Book of Job.
Job One ….(verses 1-22)
This book portrays a time frame far removed from us today, and yet the needs, feelings and results are so much the general human needs in the world today.
1. Verses 1-22
a. There is no time frame given for the book of Job, but what can you deduce from both the first verse of the book and the last two verses of it?
Job was not a Jew….he lived in the land of Uz, and he lived at least two hundred years in the time of longer lives than when Moses was alive.
b. Who is Job linked with in Ezekiel 14:14?
Daniel and Noah.
c. What else are we told about Job in verse 1?
That he was perfect and upright, he feared (reverenced and obeyed) God and couldn’t stand anything wrong….he abhorred it and refused to have anything to do with it!
d. What else did Job prove to be a perfect example of? (James 5:10-11)
In patience and enduring affliction.
d. What do we find out further about Job? (verses 2-3)
He had a family of ten children, he had great flocks of sheep, camels, cattle and asses; many servants and a well run establishment.
e. What did Job do continually for his family? (verse 5)
He not only prayed for them all the time, but he offered sacrifices on their behalf in case they had sinned inwardly.
f. What was his reputation? (verses 3c, 8)
He was the greatest of all the men in the region, and man and God couldn’t fault him in any way.
g. What do we get a glimpse of in the realm of the spirits? (verse 6)
That God seems to hold council meetings in the heavenlies when angels and spirits gather together to give an account; Satan has access to God in these meetings as well.
h. How does 1 Kings 22:19-22 back this up?
It tells us that the Lord was holding a meeting to see which spirit could persuade Ahab to go into battle.
i. What did God ask Satan here? (verses 7-8)
Where have you been to? Isn’t Job a good person!
j. What implication is there in God’s statement of Job?
It implies a rebuke to Satan because Job was everything that Satan wasn’t…..good versus evil.
Jk. What did Satan reply about Job? (verses9-11)
Huh! Job only fears You because You look after him! Take away what he has and he will curse You to Your face!
l. What happened? (verse 12)
God said, “Try him and see! But don’t touch him”.
m. What other description do we find about Satan? (1 Peter 5:8)
He is likened to a hungry lion seeing who he can swallow up.
n. How is he described in Revelation 12:10c?
As the accuser of the believers.
1. Challenges….
a. What are the challenges to us in this chapter ?
How would God describe me to the accuser?
Could I be an over comer like Job in the face of a massive disaster like this?
Job didn’t question or blame God in the slightest….his first reaction was to worship God! Could I do this?
b. Why do you think this account of Job is included in the Scriptures? (1 Corinthians 10:11)
As an example of how to conduct ourselves in times of trouble so that we may learn from it all.
c. Does this experience of Job’s help you to understand now why bad things sometimes happen to good people? (1 Corinthians6:10-12)
Yes, because we are involved in a spiritual battle which sometimes involves our physical well being.
Job Two….(verses 1-13)
1. Verses 1 -13
a. What do we see happening again in verses 1-3?
God held another council meeting at which Satan was also present. God still held up Job as a perfect example in the face of his adversity.
b. What did Satan suggest would cause Job to fall in his resolves? (verses 4-5)
Ill health would make him buckle.
c. What was Satan’s aim in all of this?
He had two aims…..one was to prove that God was wrong, and the other was to get Job to curse God.
d. What did God allow Satan to do to Job this time? (verses 6-7)
He allowed Satan to afflict Job with painful boils all over his body
e. What was God’s purpose in allowing this to happen to Job? (verse 3; 1:8)
To prove to angelic hosts in general and Satan in particular that a man COULD be faithful to God in extreme adversity.
f. Where did Paul feel his affliction came from? For what purpose? (2 Corinthians 12:7)
Paul felt his affliction was given by Satan and that God allowed it to remain to prove His strength in Paul’s weakness in case Paul became proud of his ability in preaching the Gospel.
g. In the light of this, what can we say are the points about believers’ suffering?
1 Corinthians 4:9 i. To be an example to the heavenly hosts
2 Corinthians 12:7c ii. To keep one humble and dependant on God.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 iii. To be able to prove God’s enabling in times of weakness.
h. What proviso did God put on Satan? (verse 6)
You can do what you like to him, but you are to save his life.
Job Three….(verses 1-26)
1. Verses 1-26
a. Job did NOT curse God, but what did he curse? (verses 1-10)
The day he was born!
b. Put verse 11 in your own words…..
I wish I’d never been born!! I should have been still born!
c. How was Job feeling in verses 24-26?
i. He was sighing and crying and had no physical rest or peace.
ii. He was worrying….no mental rest or peace.
iii. He felt he had nowhere to turn….he had lost everything….possessions, family and now his health.
Job Four….(verses 1-21)
1. Verses 1-21
a. Which friend spoke first? (verse 1)
Eliphaz, the Temanite.
b. What does he say about Job in verses 3-6?
You’ve been such a help to others in giving advice and encouragement….can’t you put your advice to others into practice for yourself? You’ve always had confidence in your own goodness and it hasn’t worked this time!!
c. What conclusion did Eliphaz come to in verses 7-9?
The good and righteous never have bad things happen to them, only the wicked!
d. What was he telling about in verses 12-17?
About a vision he’d seen that made his hair stand on end! In the vision, he’d seen something and heard a voice say that no-one could be just and pure before God.
e. What was he saying in verses 18-19?
God can’t trust people, or even angels, so what hope have YOU got!!
Job Five….(verses 1-27)
1. Verses 1-27
a. Why is Eliphaz suggesting that Job’s children died? (verse 1)
He is suggesting that Job must have acted foolishly or sinned in some way..
b. What observation did he make in verse 7 and what advice did he give in verse 8?
Man is born to have trouble, and I would seek God if I were you, Job!!!
c. What correct statement did he make in verse 17? What does he infer?
The man who God corrects and chastens should be happy! That Job had gone wrong somewhere and God needed to chasten and correct him for it.
d. How does the New Testament expand this thought? (Hebrews 12:5-10)
By saying that God corrects those He loves for their own good and we are not to despise God’s chastenings or moan about them.
e. What is the result of God’s chastenings? (Hebrews 12:11)
The peaceable fruit of righteousness…..we can always learn something from them!
f. What was the purpose of Job’s sufferings? Was Eliphaz right in his ideas? (Job 1:8; 22)
Not really….we have seen that God allowed these things to happen to Job, to prove to Satan that he (Job) was beyond reproach. God knew that Job would not let Him down.
g. How should we view our own problems when they come upon us? (1 Timothy 4:12; Hebrews12:9-10)
To see what we can learn from them.
To put our trust in God into practice.
To conduct our attitudes, actions and words in such a way as to be a good example top people and the unseen spiritual hosts.
h. What did our Lord Jesus tell us to expect in the way of tribulations? (John 16:33)
He said we could expect them because He had had them, and as He had overcome them so could we with His help.
Job Six….(verses 1-30)
1. Verses 1-30
a. What is job saying in verses 1-4? What thoughts may have been running through his mind?
You don’t know what it feels like! My grief is so heavy!! I thought I was doing everything right, but it seems that God is punishing me for something!
b. How do we as humans, tend to view circumstances in others’ lives? (chap 4:7-8)
That good people are rewarded and bad people suffer punishment . Success and wealth mean goodness and cleverness, while troubles and trials mean some hidden sin or wrong.
c. What was Job looking for from his friends in verses 14-18? What did he feel he found?
He was looking for some sympathy or pity….when he needed this, there was none, only blame….it was just like looking for some water in a dry hole!
d. What was Job saying in verses 25-26?
You might be right, but that is no help to someone as desperate as I am!
e. In verses 27-30?
Prove that what you are saying is right! I KNOW I’m right!!!
Job Seven….(verses 1-21)
1. Verses 1-21
a. How was Job feeling mentally? (verses 1-3)
He wanted to feel that his life had been worth SOMETHING!
b. How was he feeling physically? (verses 4-10)
Miserable and sore! He wasn’t able to rest for the pain!
c. How did he feel spiritually? (verses 11-21)
He was beginning to wonder if God had deserted him, and was thinking that perhaps he HAD committed some sin that he was being punished for.
d. With him feeling like this, how was God really feeling for him? (Psalm 103:13-14; 139:17-18)
God never forgot him, and Job was in His thoughts all the time especially in this time of suffering. God was full of pity for him, his suffering servant.
e. What can we comfort ourselves in when we go through severe testings? (1 Corinthians 10:11-13)
That God won’t allow it to be more severe than we can stand, He will bring us through it safely.
f. What other thought can we hang onto? (Isaiah 53: 3-4)
The fact that our Lord Jesus has already carried our sorrow and grief, so there is no point in us wallowing in it and carrying it a second time.
Job Eight….(verses 1-22)
1. Verses 1-22
a. Who was the next to speak? (verse 1)
Bildad, the Shuhite.
b. What was the gist of his speech?
You’re doing a lot of talking Job! You MUST have done something wrong because God doesn’t punish the righteous man! God prospers the righteous and they are happy!
c. What is the paradox about suffering that Peter brings out that is helpful to us when we go through bad times?
If we handle it right with the right attitude, we will come through it like gold that is refined….brighter than ever! Troubles don’t have to take away one’s joy in the Lord!
d. What was Bildad’s perception of Job’s problem? (verses 5-6, 20)
God doesn’t punish good people, therefore you must be a secret sinner Job for this problem to come upon you!
Job Nine….(verses 1-35)
1. Verses 1-35
a. What did Job agree with? (verse 2a)
Job said that he knew what Bildad was saying was right….God does NOT punish the righteous!
b. What was Job’s next comment? (verse 2b)
How CAN a man be just and right before God when he is sinful? He thought he had done everything right, and now look at him!
c. What was Job’s perception of God? (verses 4-12)
God is so great….look at creation! What wonderful things he has done, how can I possibly speak to Him?
d. How did Job feel after considering God’s greatness? (verses 13-19)
God is too great for me to call upon, He is so much stronger it is no use me talking to Him!
e. What conclusion did Job come to in verses 20-24?
I thought I was right before God, but I couldn’t have been….it’s no use me talking, I don’t even know myself!!
f. What else did Job say that he knew? (verses 28-30)
He knew that he wasn’t completely innocent before God….without sacrifices there was no way he could be clean in God’s sight!
g. How does verse 33 show how hopeless and helpless Job felt before God?
He said there was no-one who could plead to God for him, he had no mediator, and there was no way he could cleanse himself good enough.
h. Why does a believer not need to feel this way? What does a believer have for cleansing and who stands in the breach for him before God? (1 John 1:7b; 2:1-2)
We don’t need to feel like this because we have the Lord Jesus as our Advocate…..He is able to be this because He has shed His blood to cleanse away our sin upon us confessing it.
We know too that He prayed for His own people before the cross, that they would be kept and taken into glory to be with Him in the end.
Job Ten….(verses 1-22)
1. Verses 1-22
a. Who was still talking? How was he feeling? (verse 1)
Job was still carrying on….he was finding things heavy going!
b. What did Job say to God now? (verses 2-7)
Is it good for You to be so hard on me? You don’t look at me like a man does….You look at things from a different perspective! They think I’ve sinned but You know I’m not wicked!
c. What was Job’s perception of himself and God? (verses 8-13)
You’ve made me and put me together, and now You want to destroy me! You made me in the first place and now You are stirring me up like milk making cheese! You made my body, You gave me life, and You have visited me in my spirit….Job recognised that he had a body, soul and spirit.
d. What was Job saying in verses 14-15?
He was saying that God knew all about him….God knew if and when he sinned, and that his righteousness wasn’t good enough for God….he felt totally confused!
e. How did David enlarge on these same thoughts? What about us today? (Psalm 139:14-18)
David recognised that he was a unique creation of God, right from conception. God had put his genes together to make him what he was and had written him up in His book. It is the same for each human being….each one is a unique blend of strengths and weaknesses peculiar to himself to do what he can with.
f. In the light of this, what should we ask ourselves?
We should ask ourselves what we are doing with what God has given us…..we are to use our strengths for God’s glory and to work on our weaknesses until they are brought under control and can bring glory to God also.
g. How was Job feeling in verses 15-18?
He was feeling totally confused and was wondering what was going on! He had done the best he could and it hadn’t worked! Now he wished he were dead!!
Job Eleven….(verses 1-20)
1. Verses 1-20
a. Whose turn was it to speak now? What did he start off by saying? (verses 1-6)
It was Zophar’s turn now and he told Job he was talking too much! You think you are right, he told him, but it is obvious you’re not or God wouldn’t be bringing these circumstances on you!
b. What statement did he make about God in verses 7-11?
God is beyond your understanding! You can never know all about Him!
c. What was Zophar saying in verse 12? (Look up several different translations)
He was saying it was just as impossible for a silly person to talk sense as it was for a donkey to be born a human! In other words, we say a person who acts stupidly is an ass!!!
d. What did he tell Job he should do in verses 13-15?
That he should turn to God, put away his secret sins and then look to God without fear!
e. What did he think the result of this would be? (verses 16-19)
Things would soon come right and he would be able to forget this time of misery.
Job Twelve….(verses 1-25)
1. Verses 1-25
a. What did Job say in verses 1-3?
You think you know it all! I know just as mjuch as you do, and I’m no worse than you!
b. What do you think the body language and general tenor of the conversation of these men was telling Job?
They were all self righteous and were sure that Job wasn’t as good as he had always appeared to be!
c. What did he say in verses 4-6?
I know what you are saying is right, you’re not telling me anything I don’t already know!! You needn’t mock and scorn me….bad people get away with what they do!
d. How did Job’s thoughts run in the rest of the chapter?
Just look around you at creation….we know that God made all these things and He is sovereign over everything that He has made….He gives men understanding, He puts up and He puts down, He increases nations and destroys them when they ignore Him.
e. How could we answer those who say how wonderful man is in these days of technology and achievements that he has done? (Daniel 2:20-22)
Man only has what knowledge that God gives him and is accountable to God for what he does with that knowledge….what God gives for good, man uses for evil!
f. What was specifically told to Daniel about this? (Daniel 12:4b)
That knowledge would be increased dramatically.
g. What does God expect people to do with what He has given them? (Matthew 25:15-28)
He expects them to use it for His (God’s) glory; instead man is using it for his own gratification and glory (and often for evil).
Job Thirteen….(verses 1-28)
1. Verses 1-28
a. What was Job saying to his “friends” in verses 1-5?
I already know all that you are telling me, and I just wish you would shut up!! That would show more wisdom! It is God’s voice I want to hear, not yours!
b. What does he go on to say about their advice so far? (verses 6-10)
Do you think you can speak for God? You are running me down….don’t you realise God will reprove you if you think you are better than I am?
c. What about verses 11-16?
Aren’t you afraid to speak like this? Your words are no bette3r than ashes, so jus keep quiet and listen to me! Even if God sees fit to kill me, I will still trust Him and carry on the same….I can do nothing else….He is my salvation!
d. What does the rest of the chapter become?
Job talks directly to God, and presents his case to Him rather than to his companions.
e. What two things does he want God to NOT do? (verses 20-21)
He does not want God to leave him, and he doesn’t want to be afraid of Him.
f. What is the first thing he feels need of from God? (verse 23)
He wanted God to show him his sins, and to know why God was hiding from him….God knew all his ways and thoughts anyway!
g. Are we prepared to say this to God? What was David’s prayer in this respect? (Psalm 139:23-24)
Unless we say this to the Lord, we are not truly humble before Him….we don’t know our own thoughts, we only think we do! It is only the Lord who can get to the bottom of them and our motive!!
h. What did Job say he knew in verse 18?
Job knew that God would justify him if he went directly to Him.
i. Satan had told God that Job was only trusting Him for what he could get from Him….what was Job proving now in these circumstances that he found himself, bereft of everything? (verse 15)
No, he was trusting God in SPITE of his circumstances.
j. Is this how we are to trust God? What does Paul tell us to remember? (Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 1:3-7)
Yes, this is how we are to trust God….we are to remember all our blessings in Christ Jesus which NONE of our circumstances can touch….He is with us and loves us no matter what!
Job Fourteen….(verses 1-22)
1. Verses 1-22
a. What did Job say in verses 1-2?
That man’s life is so short it is no better than a blossoming flower! And it is full of trouble as well!
b. What does David say along these same lines? (Psalm 90:5-6)
That man’s life is like a grass which is long and lush and then gets past it and withers away….just a day in the light of eternity!
c. What is Job going on about in verses 5-14?
The brevity of man’s life and the fact that God already has every person’s days numbered from the time that he is born….there is more hope for a cut down tree than a person who dies. The tree might grow again! Once a person is dead, that’s it as far as this world is concerned!
d. What Job said was perfectly true….what does the NT tell us comes after death? (Hebrews 9:27b)
After death comes God’s judgement.
e. What hope do we have to escape this judgement? (Hebrews) 9:24-28)
None, without Christ! It is only in Him that we can escape the consequences of our sins.
f. As well as having our days numbered, what else does God take notice of? (verses 16-22)
He sees all our sins…as surely as water wears away stones, just as surely God will bring man to judgement
Job Fifteen….(verses 1-35)
1. Verses 1-35
a. What does Eliphaz answer to Job’s last speech? (verses 1-16)
Your’re talking utter rubbish! You are condemning yourself talking like this….we aren’t! What makes you think you know more than we do? You know very well that no-one is righteous!!
b What does he carry on saying in verses 17-35?
You just listen to me!! It is only the wicked who suffer….those who have turned against God won’t win! Stop making out you know different when you have no hope!!
c. How many times has Eliphaz spoken to Job?
This was his second speech.
d. What was the general attitude of his speech?
He was very rude and condemning to Job….he wasn’t at all nice or comforting!
Job Sixteen….(verses 1-22)
1. Verses 1-22
a. How did Job view Eliphaz’ speech? What did he tell him? (verses 1-6)
He viewed it rather dimly! He tole them that they were a miserable lot of comforters!. If they were in his shoes, he could tell them the same sort of things that they were telling him, but he wouldn’t. He would comfort them instead and sympathise with them. They hadn’t done any good for him at all!!!
b What did he carry on to say? (verses 7-22)
God has made me weary, and you have given me no hope either! I just feel as though God is tearing me apart aand shaken me to pieces. I’ve worn sackcloth, sat in the dust and wept till my eyes are all swollen….and none of this is because I’ve done wrong. You are all scorning me, and I only have God I can turn to!!
Job Seventeen….(verses 1-16)
1. Verses 1-16
a. What did Job feel was about to happen to him? (verse 1)
He felt he was a the end of his days and that he could die any day.
b What did he feel that his “friends” thought of him? (verses 2-6)
Not much! He felt they were mocking him, and that none would help him, that they thought he was a poor risk, they didn’t understand him and that he was just a byword to everyone!
c. He felt some good would come out all this….what was it? (verses 8-10)
Upright men would be astonished, and innocent men would stop listening to hypocrites, the righteous would take stock and make sure they stayed that way.
d. What did he tell his “friends” to do? Why?
He told them they’d better go….they were no help to him. Anyway, he didn’t feel he had much more time before he died!
Job Eighteen….(verses 1-21)
1. Verses 1-21
a. What did Bildad say to this? (verses 1-3)
How much longer are you going to waffle on? You haven’t got much of an opinion of us!
b What is the rest of his speech about? (verses 4-21)
He carried on about the life of a wicked person.
c. What lesson can we learn from all this? (Proverbs 15:2)
To be careful what we say to others in times of their distress…to try to put ourselves into their shoes and feelings, and then to speak graciously and wisely….. platitutdes are no good in times of stress.
Job Nineteen….(verses 1-29)
1. Verses 1-29
a. How was Job feeling now after Bildad’s speech? (verses 1-5)
He was disturbed and broken.
b What was he saying in verses 3-6?
You keep blaming me….maybe I HAVE made mistakes but that is MY business, between me and God!
c. How did he feel God was treating him? (verses 11-12)
He felt he was trapped in his misery….he cried to God and wasn’t heard, and he couldn’t see any end to his misery.
d. How did he feel people were treating him? (verses 13-20)
His relations and other friends were ignoring him, even his wife was out of sorts with him. He felt that no-one gave him respect any more and all had turned against him.
e What was his cry of distress in his extremity? (verses 21-22)
Can’t you have some pity for me? You call yourselves my friends……don’t add your blame to the rest of my persecutions!!!
f. What was his wish? Who do you think probably wrote the book of Job?
He wished that his words were written down for posterity….he was probably toe one who wrote the book of Job….after all, he was there and heard all that was said! One can imagine that he was driven in his mind until he got it all down on paper!
g. What did Job say he knew in verses 25-27 ?
He knew that God was his Redeemer and that He was alive and he would see Him one day for himself
h What is the believer’s sure confidence? (1 John 2:28; 3:1-2)
We are going to see Christ one day and if we live in His ways, we won’t be ashamed before Him when we see Him. That when we see Him, we will be like Him!
i. What effect should this expectation have on us? (John 15:10; 1 John 3:3)
It means that we should live in Him and obey His word, this is keeping ourselves pure in our manner of life and is abiding in Him. We won’t be ashamed before him when we see Him if we do this.
j. What does verse 26 tell us?
That there is life after death….the body may die and decay, but everyone will see God just the same.
k. How does Paul enlarge on this thought? (Philippians 2:10-11))
He tells us that EVERY knee will bow before God and EVERY tongue will confess Jesus as Lord to the glory of God!
Job Twenty….(verses 1-29)
1. Verses 1-29
a. What was Zophar going on about in this chapter? (verses 1-9)
The end result of wickedness in a person….how although he might prosper, he would come to nothing in the end. This was a fact of life, he said, and had always been the case!
b What was his veiled implication in all of this? (verses 23-29)
Look at you Job….you were prosperous and now you’ve lost the lot and have this dreadful affliction. You must be wicked or God wouldn’t have done all this to you!!
c. Where was Zophar quite wrong in all his assumptions? What can we learn from this? (Ephesians 6:11-13)
Zophar was blaming Job for wickedness and attributing God’s judgement falling on him for it….he was looking at it from a human point of view! We have the advantage of the Scriptures and can see there are evil powers and principalities at work here (and in many other cases there would be too) which may be the reason for disasters that come upon God’s people.
d. What is the believers’ responsibility in testing circumstances? (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7)
To stand firm in his faith, to take it patiently, to rejoice in the blessings that he can never lose (to think positively), and to not blame God for the circumstances one finds oneself in.
e. We often hear unbelievers say “How can a God of love allow this or that to happen, and let innocent children suffer? I don’t think much of a God like that!” What point do they totally miss when they say this? (Ezekiel 24:14;33:20)
They are judging God for bringing the disasters, completely overlooking the fact that many disasters such as war and oppression are the direct result of sin in the nation and its leaders, and that some natural disasters are often the indirect result of sin in the land. Ezekiel tells us that people are judged by their own deeds, and even though they say God is not fair, yet they will be judged by what they themselves have done. We do not know what has gone on behind the scenes, and often good will come out of evil.
Job Twenty-one….(verses 1-34)
1. Verses 1-34
a. What is Job saying in verses 1-3 ?
Just listen to what I’m saying before you carry on with your mocking and sarcasm!
b. What about verses 4-6? When it comes to the point, what does each human being have to face? (Hebrews 9:27)
Each person is accountable to God only….all that matters is between me and God…God knows my every thought and motive. If I don’t know God NOW, I will surely face Him in judgement after my death.
c. What could Paul say with all confidence that we should be able to say too? (2 Timothy 1:12)
He could say that he KNEW the One he believed in and was totally confident that He would keep him from the day of judgement.
d. Therefore what is all that really matters for each human being?
Me and my relationship with God, the Three in One….God the Father loves me; God the Son gave Himself for me and saves me; God the Holy Spirit guides and strengthens me.
e. What does Job say in verse 4a, both directly and indirectly?
My complaint is not to any other person, it is between me and God! In other words, it’s none of anyone else’s business!!
f. What does Job go on to talk about in verses 7-15 ?
The way the wicked prosper and throw God out of their lives….they don’t intend to do what He says!
g. What does David say that backs this up? (Psalm 2:1-3; 73:3-12)
The wicked DO prosper, and have more than heart could wish for!
h. What conclusion does David come to in this respect? (verses 16-26; Psalm 73:17-18)
The end of the wicked WILL come and they will have no control over that! They will be like the chaff that the wind blows away! Some will die in the mid=st of wealth and ease, and others will die in poverty and bitterness, but all die the same and come to nothing!
i. What does he finish up saying in verses 27-34?
I know what you are thinking! You think I’m like that and God is punishing me for being wicked! Your talking hasn’t been any comfort at all because you are all wrong!!
j. What lesson is in all this for us? (1 Samuel 1:12-17)
Not to jump to conclusions about other people’s calamities….we could be totally wrong!
Job Twenty-two….(verses 1-30)
1. Verses 1-30
a. What is Eliphaz saying in verses 2-17?
You’re only fooling yourself! You must be really wicked!! Do you think God can’t see what you’ve been up to?
b. What does he assert in verses 18-19?
We see these things and are glad when the wicked are caught up with!
c. What does he base this assumption on? (verse 20)
The fact that things are going OK for them.
d. What advice does he now proceed to give to Job? (verses 21-30)
You’d better turn back to the Lord and delight yourself in Him….He will build you up again and then you will prosper once more!)
e. What does he base this statement on? (verses 23-25)
He thinks physical prosperity equates spiritual prosperity.
f. What spiritual riches does the believer have that he can NEVER lose ? (Ephesians 1:3-12)
The spiritual blessings of being chosen by God, of being His children and belonging to His family. Having been redeemed and forgiven, knowing the things of God and the fact that we have a heavenly home we will reach one day. We know we are one with countless other believers, and that we have an understanding of the third dimension of life which unbelievers neither know nor care about; we have access to God in prayer any hour of the day or night with confidence, and we KNOW the love of Christ. What more can a person want or need!
Job Twenty-three….(verses 1-17)
1. Verses 1-17
a. How was Job feeling when he started talking this time? (verse 2)
Pretty miserable….he felt everything was more than he could bear.
b. What was Job’s great desire in verses 3-7?
He wanted to feel God’s presence so he could ask “Why?”….he felt he could present his cause before Him and get an answer.
c. What did he feel in verses 8-9?
He felt God was far away from him and that he couldn’t find Him!
d. In spite of that, what DID he know? (verse 10)
He knew that God could see what was happening and that there would be an end to it.
e. What two contrasts did Job exhibit here? Are we like that sometimes too? (verses 10, 15)
The contrast between feelings and faith….we know and have faith in our minds, yet we want feelings to back this up! But feelings can be deceptive and are NOT walking by faith.
f. What other example do we have of this? What did our Lord say to Thomas? (John 20:24-29)
Thomas wanted to SEE for himself, not just to accept what the others said. Our Lord granted this but went on to say that there would be many who would accept by faith and be blessed indeed for that.
g. If we FEEL that God is far away from us, who has done the moving? (verses 8-9)
It is we who have done the moving, not God going from us!
h. What do we have to remember at times like this? (verse 10a; Psalm 139:1-4, 17-18; Hebrews 13:5b)
That God knows and sees how we are feeling and He is just waiting for us to reach out once more to Him, to put right the wrongs in our life and tgo call on Him. God is all around us and will NEVER forsake His people.
i. What does Job go on to say? (verses 11-12)
I HAVE followed His ways! I HAVE done His commands! His words are more important to me than my daily food!!
j. What does he say in verses 13-14?
Whatever God decrees, that will happen. He has allowed this to happen to me and it will last until He sees fit to stop it!
k. How does the New Testament enlarge on this thought? (Romans 9:20-23)
God is Sovereign….what He decrees will come to pass just as the potter has complete control over the clay.
l. How does Job feel when he looks at things from this point of view? (verses 15-17)
Even though he was troubled and afraid, he realised that God would not cut him off.
Job Twenty-four….(verses 1-25)
1. Verses 1-25
a. What is Job going on about in this chapter?
All about the wicked (those without God) and how they oppress and take advantage of those less fortunate.
b. What conclusion did he come to about them? (verse 24)
The fact that they won’t get away with it, they will end up the loser.
c. How does verse 16 compare with John 3:19-20?
They both basically say the same thing…the wicked love the darkness and live their lives in spiritual darkness, refusing to come to the light of the Lord in case they have to change their ways.
Job Twenty-five….(verses 1-6)
1. Verses 1-6
a. What comments does Bildad make in verses 4-6?
He has no solution to the problem and no hope to give, how a human being can be justified before God.
b. What hope do people have now? What are they NOT justified by? (Romans 3:20-30)
Doing good things (the law) will never justify a person in God’s sight, they can only be justified through faith (by believing in) in Jesus Christ who has done all the work that is necessary when He was on the cross.
Job Twenty-Six….(verses 1-14)
Job’s three friends had exhausted their advice and were now starting to repeat themselves….they could only say that Job must have secretly sinned and his plight was God’s judgement….beyond that, they had no further advice….. “turn to God again”, Eliphaz said,“ and you will come right” ! (22:23-27)
Now Job talks again for the next few chapters………….
1. Verses 1-14
a. What does Job say in verses 1-4?
You’ve told me how bad I am…how will that help me?
b. What does Job then come back to? In the nitty-gritty of life, what is the essence for every human being? What basically is all that matters? (Psalm 38:15)
Job came back to God and His greatness, and that is what matters to each person….a hope in the Lord, their relationship between them and God personally. Not hiding under the cloak of “we” and “us”, but it is “I” and “me” before God. How do “I” measure up, not how do “we” measure up!
c. What is the point made in Matthew 16:26? What is the point of gaining every material wealth and knowledge in the world only to lose one’s own soul at the end of it all!!
d. What does Job go on to point out? (verses 7-13)
The greatness of God’s creation.
i. The earth is hanging on nothing (in space)
ii. The sea goes only so far (compassed with bounds)
iii. Day and night ARE going to come to an end one day.
Job Twenty-seven….(verses 1-23)
1. Verses 1-23
a. What was Job adamant about in verses 2-6?
He felt that even though God was allowing all these things to happen to him, he was not going to say anything wrong or even agree with the others in their opinion of him! He was not going to say or do anything he would be ashamed of later on.
b. What statement did he make in verse 3 that ties in with Genesis 2:7 that we should be always conscious of?
His very breath was given by God….we are only alive because of God and are only a living soul because of Him…we could have been just a blob if he hadn’t given us a soul!
c. What did Job go on to say in verses 8-12?
He didn’t see why the ungodly should expect God to help them in trouble when they have always ignored Him….his friends knew this principle!
d. What was his next line of thought? (verse 3)
The godless man wouldn’t win in the end….God would have the last say!
e. What did David have to say about these things? (Psalm 73:3-19)
He didn’t think it was fair for the wicked to prosper in this life while he suffered, until he went to God about it and then understood their end….they had nothing after death, and even then other people would say nothing good about them.
f. What is the contrasting hope that both David and Job (and the believer today) had (and have) concerning their death? (Job 19:26-27; Psalm 16:10-11; 17:15; 1 John3:2)
That there is something better ahead! The prospect of seeing Giod without fear and of enjoying His presence and being like Him forever!
g. What did Paul say about this same thing in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10?
That the believer has no idea how good it will be!! All we know is that the prospect is there and we can enjoy the anticipation NOW!!
Job Twenty-eight….(verses 1-28)
1. Verses 1-11
a. What was Job saying came from the earth?
Treasures, disaster and food.
b. In other words, what keeps man going physically?
The earth provides all that man needs physically.
c. Is man as dependent on the earth (soil, ground, rocks) as he was in Job’s time? In what way?
Yes, all food comes from the soil, all streams and rivers of fresh water come from the rocks and ground; all wealth (gold, silver and precious stones) come from mines deep in the earth; all means of travel comes from the ground (oils and fuels); all warmth and light (apart from the sun) also comes from the ground (oil, coal etc); all buildings that are made originate from the earth…bricks, stone and timber).
d. What does 1 Corinthians 15:47-49 tell us?
That man was made from the dust of the ground, and as such is of the earth, earthy But it is possible for the man who trusts in God to become a heavenly man.
e. How does 1 John 3:2 enlarge on this thought?
It tells us that when those who trust in Christ see Him, they will be like Him!
f. What does man need in addition to these things from the earth? What does Job say in verse 12?
Man needs wisdom and knowledge, and Job asks where these can be found.
g. Where do they come from? Who is the only source of all wisdom? (verses 12-20)
Job answers his own question…..they don’t come from the earth like everything else man needs, they come only from God himself.
h. How can man access this wisdom? How can it be learned?
The only way a person can gain this wisdom is to fear (respect, obey and worship) the Lord totally.
i. What does Proverbs have to say about this? (Proverbs 9:10)
A person has to start off with this knowledge of God before he can even begin to be wise.
j. What is the utmost foolishness a person can exhibit?
To totally ignore God or to only partially believe in Him.
k. How can a person fool themselves in respect of this sort of wisdom? (Romans 1:21-22)
By relying on their own wisdom and knowledge and leaving God out of their thinking. No matter how high their qualifications are, they are nothing but fools in doing this!!!
Job Twenty-nine….(verses 1-25)
1. Verses 1-25
a. What was Job thinking back to in this chapter? (verses 1-11)
He was thinking about his younger days when his family was all about him, and how people had respected and honoured him when things were going well.
b. What did our Lord Jesus say about people’s praises? (Luke 6:26)
He said to take no notice of it, as it didn’t count for anything.
c. Whose praise should a believer look for? (1 Corinthians 4:5c)
A believer should seek the praise of God rather than the praise of men.
d. How did the important men treat Job back in the early days? (verses 8-9)
They would stand up in his presence and wait for him to do the talking.
e. What were some of the reasons that everyone respected him so much? (verses 12-16)
He was generous and helped those who were less well off; he helped those less fortunate such as the sick and the widows, and others who were in trouble.
f. How does Peter tell believers to act and behave? (1 Peter 3:9-11, 15)
To do good for evil, to speak well of others, to do only good things and to keep away from evil, to behave properly and always be ready to give reasons politely and kindly for your belief when asked.
Job Thirty….(verses 1-31)
1. Verses 1-31
a. How were people regarding Job now that he had no wealth or possessions? (verses 1, 9-10)
They had no more respect for him, and even spat in his face!
b. How was Job feeling in verse 14? /What was his suffering here? (verses 14-16)
He was feeling totally desolate….it was his mental suffering here.
c. What suffering was he undergoing in verses 17-19?
His physical suffering was coming to the fore here.
d. How was he feeling in verses 20-23?
As though God had turned against him too…..he was suffering spiritually.
e. What does the rest of the chapter bring out? (verses 24-31)
His total misery….no-one seemed to care about him, his body was revolting to him and his joy had turned to mourning.
Job Thirty-one….(verses 1-40)
1. Verses 1-40
a. What did Job realise about God in verses 1-8?
That God can see and know all that he was doing and thinking about.
b. What had Job NOT done in verses 9-12?
He hadn’t committed any sort of immoral sin.
c. What did David realise AFTER he had sinned with Bathsheba ? (Psalm 51:4)
That it was against God that he had sinned in this matter.
d. How did Job treat his servants? (verses 13-18)
He had looked after them, , listened to them, listened to them and even brought some of them up in his own home.
e. What about the poor people he was in contact with? (verses 19-20)
He made sure they had their needs….enough clothes and help in any way he could.
f. What does James say about believers in this respect? (James 2:14-18)
That they should show their faith by their works in helping those who are in need.
g. What does Job talk about in verses 24-25?
About making too much of his wealth and money….placing too much confidence in it all.
h. What does James say about people who trust in their riches? (James 5:1-6)
That it won’t do them any good as far as God is concerned….they might have pleasure on earth but that is as far as it goes!
i. In what other ways could Job have sinned ? (verses 27-34)
He could have been an idol worshipper or been glad when others were punished; he could have cursed his enemies, or refused hospitality to strangers. He could have pretended he had never sinned, but he had done none of these things.
j. What was his last cry in the chapter? (verses 35-37)
He wished the someone would just listen to him! If only God would listen to him! If all his sins were only written down, he would go through it carefully and see where he was wrong!
k. How careful had Job been about all this sort of thing? (chapter 1:5)
Job had always kept up his sacrifices to cover his known and unknown sins, as well as sacrificing every day for each of his children.
l. How did Job finish off his speech this time? (verses 38-40)
If I haven’t done my work properly or cheated anyone in business, then let my fields grow thistles and weeds! I’m finished now, and said enough!!
Job Thirty-two….(verses 1-22)
1. Verses 1-22
a. Who was the fourth man to speak to Job? Why had he waited until now to have his say? (verses 1, 4-6)
Elihu the Buzite now had his say….he had waited because the others were all older than he.
b. How was he feeling about the whole situation? Why? (verses 2-3)
He was quite worked up….he was angry with Job because he kept justifying himself and almost blaming God for not listening to him. He was angry with the other three because they kept on condemning Job and not coming up with any helpful solution.
c. Who did Elihu look to for his answers to Job’s problems ? (verses 8-9)
He looked to God for understanding and wisdom.
d. How can we gain understanding and wisdom to counsel people today? (Psalm 119:97-100; 2 Timothy 3:5-17)
By looking for answers in the Maker’s Handbook, the Bible! God has given us all the answers for man’s problems in His Word and it is up to us to know it so we can pass it on.
- e. Who does Elihu say, do not necessarily know the answers? (verse 9)
It is not always the important people or the heads of governments that know, or those older in years either….without God, their advice is not always the best.
f. How did he feel about Job’s friends? (verse 12)
He felt that they had let Job down badly.
g. What was he now about to do? (verses 20-22)
He was now going to give his opinion and he didn’t intend to flatter anyone in the process!
Job Thirty-three….(verses 1-33)
1. Verses 1-33
a. Who does Elihu claim to speak on behalf of? (verses 1-6)
He says he will speak for God, even if he is only a man.
b. What does he say that Job’s attitude was? (verses 7-11)
He said that Job felt he was innocent of any great wrong and that he felt God had left him to suffer alone.
c. What did Elihu think the purpose of Job’s suffering was ? (verses 12-26)
He thought that God was chastening Job to teach him some lessons and that Job should pray for deliverance!
d. What did he say Job needed to do to come right? (verses 27-33)
That he needed to confess his wrongs and then God would deliver him, and what did he (Job) think about that?
e. What do you think about Elihu’s speech? (Hebrews 12:5-6)
Elihu was right in what he basically said, but he was still laying the blame on Job for what had happened to him. God DOES chastise His people for their own good, and when they confess their sins, God will always forgive them and cleanse their sins. But Elihu was still somewhat condemning of Job and wasn’t giving him any comfort either!
Job Thirty-four….(verses 1-37)
1. Verses 1-37
a. Read the whole chapter through at one sitting……..does it sound as though Elihu is expressing any different thoughts about Job than the others?
Not really, he still says that Job must have been a wicked man secretly and that God is punishing him for it!
b. What sins does he accuse Job of committing in the following verses?
Verse 3…..Job thinking he was righteous and blaming God for taking it away.
Verse 8…..Job going hand in hand with wicked men.
Verse 9….Job saying it was useless to delight in God.
Verse 35…Job talking nonsense and without wisdom
Verse 37…Job being rebellious against God and speaking against Him.
c. What correct statements about God did Elihu make ?
verse 10… God cannot do iniquity or wickedness.
Verse 12…Ditto….God cannot pervert justice.
Verse 23…God will do justly.
Verses 24-26….God will judge people for their wicked works.
Verse 29….When God speaks or acts, that is final.
d. What did Elihu say about those who are wicked in the following verses?
Verse 22….They cannot hide themselves or their deeds
Verse 25…..They will be overturned.
e. What does he say about men in general?
Verse 10… That men of understanding would agree with him.
Verse 11….Whatever a man sows, that is what he will reap.
Verse 15…That man goes back to dust when he dies.
Verse 20…. Everyone is going to die sometime.
Verse 25… God knows people’s works.
f. We have read of Elihu’s perception of Job’s problem….how does this differ from the facts? (Job 1:8-12; 2:3b)
Job’s trials had come directly from the hand of Satan…..God had allowed this to prove Job’s love for Him before the world…..Job would NOT curse God!
g. What should this teach us? (Matthew 7:1-2; Hebrews 12:11)
To NOT judge those in trouble; to ask ourselves what lessons God wants us to learn when we have trials, and to determine to trust God, no matter what!
Job Thirty-five….(verses 1-16)
1. Verses 1-16
a. What does Elihu say in this chapter about the things he felt Job shouldn’t have said?
Verse 3….What point is there in serving God?
Verse 13…What is the use of praying to Him?
Verse 14…That he felt he couldn’t find God.
b. There may be times when we feel like this too….what should we do when this is the case?
Psalm 119:97, 130…We should turn to God’s Word even more, not neglect it!
Psalm 66:18… We should search our hearts and see where we have gone wrong, and to make sure we are not harbouring some sin or bitterness, tell the Lord about it all and get ourselves back on track.
Psalm 68:19-20; Ephesians 1:3… Count our blessings…we have many…and think positively and thankfully about our salvation.
Romans 7:18-19….To squash self pity…self will push God into a corner of our minds if we let it…self pity is a bad form of the “flesh”.
1 John 1:7…To remember that the “blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses me from all sin”. It is absolutely amazing what saying this verse out loud will do for you!
Job Thirty-Six….(verses 1-33)
1. Verses 1-33
a. What does Elihu say about God in verses 5 and 26?
That God is mighty in strength and wisdom, and that God is great and cannot be known.
b. What correct statement does he make in verses 9-12?
That God WILL convict a person of sin and discipline them to bring them back to Himself in repentance. If they listen and do this, then they will prosper (in spiritual things anyway) and be able to serve Him again.
Job Thirty-Seven….(verses 1-24)
1. Verses 1-24
a. What is Elihu basically saying in this chapter?
That God is in control of nature and the weather.
b. What aspects of nature are specifically mentioned? (verses 7-8, 11-13)
The weather patterns….thunderstorms, snow, rain, frost and wind, and the animals which are dependent on the weather and seasons.
c. What does Elihu tell Job to specially consider ? (verse 14)
God’s wonderful works in nature.
d. What was Elihu’s perception of God in verse 23?
That He is too great in power, justice and judgement for us to find.
e. Is this view correct?
It is for a non-believer who has thrown God out of his thinking….one who says God doesn’t exist and in the next breath blames Him when disasters strike!
f. What was Paul’s greatest desire? (Philippians 3:10)
To KNOW Jesus Christ in the midst of his sufferings and realise that he was sharing what the Lord had suffered for him.
g. What statement and confidence did he make and show in 2 Timothy 1:12?
He could say “I know” the One he believed in and he was totally confident that Christ would keep him to the end of his life.
h. What did Jesus say to His disciples (and to us too)? (John 15:14)
You are My friends if you do what I tell you.
i. So do we have to feel like Elihu did ?
A believer can have every confidence and faith in not only knowing who God is, but also KNOWING Him personally by being obedient to His Word.
j What does John 17:3 tell us that KNOWING God is?
To know God personally is to know and acknowledge Jesus Christ as well, and this gives us eternal life
k. What is necessary for a person to KNOW God? (Hebrews 11:6)
A person must have faith and a belief in God’s existence…without this it is impossible to find God.
Job Thirty-Eight….(verses 1-41)
1. Verses 1-41
a. It is now God’s turn to talk to Job (not to his friends!)….what is the first thing He tells Job to do? (verses 2-3)
Get up and get into gear! I want some answers from you!
b. What does God tell each one of us to do when we are wallowing in a pit of self pity? (Psalm 37:24; Hebrews 12:12-13; 1 Peter 1:13a)
Get up and get going again! Think positively and follow My ways once more….I will help you, but you have to make the first move!!
c. What does God now tell Job to look at that proves God’s power and greatness? (verse 4)
Just look at My creation! Were you there to see Me do it?
d. What does God speak of first? (verses 4-6)
The formation of the earth and the heavens.
e. What secret does God share with us here about the stars? (verse 7)
That they all sing together and the angels shouted for joy when they were made.
f. What does God point out about the seas and the oceans? (verses 8-11)
That He keeps it under control and in its appointed place….with the beach as its boundary! We don’t have to worry about it swamping lowlands!
g. What other things does God point to, to show how little man really knows, even now? (verses 12-24)
The times and seasons; where the ocean springs are; where light and dark come from; the treasures hidden in each snowflake and hailstone.
h. What else does God go on to talk about? (verses 25-41)
The starry heavens , the weather patterns and how dependent all life is on the rain.
i. Read chapter 9:5-10….what do you see God is doing in chapter 38 in comparison ?
God is answering Job’s comments and adding to them.
j What does man find as soon as he had discovered a new batch of stars and galaxies?
That there are more beyond them!!
k. What does God tell us about the number of the stars? (Genesis 15:5)
That man will never be able to count them all!
l. What else are we told about the stars and galaxies? (Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:25-26)
That God has created and named them all! He knows every one!
m. What was David’s reaction after contemplating all of this? (Psalm 8:3-4)
What is man that God cares about him? His mind was boggled!!
Job Thirty-nine….(verses 1-30)
1. Verses 1-30
a. God goes on to speak of various wild creatures and their habits….what does he use first? (verses 1-4)
The wild goats and how they reproduce and look after their young.
b. Which ones in verses 5-8?
The wild ass which roams around the hills looking after itself.
c. Verses 9-12?
This animal called a wild ox in most translations…..it can be used by man but mostly roams untamed without any help from man.
d. What is He talking about next? (verses 13-18)
The peacock’s beautiful plumage and the strong wings of the ostrich which has the strange habit of leaving its eggs to hatch by themselves in the warm sand.
e. Verses 19-25?
The horse that is not afraid to take its rider into battle.
f. Verses 26-30?
The hawks and eagles (and other birds of prey) that live and nest in high places without any help from man whatever.
Job Forty….(verses 1-24)
1. Verses 1-24
a. What had Job said in chapter 23:3-4? How did God answer this now? (verses 1-2)
Job had said, “Oh, if I could only find God, I would argue my case before Him!” God now said, “You want to argue with Me….would you presume to tell Me what to do?”
b. What was Job’s attitude now that he had found God and heard Him speak? (verses 3-4)
He felt filled with unworthiness and had nothing at all to say.
c. How did Isaiah feel when he was face to face with God in His glory? (Isaiah 6:5)
He felt completely undone, and cried “Woe is me!”
d. How did Daniel feel after receiving the visions of God and speaking with the angel? (Daniel 10:16-19)
He had no strength left in him, he was completely drained.
e. How will the ungodly feel as they stand before God in judgement? (Revelation 6:15-17)
They will know the moment of truth has come and will be filled with terror and try to hide.
f. What does God speak to Job out of? How do you imagine it would be? (verse 6)
God spoke out of a whirlwind….there would be the sound of a mighty rushing wind and a sense of movement and yet God’s voice was clearly heard.
g. What does God tell Job to do for the second time? (verse 7)
Pull yourself together and speak to Me! Tell Me what you want to say!!
h. What is God basically saying in verse 8?
Will you argue with Me and tell Me that I’m not being fair?
i. How can we answer people when we hear them say this sort of thing? “ How can a God of love do this or that?” ? (Genesis 18:25b)
The Judge of all the earth WILL do what is right! Is God really the author of this particular disaster? After all, man has a free will to do what he pleases!
j. What did God go on to say to Job in this section?
Are you as powerful as I am? Can you clothe yourself with majesty, glory, excellence and power like I can? Can you control those who are proud and bring them low? If you can do these things, then you are great enough to save yourself!
k. What is the REAL state of every human before God? (Romans 3:10-19, 23)
Every one is guilty before God because ALL are born sinners and can do nothing to cleanse themselves
l. God had already spoken of the ordinary wild animals and birds…. what did He go on to speak of next? (verse 15)
The great and large creatures that He had created.
m. What was this first great creature? Where did it live and what could it have been?
It was referred to as a behemoth, an enormous land monster that had a huge tail and lived among the shady trees….it could well have been the dinosaur that is now extinct.
Job Forty-0ne….(verses 1-34)
1. Verses 1-34
a. God carried on His conversation with Job….what did He mention next? Where was its habitat? (verse 1)
It was a great sea monster…bigger than any whale. No human could control it or catch it.
b. What was the point of God bringing these huge creatures to Job’s notice? (verses 10-11)
If people can’t control these great creatures which I have made, how can they dare to speak against Me?
Job Forty-two….(verses 1-17)
1. Verses 1-17
a. How did Job feel after God had finished talking? (verses 1-3)
He felt really ashamed of himself, and said he hadn’t known what he was talking about!
b. What do we have to realise about the atmosphere that we will be in when we face God? What is God’s main attribute that surrounds Him? (Psalm 111:9; 139:1-4 ;John 14:6; Romans 14:12)
God is totally holy and IS Truth…He knows everything about us and nothing will be hidden from His all seeing eyes….we will then see ourselves as He sees us and have to give an account of ourselves to Him.
c. How was Job feeling in verses 4-5?
He was relieved at being back in communication with God….. “Now I have found You again!” he said
d. What was the climax of his meeting with God? What do we have to do continually? (verse 6; 1 John 1:9)
He hated himself and repented before God….and we must confess our sin as soon as we are aware of it.
e. How did Isaiah and Ezekiel feel when they saw the Lord? (Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28)
Isaiah felt dirty and naked (undone) before Him, and Ezekiel collapsed in a faint on the ground.
f. How should believers live today so they can face God with confidence then? (2 Peter1:5-11; 1 John 2:28)
They should be living patient, godly and loving lives, abiding in Christ in humility and pleasing Him in every way.
g. Who did the Lord speak to next? What did He say? (verses 7-9)
He spoke to Eliphaz and his two friends and told them they had missed the mark in their assessment of Him! Job was more right than they had been and they were to offer up burnt offerings for themselves and Job was to pray for them.
h. What did Job show by praying for these men who had verbally abused him and accused him for so long?
He showed obedience to God and a forgiving, loving, humble spirit towards his friends.
i. If Job had refused to pray for them, what do you think would have happened?
He would have been showing a vindictive streak, and God wouldn’t have blessed him as He did.
j. How is the believer to act in the face of active persecution? (Matthew 5:44;)
They are to love, bless and do good to those who hate and persecute them, and to pray for them.
k. When a believer does this, who gets the greater blessing? (Romans 12:20)
They receive the blessing themselves because they have a clear conscience toward God and realise that they themselves have been forgiven….there is no bitterness in their feelings.
l. What happens when people don’t do this? (Galations 5:14-15)
They begin to bite and devour one another and bitterness comes into their lives…..spite genders spite and they gain nothing anywhere.
m. What brought about the change in Job’s circumstances? (verses 9c-10; 1 Samuel 2:30c)
When Job acted in obedience to God and love to his “friends” in praying for them, God gave everything back to Job in abundance.
n. What had happened from God’s point of view? (Job 1:8-9; 2:3-5)
God had proved His point to Satan….Job had NOT let Him down or cursed Him to His face in spite of all that happened! Job had learned some valuable lessons in it all too.
o. What principle does God always work on? What about for us today? (1 Samuel 2:30c)
God ALWAYS honours those who honour Him, and this still holds good for us today. We will never miss out by honouring God and His Word in all our ways.
p. What did God give back to Job? In what way? (verses 11-12)
God gave back his possessions….twice as much as before; He gave him back his true friends and extended family who gave him real comfort and practical help. God also gave him a long and prosperous life to enjoy his children and grandchildren.
Lessons to Learn from Job………..
1. Challenges….
a. What is the believer to realise when tribulation overtakes him? (Psalm 66:18; 1 John 1:9)
There is a lot more involved than mere misfortune. Firstly, we must examine ourselves to see if we are harbouring any known sin or disobedience, and put it right. Secondly, we must ask ourselves if we have brought this trouble on ourselves through pride or self will, or maybe just through poor judgement.
b. If we are clear in these respects, what must we next realise? (2 Corinthians12:7-9)
That maybe God is wanting to teach us to rely on Him more than we are….to realise that it is His strength that we need, not ours. To learn that we can cope with His help.
c. What can be the third cause of a believer’s suffering? How did Paul see his tribulations? (1 Corinthians 4:9-13; Ephesians 6:11-17)
Paul viewed his troubles as being part of a spiritual warfare, and as being help up as a spectacle before the unseen hosts of angels, both good and bad.
d. How does the story of Job back up this view?
By telling us the inside reason for Job’s calamities….Satan was trying to get him to curse God, and God allowed Satan’s attacks because He knew He could depend on Job to not let Him down.
e. By thinking of these things when things go wrong for you, how do you think it will make you feel? (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8)
More determined not to let God down, and let Satan get the victory in your life! To resist Satan and the self pity he wants you to wallow in!
f. What extra help does the believer have today? ( Isaiah 53:3-4a; John 16:33; Hebrews 4:15-16)
Knowing that our Lord Jesus suffered for us and has borne our sorrows (so why carry them yourself?), and how He said we would have tribulations but has overcome them. He knows what it is like to be weary and hungry, to be let down and disappointed, to have no money and nowhere to sleep, so we can confidently take our trials to Him and find grace to help in times of need.