The book of Job is an invitation to trust God’s wisdom. A suggested purpose of the book is to answer the question, “How should the righteous suffer?” The book of Job encourages us to focus on the questions inferred by Job’s suffering. We learn that Job’s suffering has a twofold explanation: to demonstrate God’s value and glory, and its ongoing purpose was to refine Job’s righteousness. His suffering is not punishment. It is not a sign of God’s anger. Job’s pain is not the pain of the executioner’s whip but the pain of the surgeon’s scalpel. The removal of the disease of pride is the most loving thing God could do, no matter what the cost.
A. Click here to watch an intro Video (7:14) entitled “Wisdom Series – Job” at bibleproject.com.
B. Click here to watch another video (11:00) on an overview of Job.
1. God Tests Job. The book of Job questions God’s justice. Will upright and blameless Job continue to serve God if he loses everything, or will he stay faithful?
2. Job Accuses God. Job accuses God of acting unjustly while his friends blame him for wrongdoing. They all believe God operates the universe according to rules of justice.
3. Job Questions God. Job reviews his good works and questions why God would allow him to suffer, but he sees his pain through the lens of his limited view.
4. God’s Virtual Tour. God responds to Job personally with a virtual tour of the world. He reminds Job that His worldview is infinite while Job’s view is limited.
5. Job Learns Trust. God responds to Job personally with a virtual tour of the world. He reminds Job that His worldview is infinite while Job’s view is limited.
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Theme: In Spite of Myself
Focus: The book of Job champions the absolute glory and perfection of God. It sets forth the theme echoed in Psalm 18:3 (“I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised”). God is deserving of our constant praise simply on the basis of Who He is, apart from the blessings He bestows. The satan denied this truth (Job 1:9-11), but Job proved him wrong (Job 1:20-22; 2:10).
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Theme: I’ve Been Through the Storm – Part 1
Focus: In Job, the question of suffering is addressed in detail. Why do we suffer? Who or what causes it? Why doesn’t God do something?
Not all questions are answered, but some important points are made:
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Theme: I’ve Been Through the Storm – Part 2
Focus: In Job, the question of suffering is addressed in detail. Why do we suffer? Who or what causes it? Why doesn’t God do something?
Not all questions are answered, but some important points are made:
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Theme: Waiting is a Hard Thing to Do!
Focus: The book of Job portrays an enduring picture of “patience”. Such patience describes the trait of one who is able to abide and hold up under the immense weight of trials. From the “patience of Job”, we learn what it means to maintain fidelity to God, even under great trials in which we do not understand what is happening.
Scriptures:
JOB 6:11 – What strength do I have that I should continue to hope?
What is my future, that I should be patient?
JOB 27: 2-6 – As God lives, who has deprived me of justice, and the Almighty who has made me bitter, as long as my breath is still in me and the breath from God remains in my nostrils, my lips will not speak unjustly, and my tongue will not utter deceit. I will never affirm that you are right. I will maintain my integrity until I die. I will cling to my righteousness and never let it go. My conscience will not accuse me as long as I live!
JAMES 5:10-11 – Brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience. See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
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Theme: When I See Jesus…Amen
Focus: The book of Job prepares the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. God is always looking for teaching moments. From the very beginning of Job’s journey’s, God was determined to get the glory and point humanity toward His Son. Jesus’ coming is anticipated in several ways. Job longs for a mediator between him and God (Job 9:33; 33:23), and Jesus is the One (1 Timothy 2:5). Job confessed his faith in a Redeemer who would one day come (Job 19:25) and Christ is that Redeemer (Ephesians 1:7).
Scriptures:
JOB 9:33 – There is no one to judge between us, to lay his hand on both of us.
JOB 19:25 – But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last.
JOB 33:23 – If there is an angel on his side, one mediator out of a thousand, to tell a person what is right for him.
1 TIMOTHY 2:5-6 – For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself – a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.
EPHESIANS 1:7 – We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.
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Ponder this: The absence of answers in Job can lead us directly to Jesus. Ultimately, the questions raised by Job regarding the mystery of injustice and the cause of human suffering only find their answer in the cross of Jesus Christ. The cross gives human suffering its meaning and significance. It also provides hope for a new world where suffering shall cease. The answers to the questions raised by the book of Job are answered in the question of Jesus on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) . In reality, it is in the silence of the book of Job, in its lack of answers, that the book most compellingly speaks of Jesus.