Job 33-37Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)http://infoglobal.altervista.org/blog/

Job 33:24, 25—What might have been the “ransom” that Elihu mentioned? (w11 4/1 23 _3-5)

*** w11 4/1 p. 23 When Old Ones Will Be Young Again ***Job, however, did make a serious mistake. As he seemingly

inched closer to death, he became overly concerned with vindicating himself, “declaring his own soul righteous rather than God.” (Job 32:2) God’s spokesman Elihu reproved Job. But Elihu also conveyed to Job a positive message from God: “Let him [Job] off from going down into the pit [the common grave]! I have found a ransom! Let his flesh become fresher than in youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor.” (Job 33:24, 25) Those words must have filled Job with hope. He did not have to continue suffering right down to his death. If Job would repent, God would be pleased to

accept a ransom in his behalf and set him free from his calamities.

Job humbly accepted correction, and he repented. (Job 42:6) Jehovah evidently accepted a ransom in Job’s behalf, allowing it to cover his error and open the way for God to restore and reward him. Jehovah “blessed the end of Job afterward more than his beginning.” (Job 42:12-17) Imagine Job’s relief when, among other blessings, his loathsome disease cleared up and his flesh, in effect, became “fresher than in youth”!

The ransom that God accepted in Job’s behalf had limited value, for the man remained imperfect and later died. We have a much better ransom available to us. Jehovah lovingly gave his Son, Jesus, as a ransom for us. (Matthew 20:28; John 3:16) All who put faith in that ransom have the prospect of living forever on a paradise earth. In that coming new world, God will release faithful humans from the aging process. Why not learn more about how you may live to see the time when old ones will see their “flesh become fresher than in youth”?

Job 34:36—To what extent was Job to be tested, and what does that teach us? (w94 11/15 17 _10)

*** w94 11/15 p. 17 par. 10 Job’s Reward—A Source of Hope ***10 Elihu corrected Job for saying that there is no profit in taking pleasure in God by

maintaining integrity. Said Elihu: “Far be it from the true God to act wickedly, and the Almighty to act unjustly! For according to the way earthling man acts he will reward him.” Job acted rashly in emphasizing his own righteousness, but he did so without adequate knowledge and insight. Elihu added: “Let Job be tested out to the limit over his replies among men of hurtfulness.” (Job 34:10, 11, 35, 36) Similarly, our faith and integrity can be fully proved only if we are ‘tested to the limit’ in some way. Nevertheless, our loving heavenly Father will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.—1 Corinthians 10:13.

What does this week’s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah?*** w15 7/1 p. 16 par. 2 Bible Questions Answered ***Did God make humans with an evil tendency? No, Jehovah God created humans in

his image, with a tendency to imitate God’s love. (Genesis 1:27; Job 34:10) But God also dignified humans with free choice. When our first parents chose to act badly, they rejected God’s example and became imperfect. We inherited the tendency to sin from them.—Read Deuteronomy 32:4, 5.

*** w15 10/1 p. 13 Can We Really Find God? ***GOD’S ETERNAL EXISTENCE: The Bible teaches that God exists “from everlasting

to everlasting.” (Psalm 90:2) In other words, God had no beginning and will have no end. From a human point of view, “the number of his years is beyond comprehension.”—Job 36:26.

How you benefit: God promises you everlasting life if you truly come to know him. (John 17:3) How reliable would such a promise be if God himself did not live forever? Only “the King of eternity” could fulfill such a promise.—1 Timothy 1:17.

*** w14 6/15 p. 25 par. 9 Do You View Human Weakness as Jehovah Does? ***9 Rather than being judgmental or suspicious, we should provide spiritual comfort to

those facing undesirable circumstances. (Job 33:6, 7; Matt. 7:1) To illustrate: When a motorcyclist injured in a traffic mishap arrives at the emergency ward, do those on the medical team try to determine whether he caused the accident? No, they immediately provide the needed medical assistance. Similarly, if a fellow believer has been weakened by personal problems, our priority should be to provide spiritual assistance.—Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14.

*** w14 7/1 p. 14 Can You See the Invisible God? ***What can you learn

about God from what you see in the physical universe? For one thing, the heavens reveal God’s power. Recent scientific evidence suggests not only that the universe is

expanding but also that it is doing so at an ever faster rate! As you look up at the night sky, consider: What is the source of this energy driving the expansion and acceleration of the universe? The Bible tells us that the Creator has “vast dynamic energy.” (Isaiah

40:26) God’s creation shows us that he is “the Almighty”—the One “great in power.”—Job 37:23.

*** w14 8/1 p. 15 Who Made God? ***Our own existence and that of the entire universe testifies to the existence

of an eternal God. The One who put our vast universe in motion, the One who established the laws to control it, must have always existed. Only he could have breathed life into everything else.—Job 33:4.

*** w14 8/1 p. 4 God Watches Over You ***“God’s eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps.”—JOB

34:21

The “God of sight” watches you too. To illustrate: A loving mother is especially watchful of her little children, since the younger the child, the more he needs his parent’s attention. Similarly, God especially watches over us when we are lowly and vulnerable.

*** w12 6/1 p. 14 “Your Soul Will . . . Bow Low Over Me” ***Although he is “exalted in power,” Jehovah is willing to come down to our level, as it

were, to help us when we are low. (Job 37:23; Psalm 113:5-7) Is that not a comforting thought?

*** w12 7/1 p. 6 Who Is the Hearer of Prayer? ***The claim that God causes suffering in order to test people is untrue. The Bible says:

“Far be it from the true God to act wickedly.” (Job 34:10) Nevertheless, you may wonder, ‘If God is the almighty Creator, why does he allow suffering to continue?’

Jehovah has granted mankind the ability to exercise free will, and that tells us something about what God is like. Do we not treasure our freedom to choose how we will live? But sadly, many people misuse their freedom and cause suffering for themselves and others.

*** w12 10/1 p. 16 Can You Live Forever? ***Jehovah lives forever. He does not die. He is the Source of life, so he can give

everlasting life to others. (Psalm 36:9; Habakkuk 1:12) Furthermore, he has promised to grant everlasting life to those who obey him. He will reverse the process of aging.—Read Job 33:24, 25; Isaiah 25:8; 33:24.

*** w11 2/1 p. 17 Who Is God? ***Jehovah shows interest in us by listening personally to our prayers. (Psalm 65:2) Does

the abundance of suffering mean that God does not care about us? Some people claim that God makes us suffer to test us, but this is not true. The Bible says: “Far be it from the true God to act wickedly.”—Job 34:10; read James 1:13.

God has granted man the dignity of free will. Do we not appreciate our freedom to choose to serve God? (Joshua 24:15) Suffering abounds because many choose to do bad things to others. It hurts Jehovah to see such injustice.—Read Genesis 6:5, 6.

*** w10 1/15 p. 7 par. 18 Why Dedicate Yourself to Jehovah? ***18 Dedicating ourselves to Jehovah and

thereafter living in harmony with that dedication by doing his will brings more happiness than being dedicated to anything or anyone else. For example, many people devote their life to the pursuit of material wealth without attaining true happiness and genuine satisfaction. However, those who dedicate themselves to Jehovah find long-lasting happiness. (Matt. 6:24) The honor of being “God’s fellow workers” makes them happy, yet their dedication is not to a work but to our appreciative God. (1 Cor. 3:9) No one could be more appreciative of their self-sacrifice than he is. He will even restore his loyal ones to their youth so that they can benefit from his care forever.—Job 33:25; read Hebrews 6:10.

*** w10 1/15 p. 32 par. 17 Jehovah’s Way of Ruling Vindicated! ***Even human rulers having the best of intentions have been unable to remove sickness

and death, but under God’s rule, the old and the sick will delight in a return to youthful vigor. (Job 33:25; Isa. 35:5, 6) Indeed, the earth will become a paradise in which there will even be a resurrection of the dead.—Luke 23:43; Acts 24:15.

*** w10 4/15 pp. 13-14 Do You Let Jehovah Question You? ***Although Job was “a man blameless and upright,” at times his words betrayed a wrong

viewpoint, which Elihu noted when he reproved Job for “declaring his own soul righteous rather than God.” (Job 1:8; 32:2; 33:8-12) Thus, Jehovah’s questions also corrected Job’s understanding.

*** w09 1/1 p. 14 Be Thankful for the Rain ***The Bible describes the water

cycle, saying: “God . . . draws up the drops of water; they filter as rain for his mist, so that the clouds trickle, they drip upon mankind abundantly.” (Job 36:26-28) In the thousands of years since those scientifically accurate words were written, man has had a lot of time to try to understand the water cycle. “Currently,” states the 2003 textbook

Water Science and Engineering, “the mechanism of raindrop formation is not known with certainty.”

*** w09 3/1 p. 29 Does God Take Children to Become Angels in Heaven? ***If it were true that God causes children to die

because he needs more angels in heaven, it would imply that he is unfeeling, even cruel. The Bible says otherwise. (Job 34:10) A compassionate father would not snatch a child away from its parents just so that he could enlarge his own family. Yet, no human parent has more compassion than Jehovah, whose dominant quality is love. (1 John 4:8) His great love would never permit him to act in such a harsh way.

*** w09 6/1 p. 28 Does Anyone Really Care? ***The fact that Jehovah cares for people

as individuals is clearly seen from the Scriptures. “The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,” says the Bible, “keeping watch upon the bad ones and the good ones.” (Proverbs 15:3) Similarly, at Job 34:21, we read: “His eyes are upon the ways of man, and all his steps he sees.” Jehovah sees what we do—good or bad—and he is aware of our circumstances, so that he can respond in ways he sees fit.

*** w08 3/15 p. 29 par. 21 Do You View Others as Jehovah Does? ***21 It is now clearer than ever that having a proper view—

Jehovah’s view—is needed in our dealings with our local brothers, our international brotherhood, and people in the field. The closer we can come to reflecting Jehovah’s view, the more we will be a force for peace and unity. And we will be in a better position to help others appreciate Jehovah, the God who “has not shown partiality” but who displays loving interest in all, “for all of them are the work of his hands.”—Job 34:19.

*** w08 5/1 p. 5 God’s Wisdom Evident in Nature ***The instinctive wisdom of birds is certainly impressive. But when it comes to

communication skills, humans are much more impressive. God has made humans “wiser than even the flying creatures of the heavens,” says Job 35:11. Unique to humans is the ability to convey abstract, complex thoughts and ideas through sounds produced by the vocal cords or by gestures.

*** w08 9/1 p. 5 What Is Our Heavenly Father Really Like? ***Jehovah God is described in the Bible as “perfect in knowledge.” As “a God of

knowledge,” he understands human nature and the needs of humans better than anyone else. (Job 36:4).

*** w06 1/15 p. 13 Animal Creation Magnifies Jehovah ***JEHOVAH’S grandeur is evident in the animal

kingdom. God takes good care of the animals, even as he makes provision for mankind. (Psalm 145:16) What a mistake it would be to find fault with their Creator and ours! Although the man Job was upright, he did declare “his own soul righteous rather than God.” So Job had lessons to learn!—Job 32:2; 33:8-12; 34:5.

Examples drawn from animal creation showed Job that humans are in no position to question God’s ways. How clear that becomes when we consider Jehovah’s words to his servant Job!

*** w05 2/1 p. 23 pars. 1-2 Jehovah Always Does What Is Right ***HAS someone ever drawn the wrong conclusion about you, perhaps questioning your

actions or motives, without having all the facts? If so, you likely felt hurt—and understandably so. From this, we can learn an important lesson: It is wise to avoid jumping to conclusions when we do not have the whole picture.

2 We do well to keep this lesson in mind when it comes to reaching conclusions about Jehovah God. Why is that? Because there are certain Bible accounts that may at first seem puzzling. These accounts—perhaps about the actions of some of God’s worshipers or God’s past judgments—may not contain enough details to answer all our questions. Sadly, some take exception to such accounts, even questioning whether God is righteous and just. Yet, the Bible tells us that “Jehovah is righteous in all his ways.” (Psalm 145:17) His Word also assures us that he “does not act wickedly.” (Job 34:12; Psalm 37:28) Imagine, then, how he must feel when others draw wrong conclusions about him!

*** w05 11/15 p. 16 Wonders of Creation Exalt Jehovah ***Creation’s wonders truly do exalt

the Creator of all things. (Revelation 4:11) How Job must have been impressed by Jehovah’s words regarding the earth and celestial bodies in space!

The wonders of creation we have just considered are not the only questions and descriptions presented to Job. Yet, even those we have considered move us to exclaim: “Behold! God is more exalted than we can know.”—Job 36:26.

*** w03 1/1 p. 4 Comfort for Those Who Suffer ***However, claims that God is somehow an accomplice to suffering, that he is unable to

prevent it, or that suffering is a mere figment of our imagination offer scant comfort to

those who suffer. And more important, such beliefs are utterly at odds with the just, dynamic, and caring God who is revealed in the pages of the Bible. (Job 34:10, 12).

*** w03 5/1 p. 5 How Some Received Answers ***The man Job suffered to an extreme degree. All his

children were killed in a storm, and he was reduced to poverty. He also suffered a painful illness and endured pressure from false friends. In the midst of all of this, Job made some rash statements. (Job 6:3) But God considered the circumstances. (Job 35:15) He knew what was in Job’s heart and provided the counsel that Job needed. He does that for people today too.

*** w03 8/1 p. 10 par. 6 Jehovah, the God of Truth ***Truly, Jehovah is “a God of knowledge” and is “perfect in knowledge.” (1 Samuel 2:3;

Job 36:4; 37:16) How little we know in comparison! Despite the impressive knowledge that has been amassed by humankind, our understanding of the material creation does not extend even to “the fringes of [God’s] ways.” It is like “a whisper” compared with “mighty thunder.”—Job 26:14.

*** w03 10/1 p. 21 Appreciating the Purpose of Discipline ***It is significant that the Bible does not describe Jehovah primarily as a punisher.

Rather, he is most often described as a loving teacher and a patient trainer. (Job 36:22; Psalm 71:17; Isaiah 54:13) Yes, godly discipline that is administered as a corrective measure is always accompanied by love and patience. By understanding the purpose of discipline, Christians are in a better position to accept and to administer discipline with the right attitude.

*** w02 1/1 p. 5 Is a Classless Society Really Possible? ***Are some groups of humans inherently superior to other

groups? Not in God’s eyes. The Bible says: “[God] made out of one man every nation of men, to dwell upon the entire surface of the earth.” (Acts 17:26) Moreover, the Creator “has not shown partiality to princes and has not given more consideration to the noble one than to the lowly one, for all of them are the work of his hands.” (Job 34:19) All humans are related, and before God all are born equal.

*** w01 1/15 p. 27 Doers of God’s Word Find Happiness ***The public discourse was on the subject “Why Be Attentive to God’s Wonderful

Works.” Jehovah’s “wonderful works” demonstrate his wisdom and his authority over the

physical creation all around us. (Job 37:14) A number of searching questions from Jehovah were enough to impress Job with the power of the almighty Creator. Jehovah will also do future “wonderful works” in behalf of his faithful servants. The speaker concluded: “We have abundant reason to give attention to Jehovah’s wonderful works—what he has done in the past, what he is doing around us in creation today, and what he promises to do in the near future.”

*** w00 3/15 pp. 27-28 An Exemplary Man Who Accepted Correction ***Because God loved Job, He used a young man to point out Job’s error. The account

says: “The anger of Elihu . . . came to be hot. Against Job his anger blazed over his declaring his own soul righteous rather than God.” As Elihu observed: “Job has said, ‘I certainly am in the right, but God himself has turned aside the judgment of me.’” (Job 32:2; 34:5) Nevertheless, Elihu did not join the three “comforters” in wrongly concluding that God was punishing Job for his sins. Instead, Elihu expressed confidence in the faithfulness of Job, and he advised him: “The legal case is before [Jehovah], and so you should wait anxiously for him.” Indeed, Job should have waited on Jehovah instead of speaking rashly in his own defense. Elihu assured Job: “Justice and abundance of righteousness [God] will not belittle.”—Job 35:14; 37:23.

*** w96 10/1 pp. 4-5 Can Dreams Foretell the Future? ***For them to have a futuristic significance, they would have to be influenced by a

superior force. In the Bible we find many instances in which God supplied that very force. He gave prophetic dreams to his servants as well as to some who did not worship him. In fact, Job 33:14-16 says: “God speaks . . . in a dream, a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, during slumbers upon the bed. It is then that he uncovers the ear of men.”

*** w96 12/15 p. 12 par. 16 What Is Paramount in Your Life? ***16 Keeping ourselves concerned with the work of God’s hands rather than becoming

preoccupied with human endeavors impresses upon us that Jehovah’s applied power is irresistible. Those works, though, are not limited to the wonderful physical works of creation in the heavens and here upon the earth. (Job 37:14; Psalm 19:1; 104:24) His wonderful works include acts of deliverance for his people from enemy oppressors, as demonstrated in the experiences of his ancient chosen people.—Exodus 14:31; 15:6.

What points from this week’s Bible reading can I use in the field ministry?

*** w15 7/1 p. 12 Can We Really Please God? ***Job suffered a series of personal hardships that seemed unfair. He

got the wrong idea, concluding that God did not care whether he kept his faith in Him or not. (Job 9:20-22) Job was so convinced of his own righteousness that to others it sounded as though he were proclaiming himself more righteous than God.—Job 32:1, 2; 35:1, 2.

*** w13 1/1 p. 6 The End of the World—Fear, Fascination, and Frustration ***▪ The reversal of aging.—Job 33:25.

*** w13 1/15 p. 19 par. 10 Keep Drawing Close to Jehovah ***Only in the new world will we be completely healthy and regain youthful beauty. (Job

33:25; Isa. 33:24) Until then, showing practical wisdom and faith will help us to stay close to Jehovah while we make the best of our present circumstances.—1 Tim. 4:8.

*** w13 7/1 p. 16 Bible Questions Answered ***For us to enjoy eternal life, we need someone to pay a ransom for us. (Job 33:24, 25)

A ransom is the price paid to set one free, and in our case, we need to be freed from death. (Exodus 21:29, 30) Jesus paid the price when he died for us.—Read John 3:16.

*** w13 8/15 pp. 11-12 par. 9 Never Become “Enraged Against Jehovah” ***If we at times do not fully understand a Bible account or the way events develop in our

own life, could we perhaps feel in our heart that the way of Jehovah is unfair, “not adjusted right”?—Job 35:2.

*** w13 11/1 p. 6 The Lie That Made God Cruel ***Many have striven to be pious out of fear of hellfire, but God

does not want you to serve him because you are terrified of him. Rather, Jesus said: “You must love Jehovah your God.” (Mark 12:29, 30) Moreover, when we realize that God does not act unjustly today, we can trust his future judgments too. Like Job’s friend Elihu, we can confidently say: “Far be it from the true God to act wickedly, and the Almighty to act unjustly.”—Job 34:10.

*** w11 1/15 p. 26 par. 18 Empowered to Fight Temptation and Cope With Discouragement ***

18 Surely, all of Jehovah’s faithful servants long for the day when tiredness and discouragement will be gone, when all alive will enjoy “youthful vigor.” (Job 33:25) Even now we can be made mighty on the inside through the action of holy spirit as we participate in invigorating spiritual activities. (2 Cor. 4:16; Eph. 3:16) Do not let fatigue cause you to miss out on eternal blessings. Every trial—whether caused by temptation, tiredness, or discouragement—will pass, if not immediately, then in God’s new world. In the following article, we will examine how holy spirit empowers Christians to withstand persecution, resist harmful peer pressure, and endure various other adversities.

*** w11 1/15 p. 29 par. 14 Empowered to Overcome Any Trial ***14 Job suffered one adversity after another. He lost his livelihood, children, friends, and

health, and his wife lost confidence in Jehovah. (Job 1:13-19; 2:7-9) Yet, Job found a true comforter in Elihu. His message, as well as the substance of Jehovah’s own message to Job, was: “Stand still and show yourself attentive to the wonderful works of God.” (Job 37:14).

*** w09 4/15 pp. 4-5 par. 8 Job Held High the Name of Jehovah ***8 Next, we read of Elihu, who had also come to visit Job. Elihu first listened to the

arguments presented by Job and his three companions. Although younger than the other four men, Elihu showed greater wisdom. He addressed Job considerately, using Job’s personal name. Elihu commended Job for his upright course. But he also said that Job had focused too much on trying to prove his own faultlessness. Then Elihu assured Job that serving God faithfully is always worthwhile. (Read Job 36:1, 11.) What a fine example for those who need to offer counsel today! Elihu showed patience, listened carefully, commended where possible, and offered upbuilding counsel.—Job 32:6; 33:32.

*** w09 8/15 p. 5 pars. 11-12 Everlasting Life on Earth—A God-Given Hope ***11 In making a reply to Job, Elihu speaks of “a messenger, a spokesman, one out of a

thousand, to tell to man his uprightness.” What if this messenger makes “entreaty to God that he may take pleasure in him”? Elihu says: “Then he [God] favors him and says, ‘Let him off from going down into the pit! I have found a ransom! Let his flesh become fresher than in youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor.’” (Job 33:23-26) Those

words indicated God’s willingness to accept “a ransom,” or “covering,” in behalf of repentant humans.—Job 33:24, ftn.

12 Elihu probably did not understand the full significance of the ransom, even as prophets did not completely comprehend everything they wrote. (Dan. 12:8; 1 Pet. 1:10-12) Still, Elihu’s words reflect the hope that God would one day accept a ransom and set man free from the process of aging and from death. Elihu’s words presented the wonderful prospect of everlasting life. The book of Job also shows that there will be a resurrection.—Job 14:14, 15.

*** w08 5/1 p. 30 Are Natural Disasters Punishment From God? ***God does not use natural disasters to

punish innocent people. He never has, and he never will. Why? Because “God is love,” says the Bible at 1 John 4:8.

Love is the wellspring of God’s actions. Love does not call down hurt on the innocent, for the Bible states that “love does not work evil to one’s neighbor.” (Romans 13:10) At Job 34:12, the Bible states: “For a fact, God himself

does not act wickedly.”

*** w07 6/1 p. 30 par. 20 Elderly Ones—A Blessing to the Young ***20 Whether you are

preserved through the “great tribulation” or you are brought back by resurrection, what a delight it will be to experience “the real life”! (Matthew 24:21; 1 Timothy 6:19) Imagine the time during the Thousand Year Reign of Christ when Jehovah will reverse the effects of old age. Rather than experiencing relentless deterioration of our bodies, we will awaken each day to progressive physical improvements—more energy, sharper vision, keener hearing, better looks! (Job 33:25; Isaiah 35:5, 6) Those who are blessed to live in God’s new world will always be young in comparison with the eternity yet to be experienced. (Isaiah 65:22) May all of us, therefore, maintain our hope firm to the end and continue to serve Jehovah whole-souled. We can be confident that Jehovah will fulfill all that he has promised and that what he will do will far exceed any expectations we may have.—Psalm 37:4; 145:16.

*** w07 7/15 p. 4 Do You Have an Immortal Soul? ***

The word “soul” is used in yet another sense. At Job 33:22, we read: “His soul draws near to the pit, and his life to those inflicting death.” Here, the terms “soul” and “life” are used in parallel, one amplifying the meaning of the other. “Soul,” then, can also refer to the life that one enjoys as a living soul, or person.

*** w07 9/1 p. 13 Be Alert to the Importance of Commendation ***Elihu, apparently a distant relative of Abraham, was

instrumental in helping Job to get a balanced view of his relationship with God. Elihu was courteous and respectful. He patiently waited for his turn to speak. And whereas Job’s professed friends only found fault, Elihu, besides offering counsel, was quick to commend Job for his upright course. He did so with warmth and with an obvious feeling of personal interest as a friend, using Job’s name, unlike the others. He politely requested: “O Job, please hear my words, and to all my speaking do give ear.” Respectfully putting himself in Job’s place, he acknowledged: “Look! I am to the true God just what you are; from the clay I was shaped, I too.” And then in commendation, he said: “If there

are any words to say, make reply to me; speak, for I have taken delight in your righteousness.”—Job 33:1, 6, 32.

Treating others courteously and respectfully is, in a sense, a way of commending them. In effect, we are telling our listener, ‘I consider you worthy of my attention and worthy of being treated well.’ Thus we convey a feeling of warmth and show our personal interest in him.

Being polite and courteous means more than just following the rules of good manners in a formal way. To reach the heart of others, our courtesy and politeness must be sincere and from the heart. They must be an expression of genuine interest and love.

*** w07 11/1 p. 5 ‘Clothe Yourselves With Lowliness of Mind’ ***Any discussion of humility has to take into account God’s

viewpoint. Why? Because he is our Sovereign and our Creator. In contrast with him, we have to recognize our own limitations. We are dependent on him. “As for the Almighty, we have not found him out; he is exalted in power,” said an ancient wise man named Elihu. (Job 37:23) Why, just contemplating the vast universe around us is a humbling experience!

*** w06 3/1 p. 26 par. 15 “Keep Your Senses Completely” ***

15 Stressful circumstances can cause even loyal servants of Jehovah to speak or act unwisely. (Ecclesiastes 7:7) When under severe trial, Job became somewhat unbalanced and had to have his thinking corrected. (Job 35:2, 3; 40:6-8).

*** w06 3/15 p. 15 par. 5 Highlights From the Book of Job ***14:7, 13-15; 19:25; 33:24. During any test that Satan may thrust upon us, the

resurrection hope can sustain us.

34:36. Integrity is proved by our being ‘tested to the limit’ in some way.

35:2. Elihu listened carefully and pinpointed the real issue before speaking. (Job 10:7; 16:7; 34:5) Prior to giving counsel, Christian elders must carefully listen, get the facts, and clearly understand the pertinent issues.—Proverbs 18:13.

37:14; 38:1–39:30. Reflecting upon Jehovah’s wonderful works—expressions of his power and wisdom—humbles us and helps us to see that the vindication of his sovereignty is more important than any of our personal interests.—Matthew 6:9, 10.

*** w06 5/15 p. 6 God’s Purpose for the Earth—Soon to Be Fulfilled ***As obedient mankind advances to

human perfection, the ravages of aging will be reversed. Gone will be eyeglasses, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, hospitals, and medicines. What changes there will be as our youthful vigor is restored! (Job 33:25) Each morning, we will awake from a good night’s sleep, refreshed and ready to start another day of joyful activity.

*** w06 8/15 p. 22 par. 14 Job—A Man of Endurance and Integrity ***The faulty reasoning of Eliphaz and his two companions moved Job to defend his

good name and insist on his innocence. Still, their stubborn allegations that Job’s suffering was deserved may have influenced his view of God’s justice.—Job 34:5; 35:2.

*** w06 8/15 p. 28 par. 15 “You Have Heard of the Endurance of Job” ***

15 There are many fine lessons in how Elihu handled the matter. He listened at length before responding to the mistaken remarks of Job’s three companions. (Job 32:11; Proverbs 18:13) Elihu used Job’s name and appealed to him as a friend. (Job 33:1) Unlike the three false comforters, Elihu did not consider himself superior to Job. “From the clay I was shaped, I too,” he said. He did not want to add to Job’s suffering by thoughtless

words. (Job 33:6, 7; Proverbs 12:18) Rather than criticizing Job’s former conduct, Elihu commended him for his righteousness. (Job 33:32) Most important, Elihu saw things from God’s viewpoint, and he helped Job to focus on the fact that Jehovah would never act unjustly. (Job 34:10-12) He encouraged Job to wait on Jehovah, rather than to strive to demonstrate his own righteousness. (Job 35:2; 37:14, 23) Christian elders and others can surely benefit from such lessons.

*** w03 5/1 p. 12 par. 18 Do You Ask, “Where Is Jehovah?” ***18 When under stress, even one who has built

up a fine record in Jehovah’s service may fall short. When Job was smitten by a loathsome disease, lost his children and material possessions, and was falsely accused by his companions, his thoughts came to be all wrapped up in himself. Elihu reminded him: “No one has said, ‘Where is God my Grand Maker?’” (Job 35:10) Job needed to get his attention focused on Jehovah and to consider how He viewed the situation. Job humbly accepted that reminder, and his example can help us to do the same.

*** w03 9/1 p. 32 Real Help for the Poor ***In addition to giving a message of

hope, the Bible helps us to cope with daily challenges, such as how to overcome the lack of self-respect, which may be caused by being poor. A needy Christian knows from his study of the Bible that he is just as precious in God’s eyes as a Christian who is wealthy. The Bible book of Job observes that God “has not given more consideration to the noble one than to the lowly one, for all of them are the work of his hands.” (Job 34:19) God loves both equally.—Acts 10:34, 35.

*** w01 7/15 p. 4 Do You Have an Immortal Spirit? ***

In the Bible, the words translated “spirit” basically mean “breath.” But this implies much more than the act of breathing. The Bible writer James, for example, states: “The body without spirit is dead.” (James 2:26) Hence, spirit is that which animates the body.

This animating force cannot simply be the breath, or air, moving through the lungs. Why not? Because after breathing stops, life remains in the body cells for a brief period—“for several minutes,” according to The World Book Encyclopedia. For this reason, efforts at resuscitation can succeed. But once the spark of life is extinguished from the cells of the body, any efforts to restore life are futile. All the breath, or air, in the world cannot revive even one cell. The spirit, then, is the invisible life-force—the spark of life that keeps the cells and the person alive. This life-force is sustained by breathing.—Job 34:14, 15.

*** w00 3/1 pp. 9-10 par. 4 Jehovah—The One Who Is Vigorous in Power ***Today, astronomers know much more about the immensity of the universe and the

power that sustains it. For example, they tell us that our sun every second emits energy equivalent to the explosion of 100,000 million megatons of TNT. A very small fraction of that energy reaches the earth; yet that is enough to sustain all life on our planet. Still, our sun is by no means the most powerful star in the heavens. Some stars radiate in only one second the energy that the sun radiates in a whole day. Imagine, then, the power at the disposal of the One who created such heavenly bodies! Elihu rightfully exclaimed: “As for the Almighty, we have not found him out; he is exalted in power.”—Job 37:23.

*** w00 11/1 p. 16 par. 19 You Can Remain Morally Clean ***19 Though saddened by a wrong course, the regret we feel can help us to ‘be on our

guard that we do not turn again to what is hurtful.’ (Job 36:21) Indeed, the bitter consequences of sin should deter us from repeating a wrong.

*** w99 6/15 p. 17 par. 14 The Creator Can Add Meaning to Your Life ***14 After spending decades studying the universe and life in it, British scientist Sir Fred

Hoyle commented: “Rather than accept the fantastically small probability of life having arisen through the blind forces of nature, it seemed better to suppose that the origin of life was a deliberate intellectual act.” Yes, the more we learn about the wonders of life, the more logical it is that it came from one intelligent Source.—Job 33:4; Psalm 8:3, 4; 36:9; Acts 17:28.

*** w98 7/1 p. 7 Learning From Past Mistakes ***Have you ever felt disheartened when you suffer the consequences of mistakes you

have made? If viewed in the right way, feeling regret can serve as a reminder to us to ‘be on our guard that we do not turn to what is hurtful.’ (Job 36:21).

*** w97 11/15 p. 14 par. 4 Faith Moves Us to Action! ***4 Jehovah provided the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ for rich and poor alike.

(2 Corinthians 5:14) If we were to cater to the rich, therefore, we would be departing from the faith of Christ, who ‘became poor that we might become rich through his poverty.’ (2 Corinthians 8:9) Let us never judge people in such a way—with the wrong motive of

honoring humans. God is not partial, but if we showed partiality, we would be “rendering wicked decisions.” (Job 34:19) With a desire to please God, surely we will not succumb to the temptation to show favoritism or to ‘admire personalities for the sake of our own benefit.’—Jude 4, 16.

*** w97 12/1 p. 22 From Successful Students to Successful Missionaries ***Karl Adams, a member of the Gilead faculty, spoke on the intriguing theme “Where Is

Jehovah?” The question refers, not to God’s location in the universe, but to the need to consider Jehovah’s viewpoint and indications of his direction. “Under stress,” he said, “even a person who has a long record in Jehovah’s service may lose sight of that.” (Job 35:10)