JOB The Book of Suffering

Overview of the book of Job

Setting for the Story Uz

The Story The Heavenly Challenge Job’s Calamities Satan’s Second Accusation Job’s Continuing Endurance Job’s Three Friends

The Cast of Characters Job Mrs. Job God Satan Three Friends Elihu Eliphaz Bildad Zophar Elihu

Job maintains his innocence I made a covenant with my eyes that I would not look on a woman to lust (31:1). I gave food and clothing to the poor and the widow and the orphan (31:16-20). I did not let my own prosperity get in the way of my relationship with God (31:24-28).

Elihu 1 Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram burned; against Job his anger burned, because he justified himself before God. 3 And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he. (Job 32:1-4).

When God Finally Speaks... He does not give Job any answers to his questions He does not give Job any comfort in his situation

Job 38:1-3 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me!

Job 38:4-7 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, who set its measurements, since you know? Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Job 40:1 Then the LORD said to Job, "Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it."

Job 40:6-9 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm, and said, "Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct Me. Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified? Or do you have an arm like God, And can you thunder with a voice like His?

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, "I know that Thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted."

Job 42:5-6 "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees Thee; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes."

Job 42:7 And it came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.

Job 42:8-9 “Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”

Lessons from Job God is both all-loving and all-powerful There are no simple answers Expression of grief & trouble is appropriate, but not to pass judgment on God God is in control, even when it is not obvious to our eyes God has a purpose in what he allows, even if we do not know what it is

Lessons from Job Tragedy can serve as a wake-up call God has not remained distant from us in our pain Job is about God’s condemnation Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified? (Job 40:8). God was condemned in Christ.