Category: Bible Journey

Reflections on Job 11-14

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Zophar bluntly tells Job that he is guilty and needs to repent.  Job responds by saying that God reigns over all and brings death to all.  Consider:

  • God holds life – God holds the life of all in his hand (12:10). He has numbered our days (14:5).  We exist by his power and will.  Let us flee proud thoughts of our own sufficiency, and let us humble ourselves before our Creator.
  • God’s wisdom – God has wisdom, counsel, and understanding, and he has might to carry out his wise plans (12:13). In the midst of trials, will we trust his wisdom instead of leaning on our own understanding?

Reflections on Job 8-10

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Bildad argues that sin leads to suffering, and so Job must repent.  Job again claims his innocence, wondering who can contend against God.  He feels as if God is contending against him.  Observe:

  • Great God – Job wonders how he can contend with God, going on to describe God’s greatness in his control over creation. Wander outside and ponder God’s great power over creation.
  • Mediator – Job longs for a mediator between God and himself (9:33). Jesus came to be that mediator (I Timothy 2:5) through whom we can approach God.

Job 8-14: Miserable Comfort and Slivers of Hope

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(8) How would you summarize Bildad’s main point?

To what authority does he appeal (v8-10)?

(9) His friends think Job’s suffering is because of his sin.  Job thinks God is unjust and uncaring (v20-24).  Who is right?  Why?

(9) Job argues that no one can contend with God (v1-12). Why not?

Unable to contend with God, Job needs an arbiter or mediator.  Who is our mediator (I Timothy 2:5-6, I John 2:1)?  Why is his role as your mediator important to you?

(11) How would you summarize Zophar’s main point?

(8, 11-13) How are Bildad and Zophar bad examples of how to comfort someone who is suffering (8:1-7, 11:1-6)?

How does Job’s response to his friends point further to their failure to comfort (12:1-6, 13:1-12)?

What lessons can we learn about how not to comfort others?

(12) How would you summarize Job’s point in v7-25?

How can this be an encouragement to you in your suffering?  Why might it discourage you (as it apparently discouraged Job)?

(13-14) In the midst of his struggling and questioning, Job passingly points to one thing we need as we face suffering (13:15a).  What is it, and why is it so important?

How can prolonged suffering erode our hope (14:19)?

What might we do to strengthen our hope?

(14) Job wants God to turn away from his wrath and cover Job’s sin (v13-17).  How does this need point to Jesus?  How can Jesus’ accomplishment give you hope in your suffering today?

Reflections on Job 4-7

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Eliphaz argues that Job must have sinned and is being disciplined by God.  Job should accept the discipline (acknowledging his sin) so that he might be restored.  Job denies that he has sinned, continuing to struggle with questions, and wishing God would let him die.

  • “Can mortal man be in the right before God?” – This question in 4:17 has three contexts to consider. In the context of Job, Job is indeed upright before God in a general sense.  He is suffering for his righteousness, not his sin.  In the context of all of Scripture – we cannot on our own be perfectly right before God – we all sin.  But in the context of the cross, our sins are forgiven so we can be perfectly right before God.  May we strive to be upright before God in the general sense in response to the cross!
  • God’s greatness – God does great, unsearchable, marvelous things (5:9). Where have you seen God’s great work in your life?  Praise him!

Reflections on Job 1-3

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Job is an upright man who feared God.  God allows Satan to bring suffering upon him.  Note Job’s response:

  • Trust/Submission – Job begins by showing an incredible trust in God – accepting both blessing and suffering. He worships God, submitting his life to him.  In what situations do you need to trust God and submit your life to him?
  • Questions – And yet, in his pain Job struggles with questions of why. He even wishes he wasn’t born!  Job is a real person struggling with his suffering.  Have you ever struggled like this?  How might that trust and submission Job showed earlier help in the midst of questions?

Job 1-7: The Problem of Suffering

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(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?

Reflections on Song of Solomon 5-8

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Today’s passage speaks of love within marriage.

  • Delight in one another – These chapters speak clearly of the couple’s delight in one another. Why is this important in marriage?  If you are married, in what ways do you delight in your spouse?
  • Strength of love – Real love is strong; it cannot be quenched (8:6-7). Real love endures.  How is this truth an important complement to the book’s focus on love as a desire for one another?  If you are married, how do you need to apply both romance and endurance to your marriage?

Reflections on Song of Solomon 1-4

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Song of Solomon begins with a time of courtship leading ultimately to the wedding in chapter 4.

  • Awakening romantic love – Twice, we are called not to awaken love (the feelings and desires of romance) before it is time (2:7, 3:5). Why is this teaching more helpful than just “don’t do it”?  How might this teaching have helped you in the past?  If you are single, how might this teaching help you now?  Practically, what does living this out mean for you?
  • Wedding – The husband comes to the wedding (3:6-11). He is enraptured with his bride (4:1-15).  Following the wedding, the marriage is consummated (4:16-5:1).  What truths does this passage speak to our culture?  The church?  You?

Song of Solomon: A Love Poem

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1-8) Read through the entire book.  Do you think this book is primarily a love poem about a young man and a young woman or an allegory about Christ and His church?  Why?

What do you think the human author intended this book to be?

(1-8) Starting with the love poem interpretation, what is God telling us about romantic, even sexual, love within marriage?

(1-2, 5-6, 8) What are some tips we might we learn about marriage from this young couple’s example?

8:6-7 –

6:3, 2:16 –

5:16 –

2:10 & 13 –

2:2-3 –

1:9 –

(2, 3, 8) What instruction is given three times in this book (2:7, 3:5, 8:4)?  Why is this instruction more helpful than just instructing youth/singles to not have sex outside of marriage?

(1-8) Throughout the Old Testament, marriage is a picture of God’s relationship with Israel.  In the New Testament, marriage is a picture of Christ and His church.  How might we apply the following passages to our relationship with the Lord?

1:2 (see Psalm 63:3) –

2:10 & 13 –

2:16, 6:3 –

3:1-3 (see Psalm 63:1) –

8:6-7 –

Reflections on Ecclesiastes 10-12

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

The writer continues to share wisdom, finally coming to his conclusion.

  • Remember your Creator – We are to remember our Creator (12:1). We ought to enjoy the good days that God gives us, and live in the reverent fear of God who will judge us (11:9).  If we begin this in our youth, it will help us later when days are tough.  Are you living each day remembering your Creator?  In what ways?
  • Fear God and keep his commands – What is life all about? Apart from God, all is vanity (12:8).  The conclusion is to fear God and keep his commands (12:13).  Live your life in reference to God.  In what ways are you doing this?  This is the path of wisdom and satisfaction.