American Pastor

11. Elihu Silences Job’s Critics: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar

Job 32:15-16 "They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the eleventh in the series on the Book of Job, Elihu Silences Job’s Critics: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar examines the characteristics between true and false prophets and whether they have been sent by the Lord to speak on His behalf: "Immediately we see the effectiveness of Elihu’s spiritual ministry. As Job’s friends were: 1) amazed, 2) ceased to formulate reasons in their minds to refute any of his words, and 3) left off, no longer speaking. Teaching us that there is hardly anything more effective in stopping men’s mouths from presuming they know, than when one sent from God, begins to deliver revelation from God. Then, even the most imperceptive men seem to be able to detect that God has entered the room.
"Where human wisdom is anything but pure, heavenly wisdom is. And because the wisdom from above has as its source in God, it will be felt to possess the very same holy attributes as the Lord. Hence, where carnal and human wisdom will agitate further the confused, the Lord’s wisdom will promote peace. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar’s words had done nothing but to provoke Job and cause him internal unrest. Yet now Elihu’s message would do just the opposite. Having its origin from above, it would prove itself as easy to be entreated. Elihu therefore would become a breath of fresh air to Job, whereas previously debate and strife had ruled the day. Job’s friends had spoken of their own will, but Elihu would speak under the direction of God’s will.
"Job’s friends, unintentionally, had carried themselves no differently than false prophets. God did not send them to speak for Himself, yet they ran, egotistically thinking they could perform service for the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:21) "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied." It is easy to see why Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar’s words manifestly failed, simply because they spoke to Job, things not of the truth, and focused on arguments devoid of God’s Spirit leading them. It is not enough then to claim that we come in God’s name, if God has not commissioned us to speak for Him. Job’s friends, unintentionally, had carried themselves no differently than false prophets. God did not send them to speak for Himself, yet they ran, egotistically thinking they could perform service for the Lord. It is easy to see why Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar’s words manifestly failed, simply because they spoke to Job, things not of the truth, and focused on arguments devoid of God’s Spirit leading them."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 32:15-Job 33:2-3.
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10. The Introduction of Elihu

Job 32:1-2 "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the tenth in the series on the Book of Job, The Introduction of Elihu, introduces Elihu, the one who speaks on God's Behalf: "Elihu is the only individual whose message Job does not refute, the only individual who could silence Job’s critics, and the only human character in the book whom God does not reprove and correct. This alone should draw our attention to this relatively obscure biblical figure. Perhaps Elihu was exactly who he claimed to be—one sent to speak on God’s behalf.
"Job could not be persuaded of his guilt, nor have his conscience convict him of sin, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Yet when men are righteous in their own sight and claim innocence before God, He will often send a minister. This is repeated throughout human history. The blindness of men requires physical messengers led by the Holy Spirit to help open men’s ears so they can hear the great lessons critical for their deliverance, like that personal righteousness is never more than God’s and that it is always a sin against Heaven to justify the self more than God. Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, was chosen to introduce these lessons to Job to prepare his heart for the entrance of Jehovah. Elihu’s ministry was purposed to prepare for a much greater ministry to follow, the ministry of God Himself. As John the Baptist prepared the world for Christ, Elihu does the same in preparing Job for God. Thus, for five uninterrupted chapters, Elihu speaks, and Job offers no retort nor disagreement with any of his words, though he had previously done so with his other accusers. While Job resisted his friends’ harsh reasoning before, once Elihu begins his address, he remains silent.
"This is the impact when a man filled with God’s Holy Spirit brings forth prophecy from the Lord—the power of God’s Spirit ultimately brings men to the conviction of sin. Hence, by God’s own holy Word, produced by the inspiration of the Spirit, sinners will be brought to their knees to both worship and acknowledge God as He should be.
"Immediately we see the effectiveness of Elihu’s spiritually inspired words, as Job’s three friends were amazed and stopped speaking. This teaches us that when prophecy hits its mark, it will often produce silence and amazement. When men come to understand that it is truly the Lord speaking to them and they find themselves unable to defend themselves against His righteous words, their mouths will cease speaking."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 32:1-15, Job 42:1-6.
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9. Job’s Initial Response to Zophar

Job 12:1-2 "And Job answered and said, No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the ninth in the series on the Book of Job, Job’s Initial Response to Zophar, illuminates the topic of God's Sovereignty: "Job said in sarcasm what his three friends believed to be true—that their wisdom was rare and that wisdom would die with them. Job thus rebukes his  friends, who had far higher opinions of themselves than was merited by the superficial wisdom they brought forth. They all had spoken at great length, but they did not help Job at all. It is also common with both the heathen and the hypocrite, that they foolishly think that the more they speak the greater chance they will be heard by the Lord. (Matt. 6:7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. An abundance of words, though, does not cause the Lord to answer prayer, nor can it help to convince the guilty of sin.
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8. Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Zophar

Job 11:1 "Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the eighth in the series on the Book of Job, The Introduction of Zophar, examines the words and the heart of Zophar the Naamathite, the third of Job's three friends: "Zophar enters into the discussion with an even more caustic attitude than his other two friends. No doubt he is frustrated that Job could defend himself against Eliphaz’s and Bildad’s pretend wisdom, and this has incensed him. From the moment he first speaks, neither love nor compassion compels him, but only his own unrighteous anger, a personal anger that Job could not be humbled.
"When men are not governed by love and a true desire to help those afflicted, malice and self-righteousness often fill the soul. It is also common for bitterness to enter self-righteous men when their arguments and decisions are rebutted. This seems to be the case with Zophar, as he is incensed that Eliphaz’s and Bildad’s words were easily rejected by Job and did nothing to change his opinion. Unrighteous anger fills Zophar because he thinks himself, as well as his other two friends, superior to Job. When men think themselves higher than their fellow man, especially in religious matters, then their words are dispersed with indignation. True religion is the opposite of this, for a renewed mind does not think of itself more highly than it ought. The core of men’s sin has always been the belief that they are bigger, wiser, and more virtuous than they really are.
"When men are full of themselves, they pretend to be judges for God, but in reality, He has said nothing to them at all."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 11:1-20, 1 Corinthians 4:5.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com

7. Job’s Initial Response to Bildad

Job 9:1-2 "Then Job answered and said, I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the seventh in the series on the Book of Job, Job's Initial Response to Bildad, chronicles Job's response to the second of Job's three friends, Bildad the Shuhite.
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6. Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Bildad

Job 8:1-2 "Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the sixth in the series on the Book of Job, Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Bildad, introduces the second of Job's three friends, Bildad the Shuhite:
"Bildad demonstrates little patience toward Job and voices irritation after hearing his rebuttal to Eliphaz as to the cause of his trouble. Bildad’s speech immediately declares not only ignorance on his part but also supreme arrogance. He likens Job’s words to being as a strong wind, claiming him full of pride, and this is the reason that he cannot be persuaded of any personal guilt. Similar to what we observed in chapter one, when messengers came one by one to inform Job of the loss of all that he owned or cherished, now a similar pattern begins developing when one by one, those who are thought to be Job’s friends accuse him of being a sinner. Before it was Eliphaz, now Bildad, and soon it would be Zophar.
"Bildad’s words, though accurate come not from either the influence or inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. What this teaches us is that men may speak a measure of truth, but this does not mean they speak for the Lord. Hence, though Bildad’s words are accurate, they are spoken generally, without any actual measure of the Spirit leading him.
"Bildad’s words reveal his complete and total lack of compassion toward Job when speaking of the death of his children. The death of one child is unbearably painful, let alone the deaths of all of one’s children. If men are not prompted by love, or led by God’s Holy Spirit, then even if their speech contains elements of truth, they do not speak for God. If a man also lacks divine love, then any other thoughts he may think he possesses of God, or ofHis reasons for divine judgment cannot be accurate. Perhaps Job’s children had reaped as they had sown, but bringing up their deaths reveals immense spiritual insensitivity on Bildad’s part. Truth delivers; it does not injure.
"Though Bildad’s words would be proven true, they were not because of anything divinely revealed to him by God. It is also common that those who are not led by God’s Holy Spirit, and reveal themselves as false prophets, will often prophesy good, when in fact they have not received, nor have been taught anything truly from the Lord.
"It is not merely what a man has seen, either with his own eyes, or the experiences of others, that imparts true wisdom. For this there is needed, the inspiration of the Almighty. It is thus only from the Lord and divine revelation that true understanding can enter the sinner’s heart. And though human history does afford some measure of instruction, the truly deep things of both God and life are only discovered through spiritual inspiration."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com

5. Job’s Initial Response to Eliphaz

Job 6:1 "But Job answered and said,"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fifth in the series on the Book of Job, Job's Initial Response to Eliphaz, chronicles Job's response to the first of Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite:

4. Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Eliphaz

Job 4:1-21, Job 5:1-27, Job 6:1-30: The Introduction of Eliphaz
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fourth in the series on the Book of Job, Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Eliphaz, introduces the first of Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite: "Eliphaz begins speaking before the other two, either because he was the most aged, or thought himself the most knowledgeable. Either way, he thinks himself more than able to set Job right. As we  shall see, he is the only one of Job’s friends that God calls out by name and personally labels him for divine correction, later in the book.
"Hence, since Eliphaz placed himself first, by singling himself out as leader of the other two, then God determines that he shall have to also be singled out for personal correction. Eliphaz continues, but notice how all he can do is speak of God, and we sense no power whatsoever that he was sent to speak for God. No doubt here is a man who liked to talk, but had very little to actually say.
"Those thus who say they speak by the Spirit, should be tried. This can be done by observing the sincerity by which men confess Jesus Christ as their Lord. By also if it is a Holy Spirit or not. Hence just because men speak in either God or Christ’s name, does not mean that the Holy Spirit accompanies them when they speak. Even as human reason and religious speculation, are not proof whatsoever of the Holy Spirit's influence."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 4:1-21, James 1:17, Romans 11:33, Job 5:1-27, Job 6:1-30.
Job 4:1-21, Job 5:1-27, Job 6:1-30: The Introduction of Eliphaz
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fourth in the series on the Book of Job, Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Eliphaz, introduces the first of Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite: "Eliphaz begins speaking before the other two, either because he was the most aged, or thought himself the most knowledgeable. Either way, he thinks himself more than able to set Job right. As we  shall see, he is the only one of Job’s friends that God calls out by name and personally labels him for divine correction, later in the book.
"Hence, since Eliphaz placed himself first, by singling himself out as leader of the other two, then God determines that he shall have to also be singled out for personal correction. Eliphaz continues, but notice how all he can do is speak of God, and we sense no power whatsoever that he was sent to speak for God. No doubt here is a man who liked to talk, but had very little to actually say.
"Those thus who say they speak by the Spirit, should be tried. This can be done by observing the sincerity by which men confess Jesus Christ as their Lord. By also if it is a Holy Spirit or not. Hence just because men speak in either God or Christ’s name, does not mean that the Holy Spirit accompanies them when they speak. Even as human reason and religious speculation, are not proof whatsoever of the Holy Spirit's influence."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 4:1-21, James 1:17, Romans 11:33, Job 5:1-27, Job 6:1-30.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com