The Book of JobThe Question of the Ages—Why?Knowledge without Wisdom1.Calling on God should be our first resort, not our last.2.Wrong assumptions about God lead to wrong conclusions about life.Job 5:8-16 (NIV) – [8] “But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. [9] He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. [10] He bestows rain on the earth; he sends water upon the countryside. [11] The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. [12] He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. [13] He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away. [14] Darkness comes upon them in the daytime; at noon they grope as in the night. [15] He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful. [16] So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.”3.Knowledge without experience does not equal wisdom.Job 42:1-3 (NIV) – [1] Then Job replied to the LORD: [2] “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. [3] [You asked,] ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.4.God knows everything I know, but I don’t know everything God knows.Job 5:17-26 (NIV) – [17] “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. [18] For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal. [19] From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will befall you. [20] In famine he will ransom you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. [21] You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes. [22] You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth.[23] For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you. [24] You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing. [25] You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth. [26] You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season.Hebrews 12:4-6 (NIV) – [4] In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. [5] And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, [6] because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”5.God disciplines sin, but not all hardship is due to sin.John 16:33 (NIV) – [33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”John 16:33 (AMP) – [33] I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]6.What we want are guarantees; what we need is grace.2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV) – [7] To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. [10] That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.Job 5:24-25 (NIV) – “[24] You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing. [25] You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth.”Job 5:24-25 (MSG) – [24] You’ll know that your place on earth is safe, you’ll look over your goods and find nothing amiss. [25] You’ll see your children grow up, your family lovely and lissome as orchard grass.Job 5:27 (NIV) – [27] “We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.”7.Truth misapplied is a lie.James 1:5 (NIV) – [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.