JOB
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Autumn 2000 -
The Prologue (Chapters 1 and 2)
1.
How is Job described in 1:1-5? What is the reader to understand by this description?
How is Job described in 1:1-5? What is the reader to understand by this description?2.How is (the) satan still able to appear before Yahweh? What is implied in Yahweh's question?
How is (the) satan still able to appear before Yahweh? What is implied in Yahweh's question?3.What is the necessity of repeating Job's description from 1:1 in 1:8? What insight does this give to the reader about what is about to happen to Job?
What is the necessity of repeating Job's description from 1:1 in 1:8? What insight does this give to the reader about what is about to happen to Job?4.How much power over Job is satan granted? How is this emphasized in 1:13-1:19? Do you notice any patterns in the disasters that befall Job?
How much power over Job is satan granted? How is this emphasized in 1:13-1:19? Do you notice any patterns in the disasters that befall Job?5.How does his reaction to his suffering in 1:21 support the initial description of Job?
How does his reaction to his suffering in 1:21 support the initial description of Job?6.Why would the conversation of 1:6-8 be repeated after the first series of tests?
Why would the conversation of 1:6-8 be repeated after the first series of tests?7.With the failure of the previous afflictions to bring down Job, now what does satan attempt?
With the failure of the previous afflictions to bring down Job, now what does satan attempt?8.Why did satan leave Job his wife? If one were counting temptations, how many would this one from his wife be?
Why did satan leave Job his wife? If one were counting temptations, how many would this one from his wife be?Sons of God: Genesis 6:2; Psalm 29:1; Psalm 89:7; Daniel 3:25
(the) Satan: Zechariah 3:1-2; 1 Chronicles 21:1
The Dialogues (Chapters 3-31)
Job 2:11-13
1.What example do the three friends of Job set for us? See Romans 12:15.
What example do the three friends of Job set for us? See Romans 12:15.2.In 2:12, what consequences do we see that sin has on man's humanity?
In 2:12, what consequences do we see that sin has on man's humanity?3.What might be the significance of 7 days and nights?
What might be the significance of 7 days and nights?Parallel Passages
2:11Sympathize with him and comfort him: John 11:19; Romans 12:15
Sympathize with him and comfort him: John 11:19; Romans 12:152:12Hardly recognize him: Isaiah 52:14; 53:3
Hardly recognize him: Isaiah 52:14; 53:3Chapter 3: The Conflict of Life Under the Cross
1.What are Job's initial reactions when his experience contradicts his faith:
What are Job's initial reactions when his experience contradicts his faith:·verses 1-8
verses 1-8 ·verses 11-24
verses 11-242.What does he think of God? What has Job feared?
What does he think of God? What has Job feared?3.What is the main theme of chapter 3? How can this be related to the idea of God's grace?
What is the main theme of chapter 3? How can this be related to the idea of God's grace? Parallel Passages
3:1cursed the day of his birth: Jeremiah 20:14-18; especially compare to Job 1:11
cursed the day of his birth: Jeremiah 20:14-18; especially compare to Job 1:113:3born: Job 10:18-19; Matthew 26:24
born: Job 10:18-19; Matthew 26:243:5deep shadow: Job 10:21,22; 34:22; 38:17; Psalm 23:4
deep shadow: Job 10:21,22; 34:22; 38:17; Psalm 23:43:6thick darkness: Job 23:17; 30:26
thick darkness: Job 23:17; 30:263:8that day: Job 10:18
that day: Job 10:183:13lying down: Job 17:13-14; 30:23
lying down: Job 17:13-14; 30:23rest: Job 7:8-10,21; 10:22; 13:19; 14:10-12; 19;27; 21:13,23; 27:193:14kings and counselors of the earth: Job 12:17
kings and counselors of the earth: Job 12:173:15silver: Psalm 49:16-17
silver: Psalm 49:16-173:19small and great: Job 9:22; 17:16; 21:33; 24:24; 30:23
small and great: Job 9:22; 17:16; 21:33; 24:24; 30:233:20ffEcclesiastes 4:1-3
Ecclesiastes 4:1-33:23hedged in: Job 6:4; 19:12 especially compare to Job 1:10
hedged in: Job 6:4; 19:12 especially compare to Job 1:103:26no peace: Isaiah 48:26
no peace: Isaiah 48:26turmoil: Job 10:18; 19:8Chapters 4 and 5: The Theology of Glory Articulated
·Eliphaz speaks first in response to Job's lament. What is the primary direction of Eliphaz' argument (4:7,8)? For what purpose does Eliphaz offer Job the "compliments" (4:3-6)?
Eliphaz speaks first in response to Job's lament. What is the primary direction of Eliphaz' argument (4:7,8)? For what purpose does Eliphaz offer Job the "compliments" (4:3-6)?·What was the content of Eliphaz's vision (4:17-21)? How does he apply the vision to Job (5:1)? What does he seem to think of Job because of Job's complaint in chapter 3 (5:2)?
What was the content of Eliphaz's vision (4:17-21)? How does he apply the vision to Job (5:1)? What does he seem to think of Job because of Job's complaint in chapter 3 (5:2)?·5:8-26 has many biblical parallels. Despite the many biblical parallels, why is his wisdom leading in the wrong direction? What two components is Eliphaz's counsel lacking? Respond to that one by reading 5:1.
5:8-26 has many biblical parallels. Despite the many biblical parallels, why is his wisdom leading in the wrong direction? What two components is Eliphaz's counsel lacking? Respond to that one by reading 5:1.·The substance of Eliphaz's words seems to appear in the New Testament. Paul cites the essence in Galatians 6:7 and Jesus alludes to the same idea in Matthew 13:36-43. What corrective do our Lord and Paul bring to Eliphaz's words?
The substance of Eliphaz's words seems to appear in the New Testament. Paul cites the essence in Galatians 6:7 and Jesus alludes to the same idea in Matthew 13:36-43. What corrective do our Lord and Paul bring to Eliphaz's words?·What is the one crucial mistake in the argument of Eliphaz?
What is the one crucial mistake in the argument of Eliphaz?Parallel Passages
4:6confidence: Psalm 27:3; 71:5; Proverbs 3:26. Compare those with Psalm 41:12
confidence: Psalm 27:3; 71:5; Proverbs 3:26. Compare those with Psalm 41:124:7upright ever destroyed: Psalm 37:25; Psalm 91; Proverbs 12:21; 19:23
upright ever destroyed: Psalm 37:25; Psalm 91; Proverbs 12:21; 19:234:8trouble reap it: Psalm 7:15; Proverbs 11:18
trouble reap it: Psalm 7:15; Proverbs 11:184:9they are destroyed: 2 Thessalonians 2:8
they are destroyed: 2 Thessalonians 2:84:17more righteous: Job 9:2; 13:18; Psalm 143:2
more righteous: Job 9:2; 13:18; Psalm 143:24:17more pure: Job 8:3; 10:3; 15:14; 25:4; Ecclesiastes 7:20
more pure: Job 8:3; 10:3; 15:14; 25:4; Ecclesiastes 7:204:19houses of clay: Job 10:9; 33:6
houses of clay: Job 10:9; 33:64:19moth:Job 17:14; 25:6
moth:Job 17:14; 25:64:20perish forever: Job 14:2; 20:7,8
perish forever: Job 14:2; 20:7,85:2-6fool: Psalm 37:22, 35-36; Psalm 109:6-19; Proverbs 6:12-15;
fool: Psalm 37:22, 35-36; Psalm 109:6-19; Proverbs 6:12-15; 5:7born to trouble: Psalm 90:10
born to trouble: Psalm 90:105:8appeal to God: Job 8:5; 11:13; 13:3,15; 23:4
appeal to God: Job 8:5; 11:13; 13:3,15; 23:45:9-26Psalm 37; 49; 73; 91
Psalm 37; 49; 73; 915:9wonder / miracles: Psalm 78:4; 111:2; Job 9:4,10; 11:7; etc.
wonder / miracles: Psalm 78:4; 111:2; Job 9:4,10; 11:7; etc.5:10rain: Job 36:27-29; Matthew 5:45
rain: Job 36:27-29; Matthew 5:455:11lowly: 1 Samuel 2:7,8; Matthew 5:4; Romans 12:15; James 4:10
lowly: 1 Samuel 2:7,8; Matthew 5:4; Romans 12:15; James 4:105:12crafty: Psalm 33:10; Isaiah 19:3; Job 12:23
crafty: Psalm 33:10; Isaiah 19:3; Job 12:235:13craftiness: Isaiah 29:14; Psalm 36:3; Proverbs 21:30; 1 Corinthians 3:19; 2 Corinthians 11:3
craftiness: Isaiah 29:14; Psalm 36:3; Proverbs 21:30; 1 Corinthians 3:19; 2 Corinthians 11:35:14darkness: Job 15:22,30; 18:5,6,18,26; John 12:35
darkness: Job 15:22,30; 18:5,6,18,26; John 12:355:15saves the needy: Job 8:6; 22:27; 36:15
saves the needy: Job 8:6; 22:27; 36:155:16poor: Proverbs 17:5; Isaiah 11:4; 41:17; 61:1
poor: Proverbs 17:5; Isaiah 11:4; 41:17; 61:15:17correct / discipline: Psalm 94:12-16; Proverbs 3:11,12; Hebrews 12:5-11
correct / discipline: Psalm 94:12-16; Proverbs 3:11,12; Hebrews 12:5-115:18binds up: Isaiah 57:15; Ezekiel 36:36
binds up: Isaiah 57:15; Ezekiel 36:365:19calamities: Psalm 34:19; Proverbs 24:15,16
calamities: Psalm 34:19; Proverbs 24:15,165:20famine: Psalm 33:18,19; 37:18,19
famine: Psalm 33:18,19; 37:18,195:22laugh: Job 8:29,21; Psalm 91:13
laugh: Job 8:29,21; Psalm 91:135:23peace: Psalm 91; Isaiah 11:6-9
peace: Psalm 91; Isaiah 11:6-95:25children will be many: Psalm 112:2
children will be many: Psalm 112:25:26full vigor: Proverbs 3:21-26
full vigor: Proverbs 3:21-266-7: Job's First Response (to Eliphaz)
1.In what context does Job plead for his friends to understand his strong words of chapter 3? (vv1-7)? What has God apparently done and his friends offered that have caused him to react harshly (vv4-7, 14-27)?
In what context does Job plead for his friends to understand his strong words of chapter 3? (vv1-7)? What has God apparently done and his friends offered that have caused him to react harshly (vv4-7, 14-27)?How do we attempt to justify our complaints about life to God? To friends?
2.Why does Job hope his present suffering would (quickly) end in his death (vv7-9)?
Why does Job hope his present suffering would (quickly) end in his death (vv7-9)?If you have had friends or family members who have uttered such a prayer, for what reason have they petitioned God? Was it for the same reason as Job offered?
Are we as bold as Job has been when we have discussed such serious matters with family and friends? Why or why not?
3.Despite the counsel given to Job by Eliphaz, what is Job's plea (vv28-30)?
Despite the counsel given to Job by Eliphaz, what is Job's plea (vv28-30)?4.If Job's words are spoken to "undependable brothers" (v15), to whom is Job talking in chapter 7?
If Job's words are spoken to "undependable brothers" (v15), to whom is Job talking in chapter 7?Why should we be as bold as Job when we address God in all areas of life? In what way does (Job's or our) boldness differ from angry doubt?
5.How does Job view the life that he now experiences in 7:1-5? In 7:6-10? His life has become that way because (vv12-19)?
How does Job view the life that he now experiences in 7:1-5? In 7:6-10? His life has become that way because (vv12-19)?6.Has Job ever denied that he is a sinner? How, then, does his confession and plea in 7:20-21 differ?
Has Job ever denied that he is a sinner? How, then, does his confession and plea in 7:20-21 differ?What danger lies in Job's questions of 7:20-21? How is one prevented from falling into that trap?
7.What similarities do you see in Job's words toward his friends and toward God?
What similarities do you see in Job's words toward his friends and toward God?8: Bildad's Theology of Glory
8.What fundamental error has Bildad committed in his counsel (vv3-7)?
What fundamental error has Bildad committed in his counsel (vv3-7)?What is alluring about the error that Bildad speaks? How can we prevent ourselves from falling into the same error?
9.Of what does Bildad accuse Job of being (vv11-19)?
Of what does Bildad accuse Job of being (vv11-19)?How would such an accusation injure another's faith? Instead of pointing inward, as the accusation seems to do, what words might we offer to those perplexed by their circumstances?
10.After hearing Bildad's counsel, what should Job do (vv20-22)?
After hearing Bildad's counsel, what should Job do (vv20-22)?After Bildad's counsel, what should we do?
Toward a Theology of the Cross
9-10: Job "Man to Man" or Job's Pursuit of Justification and His Need for a Mediator
What in Bildad's statement has Job acknowledged as true? Despite his agreement with Bildad, what problem still remains for Job in 9:2? After listening to Job's lament in 9:3-13, what is the crux of disputing with God? In other words, with what about his friend's argument is he dissatisfied?
If we were to rely on this present framework of Job when approaching God, what assurance would we have before God? Compare your answer to Job's own response in 9:14-31? Is this approach to God law or gospel?
Biblical theology has another perspective on wisdom beside the one read in Job 9. An example is the lengthy section in 1 Corinthians 1:18 - 2:13. What is the fundamental difference in the framework of Job and that of Paul concerning God's wisdom? For a briefer passage, read Romans 11:32-36. In Job, the wisdom of God is His absolute ____________, but in Paul His wisdom is displayed in His ______________.
Since God's strength is vast and wisdom profound, what does Job conclude to be his only hope? How is 9:32 the core of his disputation with God? How does this conclusion point us directly to Christmas? Read Hebrews 2:9-18; 4:14-16.
It appears that the first portion of Job's complaint (chapter 9) has been directed toward Bildad's position; against whom is the second half of his complaint (chapter 10) lodged? What is the heart of Job's argument and what kind of picture does it present of God?
When we are tempted to paint that kind of portrait of God because of our suffering and pain, for whatever the reason, what must be brought to mind?
11: Zophar "Still your sins declare you guilty."
On what basis does Zophar accuse Job of mocking God? From Job 9-10 provide examples for your answer. If Job is not mocking God, what is he doing?
In one sense, Zophar and Job actually agree they acknowledge the profundity of God's wisdom. How does this explain why Zophar be so confident of his argument (11:2-6)? And what are the two sides of wisdom to which Zophar alludes (11:6-9)? Therefore why must Job be mistaken according to Zophar?
If we were sitting next to a "Zophar" who speaks so clearly of the wisdom of God, what corrective would we offer?
According to Zophar (11:13-20), an escape remains for Job; what is it? Is Zophar wrong in admonishing Job to repent? Yet, how does he apply a right word in an injurious manner? What caution does Zophar's misstep offer to us when we counsel others? What does Zophar's last words (11:13-20) seem to overlook that we would add on the basis of 1 John 1:8-2:2?
