The Living Word

KING JAMES VERSION

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

— Isaiah 40:8

Job 33

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1

Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

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2

Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

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3

My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

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4

The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

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5

If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

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6

Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

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7

Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

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8

Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

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9

I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

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10

Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

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11

He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

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12

Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

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13

Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

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14

For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

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15

In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

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16

Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

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17

That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

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18

He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

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19

He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

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20

So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

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21

His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

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22

Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

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23

If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

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24

Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

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25

His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:

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26

He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.

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27

He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

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28

He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

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29

Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

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30

To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

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31

Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

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32

If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

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33

If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

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Chapter Study & Analysis

Overview

Job 33 sees Elihu addressing Job directly. He claims that God speaks to men through dreams and through afflictions to keep them from pride and to bring back their souls from the pit.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS

1. God’s Multi-Channel Communication: God speaks "once, yea twice," though man may not perceive it (v. 14). We must be sensitive to the various ways God tries to get our attention.
2. Pain as a Teacher: Affliction is often God’s way of "opening the ears" of men (v. 16-19). Discipline is not always a sign of wrath; it can be a sign of protective grace.
3. The Messenger of Grace: Elihu speaks of an "interpreter" who shows man God’s uprightness (v. 23). This points to our need for Christ to interpret God’s ways to us.

Practical Lessons

FORMAL PRAYER

Open our ears, O Lord, that we may hear Thy voice in our dreams, in Thy Word, and even in our trials. Keep us from pride and lead us in the way of life. Amen.

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