True evangelical faith is of such a nature it cannot lie dormant, but spreads itself out in all kinds of righteousness and fruits of love.– Menno Simons
(1-2) What do you learn about Job in 1:1-5, 1:8, and 2:3?
(1-2) One major question this book addresses is: “Why do good people suffer?” What is the partial answer in chapters 1-2?
(1-2) A second major question is: “How should we respond to suffering?” How would you describe Job’s initial responses to his suffering (1:20-21, 2:9-10)? How is this a good example for us?
(1-2) Satan raises a third major question in 1:9-11: “Will people follow God apart from his material and physical blessings?” How does Job’s initial responses to his suffering begin to answer that question?
What other Biblical characters or Christians that you have known have answered this question in the affirmative?
What about you? Are you following God for earthly blessings you might get out of it or because God is worth following simply because of who he is?
(3) How does Job’s response to his suffering change in chapter 3? Is it honest? Is it healthy?
(4-5) Eliphaz and his friends hold to the general truth in wisdom literature that God blesses the wise and righteous, but sends calamity upon the foolish and wicked (see especially 4:7-9). So if you are suffering, it must be punishment for some sin you committed. Is this always true? Is it true here in Job’s case? Can you think of New Testament examples where this was not true?
What warning is implicit here as we suffer or seek to comfort others who suffer?
(6-7) What is Job’s response in chapter 6 to Eliphaz’s accusation that Job must have sinned?
How does Job further respond to his suffering in chapter 7? Are these good responses for us to follow or not?
Behold our God is glorious, Come with awe and endless praise
He created and sustains us, Submit now in all your ways
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship our glorious God
Behold God is fully righteous, Rejoice – wickedness can’t win
We are sinners – woe now to us, Give thanks – Jesus saves from sin
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship our righteous Savior
Behold our Lord God Almighty, Come to Him with every need
He reigns over all completely, To His ev’ry word take heed
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship the Lord Almighty
Behold our God lives forever, Come and ponder your short life
Come with hope that none can sever, A future eternal life
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship our eternal God
To the tune of “Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending”
God is revealing himself in glory to you right now as we consider what chapters 4, 5 show us about the Creator and Redeemer. God reveals himself to you in his creation, which reflects his glory, and God reveals himself in a uniquely precise way in the Bible that he inspired. With the glory of God in creation all around you and with the Bible before you, you are surrounded by God’s glory. Drink it in and pray that God will set you free from the world’s idolatry, immorality, and godless way of interpreting life.
– James M Hamilton, Jr. on Revelation 4-5 in Revelation (PTW)
Today’s passage speaks of love within marriage.
This may be the truest test of our love for our Lord: will we go out and love the church that he died to save?– Phil Ryken in Loving Jesus More
As the Fall draws nigh, here are some good posts for parents on family worship and discipleship:
5 Reasons to Prioritize Family Worship – Donald Whitney (Crossway)
Five Benefits of Regular Family Worship – Tom Ascol (FM)
Parents, Disciple Your Teens (While There’s Still Time) – Jaquelle Crowe (Crossway)
John’s readers lived in a world (as we do) where evil was rampant and apparently all-powerful. Goodness was weak and frustrated and ineffectual. But John’s very first vision of heaven shows that these appearances are deceptive….God’s power and eternal being ensure that His holiness will triumph over all evil.
– Leon Morris on Revelation 4:8 in The Revelation of St. John (TNTC)
Song of Solomon begins with a time of courtship leading ultimately to the wedding in chapter 4.
Let us reverently hear and read Holy Scripture, which is the food of the soul.– Thomas Cranmer
Brian J. Mikul 