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Study Notes

General Outline

  I. Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)

 II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

III. Epilogue (Job 42:7-17)

Understanding the Text

III. Epilogue (Job 42:7-17)

A. The LORD rebukes Job’s friends (Job 42:7-9)

B. The LORD restores Job’s fortunes and family (Job 42:10-17)

Lessons from the Book of Job

• Suffering is not always God’s direct judgment for specific, personal sins.
• True worship is trusting God, regardless of circumstances, relying on His character even when His ways are not understood.
• The infinite chasm between God and human beings leaves no place for pride or self-sufficiency.
• A deeper, intimate knowledge of God can bring peace and comfort even when we don’t have specific answers.

Ultimate Redemption: A Brief New Testament Perspective on Job

Romans 8:18-25

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Applying the Text

• Are you steadfast in affliction, resting in the hope of ultimate redemption?

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Study Notes

General Outline

I. Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

III. Epilogue (Job 42:7-17)

Understanding the Text

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

A. Job’s death wish (Job 3:1-26)

B. First round of speeches (Job 4:1 – 14:22)

C. Second round of speeches (Job 15:1 – 21:34)

D. Third round of speeches (Job 22:1 – 31:40)

E. Elihu’s four speeches (Job 32:1 – 37:24)

F. God speaks (Job 38:1 – 42:6)

1. God’s first speech (Job 38:1 – 40:2)

“Who are you to question My wisdom with such ignorant words, Job? I have some questions for you… Did you create the earth? Are you in charge of the forces of nature and the motions of the stars? Do you know everything about the animal world? Do you still want to argue with Me? Can you answer My questions?”

2. Job’s first reply (Job 40:3-5)

“I am nothing… I cannot answer Your questions. I’m going to be quiet now.”

3. God’s second speech (Job 40:6 – 41:34)

“I’m not finished questioning you, Job… Are you going to discredit my justice and condemn Me so you can say you are right? Are you as strong as Me? Is your voice like thunder, and do you clothe yourself in splendor and majesty? You cannot even control my mighty creatures, and yet you presume to know more than Me.”

4. Job’s second reply (Job 42:1-6)

“I know that You are the Sovereign LORD. I was speaking of things too great for me to understand. I had heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes. I take back all I said and repent.”

Applying the Text

• Have you humbled yourself before God… even in hardship or suffering?
• Do you trust in God’s infinitely greater wisdom and love?

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Study Notes

General Outline

I. Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

III. Epilogue (Job 42:7-17)

Understanding the Text

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

A. Job’s death wish (Job 3:1-26)

B. First round of speeches (Job 4:1 – 14:22)

C. Second round of speeches (Job 15:1 – 21:34)

D. Third round of speeches (Job 22:1 – 31:40)

E. Elihu’s four speeches (Job 32:1 – 37:24)

1. First speech (Job 32:1 – 33:33)

“I respect that you are all older than me, but your greater years have not given you greater wisdom… You are wrong Job- God is not silent… He speaks through dreams and through pain.”

2. Second speech (Job 34:1-37)

“You are wrong, Job- God is not unjust He is just and upright in all He does.”

3. Third speech (Job 35:1-16)

“You are wrong, Job- God is not unconcerned. He is sovereign and wise… He does not answer you because of your pride”

4. Fourth speech (Job 36:1 – 37:24)

“God is just and powerful in His dealings with man.”

Applying the Text

• Is your “good theology” practiced with a humble heart?

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Study Notes

General Outline

I. Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

III. Epilogue (Job 42:7-17)

Round 1:

“Personal suffering is not always the result of specific acts of personal sin.”

Round 2:

“Even in great misery, faith perseveres, trusting that God will ultimately redeem the faithful one.”

Round 3:

“Even when God is silent, faith perseveres in integrity.”

Understanding the Text

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

A. Job’s death wish (Job 3:1-26)

B. First round of speeches (Job 4:1 – 14:22)

C. Second round of speeches (Job 15:1 – 21:34)

D. Third round of speeches (Job 22:1 – 31:40)

1. Eliphaz (Job 22:1-30)

“Is God judging you on account of your righteousness? No! It is because of your sin that He judges you… Surely you have sinned against God in some way… God sees and knows all things- you cannot hide from Him… Stop fighting with God… Repent, and He will restore you.”

2. Job replies to Eliphaz (Job 23:1 – 24:25)

“If I knew where to find God, I would go to Him and present my case… He would give me a fair hearing and acquit me of any wrongdoing… No matter where I look though, I cannot find Him… I have stayed true to His commands and have treasured His word in my heart…Nevertheless, God does what He determines to do.”

3. Bildad (Job 25:1-6)

“How can any mortal stand before God and claim to be righteous? No one is pure. People are like worms compared to the glory and righteousness of God!”

4. Job replies to Bildad (Job 26:1 – 31:40)

“True wisdom and power belong to God alone… You cannot possibly know everything about God and His ways… I have lived an upright and honest life and continue to do so now… All your accusations against me are wrong… If God would only speak up and come to my defense!”

Applying the Text

• Are you walking with integrity, regardless of circumstances?

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Study Notes

General Outline

I. Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

III. Epilogue (Job 42:7-17)

Understanding the Text

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

A. Job’s death wish (Job 3:1-26)

B. First round of speeches (Job 4:1 – 14:22)

C. Second round of speeches (Job 15:1 – 21:34)

1. Eliphaz (Job 15:1-35)

“You have no fear of God!… You are a liar who is covering up your sins!… You think you are so wise, but you are not… God will bring the wicked to utter ruin!”

2. Job replies to Eliphaz (Job 16:1 – 17:16)

“You are miserable comforters! I would speak in a way that helps you… God, you have ground me down and devastated my family… Please defend my innocence… May death come soon and give me relief from my grief and pain!”

3. Bildad (Job 18:1-21)

“Stop talking nonsense… God will destroy the wicked!”

4. Job replies to Bildad (Job 19:1-29)

“How long will you torture me? You should be ashamed of how you have been treating me so harshly… Everyone has turned away from me… Nevertheless, I know that my Redeemer lives, and I will see God!… You are all in danger for your attitude.”

5. Zophar (Job 20:1-29)

“Your troubles only prove your evil hypocrisy!”

6. Job replies to Zophar (Job 21:1-34)

“Sometimes the wicked do prosper… all your explanations are wrong!”

Applying the Text

• Do you know your Redeemer lives?

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Study Notes

General Outline

I. Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

III. Epilogue (Job 42:7-17)

Understanding the Text

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

A. Job’s death wish (Job 3:1-26)

B. The first round of speeches Job 4:1 – 14:22)

1. Eliphaz’s first speech (Job 4:1 – 5:27)

“God destroys the sinner, but blesses the upright. Accept His correction that He might restore your blessing!”

2. Job’s first reply to Eliphaz (Job 6:1 – 7:21)

“Some friend you are… you’re no help at all! I haven’t done anything wrong to deserve this!”

“Lord, what have I done wrong? Why won’t you just leave me alone?”

3. Bildad’s first speech (Job 8:1-22)

“God does not punish just men. If you will live with integrity before Him, He will restore your blessing!”

4. Job’s first reply to Bildad (Job 9:1 – 10:22)

“I wish I could take God to court where an arbiter would make Him stop doing this to me… I hate my life! Lord, You know I’m not guilty, but no one can rescue Me from Your awesome power!”

5. Zophar’s first speech (Job 11:1-20)

Be quiet, you babbling mocker! You deserve worse punishment than you’re getting. Repent and God will bless you again!

6. Job’s first reply to Zophar (Job 12:1 – 14:22)

I understand what you’re saying- it is often true. But, that is not the case here. You are all worthless helpers! I wish God would speak- I am innocent!

Applying the Text

• Are you trusting God and seeking His wisdom in suffering?

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Study Notes

General Outline

I. Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

III. Epilogue (Job 42:7-17)

Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)

Character (Job 1:1-5)

Challenge (Job 1:6-12)

Calamity (Job 1:13 – 2:10)

Comforters Job (2:11-13)

An amazing response to intense suffering…

A very human response to intense suffering…

Understanding the Text

II. Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

Job’s death wish (Job 3:1-26)

1. Job’s wish that he had never been born (Job 3:1-10)
2. Job’s wish that he had died at birth (Job 3:11-19)
3. Job’s wish that he could die then (Job 3:20-26)

Some philosophical food for thought…

Atheistic Existentialism and the Crisis of Meaning

Applying the Text

• Are you resting in God’s sovereign meaning and hope?

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Study Notes

A Brief Introduction to Job

Author: Unknown (Job, Elihu, Moses, Solomon)

Date: Unknown (Patriarchal period – Era of Solomon)

Theme: If God is sovereign and good, why do the righteous suffer?

General Outline

Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)

Dialogue (Job 3:1 – 42:6)

Epilogue (Job 42:7-17)

Understanding the Text

Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)

Character (Job 1:1-5)

Challenge (Job 1:6-12)

Calamity (Job 1:13 – 2:10)

Comforters (Job 2:11-13)

Applying the Text

• Why do you fear God?