WHEN FAITH MEETS REASON

JOB 34-35

Pastor Rick Jackson

Elihu, younger than Job and his 3 friends, continues to reason with them and the crowd.

I. PROPER THINKING IS IMPORTANT [34:1-30]

Nowhere does the Bible ask us to commit intellectual suicide. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” In Isaiah 1:18 God says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” The Christian faith is a reasonable faith [Rm. 12:1-2] and it is the only world view that makes total sense.

1. A Martyrs Complex Joins Bad Company [v. 1-9]

2. Consider the Hearers as well as the Objects of Discussion [v. 10-20]

3. The Greatness of the Almighty should give you Pause [v. 21-30]

II. PROPER SPEAKING IS IMPORTANT [34:31-35:13]

1. With Humility [34:31-34]

2. With Knowledge [34:35-35:3]

3. With Understanding [35:4-13] of God’s Transcendence

III. PROPER PERSONAL APPLICATION IS IMPORTANT [35:14-16]

1. God does Know- Trust Him [v. 14]

Is. 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

2. Ignorance Often Imagines Falsely [v. 15]

3. Ignorance Often Speaks Long [v. 16]

“It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear ignorant than to open it and remove all doubt”