help clarify things. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” – Proverbs 11:14. We can ask trusted pastors, mentors, or mature friends for guidance when facing decisions.
5. Keep a Teachable Heart
Pride blocks discernment; humility opens you to God’s guidance. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” –Proverbs 9:10. Try to approach every lesson, correction, or challenge with a willingness to learn rather than defend yourself.
6. Observe Life and Consequences
God often reveals truth through experience and reflection. “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” – Hebrews 5:14. Reflect on past decisions and notice patterns that confirm God’s principles.
4. How can I tell the difference between my own opinions and the truth of God’s Word?
5. Why is discernment especially important in a world where so many voices compete for my attention?
6. Who in my life can help me test what I hear against Scripture and keep me grounded in truth?
Sometimes silence is wiser. Other times, courage is required to share truth. Today, I encourage you to ask God for discernment in knowing when to speak and when to wait.
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We Do – Let’s Study Together
Job Chapter 33
“Deliverance from the Pit”
(Read Job Chapter 33 First)
In Job 33, Elihu steps forward to speak after Job’s three friends fall silent. Elihu is young, but he believes God’s Spirit has given him understanding. He pleads with Job to listen, assuring him that he is only a man like Job, not God Himself, so Job does not need to fear him. Elihu sees his role as an interpreter who can bring God’s perspective into the conversation.
He reminds Job of something important: God is greater than man. He believes Job had spoken as if God were treating him unfairly, but Elihu challenges that thought. God is not unjust, nor does He need to answer to us. His wisdom far surpasses ours.
Elihu explains that God often speaks in ways people don’t understand. This could be through dreams, through warnings, or through suffering. Verse 16 says, “Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction.” In other words, God knows how to get our attention, and when He does, He impresses His lesson firmly on our hearts. Just as a loving parent disciplines a child to correct them, God sometimes allows hardship to draw us away from sin or pride and back to reliance on Him (v.17). I love the promise in Isaiah 26:3: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” When I focus my mind on Him, I can experience His perfect peace… even in the middle of trials.
Verses 18–22 describe a person wasting away without God. Maybe they are lost or backsliding, but there is hope: in verses 23–24, Elihu speaks of a messenger, “an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness.” He says God will be gracious and provide a ransom, delivering that person from the pit. This points us toward Christ, the true Mediator and ransom for our sins. 1 Timothy 2:5–6 says “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” John 14:6 says “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” I am so thankful that through Jesus, anyone who has wandered or feels distant from God can be restored and brought into a right relationship with Him.
The result of God’s saving work is restoration: We can experience renewed strength, answered prayer, joy in God’s presence, and a life transformed by grace. God’s mercy rescues us even though we do nothing to deserve it.
Elihu closes by urging Job to listen and learn wisdom. While Elihu himself is not perfect, this chapter gives us a glimpse of how God uses both discipline and deliverance to bring people back to Himself and how ultimately Christ fulfills the role of the true Ransom and Mediator.
Journal Prompts / Discussion Questions:
1. Can you think of a time when God had to “open your ears” to get your attention? What did He teach you through it?
2. How do you usually respond to God’s discipline? Do you have resentment, fear, or gratitude? Why?
3. Elihu speaks of a ransom (v.24). How does this foreshadow what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross?
4. In what ways has God restored joy, peace, or strength to you after a season of struggle?
5. Where in your life might God be calling you to rely less on yourself and more on Him right now?
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You Do – Apply It Personally
Job Chapter 34
“God is Always Just”
(Read Job Chapter 34 First)
In Job 34, Elihu continues his speech by calling the “men of understanding” to listen. He compares the ear to the mouth by explaining that just as our mouth tastes food to see if it is good, so our ears should discern whether what we hear is good and true (v.3). 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” That raises an important question for us: Are we discerning about what we take in? Just because someone is speaking about God, or even quoting Scripture, doesn’t mean what they’re saying is true. Like Job’s friends, it can sound wise and yet be misleading. We must measure everything we hear against God’s Word.
Elihu reminds everyone of Job’s complaints: Job insists that he hasn’t sinned, but God has denied him justice. Elihu accuses Job of speaking carelessly, saying his words sound like those of the wicked (vv.5–9). Elihu misrepresents Job’s words, but he does bring up something important: our words matter. In his suffering, Job’s words about God may have been sliding into dangerous territory. The same can happen to us if we’re not careful. In our pain, we can begin to speak in ways that misrepresent God’s character.
Let’s look at two verses about the power of the tongue:
- Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
- James 3:5 explains, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
Elihu does speak truth about God’s character. He reminds us that God is always just. This truth is mentioned throughout Scripture. Deuteronomy 32:4 tell us that “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Psalm 89:14 says, “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.” The problem is not with Elihu’s view of God, but with how he applies it to Job’s situation. Elihu assumes that Job must have done something wrong because he is suffering. That part was incorrect. We, too, need to be careful not to take a true statement about God and misapply it to someone’s life. God’s justice is perfect, but we don’t always see the full picture of how it works out in His timing.
These statements remind us of something important: we are completely dependent on God for life, justice, and truth.
• “Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness” (v.10).
• God gives each person according to their deeds (v.11)
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7).
• He created the world, He sustains our very breath (vv.13–15), and He rules in perfect justice (v.17).
• No one is hidden from Him; He sees all people the same, whether rich or poor (vv.18–20). Hebrew 4:13 reiterates this. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
One verse that excites me is Job 34:29: “When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?” What a comfort! If God grants peace, no one can steal it from us. People may try, circumstances may rattle us, but His peace is sure. Philippians 4:7 says “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
On the other hand, if He hides His face, no one can find Him. That’s why repentance and humility are so important! We need God’s presence more than anything else.
Elihu ends harshly, sounding much like Job’s other three friends. He claims Job should be tried more, because his words sound wicked (vv.35–37). This shows Elihu’s error: he was right about God’s justice, but wrong in how he applied it to Job. He failed to offer compassion or recognize Job’s true righteousness, which God Himself later affirms.
Here is a challenge for us this week:
• Discern what you hear. Just as you wouldn’t eat spoiled food, don’t swallow every word spoken about God without testing it against Scripture.
• Guard your words in suffering. Pain can tempt us to say things that misrepresent God. Ask Him for strength to hold fast to His truth, even when life feels unfair.
• Rest in God’s peace. If God has granted you quietness, no one can take it away. Trust Him to be your peace, no matter what surrounds you.
Key Takeaway:
God is always just, but we must be careful not to misapply His truth. Our words matter and our greatest security is found in God’s peace, which no one can take away.
Heavenly Father,
We want to ask You today to help us practice discernment. Thank You for Your Word that we have as an “answer key” to compare what we hear to what You say is correct. Help us to keep a humble, teachable heart so that we are open to Your guidance. Help us discern when to speak and when to wait. Thank You for giving us peace even sometimes in the middle of trials. Thank You for being our ransom and mediator. Help us to remember that what we say matters and we have the power to speak life and death…Help us to always choose to speak life. Thank You for your peace that no one and no circumstance can take away from us. Help us to rest in it.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
The Georgia Nest 