Job
Peace in Suffering
God and Suffering
Job 1:8–22
For further reflection: 1. Read Job 1:9-11: “Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” In these verses, what is the essence of Satan’s accusation against Job? In light of this accusation, what is God enabling Job to prove through his suffering? 2. Read Job 1:20-21: “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.’” This was Job’s response after he lost his family and all his possessions. What can we infer from this verse about Job’s relationship with God? 3. Reflect on an area in your life right now where you are suffering. How might God be teaching you to trust him in this area?
Assurance in Suffering
Job 22:5–10, Job 22:21–30
Click the "Guided Notes" button to follow along with an outline and use fill-in-the-blank notes as you listen. For further reflection: 1. Read Job 22:21: “Yield now and be at peace with [God]; Thereby good will come to you.” This verse is advice given by Job’s friend, Eliphaz. What do Eliphaz’ words reveal to us about his view of God? 2. Read Isaiah 53:5: “But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed.” Job’s friends claim that his suffering is punishment for sin in his life. Come up with a response to Job’s friends in light of this verse. 3. Have you been assuming that your suffering is God’s punishment for your sins? Or on the other hand, have you assumed that living a good life means God shouldn’t be allowing you to suffer? Reflect on how whichever scenario applied to you is trying to control God with your behavior. Pray and ask God to help you surrender your suffering to him and to trust him.
Growth in Suffering
Job 33:13–28
For further reflection: 1. Read Job 33:16-18: “Then [God] opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction, That He may turn man aside from his conduct, And keep man from pride; He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol.” Where does this verse say pride leads to if God does not intervene? Why do you think pride ends up leading us here? 2. Read Job 33:24-25: “Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom; Let his flesh become fresher than in youth, Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor.” Elihu says that these words are what a mediating angel would say to someone confessing their sins. How do you see these words reflected in the person of Jesus? 3. Examine the pride in your own suffering. In what ways do you struggle with feeling like you know better than God? Confess this to God, and then meditate on God’s abundant mercy and forgiveness.
Perspective in Suffering
Job 38:1–14
For further reflection: 1. Read Job 38:3-4: “Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” In this verse, we see God pointing out Job’s limited understanding. Why do you think God takes this approach instead of directly answering Job’s questions and accusations? 2. Read Job 42:1-6: “Then Job answered the Lord and said, ‘I know that You can do all things, And that no plan is impossible for You…Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know…I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent, sitting on dust and ashes.” From these verses, how would you summarize Job’s response to his experience with God? 3. Spend some time meditating on God’s power and control. Think of 2-3 things that God controls and you don’t. Think of 2-3 things that God understands and you don’t. Pray for God to help you trust his power and control in your suffering.
Hope in Suffering
Job 42:7–17
For further reflection: 1. Read Job 19:25-26: “Yet as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last, He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I will see God.” How would you describe what Job is hoping for in your own words? 2. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-17: “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” Reflect on each word in the phrase “eternal weight of glory.” How does each word contribute to our understanding of what are going to receive from God after we die? 3. Think or journal about what you are most looking forward to in your future, eternal restoration. How does this put something hard you’re going through now in perspective?
