1. A STUDY IN JOB How to Handle Tough Times 1 st of 4 Sermons Job 7:4-7 June 5, 2005

2. Delayed Request Of all the sermons requested this one was delayedOf all the sermons requested this one was delayed Not because it was difficultNot because it was difficult I started to studyI started to study –I had too much material –I kept narrowing down –I am down to 4 sermons –Each AM sermon in June

3. Delayed Request I will not be looking at many items that could be discussed in a Bible Class settingI will not be looking at many items that could be discussed in a Bible Class setting –Date –Author –Is the story real or an epic?

4. Outline of Job Introduction – 1-2Introduction – 1-2 Job’s opening speech – 3Job’s opening speech – 3 Three cycles of speeches – 4-27Three cycles of speeches – 4-27 –Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar –Each speak, Job responds –Zophar – no 3 rd speech

5. Outline of Job Interlude: Praise – 28Interlude: Praise – 28 Job’s final declaration of innocence – 29-31Job’s final declaration of innocence – 29-31 Young man, Elihu speaks – 32- 37Young man, Elihu speaks – 32- 37 God speaks – 38-41God speaks – 38-41 Conclusion - 42Conclusion - 42

6. Background of Job Job has 10 childrenJob has 10 children He has wealth, honor prestigeHe has wealth, honor prestige Family gets alongFamily gets along Job is deeply spiritualJob is deeply spiritual Satan challenges God – “hedge about him”Satan challenges God – “hedge about him”

7. Background of Job Job loses all:Job loses all: –His children, in-laws, grandchildren –Herds, flocks –Servants, houses –Support of his wife

8. Background of Job In all of this – Job did not sinIn all of this – Job did not sin Job 1:20-22 - 20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.Job 1:20-22 - 20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

9. Background of Job Job 1:20-22 - 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

10. What was Wrong with Job? Inflamed eruptions (boils) – 2:7Inflamed eruptions (boils) – 2:7 Intolerable itching – 2:8Intolerable itching – 2:8 Disfigured appearance – 2:12Disfigured appearance – 2:12 No rest – 3:26No rest – 3:26

11. What was Wrong with Job? Pain is heaver than the sand of the seas – 6:3Pain is heaver than the sand of the seas – 6:3 Sleeplessness – 7:4Sleeplessness – 7:4 Maggots in his ulcers – 7:5Maggots in his ulcers – 7:5 Pus is oozing from his skin – 7:5Pus is oozing from his skin – 7:5

12. What was Wrong with Job? Terrifying dreams and nightmares – 7:14Terrifying dreams and nightmares – 7:14 Depression – 7:16Depression – 7:16 Running tears which blind him – 16:16Running tears which blind him – 16:16 Putrid breath – 19:17Putrid breath – 19:17

13. What was Wrong with Job? Emaciated body – 19:20Emaciated body – 19:20 Erosion of bones, no rest – 30:17Erosion of bones, no rest – 30:17 Disfigured appearance – 30:18Disfigured appearance – 30:18 Skin black, falling off his body, bones burning with heat – 30:30Skin black, falling off his body, bones burning with heat – 30:30

14. How did Job handle it? Job 1:20 – Worshipped GodJob 1:20 – Worshipped God Job 1:21 – God gives and takes, blessed be His nameJob 1:21 – God gives and takes, blessed be His name Job 1:23 – Job did not sin, he did not charge God foolishlyJob 1:23 – Job did not sin, he did not charge God foolishly

15. How did Job handle it? Job 2:3 – Upright, fears God, shuns evil, holds his integrityJob 2:3 – Upright, fears God, shuns evil, holds his integrity Job 3:3; 10:18 – Job is in terrible pain, wishes he had not been bornJob 3:3; 10:18 – Job is in terrible pain, wishes he had not been born Job 3:11-12 – He wants to die to escape the painJob 3:11-12 – He wants to die to escape the pain

16. How did Job handle it? Job 3:11-12 – Asks “WHY?” – 4 timesJob 3:11-12 – Asks “WHY?” – 4 times 11 “Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? 12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? 11 “Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? 12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse?

17. How about us? 1.Worship God 2.Do not charge God foolishly 3.Fear God, shun evil, hold your integrity 4.Ask “WHY?” 5.Don’t sin