Lessons
Topic: Job's Trust
Job 3–14
“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing.”[1. C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed (New York: Bantam Books, 1961), 1.]
So begins A Grief Observed, a published journal which C.S. Lewis wrote after the death of his wife, Joy Davidson. Lewis's journal has comforted thousands of people experiencing grief because it puts into words those feelings which are difficult to express but which long to be expressed, the feelings of utter despair and pain.
The Bible offers several examples of lament which remain within the bounds of the covenant between the speaker and God. One example is Job 3. This opening speech by Job begins a series of dialogues between Job and his three friends who have come to mourn with him.
The Pain of Suffering
Up to this point in the story, Job has remained faithful in attitude and speech to God. His words have been pious and well within the acceptable limits of faith. Chapter 3 begins a long series of dialogues which reveal a different attitude, though still not unacceptable. Job opens his soul and reveals his pain in deep lament.
Chapter 3 can be divided into three sections. What are the major themes of each of these sections?
Verses 1–10
Verses 11–19
Verses 20–26Word Wealth
male child (Job 3:3), geber (geh-vehr); Strong's #1397: A champion, hero, warrior, mighty man. In contrast to the other more generic words for man, geber refers to a male in all his strength and is derived from gabar, “to prevail, have strength.”[2. Spirit-Filled Life Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991), 1104, “Word Wealth: Jeremiah 31:22, man.”] The use of the word here is ironic. When Job should be at the height of his powers as a man, he is instead at his lowest point.
It important to note that Job does not curse God. He does, however, curse the day of his birth (3:1). Is Job addressing anyone in particular when speaking this curse?
To whom has Job's attention shifted in this chapter? To God? To his friends? To himself?
Reflect on those times when you wish you did not exist (it's okay to admit). How did your experience compare with Job's?
On whom did your attention focus during those times?
Probing the Depths
Do you believe that Job's lament in chapter 3 revealed a lack of faith in God. Or does Job hold onto his integrity through honest confession of deep feelings? Compare Job's lament with the following Psalms of lament.
Psalm 13
Psalm 22
Psalm 88
How do you incorporate lament into your prayers?
What boundaries, if any, do you believe there should be in a believer's honest expression of painful feelings?
Faith Alive
Fear is the converse of faith: it is believing what God says is not true. God commands us not to be afraid. Faith is able to trust God and not act out of fear.
Know and understand that fear shows lack of faith in God and His promises. Rely on the Lord's protection against verbal attacks and do not fear them. Believe that God honors faith that is stronger than death.[3. Ibid., 749, “Truth-In-Action through Job.”]
Chastened by God
Eliphaz is the first of the three friends to speak to Job. This begins a three-cycle dialogue between Job and his friends. Review Job 4–5. What is the basic argument of Eliphaz here?
According to Eliphaz, why do people suffer in the world?
If Eliphaz is correct in his assessment of Job's situation, what should Job do?
Probing the Depths
Eliphaz's position is based on the assumption that everyone commits error. He firmly propagates the principle of retribution (4:7–21), noting that God always is compassionate to deliver His children from sorrow (5:9–26). Therefore, Job is being reproved, reaping his own just punishment (4:7). His counsel, however, is wrong.[4. Ibid., 713, note on Job 4:1–5:27.]
Has anyone accused you of wrong when you knew beyond any doubt that you were innocent? What was your reaction?
Word Wealth
mortal (Job 4:17) is translated from the word 'enosh, denoting man in his frailty, limitation, and imperfection. It stands in contrast to geber which was used in Job 3:3 to refer to a man at the height of his strength. 'Enosh is derived from a word meaning “to be frail, sick, weak, and sad.” In Dan. 7:13, the Aramaic equivalent bar'enash (Son of Man) is a messianic term. By repeatedly calling himself “Son of Man,” the Lord Jesus identified with the human race in its weaknesses, yet rises to a position of everlasting strength.[5. Ibid., 714, “Word Wealth: Job 4:17, mortal.”]
Word Wealth
trouble (Job 5:7), 'amal (ah-mahl); Strong's #5999; Sorrow, labor, toil, grief, pain, trouble, misery, fatigue, exhaustion. This noun occurs 56 times in the Old Testament. Its root is the verb 'amal, “to labor or toil to the point of exhaustion.”[6. Ibid., “Word Wealth: Job 5:7, trouble.”] It refers to the drudgery of toil and the unfulfilling aspects of work and is often used in parallelism with yagon, “torment, sorrow” (Jer. 20:18); ka'as. “provocation” (Ps. 10:14); 'oni, “misery” (Deut. 26:7); 'awen, “trouble” (Ps. 90:10); and shaw', “worthlessness” (Job 7:3).[7. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Vol 1 (Chicago: Moody Press, 1980), 675.]
Faith Alive
Growing in Godliness (Job 5:17). Godliness will result from a true knowledge of God. Godly living rejects evil attitudes and looks for God in every circumstance.
Avoid resentment, unforgiveness, and envy. Believe that these are self-destructive attitudes. Embrace the Lord's correction. Consider it a blessing. Know that it evidences the Lord's love for you.[8. Spirit-Filled Life Bible, 748, “Truth-in-Action through Job.”]
In Job's response to Eliphaz (Job 6–7) he declares that his protest is just and continues his lament, expressing terror at his unexplained suffering. In what ways does Job directly address his friend's argument? (6:14–30)
In Job 7:11–21, Job addresses God directly. Of what does Job accuse God?
Under what circumstances do you wish God would not pay so much attention to you (see Job 7:17–19)?
Preserved by God
Bildad (Job 8) is shocked at Job's seeming insolence. How can Job accuse God of being unjust? List the ways in which Bildad upholds God's innocence?
In what way does Bildad agree with Eliphaz?
Do you think Bildad is insensitive to Job's grief over the death of his sons? (8:4)
According to Bildad, what should Job do? (8:5)
Job's response to Bildad (9–10) reveals the deep agony of Job's suffering. Job honestly feels he is innocent. Yet he tenaciously holds onto God and pleads with Him.
Reflect on Job's description of God in 8:4–13. What does this reveal about Job's faith in God?
List the ways in which Job recognizes the blessings of God in his life. (10:8–12)
How do these recognized blessings add to the confusion of Job?
It is important that we recognize the blessings of God in our lives during difficult times. In this way we keep ourselves in covenant with God who sustains us. List the ways in which God has blessed your life recently.
Word Wealth
preserved (Job 10:12), shamar (shah-mar); Strong's #8104; To guard, keep, protect, preserve; watch over, care for, safekeep. The earliest use of shamar is Gen. 2:15, where Adam was to tend and keep the Garden of Eden. People are instructed to guard the covenant, the Sabbath, and the commandments (Gen. 17:9; Ex. 31:14; Deut. 28:9). The participle shomer means “he who watches,” that is, a watchman or shepherd. The Lord is called “shomer Yisrael, ” the “One who guards Israel.” This Watchman never slumbers and never sleeps but is always on duty (Ps. 121:4).[9. Spirit-Filled Life Bible, 719, “Word Wealth: Job 10:12, preserved.”]
Divine Greatness and Human Frailty
Zophar speaks for the first time and challenges Job's pride (Job 11). His speech is not so much against Job's logic as it is against Job's character. Review Zophar's speech in chapter 11. Trace how Zophar uses the theme of hiddenness.
According to Zophar, what should Job do? (Job 11:13–15)
How does Zophar's counsel compare to Eliphaz and Bildad?
Job responds for the third time (12:1–14:22) and begins with a long speech about God's attributes. Job's point is that he knows as much about God as his friends know. He is not ignorant of their arguments. And it is their arguments about God's greatness which complicate his own problem. Therefore, Job wishes to speak to God and not be bothered by listening to his worthless advisors (see 13:1–12).
Word Wealth
strength (Job 12:16), 'oz (aoz); Strong's #5797; Strength, power, security. This word occurs primarily in reference to God. Strength is an inherent characteristic of God and is shown in His voice (Ps. 68:33) and His arm (Is. 62:8). The strength of the Lord provides security and protection for the righteous.[10. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Vol. 11, 659–660.] In this reference, God's strength is contrasted with human weakness (see Job 14).
In Job 13:7, Job asks his friends if they are speaking wickedly for God. To what extent do you think this is true?
Job's third response shifts from God's greatness to humanity's frailty (13:28–14:22). In 14:1–12, Job reflects on the shortness of life. How does the experience of pain and suffering raise this question in your own life?
How is the brevity of life masked in our culture?
Respond to Job's assessment of the finality of death. (Job 14:13–22).
Faith Alive
When everything else seems to fail, confidence in God's character is the bottom line. Job was so convinced of the redemptive nature of God (see 19:25), that he would trust in God even in the face of death. The issue of faith rests in God's ability to perform, while the action of faith rests in one's ability to believe. The ability to believe is given to every person (Rom. 12:3); how one uses this ability will determine the kind of relationship one will have with the God for whom nothing is impossible.[11. Hayford's Bible Handbook (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), 133, note on Job 13:15.]
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