There was a man in the land of Uz.
Theology from the Book of Job
Contents
Lesson 1 Job the Man, and the Courts of Heaven Chapter 1-2
Lesson 2. Jobs 1st Discourse Job 3
Lesson 3. Eliphaz's 1st Discourse Chap 4-5, Job's 1st Answer Chap 6-7
Lesson 4 Bildad's 1st Discourse Chap 8, Job's 2nd Answer Chap 9-10
Lesson 5 Zophar's 1st Discourse Chap 11, Job's 3rd Answer Chap 12-14
Lesson 6. Eliphaz's 2nd Discourse Chap 15, Job's 4th Answer Chap 16-17
Lesson 7 Bildad's 2nd Discourse Chap 18, Job's 5th Answer Chap 19
Lesson 8 Zophar's 2nd Discourse Chap 20, Job's 6th Answer Chap 21
Lesson 9. Eliphaz's 3rd Discourse Chap 22, Job's 7th Answer Chap 23-24
Lesson 10 Bildad's 3rd Discourse Chap 25, Job's 8th Answer Chap 26-31
Lesson 11 Elihu's Anger Chap 32-37
Lesson 12 Jehovah and Job Chap 38-41
Lesson 13 Job's Conclusion, and Epilogue Chap 42
As the Book of Job opens up, the umbrella of God closes up.
The
rain falls on the just ___________^_____!__!_ !
Satan's Darts
And the unjust fella
/
FATHER \
! ! !
Mother || Son !
! ! ! !
||
Daughter (Witchcraft)
But it falls
more on the just
|| ===> Sin (Rebellion)
For the
unjust steels the just's umbrella. || ===>
Destruction
|||| (Stay under the Umbrella)
Introduction
These 13 lessons are designed to unfold the tremendous theological truths found in the book of Job. When followed in family devotions or in a Sunday School environment they should work like a 'book club' wherein each participant reads the assignment, answers the questions and then discusses what was learned. The father or SS moderator steers the discussion asks key questions and keeps them on tract. Folded into this study are some truths we should use to improve our family devotions. Take note of them each week.
Certainly the book of Job has a theme answering the question "Why do the godly suffer?" But in it's arguments we find some true perceptions about man and God, and some false perceptions about man and God. Study the book carefully and differentiate the true from the false ones. We often carry some of the false ones in our vantage point, and leave off some of the theological truths.
Read the book of Job at least three times during this series. Once during the first week at 7 chpaters per day!
Lesson 1 Job the Man, and the Courts of Heaven Chapter 1-2
Key Verse Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Monday 1.1 From our first introduction name several characteristics of Job. (Use your own words)
1.2 Who (i.e. What human) wrote this 1st verse and when do you suppose it was written (Contrast it with verse 1:8)
Tuesday 1.3 Much will be said of Job's inner fears, what fear is revealed in verse 1:5?
1.4 What was Satan doing in heaven?
Wednesday 1.5 Contrast verse 1:1 & verse 1:8 what did God think of Job?
1.6 What did Satan think of Job?
Thursday 1.7 How many tragedies were reported to Job, what physical cause, and summarize their order. Is the order significant.
1.8 What was Job's response? What was God's response? What was Satan's response?
Friday 1.9 From Chap 2, rate Job's wife's response for content of 1) compassion, 2) bitterness, 3) pity, and 4) anger.
1.10 Name the three friends and what is appropriate about their initial response.
Saturday: Extra: Word 2 other observations as questions which bring out important themes of this section
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
"We've started family devotions at our house. In fact, we've started family devotions a million times!" Exclaimed the disturbed father. "We have them for a few days. Then something happens and we stop. What shall we do?"
There is only one solution. Keep on starting! Set a goal for yourself and tour family for this 13 weeks. Start and maintain a daily time of Bible reading and prayer. It won't be easy. Satan knows what a benefit it could be to your family. He won't let it be easy. But you can do it - with God's help. In these 13 lessons we will look at 22 ideas to help you in your goal.
Lesson 2. Jobs 1st Discourse Job 3
Key Verse : Job 3:25-26 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. 26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Monday 2.1 Chapter 3 begins an Epic Hebrew Poem. We are guided by a narrator in verse 3:1-2 also recall 1:1,8 and see 4:1, 6:1, and 8:1. Who could this narrator have been? Who do you think it was? When did he pen the work?
2.2 What day of the week do you suppose Jobs calamity fell? Satan appeared before God "on a day" what day of the week do you suppose? What day did Job's friends show up for a 7 day vigil? Why?
Tuesday 2.3 The narrator says Job "cursed his day" Pick out 3 specific ways that Job did so.
2.4 Is there a place in this chapter where Job alludes that suicide, actually taking his own life, would be appropriate? How close does he come?
Wednesday 2.5 Examine verses 11-12 does Job allude to his mother actively taking his life in these 2 questions? How close does he come?
2.6 Find a verse that would best categorize Job's physical anguish.
Thursday 2.7 Find a verse that would best categorize Job's mental anguish.
2.8 Find a verse that would best categorize Job's spiritual anguish.
Friday 2.9 What is "the thing" in verse the key verse 25?
2.10 If our Key Verses capture Job's leading argument, how is that different from the narrators introduction? His is it the same?
Saturday Extra: Word 2 other observations as questions which bring out important themes of this section
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
General Suggestions: The head of the house should establish and maintain Bible reading and prayer. A mother with an unsaved husband can still have Bible reading and prayer with her children, including him if he desires, or planning a devotional time in a way that will not bring dissension or resentment. Perhaps it will be necessary to have Bible reading and prayer with each child.
Lesson 3. Eliphaz's 1st Discourse Chap 4-5, Job's Answer Chap 6-7
Key Verse : Job 5:6-7 Although affliction cometh
not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the
ground;
7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly
upward.
Key Verse : Job 6:29-30
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my
righteousness is in it.
30 Is there iniquity in my tongue?
cannot my taste discern perverse things?
Monday
.1 What can we learn of Eliphaz from his opening words in Verse
2?
.2 What does Eliphaz say of job in verse 3-5 and what does he describe to be Job's fear?
Tuesday .3 Contrast Job 4:3-4, Isa 35:3, Ezek 7:17, 21:7, and Heb 12:12. What should be your relationship with weak hands an feeble knees?
.4 What 5 tiers of beings are listed in 4:17-21? What is their order of priority?
Wednesday .5 In your words in one sentence what is Eliphaz saying in these 2 chapters?
.6 What is Job's opening argument to Eliphaz? (6:2-3)
Thursday .7 In verse 6:7 what are "the things"referring to?
.8 In verse 6:8 what is "the thing"Job longed for?
Friday .9 Does our Key verse (6:29-30) capture Job's argument? What other verse captures it as well or better?
.10 Look at verse 7:17 and write 2 other questions that capture Job's main argument here?
Saturday Extra: Word 2 other observations as questions which bring out important themes of this section.
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
Don't be frightened by the words "family altar", "Family Devotions" and the like. These pharase simply speak fof a regular time when the family reads God's Word together and prays that God will help each one to obey the Word read. So 1) Plan your time with the ages of your children in mind. Use Scripture they can understand. For yourn children, use Bible storybooks as well as the Bible. Keep passages brief. Explain words.
2) Use variety:visuals, playacting, pictures, chalkboard, flash cards, slides, films. Be versatile and inventive.
Lesson 4 Bildad's 1st Discourse Chap 8, Job's Answer Chap 9-10
Key Verse : Job 8:13 So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish:
Job 9:32 For [he is] not a man, as I [am, that] I should answer him, [and] we should come together in judgment. 33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, [that] might lay his hand upon us both.
Monday 4.1 Look at Bildad's opening 4 questions and lead in sentence and characterize his attitude toward Job.
4.2 What is Bildad alluding to in verses 8:7-10?
Tuesday 4.3 How do 8:13 and 8:20 capture Bildad's accusation?
4.4 What does Bildad offer as a hope for Job in verse 22?
Wednesday 4.5 Job begins his answers tactfully in 9:22, what does he know to be a truth?
4.6 Contrast Job's opening dilemma in verse 9:3 and 14 with that of 32-33. What does Job need here?
Thursday 4.7 Look up and define “Days man” found only once in our Bible in Job 9:33.
4.8 Christ is our days man. How so? And what synonym words are used in the Bible?
Friday 4.9 In 10:1-2 Job begins an address to God. Where does it end and what are 3 main points that he makes?
4.10 How does 10:15 constitute an answer to Bildad?
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
You nees the food, the fellowship and even the fun that can be a part of gathering as a family around God's Book. But you must make an effort. As Job of old, continually seek the face of God for the spiritual good of your family.
3) Let different members of the family plan and lead devotions.
4) Keep prayer requests current and practical, expecting results.
Lesson 5 Zophar's 1st Discourse Chap 11, Job's Answer Chap 12-14
Key Verse : Job 11:7 ¶ Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
Job 13:23 ¶ How many [are] mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.
.Monday 5.1 In Zophar's four lead in questions list some accusations he makes against Job.
5.2 In verse 4, did Zophar properly repeat what Job was saying?
Tuesday 5.3 Why the analogy found in verse 11:12? What are some characteristics of such a colt?
5.4 What 2 things are assured to Job in verse 19?
Wednesday 5.5 Look at 12:2 and a dictionary and define “Sarcasm”.
5.6 When you are to encourage someone you don't want to make them feel inferior. Examine 12:3-4 and list some ways that Zophar blundered.
Thursday 5.7 Briefly, and in your own words, what is the “all this” which Job understood in 13:1.
5.8 What do you suppose Job wished to reason with God about in verse 13:3 ?
Friday 5.9 Compare 14:1-2 and 14:13-14. What does Job here feel about life's priorities and values?
5.10 Compare 13:23 with 14:16-17. What do you understand about Job and Sin in these verses?
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
5) Keep the atmosphere realized. If one person is out of sorts, don't demand that he take part. Keep discipline separate from the devotional time. Don't use it as an opportunity to preach to the children, but rather as a time when the Word speaks to the entire family.
6) Be honest in all discussions. Admit sins and mistakes. Admit questions; then search out the answers and solutions from the Bible.
Lesson 6. Eliphaz's 2nd Discourse Chap 15, Job's Answer Chap 16-17
Key Verse : Job 15:14 What [is] man, that he should be clean? and [he which is] born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
Job 16:21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man [pleadeth] for his neighbour!
.Monday 6.1 Answer carefully Eliphaz's questions in verses 15:2-3.
6.2 Shortly Job will call Eliphaz a “miserable comforter.” He is. But it is a case for poor communication not poor effort. The Indian proverb about waling a mile in another's moccasins will help you explain this breakdown in communication. Explain.
Tuesday 6.3 Eliphaz and Job are in a contest about who understands the most about God and life. In verses 8-10 what is the question and how does Eliphaz claim to have on his side?
6.4 What does verses 14-16 teach about the state of man?
Wednesday 6.5 In verses 15:20-30 Eliphaz outlines the fate of the wicked in 31-33 the vain and in 34-35 the hypocrite. Summarize each fate.
6.6 One should not read Job without taking a lesson on how to be a good comforter. Summarize three reasons why Job could call these three friends “miserable comforters.” (Job 16:2)
Thursday 6.7 In 16:4 Job say's he would be a superior comforter. In verses 5-9 he outlines how to be a comforter. Summerize his outline.
6.8 In verses 16:9-11 Job transitions from what has happened to him into a prophetic foreshadowing of what wil happen to Christ. Compare Psalm 22:13 and 35:21 and show how there are similarities and differences. Who do you suppose wrote first Job or David?
Friday 6.9 In verse 16:19 Job pleads his integrity in verse 20 his miss-representing friends. How does verse 21 plea for a mediator? Compare this with 9:32-33.
6.10 The hymnist writes “No one understands like Jesus” Job expresses the same before Jesus came to earth. What main truth is captured in that phrase and the discourse of Job chapters 15-17. Contrast 17:10 with this truth.
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
7) Use your children's Sunday School lessons as guides for devotional material.
8) Be flexible to meet the daily requirement of schedules, activities and tempraments.
Lesson 7 Bildad's 2nd Discourse Chap 18, Job's Answer Chap 19
Key Verse : Job 18:5 ¶ Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.
Job 19:25 For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:
.Monday 7.1 The misunderstanding that angers Bildad is that Job's plight and words seem to weaken a known law, the law that the wicked shall perish. What point is Bildad making with the two questions of 18:4?
7.2 Although it is prompted by a misunderstanding of Job and his plight, Is Bildad's knowledge of the wicked true? How so?
Tuesday 7.3 Contract what Bildad observes about the wicked with what David affirms in Psalm 73:3-7/ Which is true?
7.4 We are generally more pleased when the wicked get what's coming to them in this lifetime before our very eyes. Where in chapter 18 does Bildad make reference to a life and judgment after death?
Wednesday 7.5 Think of a notoriously wicked individual in history, (or current news!) to what extent does verse 18:20 describe him/her?
7.6 Bildad vexed Job's soul with his presentation of his understanding of the wixked. Why was his argument a reproach to Job? (Job 19:1-3)
Thursday 7.7 How can we argue a truth and yet reproach a friend? Why do we?
7.8 What attitude in Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar is displayed in Job's cry of 18:4-9?
Friday 7.9 How does verses 19:23-24 connect to verse 25?
7.10 How does Job's hope and assurance found in verse 19:25-27 clash with Bildad's argument> (Compare question #4 above.)
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
9) Let children tell hos the Scripture applies to their lives.
10) Distribute crayons and paper so each family member may draw a picture of the lesson taught.
Lesson 8 Zophar's 2nd Discourse Chap 20, Job's Answer Chap 21
Key Verse : Job 20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment?
Job 21:19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know [it].
.Monday 8.1 Verses 10:2-3 indicate that Jobs arguments are having an effect on Zophar. How so?
8.2 Zophar argues well for a point that the three friends insist is a key point. What is this point?
Tuesday 8.3 As a miserable comforter Zophar has latched on to a point that he will prove at all costs. What is wrong with this approach?
8.4 We like an assurance that the wicked will get what is coming to them and that in short order. How does Zophar capture this idea? What verses?
Wednesday 8.5 Even if a wicked doer gets off, we like to believe that his conscience is destroying him. Does Zophar capture this idea? What verses?
8.6 Verses 21:2 and 3 indicate Job's reception of Zophar's arguments. Given we are studying a good case of miss-communication and miserable comfort, what was Job's assessment and how accurate do you suppose it was?
Thursday 8.7 What is revealing about Job 21:4? To whom is Job complaining?
8.8 What is the main charge of Job's argument in verses 21:7-18?
Friday 8.9 In verse 21:18 the “They” is a pronoun which refers to what?
8.10 Compare Jobs argument in verse 21:19 with Heb 12:5-6. What truth does Job capture in this chapter?
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
11) Learn the books of the Bible. Have Bible spelldowns, Bible word searches, Bible sword drills.
12) Learn Bible geography and relate it to current events. Read the newspaper with the Bible in mind.
Lesson 9. Eliphaz's 3rd Discourse Chap 4-5, Job's Answer Chap 6-7
Key Verse : Job 22:12 [Is] not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
.Monday 9.1 An agnostic is one who believes that there is a god but mere man cannot get to know him. Is this view captured and refuted in 22:12-13 and 23:10? How so? And is it new?
9.2 After the invention of the wind up clock and the end of dependency on the hourglass. Theologians said that God is more like the windup clock than the hourglass. What is the theological difference? Relate that to question #1 above.
Tuesday 9.3 In this ongoing learning environment we are studying things get repeated and rsifted through understanding. Find three repeated points or illustrations in Eliphaz's debate in chapter 22 and in Job's answer in chapter 23-24.
9.4 In verses 23:5-7 Eliphaz calls Job's wickedness great and accuses him of four things. What are they?
Wednesday 9.5 The agnostic view of God makes one take Him lightly, Calling him “the man upstairs” or “father time” etc. Man's ways have not changed much in these 3,500 years. What does Elphaz call God in verse 8? How does this reflect agnosticism?
9.6 In this chapter how does Eliphaz say Job can solve his problem?
Thursday 9.7 In answer to Eliphaz Job contends that his friends cannot know what he is going through. How is this reflected in verses 23:1-6?
9.8 Job still contends his friends are miserable comforters and wants to plead before God almighty. How does verse 23:6 reflect this desire and what does it say about his 3 friends?
Friday 9.9 Job has a tremendous resolve outlined in verses 23:8-11. When no one understands what we are going through and God is silent toward us, what does this outline task for us to do?
9.10 Job refutes each one of Eliphaz's arguments in chapter 24. The friends are not learning to be better comforters. Name three things you and I could learn here about how to be a good comfort to a troubled saint.
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
13. Make assessment for family members to work out before the next devotional period.
14. Memorize Scripture verses (use a weekly memory verse)
Lesson 10 Bildad's 3rd Discourse Chap 8, Job's Answer Chap 9-10
Key Verse : Job 25:4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean [that is] born of a woman?
Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.
Monday 10.1 Unlike you, Bildad never read John 3:16. Contrast Bildad's argument in Job chapter 25 with that verse.
10.2 Job begins a powerful answer by describing “What a mighty God we serve” (Job 26:5-14) Why does he begin with some things that man can do and does do in 26:1-4?
Tuesday 10.3 I love the brutish poet Agur, who gives a pointed riddle in Proverbs 30:4-5. How is his riddle a reflection of Jobs exaltation of God in Job chapter 26?
10.4 Once Job has established an omnipotent God on his thrown, he deal with his own righteousness. Examine his resolve in 27:2-6 and give some reasons why his “friends” call this “self righteousness” instead of “true righteousnes.” To what extent does Job'd assurance mark a distinguishing between the two?
Wednesday 10.5 In verse 27:8 how does Job deal with a hypocrites fate different than his “friends” dealt with it?
10.6 In verse 27:11-23 Job teaches “by the hand of God” the fate of the wicked. What dimension is added over what his friends understood? What verses show this added dimension?
Thursday 10.7 The Islamic Koran describes the sun as extinguishing itself in a mud puddle in the end of the day. Recorded in Job 20 is a book of earth science. Can you pick out any fables or mistruths in this oldest of all portions of scripture?
10.8 The whole conclusion of Job chapter 28 is found in its last sentence. Contraqst it with Bildad's conclusion of 25:6.
Friday 10.9 Find some places in Hob 27 and 28 where Job asserts that he is speaking the truth in God. How do these show a level of verbal inspiration?
10.10 In Chapter 29 Job revisits the old days and in 30 the results of the pearl that befell him with emphasis on the “miserable comforters” that man has been. This in chapter 31 Job outlines several sins mentioned previous and boldly declares himself innovernt. List 5 of the sins he deals with in this chapter.
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
Give a thought for the dat – a poem, quotation, or easily remembered phrase.
Put a chalkboard in a prominent place and write write on it the thought for the day. Different family members could submit new thoughts.
Lesson 11 Elihu's Anger Chap 32-37
Key Verse : Job 36:26 Behold, God [is] great, and we know [him] not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
.Monday 11.1 Elihu was not present for the initial 7 days of silence, but came on the scene sometime during the discourses. According to chapter 32 why das he not spoken previous and what is your first impression of his countenance.
11.2 Elihu summarizes his understanding of their speaches in 32:12-13. Did he capture here your understanding of their arguments. How do or how not?
Tuesday 11.3 In 33:1-6 does Elihu claim “inspiration” as wew understand it? How so or how not?
11 .4 We have studied self righteousness in this series and in verse 33:12 Elihu also asserts the “smallness of man.” Choose a couple things in Job's previous discourse that make the 4 emphasize to Job that God is great and man is a “worm.”
Wednesday 11.5 Great literature is marked by what is left out. Imagine the effect of Elihu's closing of chapter 33, the silence, then the narrator's breaking in in verse 34:1 so you would hear Eihu's words in verse 2. Now explain the excellent proverb found in verse 3.
11 .6 In 34:31-32 Elihu captures the attitude that Job should have had towards his dilemma. How does this differ from the attitude Job communicated?
Thursday 11.7 In chapter 35 Elihu has his own chapter on earth science but his conclusion is verses 35:13-16 is an indictment against Job. What is this indictment against Job?
11.8 In chapter 36 Elihu says we are put into “strait places” or restrained positions, because we restrain God in his dealings with the wicked, the hypocrite or the righteous. How does verse 36:26 strive to undo this dilemma?
Friday 11.9 After reading 37:1-3 and all his arguments what is your impression of Elihu's countenance?
11.10 Elihu has here a tremendous dissertation on life and our knowledge of God. Look at verse 37:13-14 and then 37:19 and tell what Elihu is tactfully asking of Job.
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
Provide a family bulletin board on which to place missionary letters and pictures, prayer requests, cartoons, poems, handwork, special honor papers, prayer answers, letters to be shared, family notes and other interesting items.
Teach missions through devotional times by using misssionary letters, pictures, and stories. Have missionaries in your home.
Lesson 12 Jehovah and Job Chap 38-41
Key Verse :
.
Monday 12.1
12.2
Tuesday 12.3
12.4
Wednesday 12.5
12.6
Thursday 12.7
12.8
Friday 12.9
12.10
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
Provide good Christian literature to be read by the entire family and discussed together.
Put up a calendar. Each day after Bible reading and prayer, allow one member to mark through that day. Each week, compare the number of days marked off with the privious week;s record. See how many days you can read without missing, trying to better each previous record.
Lesson 13 Job's Conclusion, and Epilogue Chap 42
Key Verse :
.Monday 13.1
13.2
Tuesday 13.3
13.4
Wednesday 13.5
13.6
Thursday 13.7
13.8
Friday 13.9
13.10
Family Devotional Times Made Interesting and Practical by Leon J. Wood
For variety, have a songfest on some theme; a hike in the woods, noting God's foddness; a visit, including prayer and Bible reading, with a shut-in; an original story or poem written by a family member; a testimony of God at work.
Challenge each family member to have private decotional times. Share these blessings with the family.