The 40-Day Bible Adventure by Christopher D. Hudson

Author:Christopher D. Hudson [Hudson, Christopher D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-63409-160-2
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2011-04-25T04:00:00+00:00

DAY 21

JOB

SETTING UP THE STORY

The book of Job has been called a masterpiece unequaled in all literature. Job is a man, “perfect and upright” (Job 1:1), whom the Lord allows to suffer at the hands of Satan. The book of Job contains a powerful, in-depth discussion on the nature of suffering, man’s response to it, and humanity’s relationship to God. Job’s friends presumptuously accuse him of sin, yet God’s response reveals that His ways are higher than ours, often beyond comprehension—and that suffering is not always a result of wrongdoing.

If you have time, read the whole story: Job 1–42

JOB IS TESTED

Read Job 1:6–22; 2:3–10

Does it surprise you that God would allow this to happen? Why or why not?

Critical Observation

Though the book of Job appears in the middle of the Bible, the books of the Bible are not always arranged chronologically. Job is likely a contemporary of Abraham. Scholars conclude this for several reasons: First, Job’s long life (140 years after his suffering) is consistent with the life spans of men of that time. Second, despite Job’s worship of the Lord, there is no mention anywhere of the Mosaic Law. And third, Job’s wealth is described in terms of livestock, not money, which is consistent with the rich men who lived during Abraham’s time.

JOB SPEAKS

Read Job 3:11–19

Do you believe Job is right or wrong to feel this way?

HIS FRIENDS ACCUSE HIM

Read Job 4:7–21

What incorrect assumption do Job’s friends have?

Insight

Job is in so much pain and misery that he wishes he had never been born. Though Job is often characterized as being patient in suffering, it is more accurate to say that he was perseverant. Job feels his pain as much as anyone would, yet he refuses to accuse God of wrongdoing.

Job’s friend Eliphaz concludes that Job is suffering because of his sin—he thinks that only the wicked endure trials like these. This simplistic approach is not a scriptural truth. The Bible has many examples of the righteous suffering, none greater than Jesus on the cross.

JOB RESPONDS TO HIS FRIENDS

Read Job 31:1–12

How does Job respond to his friends?

GOD SPEAKS

Read Job 38:1–7; 40:1–5

Summarize God’s overall exchange with Job.

Insight

Job has a different perspective of God at the end of the book. First of all, Job recognizes the sovereignty of God and that He is in control of everything (42:1–2). God shows Job that He not only created the heavens and the earth and all that dwell in them, but He sustains them also. Everything is subject to His sovereign rule.

Second, Job recognizes the foolishness of his words. Job has spoken about issues he knew nothing about (42:3), and yet he sounded so sure of himself. God redirects Job to fall back on the things he knows about God instead of coming up with foolish conclusions about life’s situations.

It is one thing to hear God but quite another thing to encounter God (42:4–5). It is Job’s encounter with God that causes him to see himself as a sinner, and he repents of his sin (42:6).

JOB

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