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JOB: LESSON FOUR

INTRODUCTION

In chapters 8-14, we observe the first discourses of Bildad and Zophar. Bildad appeals to the experiences of the ancient fathers to establish  Job’s suffering was due to his forgetting God (chapter 8). Zophar boldly accuses Job of wordiness, foolishness, mockery, and self-righteous smugness before a righteous God (chapter 11). In chapters 9 & 10, and 12, 13, and 14 we read of Job’s responses and continued dilemma.

IV. BILDAD’S AND ZOPHAR’S FIRST DISCOURSES WITH JOB  (chapters 8-14).

A. Bildad’s logic (8:1-7)

1. God can do no wrong.

2. God will respond to repentance.

3. God blesses those who turn to Him – rebukes and punishes those who turn away from Him.

B. Bildad’s exhortation (8:11-22)

1. God always cuts off those who seem to prosper because of evil – appeal to those experienced.

2. Exhortation to repentance

C. Job answers Bildad (chapters 9-10)

1. Job acknowledges God’s justness but is bewildered as to how man can try to justify himself before the sovereign God (chapter 9).

2. Job speaks to God questioning why God tears him apart – Job seeks to be left alone (chapter 10).

D. Zophar’s scorching rebuke (chapter 11)

1. Job’s punishment is deserved.

2. Job’s ignorance contrasted with God’s deep wisdom and inscrutable ways.

3. Possibilities and warnings for Job.

E. Job answers Zophar (chapters 12-14)

1. Sarcasm for so-called friends – friends have not helped him deal with his suffering (12:1-13:19).

2. Job’s prayer to God – pleas for pain to be lifted and protests the silence of God (13:20-14:22).

QUESTIONS:

1. What does Bildad say about God?

2. How does Bildad account for the tragedy which befell Job’s children?

3. What is Bildad’s estimation of Job’s character as suggested in 8:6-7?

4. What does Bildad appeal to in proving his case against Job?

5. How does Bildad describe the godless man’s ways and destiny in 8:11-19?

6. What is Job’s description of God in 9:5-12?

7. How does this understanding of God intensify his personal dilemma?

8. Why does Job desire a “daysman” or “umpire” in 9:33?

9. What seems  unreasonable to Job in 10:8-17?

10. What does Zophar think of Job?

11. What does Job think of Zophar?

12. What does Job say about God’s power  in 12:12-25?

13. What is Job’s confidence according to 13:17-19?

14. Discuss the words of Job in chapter 14 that manifest his deep despondency?  

JOB: LESSON FIVE

INTRODUCTION

The arguments tend to drag on, partly because each person wants to have the last word. Job’s friends are relentless in their charges while his agony continues unabated. No wonder he cries out at one point, “Have pity upon me, have pity on me, O ye my friends…” (19:21).

V. THE SECOND TRIAD OF SPEECHES (chapters 15-21).

A. Eliphaz’s second speech (chapter 15)

1. Charges Job with presumptuous words and pretentious claims (v. 1-9).

2. Returns to his theology: Job must be guilty of some terrible sin (v. 14-15)

B. Job’s reply to Eliphaz (chapters 16-17)

1. Job rebukes friends for their misunderstanding (16:1-5).

2. Job’s conclusion: “God must hate me” (16:7-9).

3. Protest of innocence and waiting for God to supply answer (16:18-22)

4. Job prays that God will set him free (v. 17:1-16)

C. Bildad’s second speech (chapter 18)

1. Presents defensive retort (v. 1-3)

2. Presents narrow and rigid dogma: “If you are suffering, you must have sinned” (v. 4-21).

D. Job’s piteous plea (chapter 19)

1. Feelings about his friends (v. 1-6)

2. Bafflement at what is happening to him (v. 7-12).

3. Feeling of isolation coming from the hand of God (v. 13-19)

4. A ray of hope (v. 23-27)

5. Warning to friends to be careful in judging him (v. 28-29)

E. Zophar’s second speech (chapter 20)

1. Triumph of wicked is short (v. 1-11).

2. Punishment of wicked is certain (v. 12-18)

3. Evil comes out into the open (v. 19-22).

4. Terrible fate of wicked (v. 23-29)

F. Job’s reasoned reply (chapter 21)

1. Appeal to the facts that contradict the friends’ theories (v. 1-13)

2. Some defy God and still prosper (v. 14-16).

3. Feelings about God’s judgments in time (v. 17-26)

4. The falseness of their friendship (v. 27-34)

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe Eliphaz’s attitude toward Job as revealed in the opening lines (15: 1-6).

2. What does he charge in (15:13)?

      3. What do you learn from Job’s three friend in 15:9-10?

4. List Eliphaz’s description of the wicked man in 15:20-35?

5. What is Job’s blunt reply in 16:1-5?

6. What do you observe in Job’s speech in chapters 16 & 17 about:

a. His agony –

b. His testimony-

c. His waning hope-

      7. What was Job resting on in 16:19-20?

8. What is Bildad’s attitude toward Job in 18:2-4?

9. What is Bildad’s dark description of the “wicked” man?

10. What does Bildad imply in addressing these words to Job?

11. In 19:1-6, what does Job say about his friends, himself, and God?

12. What is so pitiable about Job’s plight in 19:13-22?

13. Is Job’s conviction about life after death more firm in chapter 19 than in 14:13-15?

14. Compare Zophar’s charges against Job with Bildad’s accusations?

15. How should believers respond to people who express such scorn as found in 21:15?

16. Does evil ever find retribution in this life?

17. What have your learned about comforting others from the study of his lesson?