Let the Prophets Speak

This chapter records the genealogy of the tribe of Judah and the founders of the towns and communities that filled the Judean landscape.

The Book of Chronicles begins with a genealogy from Adam to the birth of Israel. This helps give the returnees from exile a sense of their place in history.

Through humility, forgiveness, and recognition of our limitations we can reach reconciliation, peace and restoration.

God concludes His response to Job with a description of the fire-breathing dragon. Humility is how to respond to our lack of understanding of God's justice.

God challenges Job to cast away his arrogance and achieve and teach humility before God. This may not explain why he is suffering, but through humility humanity can achieve a world of peace.

Look beyond into the wonders of the natural world! the beautiful, powerful and majestic creatures are all God's creations, and God provides for all. They are not here for humans, they do not answer to us or serve us.

God continues His answer to Job. the established laws of nature and the universe are not just about human beings. It is about all of creation.

God answers Job's challenge and He answers the question of theodicy. Human beings have so much to learn about the world around us, there is so much we don't know. But more importantly, we can never know the knowledge of God who created the universe.

Elihu finishes his talk by describing the awesome power and incomprehensible might. If we cannot understand God's control of nature, how can we expect to understand His justice?

We cannot understand His ways, and through His actions we can see how much he is beyond our capacity to comprehend. So don't get angry over suffering, instead use it to become a better person.

Elihu makes the argument that suffering and pain can sometimes be an opportunity to become a better person. However, a simple minded person who sees his relationship with God as transactional will sink into anger and eventually perish.

Elihu makes the powerful point that it is people and society that suffer when human's oppress each other. It is not God who makes people violent toward each other.

Elihu declares that God is just, as he has no need to flatter anyone. Though we can't understand why we suffer, we can use the suffering as an opportunity for growth.

Elihu points out that Job is accusing God of injustice. He then continues by developing his argument that God has to be just.

Elihu asks Job to see beyond the world of action and reaction, beyond the simple world where human beings see justice, and enter the world of the soul. It is there where God communicates with man and justice is experienced.

The conversation has reached an impasse, so Elihu introduces himself and would like to share his thoughts.

Job is confident in his record, and asks for the opportunity to defend himself before God.

Job challenges God by emphatically declaring his innocence.

Job laments his downfall from where he once was, to the terrible depths he has sunk to.

Job reminisces fondly about the days when he was a respected leader, when God seemed to be with him, when everything made sense.

In one of the most beautiful and haunting chapters of Tanach, Job describes the search for wisdom and understanding.

Job is steadfast in his belief in God's providence, despite his suffering. He refuses to follow the path of despair. Job describes the fate of the wicked who never truly enjoy the worldly pleasures they have.

Job is frustrated by the responses of his friends. Enough is enough already, you have nothing to teach me, or anyone.

Bildad makes two claims, that it is in heaven that God metes out the final justice, and that man is so small he always deserves punishment.

If only God didn't know what is happening with us, at least we would understand why the wicked are successful! Job laments. He then presents the harsh reality of the wicked, who prosper despite their evil ways.