Giobbe 21-27

Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

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Job 24:2—Why was moving a boundary marker a serious offense? (it-1 360)

When the Israelites occupied Canaan, a plot of land was given to each family, and such holdings were marked off by landmarks, or boundary marks. These are not described in the Bible, but they may have been posts, stones, or even furrows in the ground. The Hebrew word for “boundary mark” (gevulʹ) is the same as that for “boundary” and “territory.” (Ge 10:19; 47:21) At least some boundary marks in Palestine bore inscriptions of identification. Elaborate inscriptions do appear on landmarks, or boundary stones, in Egypt and Mesopotamia. For example, an inscribed boundary stone of Nebuchadnezzar I was discovered at Nippur.

Jehovah’s law prohibited the moving back of boundary marks. (De 19:14; see also Pr 22:28.) In fact, cursed was the one moving back “the boundary mark of his fellowman.” (De 27:17) Since landholders generally were dependent upon the produce of their plots of ground, moving back a boundary mark would mean depriving another person of some of his means of sustenance. Doing this was equivalent to theft and was so viewed in ancient times. (Job 24:2) But there were unscrupulous persons who were guilty of such abuses, and princes of Judah in Hosea’s time were likened to those moving back a boundary.—Ho 5:10.

Jehovah is considerate of the widowed and fatherless. Thus it is said that he will tear down the house of the self-exalted, “but he will fix the boundary of the widow.” (Pr 15:25) Then, too, Proverbs 23:10, 11 declares: “Do not move back the boundary of long ago, and into the field of fatherless boys do not enter. For their Redeemer is strong; he himself will plead their cause with you.”

Job 26:7—What is notable about Job’s description of the earth? (w15 6/1 5 _4; w11 7/1 26 _2-5)

*** w15 6/1 p. 5 How Science Affects Your Life ***

How the earth is suspended

The Bible describes the earth as suspended “upon nothing.” (Job 26:7) There is no mention of our planet resting on the shoulders of a giant or on the backs of elephants that stand on a turtle, as some popular myths of ancient times had it. Rather, the Bible leaves the door open to scientific discovery. In time, Nicolaus Copernicus and Johannes Kepler described how the planets move around the sun driven by an invisible force. Isaac Newton later showed how gravitation governs the movement of all objects in space.

*** w11 7/1 p. 26 Who Made the Laws That Govern Our Universe? ***

To Aristotle, the universe was packed full. He saw the earth and its atmosphere as composed of four elements—earth, water, air, and fire. The universe beyond was filled with crystalline spheres, all composed of an eternal substance he called ether. The heavenly bodies were attached to the invisible spheres. Aristotle’s idea long appealed to most men of science, for it seemed to fit a basic assumption: An object must rest on or be attached to something, or else it will fall.

What about the Bible? It contains a record of the words of a faithful man named Job, who said about Jehovah: “He is . . . hanging the earth upon nothing.” (Job 26:7) Such a notion would surely have struck Aristotle as preposterous.

In the 17th century C.E., some 3,000 years after Job’s day, prevailing scientific theory held that the universe was filled, not with crystalline spheres, but with a kind of fluid. Late in that century, though, physicist Sir Isaac Newton proposed a completely different idea. Gravity, he said, caused an attraction between the heavenly bodies. Newton had come one step closer to understanding that the earth and other heavenly bodies did indeed hang in empty space, what would appear to humans as “nothing.”

Newton’s theory about gravity met with a great deal of opposition. It was still hard for many scientifically minded men to envision that stars and other heavenly bodies were not held in place by something substantial. How could our massive earth or the heavenly orbs simply hang there in space? The idea struck some as supernatural. Since Aristotle’s day, most men of science had believed that space must be filled with something.

What does this week’s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah? *** w15 6/1 p. 6 Science Has Its Limitations ***

The Bible speaks of the wonders of nature in these words: “Look! These are just the fringes of [God’s] ways; only a faint whisper has been heard of him!” (Job 26:14) There remains a vast store of knowledge that is beyond human perception and understanding. Admittedly, the words of the apostle Paul, written nearly 2,000 years ago, still hold true: “O the depth of God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How unsearchable his judgments are and beyond tracing out his ways are!”—Romans 11:33.

*** w11 2/15 p. 7 par. 8 Holy Spirit—At Work in Creation! *** 8 What we presently understand about nature is infinitesimal when

compared with all there is to learn. As for the scope of our knowledge of God’s creative works, the faithful man Job concluded: “Look! These are the fringes of his ways, and what a whisper of a matter has been heard of him!” (Job 26:14).

*** w11 5/1 p. 27 Will Everlasting Life in Paradise Be Boring? ***

What else will life in Paradise involve? Each day, we will be able to learn something new about our Creator. Researchers have already made many remarkable discoveries about Jehovah’s creative works. (Romans 1:20) So far, though, we have hardly scratched the surface. Thousands of years ago, the faithful man Job reviewed what he knew about God’s creative works, and his conclusion is still true. “These are the fringes of [God’s] ways,” Job said, “and what a whisper of a matter has been heard of him! But of his mighty thunder who can show an understanding?”—Job 26:14.

*** w11 5/15 p. 17 par. 8 Who Is the Most Important Person in Your Life? *** 8 Job was disfigured by a disgusting disease and then pressured by his wife to curse

God and die. Later, three false comforters accused him of misconduct. (Job 2:11-13; 8:2-6; 22:2, 3) However, through all this suffering, Job refused to give up his integrity. (Read Job 2:9, 10.) He showed by his faithful endurance that Jehovah was the most important Person in his life. Job also demonstrated that it is possible for an imperfect human to answer, although in a limited way, the false accusations of the Devil.—Compare Proverbs 27:11.

*** w10 1/15 p. 6 par. 15 Why Dedicate Yourself to Jehovah? *** 15 When we dedicate ourselves to God, we

perform an act of faith. Why is that so? Our faith in Jehovah makes us confident that drawing close to God is good for us. (Ps. 73:28) We know that it will not always be easy to walk with God while living among “a crooked and twisted generation,” but we trust in God’s promise to support us in our efforts. (Phil. 2:15; 4:13) We know that we are imperfect, but we are confident that Jehovah will deal mercifully with us even when we make mistakes. (Read Psalm 103:13, 14; Romans 7:21-25.) We have faith that Jehovah will reward our resolve to keep our integrity.—Job 27:5.

*** w10 10/15 pp. 6-7 par. 19 “Who Has Come to Know the Mind of Jehovah?” *** 19 What have we learned about “the mind of Jehovah”? We need to allow God’s Word

to mold our understanding of Jehovah’s mind. We should never impose our limitations on Jehovah and judge him by our standards and thinking. Job stated: “[God] is not a man like me that I should answer him, that we should come together in judgment.” (Job 9:32) Like Job, when we start to understand the mind of Jehovah, we cannot help but exclaim: “Look! These are the fringes of his ways, and what a whisper of a matter has been heard of him! But of his mighty thunder who can show an understanding?”—Job 26:14.

*** w09 8/15 p. 4 par. 8 Everlasting Life on Earth—A God-Given Hope *** 8 During the time period between the lives of Abraham’s great-grandson Joseph and the

prophet Moses, there lived a man named Job. The Bible book of Job, likely composed by Moses, explains why Jehovah allowed Job to suffer and how the matter turned out for him. However, the book of Job is not merely an account about one man’s trials; it centers on issues of universal importance. The book provides insight into Jehovah’s righteousness in exercising his sovereignty, and it reveals that the integrity and life prospects of all of God’s earthly servants are involved in the issue raised in Eden. Although Job did not understand this issue, he did not allow his three companions to make him think that he had failed as an integrity keeper. (Job 27:5) This should strengthen our faith and help us to realize that we can maintain our integrity and uphold Jehovah’s sovereignty.

*** w08 6/15 p. 26 par. 16 Keep “the Love You Had at First” *** 16 Any honest self-examination is

bound to reveal some weaknesses. That could make one feel downhearted, but do not allow that to happen to you. After all, the objective of self-examination is to identify where improvement can be made. Satan, of course, would like a Christian to feel worthless because of his imperfections. In fact, the assertion has been made that God despises all efforts to serve him. (Job 15:15, 16; 22:3) That is a lie that Jesus vigorously contested; God considers each one of us precious. (Read Matthew 10:29-31.) An awareness of your imperfections should instead make you

humbly resolved to do better, with Jehovah’s help. (2 Cor. 12:7-10) If illness or age are factors that limit what you can do, then set goals that are reasonable, but do not give up or let your love wane.

*** w03 8/1 p. 10 par. 6 Jehovah, the God of Truth ***

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.

*** w02 9/1 p. 31 How Should We View Trials? ***

As we follow in Jesus’ footsteps, we can be confident that all the tests we meet up with in this system of things can be passed successfully. (1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 2:21) How? By our relying on Jehovah, who supplies “power beyond what is normal” to those who lean on him. (2 Corinthians 4:7) May our conviction be like that of Job, who even as he endured harsh trials affirmed with confidence: “After he has tested me out, I shall come forth as gold itself.”—Job 23:10.

*** w87 4/1 p. 4 How We Can Get To Know God ***

Yes, look out on a starry night and contemplate for a moment the enormous wisdom and power needed to create and maintain our universe! (Compare Isaiah 40:26.) Indeed, creation is an inexhaustible source of information about God’s personality. And man can never fully perceive the enormous witness it sounds out regarding God’s qualities and attributes. The book of Job reminds us: “Look! These are the fringes of his ways, and what a whisper of a matter has been heard of him!” (Job 26:14) There is an old Swedish saying: ‘The master is greater than his works.’ Accordingly, if creation is great, God must be greater; if creation displays wisdom, God must be wiser; if creation demonstrates power, God must be even more powerful!

*** w85 3/15 p. 7 Jehovah—Awe-Inspiring but Loving ***

The man Job said of God: “Look! These are the fringes of his ways, and what a whisper of a matter has been heard of him!” (Job 26:14) There is, indeed, much to learn about Jehovah God, who has blessed his servants with the prospect of living eternally. (John 17:3) But even “time indefinite” will not be enough for us to “find out the work that the true God has made from the start to the finish.”—Ecclesiastes 3:11.

*** w80 12/15 p. 14 par. 9 Who Will Praise the King? *** 9 David’s paean of praise continues:

“Jehovah is great and very much to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” (Ps. 145:3)

The evidence of Jehovah’s greatness has been there for all mankind to see from creation onward. (Rom. 1:20) Yet comparatively few people have been praisers of Jehovah in trueness despite his greatness and his creative works from which they all benefit. In fact, so great are Jehovah and the works he has done that even to this day mankind has been able only to start to fathom the intricacies of a few of the things that he has created. The patriarch Job had appreciation like that of David, for he spoke of God as “the One doing great things unsearchable, wonderful things without number.” (Job 5:9; 9:10; 26:14).

*** g01 6/22 p. 26 Will God Hear My Prayers? ***

God can really help us because he is awesome in power. That power is unlimited, as evidenced by the magnitude and complexity of the material universe. The Bible says that Jehovah knows the name of every star—even though there are countless billions of them! More than that, he is the source of all the energy tied up in those stars. (Isaiah 40:25, 26) Is that not amazing? And yet as astounding as these facts may be, the Bible says that “these are only hints of his power”!—Job 26:14, Today’s English Version.

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

*** w12 10/15 p. 8 par. 6 Meeting Today’s Adversities With Courage *** 6 Job experienced extreme pressures. Imagine how he felt when everything in his life

seemed to go wrong. (Job 3:3, 11) Making matters worse, he did not fully understand why all those things happened to him. Still, he never gave up. He maintained his integrity and his faith in God. (Read Job 27:5.) What a fine example for us to imitate!

*** w12 11/1 p. 3 Should We Question God? ***

SOME say that it is wrong to question God. They may feel that it is disrespectful to ask why God does or does not allow certain things to happen. Is that your view?

If so, you may be surprised to learn that many good people have questioned God. Note the following examples of questions they have asked him:

The faithful man Job: “Why is it that the wicked themselves keep living, have grown old, also have become superior in wealth?”—Job 21:7.

The loyal prophet Habakkuk: “Why is it that you look on those dealing treacherously, that you keep silent when someone wicked swallows up someone more righteous than he is?”—Habakkuk 1:13.

Jesus Christ: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—Matthew 27:46.

If you read the passages surrounding those quotations, you will see no indication that Jehovah God was offended when asked such sincere questions. Really, his tolerance is not surprising. For instance, God is not insulted when we ask him to satisfy basic physical needs that keep our bodies healthy. He gladly fills those requests. (Matthew 6:11, 33) Likewise, he willingly supplies information that can keep us mentally and emotionally healthy. (Philippians 4:6, 7) In fact, Jesus told his disciples: “Keep on asking, and it will be given you.” (Matthew 7:7) The context of Jesus’ promise shows that he was talking about receiving not only material things but also answers to important questions.

*** w07 8/15 p. 5 Admire the Design; Learn About the Designer ***

Granted, answers to questions regarding creation are not always readily available. In part, this is because our powers of understanding are limited and our grasp of the world in which we live is incomplete. Job understood this. He extolled the Creator, under whose direction our globe hangs on nothing visible in space and water-laden clouds are suspended above the earth. (Job 26:7-9) Yet, Job realized that such wonders ‘are but the fringes of the Creator’s ways.’ (Job 26:14) Job undoubtedly wanted to learn more about the world around him. And David admitted his limitations, writing: “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. It is so high up that I cannot attain to it.”—Psalm 139:6.

*** w07 9/15 p. 3 Why Does God Permit Wickedness? ***

YOU do not have to look far to see that evil and suffering abound. Wars kill civilians as well as soldiers. Crime and violence are commonplace. Perhaps you have recently been a victim of prejudice or injustice. In view of what you have seen and experienced, you have very likely asked, ‘Why does God permit wickedness?’

That question is not a new one. Some 3,600 years ago, a loyal servant of God named Job asked: “Why is it that the wicked themselves keep living?” (Job 21:7) Troubled by the evil deeds of his countrymen, the prophet Jeremiah of the seventh century B.C.E. asked: “Why is it that the way of wicked ones is what has succeeded, that all those who are committing treachery are the unworried ones?” (Jeremiah 12:1) Both Job and Jeremiah knew that God is righteous. Yet, they wondered why there was so much wickedness. Perhaps you too are puzzled by this.

*** w07 12/15 p. 14 par. 20 Are You Ready for Jehovah’s Day? *** 20 You will be able to await Jehovah’s day with

a calm heart if you keep everlasting life in view. (Jude 20, 21) You look forward to eternal life in Paradise, and thus you have the hope of renewed youthful vitality and unlimited time to pursue wholesome goals and learn more about Jehovah. You can actually go on learning about God forever because humans now know only “the fringes of his ways.” (Job 26:14) What exciting prospects!

*** w06 1/15 p. 28 pars. 9-10 Oppose Satan, and He Will Flee! *** 9 The Devil has raised the issue of universal sovereignty.

Related to it, he has called into question the integrity of humans to their Creator. Satan brought persecution upon the upright man Job. Why? In order to break Job’s integrity to Jehovah. Job’s wife and his three “troublesome comforters” served the Devil’s purpose at that time. As shown in the book of Job, the Devil challenged God, claiming that no human would remain faithful to Him if Satan were allowed to test that person. But Job held fast his integrity, thus proving Satan a liar. (Job 1:8–2:9; 16:2; 27:5; 31:6) The Devil persecutes Witnesses of Jehovah today in an effort to break their integrity and prove his challenge true.

10 Knowing that the Devil brings persecution upon us because he desperately wants to break our integrity to God can actually help us to be courageous and strong. (Deuteronomy 31:6) Our God is the Universal Sovereign, and he will help us to maintain our integrity. May we always seek to make Jehovah’s heart rejoice by being integrity keepers, giving him a reply to the great taunter, Satan the Devil.—Proverbs 27:11.

*** w06 3/15 p. 15 pars. 3-9 Highlights From the Book of Job ***

4:18, 19; 22:2, 3. Our counsel should be based on God’s Word, not on personal opinion.—2 Timothy 3:16.

22:5-7. Counsel given on the basis of accusations that lack solid evidence is valueless and damaging.

27:2; 30:20, 21. Maintaining integrity does not require perfection. Job wrongly criticized God.

27:5. Only Job could take away his own integrity because integrity is dependent upon one’s love for God. We should therefore cultivate strong love for Jehovah.

*** w06 8/15 p. 28 par. 16 “You Have Heard of the Endurance of Job” *** 16 Elihu’s wise counsel contrasts with the hurtful

words of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. “You men have not spoken concerning me what is truthful,” Jehovah told them. (Job 42:7) Even if they claimed that they had had good intentions, they acted as tools of Satan rather than as faithful companions. All three assumed from the outset that Job himself was to blame for his calamities. (Job 4:7, 8; 8:6; 20:22, 29) According to Eliphaz, God has no confidence in his servants, and it does not matter to Him if we are righteous or not. (Job 15:15; 22:2, 3) Eliphaz even accused Job of errors he had not committed. (Job 22:5, 9) Elihu, on the other hand, did help Job spiritually, which is always the goal of a loving counselor.

*** w05 4/1 p. 7 Science and the Bible—Do They Really Contradict Each Other? ***

The Bible also speaks of God as “hanging the earth upon nothing,” or he “suspends earth in the void,” according to The New English Bible. (Job 26:7) In view of the knowledge available in 1600 B.C.E., roughly when those words were spoken, it would have taken a remarkable man to assert that a solid object can remain suspended in space without any physical support. As previously mentioned, Aristotle himself rejected the concept of a void, and he lived over 1,200 years later!

Does it not strike you as amazing that the Bible makes such accurate statements—even in the face of the erroneous yet seemingly commonsense perceptions of the day? To thinking people, this is one more evidence of the Bible’s divine inspiration. We are wise, therefore, not to be easily swayed by any teaching or theory that contradicts God’s Word. As history has repeatedly shown, human philosophies, even those of towering intellects, come and go, whereas “the saying of Jehovah endures forever.”—1 Peter 1:25.

*** w05 4/1 p. 16 par. 13 Parents, Protect Your Precious Inheritance *** 13 Wisely, you will not only teach your child the consequences of disobeying Jehovah

but also explain how Jehovah is personally affected by the way we live. Show your child from the Bible that we can cause Jehovah pain when we fail to do his will. (Psalm 78:41) You might ask, “Why do you not want to hurt Jehovah?” and explain: “God’s enemy Satan claims that we serve Jehovah for selfish reasons and not because we love him.” Then explain that by keeping integrity, Job made God’s heart rejoice, thus providing an answer to Satan’s lying charge. (Job 1:9-11; 27:5) Your child needs to understand that depending on how he behaves, he can make Jehovah either sad or happy. (Proverbs 27:11) This and many other vital lessons can be taught to children by using the book Learn From the Great Teacher.

*** w05 4/15 pp. 17-18 par. 12 Let God’s Word Light Your Roadway *** 12 “From the dread of you

[Jehovah] my flesh has had a creepy feeling,” said the psalmist. (Psalm 119:120) Our having a wholesome dread of God, manifested by avoiding what he disapproves, is vital if he is to sustain us as his servants. Reverential fear of Jehovah caused Job to live a righteous life. (Job 1:1; 23:15) Godly fear can enable us to persevere in a divinely favored course regardless of what we must endure. Endurance, though, calls for earnest prayers

said in faith.—James 5:15.

*** w05 7/15 p. 5 True Teachings That Please God ***

Another reason why you can put your trust in the Bible is that when it comes to scientific matters, what this ancient book states is accurate. For example, at a time when most people believed that the earth was flat, the Bible spoke of “the circle [or, sphere] of the earth.” (Isaiah 40:22) And over 3,000 years before the famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton explained that the planets are held in empty space by gravity, the Bible poetically stated that ‘the earth is hanging upon nothing.’ (Job 26:7) Consider also this poetic description of the earth’s water cycle, recorded some 3,000 years ago: “All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.” (Ecclesiastes 1:7, New International Version) Yes, the Creator of the universe is also the Author of the Bible.

*** w05 8/1 pp. 29-30 par. 17 Jehovah Is “the Rewarder of Those Earnestly Seeking Him” ***

17 The Devil is skilled at exploiting such feelings in his attempt to turn people away from God. Recall Bildad’s words to Job: “How can mortal man be in the right before God, or how can one born of a woman be clean? Look! There is even the moon, and it is not bright; and the stars themselves have not proved clean in his eyes. How much less so mortal man, who is a maggot, and a son of man, who is a worm!” (Job 25:4-6; John 8:44) Can you imagine how demoralizing those words must have been? So do not let Satan dishearten you. On the other hand, be aware of Satan’s designs so that you will have the courage and stamina to fight all the harder to do what is right. (2 Corinthians 2:11) As for Job, even though he had to be corrected, Jehovah rewarded his endurance by restoring to him in double measure all that he had lost.—Job 42:10.

*** w05 9/15 p. 26 Resist Wrong Thinking! ***

In all three speeches, Eliphaz presented the idea that God is so exacting that nothing his servants do is good enough for him. “Look! In his servants he has no faith,” Eliphaz told Job, “and his angels he charges with faultiness.” (Job 4:18, footnote) Eliphaz later said of God: “In his holy ones he has no faith, and the heavens themselves are actually not clean in his eyes.” (Job 15:15) And he asked: “Does the Almighty have any delight in that you are righteous?” (Job 22:3) Bildad was in agreement with this viewpoint, for he stated: “There is even the moon, and it is not bright; and the stars themselves have not proved clean in [God’s] eyes.”—Job 25:5.

We must be on guard against being influenced by such thinking. It can lead us to feel that God requires too much of us. This view attacks our very relationship with Jehovah. Moreover, if we succumb to this type of reasoning, how would we respond when we are given needed discipline? Rather than humbly accepting the correction, our heart may become “enraged against Jehovah himself,” and we may harbor resentment toward him. (Proverbs 19:3) How spiritually disastrous that would be!

*** w05 9/15 p. 27 Resist Wrong Thinking! ***

Closely related to the idea that God is too exacting is the view that he regards humans as useless. Eliphaz’ third speech contains the question: “Can an able-bodied man be of use to God himself, that anyone having insight should be of use toward him?” (Job 22:2) Eliphaz was implying that man is useless to God. In a similar vein, Bildad argued: “How can mortal man be in the right before God, or how can one born of a woman be clean?” (Job 25:4) According to that line of reasoning, how could Job, a mere mortal, ever presume to have a righteous standing before God?

Some people today are plagued with negative feelings about themselves. Such factors as family upbringing, exposure to the pressures of life, or being victims of racial or ethnic hatred may have contributed to this. But Satan and his demons also take delight in crushing a person. If they can influence an individual to feel that nothing he does is good enough for Almighty God, he is more vulnerable to despondency. In time, such a person could drift away, even draw away, from the living God.—Hebrews 2:1; 3:12.

Advancing age and health problems put limitations on us. The share we have in Kingdom service may seem quite small in comparison with what we did when we were younger, healthier, and stronger. How important it is to recognize that Satan and his demons want us to feel that what we do is not good enough for God! We must resist such thinking.

*** w05 9/15 p. 27 Resist Wrong Thinking! ***

Despite the suffering brought upon him by Satan the Devil, Job said: “Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity from myself!” (Job 27:5) Because he loved God, Job was determined to maintain his integrity no matter what happened, and nothing was going to change that. Herein lies a key to resisting negative thinking. We must acquire a good understanding of God’s love and cultivate heartfelt appreciation for it. We also need to deepen our love for him. This is achieved by means of a regular study of God’s Word and prayerful meditation on what we learn.

*** w03 8/1 p. 21 “You Received Free, Give Free” ***

To answer this challenge, God allowed Satan to put Job to the test, saying: “Everything that he has is in your hand.” (Job 1:12) The outcome? Job proved Satan a liar. No matter what adversities befell him, Job remained loyal. “Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity from myself!” he said.—Job 27:5, 6.

True worshipers today show an attitude similar to Job’s. Their service to God is not motivated by material concerns.

*** w01 4/15 pp. 3-4 par. 4 Behold the Doer of Wonderful Things! ***

4 Job’s three supposed friends pointed out at length areas in which they believed that Job had erred in thought or deed. (Job 15:1-6, 16; 22:5-10) Elihu patiently waited till that dialogue was over. Then he spoke with insight and wisdom. He made many valuable points, but note this key thought: “Do give ear to this, O Job; stand still and show yourself attentive to the wonderful works of God.”−Job 37:14.

*** w99 2/1 p. 7 How Can You Show True Humility? ***

Can you meet the challenge of adversity? Humility will enable you to face up to difficult circumstances and to endure, even as Job did. If you are proud, you will tend to be frustrated and may rebel at grievous circumstances and supposed slights.—Job 1:22; 2:10; 27:2-5.

*** w95 8/1 pp. 28-29 The Rewards of Persistence ***

Considering Job’s example of persistent faith is beneficial. He was imperfect and had a limited knowledge of his situation. So at times, he lapsed into self-justification and despair. However, he consistently displayed a dogged determination to keep his integrity to Jehovah and never forsake Him. (Job 1:20-22; 2:9, 10; 27:2-6) Jehovah rewarded Job for his persistent devotion, giving him spiritual and material blessings and the hope of everlasting life. (Job 42:10-17; James 5:10, 11) Like Job, we may experience much suffering and loss during our life now, but we can also be assured of Jehovah’s blessing on our faithful endurance.—Hebrews 6:10-12.

*** w94 11/1 p. 32 Why Do the Wicked Prosper? ***

“WHY is it that the wicked themselves keep living?” This question was asked long ago by faithful Job, and it has been repeated many times since his day. Likely it is on the minds of many people in the territory of the former Yugoslavia (such as the woman shown on our cover) who mourn over those who suffer in a tragic war. Why do wicked people survive and even prosper? As Job noted, often “their houses are peace itself, free from dread, and the rod of God is not upon them.”—Job 21:7, 9.

Does this mean that there is no value in serving God, loving one’s neighbor, and abstaining from doing wrong? By no means! The Bible gives us the right perspective when it says: “Do not strive to outdo the evildoers or emulate those who do wrong. For like grass they soon wither, and fade like the green of spring. Trust in the LORD and do good.”—Psalm 37:1-3, The New English Bible.

Yes, the apparent prosperity of the wicked is just temporary. In fact, their lives are very short, while those who serve God have a glorious hope for the future. Soon, God’s promise will be fulfilled: “[God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) Only the righteous, not the wicked, will see that time. What an encouragement to draw close to God and learn to do his will, however wicked those around us may be!

*** w93 2/15 p. 16 par. 17 “Let Marriage Be Honorable Among All” ***

Rather than scuttle the ship of marriage, the wise person will think of ways to repair any damage in order to recover it, thus avoiding the pitfall of treachery and duplicity.—Job 24:15.

*** w92 9/15 p. 6 Why Do Good People Suffer? ***

Despite everything Satan could do, Job maintained a righteous course and proved that he served Jehovah out of love. Indeed, Job told his accusers: “It is unthinkable on my part that I should declare you men righteous! Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity from myself!” (Job 27:5) Yes, such integrity keepers have always been willing to suffer for righteousness’ sake. (1 Peter 4:14-16) The Bible tells of many who have had unfailing love for God and have lived righteous lives to honor him and prove false Satan’s claim that he could turn all humans away from Jehovah. Every individual who suffers because of maintaining integrity to God can be happy that he is proving the Devil a liar and is making Jehovah’s heart rejoice.—Proverbs 27:11.

*** w90 2/15 p. 22 Will You Benefit From Undeserved Kindness? ***

The Devil exploits feelings of worthlessness to try to draw you away from God. Satan is the source of the sin that damaged you in the first place. Now he may try to encourage the feeling that you are worthless in God’s eyes, as Bildad tried to do to Job. (Job 25:4-6; John 8:44) How many battles have been lost because soldiers entered the fight already demoralized! So, do not let Satan demoralize you. (Ephesians 6:10-13) Being aware of Satan’s designs should stimulate you to fight all the harder to do what is right.—2 Corinthians 2:11.

*** w90 4/15 p. 27 “Stand Firm”—Do Not Stumble ***

While disappointment is understandable under all these circumstances, should the disappointed ones be stumbled out of their relationship with Jehovah? Imagine Jesus’ disappointment when his apostles persisted in arguing over who was the greatest among them, thus betraying an ambitious attitude. (Luke 9:46; 22:24) Imagine, too, Job’s disappointment when the three companions who were supposed to be there to help him turned on him and started questioning his faithfulness! (Job 22:5-10) Yet, Jesus and Job did not stumble.

*** w86 9/15 p. 19 par. 15 Counsel That Is “Seasoned With Salt” *** 15 Remember, though, that asking questions implies that you want to hear the answers.

(Proverbs 18:13) Counselors should not fall into the trap that snared the three “comforters” of Job. Job spoke to them, but they did not really listen. They had already made up their minds that Job’s suffering was caused by his own sinfulness. (Job 16:2; 22:4-11) In contrast, a Christian counselor should listen carefully. Thus, he may notice significant pauses or inflections of voice indicating that the whole story has not yet been told. Perhaps a supplementary question will bring out a thought that is lurking in the back of the person’s mind.—Compare Proverbs 20:5.

*** w83 4/15 p. 20 par. 15 True Freedom Under Kingdom Rule *** 15 The Bible clearly shows that there is truth, what it is, where it is and who has it. The

question for each one is this: Do you really want the truth? ‘Well,’ some may say, ‘don’t most people want the truth?’ No, for Jesus said that the road to eternal life is narrow and relatively few are on it. (Matthew 7:13, 14) The vast majority of mankind today feels the way that the Bible describes at Job 21:14-16: “They say to the true God, ‘Turn away from us! And in the knowledge of your ways we have found no delight. What does the Almighty amount to, that we should serve him, and how do we benefit ourselves in that we have come in touch with him?’” But Job says, “The very counsel of wicked ones has kept far from me.” Their way of thinking is not based on the truth but is based on Satan’s lie that humans would be better off independent from God.

*** w81 12/15 p. 25 par. 13 Zealous for “the Work of the Lord” *** 13 Paul exhorts us, also, to become “unmovable.” This is akin to being steadfast. It

means that, in observing God’s commandments, we must never be shaken in our integrity. That was the attitude of the exemplary integrity-keeper Job, who said of his God and Judge: “After he has tested me out, I shall come forth as gold itself.” Can we express such confidence? We can, if we are able to say of Jehovah, as did Job: “His way I have kept, and I do not deviate. From the commandment of his lips I do not move away. I have treasured up the sayings of his mouth more than what is prescribed for me.” (Job 23:10-12) If we, like Job, will go even beyond what is scheduled for our regular meetings, digging down deep into the Watch Tower Society’s publications for further enlightenment on the modern-day application of God’s Word, we will be helped, indeed, in remaining steadfast, unmovable in the truth.

*** w82 6/1 p. 26 Einstein’s Appraisal of Man’s Knowledge ***

Though man continues to increase his knowledge of the universe, it is still relatively meager, bringing to mind Job’s words concerning God and his creation: “Look! These are the fringes of his ways, and what a whisper of a matter has been heard of him! But of his mighty thunder who can show an understanding?”—Job 26:14.

*** w79 3/15 p. 4 Evidence of a Creator ***

In contemplation of man’s marvelous makeup, and of all the created world about us, concerning God’s visible works, we can say with Job: “Look! These are the fringes of his ways, and what a whisper of a matter has been heard of him!” (Job 26:14) But we do not need to stop at hearing only a whisper concerning our Creator. If we search in his Word, the Bible, we can learn much, not only concerning his creation, but of the grand purpose that lies behind it all.

*** w76 10/1 p. 582 Creation’s Testimony to the God of Purpose ***

Though a study of things such as these is fine, and can bring a person closer to God, it reveals only “the fringes of his ways” and a “whisper” of what God is like. (Job 26:14) A look at created things should incite us to go further to know and establish a relationship with him. There is much more exciting, much more satisfactory and profitable information in God’s own communication to us—the Bible. Much of it is written there in plain, straightforward statements that anyone can understand.

*** w75 3/1 p. 133 Is the Bible Simply a Product of Human Wisdom? ***

Today we know for a fact that the earth rests on no physical supports. But this is not what people generally believed while older parts of the Bible were being written. One common view then held was that four elephants standing on a large sea turtle supported the earth, which was described as a circular plate.

Was the Bible influenced by such ideas? No. At Job 26:7 we read: “[God] is stretching out the north over the empty place, hanging the earth upon nothing.” This accurate statement has long impressed Bible scholars. One of such, F. C. Cook, wrote in the nineteenth century: “It presents a singularly strong protest against superstitions prevalent among all heathens . . . Job knows nothing of solid foundations on which the broad expanse of earth is supported. How Job knew the truth, demonstrated by astronomy, that the earth hangs self-poised in empty space, is a question not easily solved by those who deny the inspiration of Holy Scripture.”

*** g96 2/8 pp. 9-10 You Can Trust God ***

You can trust the Bible because it is totally accurate in all its statements. The Bible says that God “is stretching out the north over the empty place, hanging the earth upon nothing.” (Job 26:7) Rather than repeat the fanciful theories of the day, such as the earth being supported by elephants, the Bible stated what has since been established as scientific truth—that the earth is “hanging” in space. In addition to that, over two thousand years before the time of Columbus, the Bible clearly stated that the earth is round.—Isaiah 40:22.

*** lv chap. 2 p. 16 par. 5 How Can You Maintain a Good Conscience? *** 5 Unlike Adam and Eve, many imperfect humans have heeded their conscience. For

example, the faithful man Job was able to say: “I will maintain my righteousness and never let it go; my heart will not condemn me as long as I live.” (Job 27:6) Job was truly a conscientious man. He was careful to listen to his conscience, letting it guide his actions and decisions. Thus, he could say with real satisfaction that his conscience did not condemn him with shame and guilt.

*** km 4/11 p. 3 Theocratic Ministry School Review ***

What helped Job to maintain his integrity? (Job 27:5) [w09 4/15 p. 6 par. 17] 17 What helped Job to maintain his integrity? Clearly, before the calamities struck, he

had already cultivated a close relationship with Jehovah. Although we have no evidence that he knew that Satan had challenged Jehovah, Job was determined to stay loyal. He said: “Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity from myself!” (Job 27:5) How did Job develop this close relationship? No doubt, he cherished what he had heard about God’s dealings with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were his distant relatives. And by observing creation, Job could discern many of Jehovah’s qualities.—Read Job 12:7-9, 13, 16.