My worth is what I am worth to God; and that is a marvelous great deal, for Christ died for me. Thus, incidentally, what gives to each of us His highest worth gives the same worth to everyone; in all that matters most are we equal.– William Temple
(15, 18, 20) How would you summarize each man’s point?
Eliphaz (15:17-35) –
Bildad (18:5-21) –
Zophar (20:4-29) –
(16, 19, 21) How does Job respond to their efforts to “comfort” him (16:1-5, 19:1-5, 19:22, 21:1-3)?
What warning is there for us here as we try to comfort others?
What does Job really need from his friends (19:21, 21:5)?
(21) How does Job counter his friends’ main point?
When have you seen this?
How does Asaph resolve this in Psalm 73?
(16-17, 19) How does Job describe what has happened to him (16:7-17, 17:1-16, 19:6-22? How does he feel?
Have you ever felt this way?
Why is hope (17:13-16) so important as we face trials?
(16, 19) In the midst of suffering and weariness, Job holds on to a sliver of hope. What is his hope (16:19, 19:25)?
How might this hope help Job? Help us?
Who is our Witness and Redeemer?
(19) What further hope does Job mention in v26-27?
How might this hope help Job? Help us?
See the Lion of Judah reigns, He is the Conqueror
The Lamb of God who has been slain, To be our Redeemer
To ransom a people for God, From all over the earth
To serve as priests now to our God, Sing joyfully His worth
Behold the Lamb – He is worthy, To carry out God’s plan
To take the scroll – authority, From the Father’s right hand
In Him our ev’ry hope is found, “Your kingdom come” we pray
Lift up His praise – a joyful sound, And look to Him each day
To the tune of “We Sing the Greatness of Our God”
– Grant Osborne on Revelation 5 in Revelation (BEC)
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:
The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood recently released the Nashville Statement. The statement declares the Biblical teaching on human gender and sexuality. It is helpful summary for the church today living in the midst of our culture’s confusion about these issues – confusion that has invaded the church. You can read the statement here. And then follow up with several insightful posts on why it is needed and why different people signed it:
CBMW Releases Coalition Statement on Biblical Sexuality – Matt Damico
Why the Nashville Statement now, and what about article 10? – Denny Burk
Rosaria Butterfield: “Why I Signed the Nashville Statement” – Rosaria Butterfield
When Calling Yourself a “Christian” Isn’t Enough – Adam Parker
Why I, Peter Jones, signed the Nashville Statement on Sexuality – Peter Jones
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:
(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?
Here are three posts on how we might help those affected by the hurricane:
From the Flooded Grounds of Houston – J.A. Medders (TGC)
Praying in the Middle of a Storm – Mike Ayers (FTC)
Samaritans Purse: Donate and Volunteer
And is it possible, if we sought to model our own worship, whether individual or corporate, on what is portrayed here, that, as we declared the same truths about God as the heavenly beings do, the same Holy Spirit who is pictured as being before the throne would deepen and transform our understanding of God and His glory in a way that touches our whole being, in its spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and even physical components?
– G.K. Beale on Revelation 4 in Revelation: A Shorter Commentary
Brian J. Mikul 