The Word of God - A Discussion: Job
5/22/22 Sunday Evening Study

This is a book that needs to be discussed. It has always bothered me, and has likely bothered many of you as well, because it is very difficult to reconcile. I figure for this evening, we are going to discuss the implications of this book rather than doing a chapter by chapter study, because there is a lot to discuss here about the nature of God and the nature of man.

Before we dig in, a little history. Chronologically, most scholars place this story in the narrative after Genesis 11 - which is the story of the tower of Babel. This means that the story of Job is taking place around the same time as the life of Abram - maybe even the same time. So consider some things here:

• There is no covenant at all - not with Abraham, not with Moses
• The flood was recent enough to be remembered
• People have scattered and resettled, developing new languages and adapting to new climates
• We know little to nothing about where Job is, where he came from, family history, etc.
• We know little to nothing about worship and God’s presence in the world

What we do know, if that God encounters “the satan” which literally translates as “deceiver” or "adversary" and essentially plays a game with him at Job’s expense, all because Job is faithful and upright.

That immediately brings to mind complaints for me. Job is a solid follower of God, and he is handed an incredible river of torment as a result of his faithfulness. He loses his wealth, all of his family, and even his own health. He is approached by friends who have little to no idea what they are talking about, and then when he complains, finally, God rebukes Him. So - first topic of discussion: Justice

Why is it ok for God to do this? Does this fit with what we know of God?

Was this suffering actually necessary? What did God have to prove?

Could any of us have done as well as Job?

Why Job and not Abram? Job already had the large family…

Consider some things here - we operate today under promises that God has given us - we know salvation is coming, we know we will be glorified with Him and spend eternity with Him. What does Job know? What sustains him? Second topic of discussion: Unshakeable Faith

How do we develop it?

Do we have it in anything? In God?

Was Job being foolish? He would not listen to reason.

Can we see this kind of faith without tragedy as the backdrop?

His friends want to help, and they make things infinitely worse as they criticize his actions, encourage him to abandon God, etc. Third topic - Support

When is support toxic and how do we avoid doing it?

What would have been better for his friends to do?

What might have happened if Job had just given up?

What if he remained faithful without question?

God had a plan for this, and God lays out some real truth about His authority that we will read this week. Fourth topic - What Should We Learn?

How does this apply to our lives?

Is it ever appropriate to compare our circumstances to Job’s?

How do we read this and love God more for it?

What is your overall impression of this story?