Study Desk

They hurt the poor and made them cry to God for help. And he hears their cry!

But if God decides not to help them, no one can judge him guilty. If he hides himself, no one can find him. He is the ruler over every person and nation.

"A person should say to God, ‘I am guilty; I will not sin anymore.

Job, you want God to reward you, but you refuse to change. It is your decision, not mine. Tell me what you think.

He adds rebellion to his other sins. He sits there insulting us and arguing with God!"

"Job, it is not fair for you to say, ‘I am more right than God,'

If you sin, it does not hurt God. Even if your sins are too many to count, that does nothing to God.

And if you are good, that does not help God. He gets nothing from you.

But they forget to say, ‘Where is God, the one who made me? He is the one who gives us songs to sing in the night.

"Or if evil people ask God for help, he will not answer them, because they are too proud.

God will not listen to their worthless begging. God All-Powerful will not pay attention to them.

So, Job, God will not listen to you when you say that you don't see him. You say you are waiting for your chance to meet with him and prove that you are innocent.

"Job thinks that God does not punish evil and that he pays no attention to sin.

"Be patient with me a little longer. God has a few more words that he wants me to say.

"God is very powerful, but he does not hate people. He is very powerful, but he is also very wise.

And God will tell them what they did, that they sinned and were proud.

"People who don't care about God are always bitter. Even when he punishes them, they refuse to pray to him for help.

God saves those who suffer by using their suffering. He uses their troubles to speak in a way that makes them listen.

"In fact, God wants to help you out of your troubles. He wants to take away your burdens that are crushing you. He wants to load your table with plenty of food.

Job, don't let your anger fill you with doubt about God. And don't let the price of forgiveness turn you away.