Hope in the story of Job ‘Holding on through difficult times’

Hope in Job 1.Why did I choose Job. 2.Quick recap of the book. 3.One big issue why do the innocent suffer? 4.Where is their hope in this story for us today? 5.Conclusion and summary.

The story of Job- recap Prologue- in two scenes, the first on earth and the second in Heaven; chapters 1 &2 Job’s opening dialogue; chapter 3 First cycle of discussions – chapter 4-14 – Eliphaz – Bildad – Zophar – Job responds Second cycle - chapters Third cycle (Zophar missing) – chapter Job’s monologues-chapter 28 Elihu speeches – chapters Two speeches by God - chapters The happy ending – Job’s restoration – chapter 42

Job and his frien ds

Job and his wife.

Why do the innocent suffer? Three propositonsFriendsJobHarold Kushner 1.God is good √ ? 2. God is all powerfulX 3. Job is a good manX Harold Kushner wrote his best selling book ‘When bad things happen to good people ‘ from liberal Jewish standpoint.

Why do the innocent suffer? We often say in difficult situations – ‘WWJD – For this we can say – what did Jesus actually say. We can believe that God is good, all powerful and that Job was a good man. The Parable of the Tares / Weeds and the tower of Siloam helps us understand how this might be.

The parable of the wheat and tares and the Tower of Siloam

Hope in the story of Job As result of his misfortunes, Job despaired of his life. But he also got better, met the Lord and found restoration. That is a real message of hope that we and all people need to day. If we are suffering -Job’s story shows we don't have to believe that this all our fault, that we are worthless and that things can’t get better. God in his mercy protects the free will of all people – whilst this does allow the possibility of evil in this life, Satan is leashed and not allowed to destroy us. We shouldn’t be fatalists ! How much more – if Job without salvation from Christ can remain faithful in difficult times, then we, as Christians…..

Conclusion and summary – Job 42- a vision of heaven.