Job 8-14: Miserable Comfort and Slivers of Hope

On September 4, 2017 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?

Job 1-7: The Problem of Suffering

On August 28, 2017 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?

Song of Solomon: A Love Poem

On August 21, 2017August 21, 2017 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 –

Ecclesiastes 7-12: Life’s Limitations and Purpose

On August 14, 2017August 14, 2017 By BrianIn OT Studies1 Comment

(7, 9, 12) What is the first limitation that we find recurring in verses: 9:2-5, 9:10, 12:1-7?

Why then is it better to go to a house of mourning than a house of feasting (7:2)? Why is this so important?

How does our culture try to hide this limitation, and what are the results?

(7-12) Based on this first limitation, how then should we live?

8:15, 9:7-9, 11:8-9 –

7:14, 11:8 –

7:11-12, 10:2, 10:12, 11:9, 12:11 –

How do you need to apply these principles to your life?

(7-8, 10-11) What is the second limitation that we find recurring in verses: 7:23-24, 8:16-17, 10:14, 11:5?

(7, 9) What is the third limitation that we find recurring in verses: 7:20, 7:29, 9:3?

What do these verses teach us about creation, and the extent of the Fall?

(7-8, 12) How then should we live according to Ecclesiastes (7:18, 8:12-13, 12:13)?

How might the truth in 12:14 encourage us to live this way?

How might recognizing our limitations help us to live this way?

How does this duty, mixed with the truth of the third limitation, call us to seek One who is greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42)?

Ecclesiastes 1-6: Life With or Without God

On August 7, 2017 By BrianIn OT Studies

(1) Life Without God: Why does the writer say all is vanity in v2-11?

(1-6) What pursuits of life does the writer explore in the following passages and conclude are only vanity?

1:16-18 –

2:1-11 –

2:12-23 –

4:1-8, 13-16 –

5:10-17 –

6:1-12 –

How does the writer’s assessment strike at the heart of our culture?

(3) Life With God: What phrases remind us that God is in control of time in v1-11?

What is God’s gift to mankind (v13 & 22, see also 2:24-25, 5:18-20)?

How does the writer describe God’s work in v14? How does his work compare to ours?

How do v1-14 point to the only place to find meaning in life?

(3, 5) How should we respond to God in 3:14? Why (see v1-13)?

How should we approach God according to v1-7? Why?

(4) Other than God, what is the one thing in life that the writer does not proclaim to be vanity (9-12)? Why?

How should the writer’s assessment adjust our priorities in life?

Proverbs 28-31: The Wise Woman

On July 31, 2017 By BrianIn OT Studies

(28-31) For each of the following topics, answer the following questions: What is the main point(s)? What pictures, comparisons, contrasts, or consequences are given to drive home the point(s)? Can you think of a current example that illustrates the point(s)? What are some practical ways to apply the point(s) to our lives?

Sluggard: 28:19; see also: 22:13; 24:30-34; 26:13-16 –

Money: 28:6, 22, 27; 30:7-9 –

Justice: 28:5, 15-16, 21; 29:4, 7, 14, 26-27 –

Tongue: 28:23, 29:8-9, 20; 30:5-6, 10, 14 –

Marriage: 12:4; 18:22; 19:13-14; 21:9, 19; 25:24; 27:15-16 –

(31) Read v10-31. How does this woman apply the different topics of wisdom discussed above?

Sluggard –

Money –

Justice –

Tongue –

Marriage –

How do you need to apply these topics of wisdom to your life?

What is the main point of v30? How does this compare to our culture’s point of view? Whose point will you follow?

Proverbs 22-27: More Practical Matters

On July 24, 2017July 22, 2017 By BrianIn OT Studies

(26) Read v1-12. How do these proverbs describe the fool?

Taking each proverb in turn, why is each description of the fool fitting?

How do you reconcile v4-5?

(22-27) For each of the following topics, answer the following questions: What is the main point(s)? What pictures, comparisons, contrasts, or consequences are given to drive home the point(s)? Can you think of a current example that illustrates the point(s)? What are some practical ways to apply the point(s) to our lives?

Humility vs. Pride: 22:4; 26:12; 27:1-2; see also: 21:4, 24; 28:11; 29:23; 30:13, 32 –

Children and Family: 22:6, 15; 23:13-14, 22-25; see also 19:13, 18, 26; 20:7, 20; 13:24; 15:17; 17:6; 29:15, 17; 30:17 –

Friendship: 27:6, 9-10, 17; see also 13:20; 16:28; 17:9, 17; 18:24 –

Good vs. Bad Tongue: 22:11; 23:9; 25:11, 15, 18, 23; 26:18, 20, 22-23, 28 –

Excess: 23:19-21, 29-35; 25:16; see also: 20:1 –

Proverbs 18-21: Practical Matters

On July 17, 2017July 17, 2017 By BrianIn OT Studies

(18, 21) How do these proverbs describe the power of the tongue (18:21, see also 15:1, 4, 23; 16:24)?

What should we do with our tongues according to these proverbs (21:23, see also 15:28, 17:27-28)? Why?

How might we apply these proverbs to our homes, our church, our workplaces, and our social media?

(18-21) For each of the following topics, answer the following questions: What is the main point(s)? What pictures, comparisons, contrasts, or consequences are given to drive home the point(s)? Can you think of a current example that illustrates the point(s)? What are some practical ways to apply the point to our lives(s)?

Sluggard: 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13; 21:25-26; see also: 14:23; 15:19; 16:26 –

Money: 18:11; 19:17; 21:17, 25-26; see also 11:24, 28; 13:11; 16:8; 22:26-27; 23:4-5 –

Rich and Poor: 18:23; 19:4, 6-7; 21:13; see also 14:20-21, 31; 22:2, 7, 9, 16, 22-23; 28:6, 11; 29:7 –

Justice: 18:5; 19:28; 20:8, 10, 23; 21:3, 7, 15; see also 22:8; 24:10-12, 24-25 –

Instruction: 18:15; 19:20, 25, 27; 21:11; see also: 15:5, 10, 12, 31-32; 17:10; 23:12; 29:1 –

Proverbs 14-17: God and Man

On July 10, 2017July 10, 2017 By BrianIn OT Studies

(15-17) What do you learn about God in the following proverbs? What applications are there for your life?

15:3, 11; 16:2; 17:3; see also 21:2 –

16:1, 4, 9, 33; see also 19:21; 20:24; 21:1, 30-31 –

15:8, 9, 26; 16:5; 17:15; see also 20:10 –

(14-17) How might the three truths about God in the last question teach us to fear the Lord? What would be the alternative (see 28:14)? Why?

What does the fear of the Lord teach us (14:2, 15:33, 16:6)?

What are the results of fearing the Lord (14:26, 27; 15:16; see also 10:27, 22:4, 28:14)?

(14-17) For each of the following topics, answer the following questions: What is the main point? What pictures, comparisons, contrasts, or consequences are given to drive home the point? Can you think of a current example that illustrates the point? What are some practical ways to apply the point to our lives?

Humility vs. Pride: 15:25, 33; 16:5, 18, 19; see also 11:2, 12:9, 18:12 –

Anger: 14:17, 29; 15:18; 16:32; 17:27; see also 12:16; 19:11, 19; 22:24-25; 29:11, 22; 30:33 –

Strife: 17:1, 9, 14, 19; see also 18:19; 20:3; 22:10; 26:21; 28:25; 30:33 –

Glad vs. Sad Heart: 14:10, 13, 30; 15:13, 15, 30; 17:22 –

Proverbs 10-13: Way of the Righteous

On July 3, 2017July 3, 2017 By BrianIn OT Studies

(10-13) Describe the righteous person’s thoughts, words, and actions (10:11, 31-32; 11:5; 12:5, 10, 26; 13:5).

How well does that describe you? How do you need to change?

(10-13) What are some of the results of being righteous?

Give an example of when you have seen or experienced these general truths.

Have you seen exceptions to this general truth?

(10-13) How does Proverbs describe the sluggard (10:4-5, 26; 12:11, 24, 27; 13:4; see also 6:6-11)? What word pictures are used?

What lessons can we learn?

(10-13) Several proverbs in each chapter address our use of the tongue. Contrast the tongue of the wise (righteous) with the tongue of the fool (wicked):

Which tongue better describes your tongue? What changes do you need to make?

(10) Read v19. Why is this true? What application do you need to make?

(10-12) Read v10:11, 10:32, 11:9, 12:18. How can our words bring healing and give life? How can our words hurt and destroy? What lessons should we learn? What changes do we need to make?