Biblical Studies From Job

Biblical Studies From The Book Of Job

Biblical Studies From Job Overview Of The Book Principle Theme Ù human suffering & how we respond to it At times, it can be unexplainable When we feel consumed by it, it is a true test of our faith and confidence in God re: how we deal with it…whether or not we question God Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Overview Of The Book Principle Theme Ù human suffering & how we respond to it It also can lead to doubts re: the providence of God Does He really control all that happens? If He does, why is this happening to me? Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Overview Of The Book Principle Theme Ù human suffering & how we respond to it What is God’s disposition re: who suffer? Does He care about them in their plight? Can He do anything about their misfortunes? Why doesn’t He do anything about their suffering? Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Overview Of The Book Principle Theme Ù human suffering & how we respond to it Another question that arises…why do the wicked prosper while the godly suffer? cp. Psa 37, 73 Job wondered this as well 21:7-15 Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Overview Of The Book Behind all the book’s “discussions” was the interaction between God and Satan Unknown by Job, his “friends”…known by us The basis for Satan’s accusations re: Job, God Does Job fear God for nothing? cp. 1:9 can God trust man In other words, can God trust man to serve Him with the right motivation…without “paying” him? Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Overview Of The Book Behind all the book’s “discussions” was the interaction between God and Satan Unknown by Job, his “friends”…known by us The basis for Satan’s accusations re: Job, God Can man trust God Can man trust God when he cannot see an apparent reason for his suffering? Can man believe in a God who allows such? Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Job The Man Ù who was he from Uz? A good man …“blameless, upright” & “one who feared God, turning away from evil” 1:1 A concerned man …especially for others His children’s standing before God 1:5 His “friends’” standing before God 42:10 cp. Mt 5:44-48 Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Job The Man Ù who was he from Uz? Yet, at times Job was a confused man His faith took a literal “roller coaster ride” throughout his ordeal…soaring to virtual heights and then crashing to bottomless depths He eventually acknowledged & repented of rash statements he made cp. 42:3-4, 6 Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Job The Man Ù who was he from Uz? Was Job a real man…did he really exist? Was his story fact or fiction? A question we may think silly to ask & answer Yet, in an ever-increasing skeptical world that looks for ways to undermine the Bible, it is a necessary question to ask & answer Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Job The Man Ù who was he from Uz? Many have written volumes to disprove the “factualness” of this book They claim it is fiction elaborated around a “nucleus” of facts, much like the historical plays of Shakespeare or the historical “romantic” writings of Sir Walter Scott Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Job The Man Ù who was he from Uz? The Scripture plainly affirms the book to be true and factual Ezek 14:12-14 Jas 5:7-11 Therefore, we accept it to be a true Biblical narrative about a man named Job who really lived and suffered Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Purpose For The Book Ê To disprove incorrect “religious theories” Many believe, teach man’s sufferings are always proportionate to his sins Yes, sometimes man’s suffering is because of his sin cp. Rom 1:27 1 Pet 4:15 However, this is not always the case Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Purpose For The Book Ê To disprove incorrect “religious theories” Many believe, teach man’s sufferings are always proportionate to his sins Notice both Job, his “friends” accepted this theory Job’s “friends” Ù “You’re suffering…you’ve sinned” Job Ù “I’ve not sinned…why am I suffering?” Jesus also disproved this theory cp. Jn 9:1-3 Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Purpose For The Book Ë To remind us of God’s higher purposes God’s “perspective” is unique Isa 46:8-10 We are not privy to this “perspective” 2 Cor 5:7 His “perspective” is higher than ours Isa 55:8-9 Only through such faith will we eventually come to realize, appreciate God’s purpose for us Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Purpose For The Book Ë To remind us of God’s higher purposes God’s “perspective” is unique Isa 46:8-10 Ironically, Job had the “intellectual” answer to his problems at the beginning 1:21 2:10 Yet, he had to experience it so that it became more than academics…it needed to be “faith” Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Purpose For The Book Ì To show the benefit of faith that is tried Initially, Job passes this “test”…especially when he rejects his wife’s advice 2:9 Yet, we know how life’s troubles can multiply Job saw his plights begin to compound He had to both try to rationalize his predicament and deal with his “friends” & their accusations Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Purpose For The Book Ì To show the benefit of faith that is tried Job eventually learns what he could not have known had he not suffered 42:5 THIS IS THE THEME OF THE BOOK Thus, we are taught the value of trials cp. Jas 1:2-4 Acts 14:22 Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Lesson 1 – General Introduction “The fact is…Job was not meant to know the explanation of his trial; and on this simple fact everything hangs. If Job had known, there would have been no place for faith; and the man could never have come forth as gold purified in the fire. We are meant to understand that there are some things which God cannot reveal to us at present, inasmuch as the very revealing of them would thwart His purposes for our good. The Scriptures are as wise in their reservations as they are in their revelations. Enough is revealed to make faith intelligent. Enough is reserved to give faith scope (room) for development.” J. Sidlow Baxter “Explore The Book” Vol. 3, p. 27

Biblical Studies From Job Purpose For The Book Ì To show the benefit of faith that is tried It is this “vacuum of silence” from God that man must not invade We must refrain from advancing our own “flawed” human-based reasonings cp. Deut 29:29 Job, the 3 “friends,” were guilty of prejudice Lesson 1 – General Introduction 4 “Friends” – judged Job 4 Job – judged God

Biblical Studies From Job “Job In The Book” As always, we want to understand any Biblical book in terms of where it “fits in” with all of revealed Scripture The one who continually tries to “connect” all the Biblical books in the 1 thematic Bible story will be a better student of Scripture Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job The 17 books preceding Job are historical They concern themselves with a nation They have to do with the Hebrew race Lesson 1 – General Introduction 17 Previous BooksThe Next 5 Books Job & the next 4 books are poetical They concern themselves with individuals They have to do with the human heart “Job In The Book”

Biblical Studies From Job The Book Of Job We also want to understand any Biblical book in terms of its own outline Job is mainly a series of dialogues with an introduction and conclusion wrapped around them Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job The Book Of Job The Prologue Job 1-2 The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6 The Epilogue Job 42:7-17 Lesson 1 – General Introduction J. Sidlow Baxter “Explore The Book” Vol. 3, p. 29

Biblical Studies From Job The Book Of Job The Prologue Job 1-2 Job – his piety in prosperity 1:1-5 Satan – his lies in malignity 1:6-19 Job – his piety in adversity 1:20-22 Satan – his further malignity 2:1-8 Job – his piety in extremity 2:9-13 Lesson 1 – General Introduction J. Sidlow Baxter “Explore The Book” Vol. 3, p. 29

Biblical Studies From Job The Book Of Job The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6 Job’s opening lamentation 3:1-26 Eliphaz vs. Job [Round 1] 4:1 – 7:21 Bildad vs. Job [Round 1] 8:1 – 10:22 Zophar vs. Job [Round 1] 11:1 – 14:22 Eliphaz vs. Job [Round 2] 15:1 – 17:16 Lesson 1 – General Introduction J. Sidlow Baxter “Explore The Book” Vol. 3, p. 29

Biblical Studies From Job The Book Of Job The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6 Bildad vs. Job [Round 2] 18:1 – 19:29 Zophar vs. Job [Round 2] 20:1 – 21:34 Eliphaz vs. Job [Round 3] 22:1 – 24:25 Bildad vs. Job [Round 3] 25:1 – 31:40 Elihu speaks to Job 32:1 – 37:24 Lesson 1 – General Introduction J. Sidlow Baxter “Explore The Book” Vol. 3, p. 29

Biblical Studies From Job The Book Of Job The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6 Jehovah finally speaks 38:1 – 41:34 Lesson 1 – General Introduction J. Sidlow Baxter “Explore The Book” Vol. 3, p. 29

Biblical Studies From Job The Book Of Job The Epilogue Job 42:7-17 Job – his proven integrity 42:7 The “friends” – their rebuked perversity 42:8-9 Job – his ended adversity 42:10 The family – their restored society 42:11 Job – his final prosperity 42:12-17 Lesson 1 – General Introduction J. Sidlow Baxter “Explore The Book” Vol. 3, p. 29

Biblical Studies From Job The Historical Setting For Job’s Story While we cannot be absolutely dogmatic about it, many Bible students place the story of Job within the Patriarchal Age We accept this to be the correct choice because of the following main reasons… Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job The Historical Setting For Job’s Story We accept this to be the correct choice because of the following main reasons… Job’s large flocks, etc. are reminiscent of the days of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob Chaldeans & Sabeans are roving invaders – they became mighty nations later 1:15, 17 Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job The Historical Setting For Job’s Story We accept this to be the correct choice because of the following main reasons… Job offering sacrifices for his children is characteristic of the patriarchal age 1:5 A unit of money of unknown value [qesitah] is mentioned only in Job 42:11 & Gen 33:19 Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Biblical Studies From Job Job: His Character & Calamities Description of the man 1:1-5 His origin Ù Uz v. 1a cp. Lam 4:21 His character (stated) Ù stellar v. 1b “Blameless” - whole morally; a man of integrity “Upright” - committed to the standards of God “Fearing God” - reverence for his Creator The Prologue Job 1-2

Biblical Studies From Job Job: His Character & Calamities Description of the man 1:1-5 His origin Ù Uz v. 1a cp. Lam 4:21 His character (stated) Ù stellar v. 1b “Turning away from sin” - kept himself from anything prohibited by God The Prologue Job 1-2

Biblical Studies From Job Job: His Character & Calamities Description of the man 1:1-5 His prosperity Ù blessed greatly vv. 2-3 Many children Large flocks & herds, multitude of servants “The greatest of all the men of the east” Job acknowledged the source of these blessings cp. 1:21 The Prologue Job 1-2

Biblical Studies From Job Job: His Character & Calamities Description of the man 1:1-5 His character (in action) Ù steadfast vv. 4-5 He was concerned about his children’s spiritual standing before God “Perhaps…” (wouldn’t take the chance) He would “rise early” & sacrifice “continually” (devotion, commitment) The Prologue Job 1-2

Biblical Studies From Job Job: His Character & Calamities Delivery of the 1st calamity 1:6-22 The origin Ù what Job didn’t see vv The “sons of God” = angels cp. 1 Kings 22:19-23 They apparently are summoned at the will of God to appear before Him for purposes unknown to man Included in this is Satan…he still must answer a “Divine summons” cp. Zech 3:1 The Prologue Job 1-2

Biblical Studies From Job Job: His Character & Calamities Delivery of the 1st calamity 1:6-22 The origin Ù what Job didn’t see vv Satan’s answer to God’s question harmonizes with his earthly activities v. 7 cp. 1 Pet 5:8 God confidently puts forth Job as one whom Satan could not devour v. 8 Notice God’s commendation… “My servant Job” The Prologue Job 1-2

Biblical Studies From Job Job: His Character & Calamities Delivery of the 1st calamity 1:6-22 The origin Ù what Job didn’t see vv Satan’s 1st challenge to God re: Job vv Satan insults man by implied accusation…Job is faithful only because God has “paid him” or “hedged him in” Satan continues… “If you put forth your hand, the one in whom you have placed confidence will curse you to your face!” The Prologue Job 1-2

Biblical Studies From Job Job: His Character & Calamities Delivery of the 1st calamity 1:6-22 The origin Ù what Job didn’t see vv Satan’s 1st test of Job v. 12 God grants Satan power over all that Job possesses, yet he is limited in what he could do cp. 1 Cor 10:13 Satan could not touch Job personally The Prologue Job 1-2

Biblical Studies From Job Job: His Character & Calamities Delivery of the 1st calamity 1:6-22 The onslaught Ù what Job “saw” vv Job loses all he had (family, wealth) vv The main point to emphasize is the “rapid pace” at which all this happened vv. 16, 17, 18 No doubt Satan thought the manner in which he touched Job would overwhelm him The Prologue Job 1-2

Biblical Studies From Job Job: His Character & Calamities Delivery of the 1st calamity 1:6-22 The onslaught Ù what Job “saw” vv Job’s response vv Naturally, he grieved…who wouldn’t?? v. 20a Faithfully, he “worshiped” v. 20b Appropriately, he acknowledged such blessings as from God that come & go at His Divine favor v. 21 The Prologue Job 1-2

Biblical Studies From Job Job: His Character & Calamities Delivery of the 1st calamity 1:6-22 The onslaught Ù what Job “saw” vv Job’s response vv Predictably (as God had said), he remained faithful and did not do as Satan had slanderously promised v. 22 This proved Satan to be a liar cp. Jn 8:44 The Prologue Job 1-2

Biblical Studies From Job