Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
6:21 Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid.
When Job’s friends saw his suffering it was dreadful and they were afraid. If someone as righteous as Job could suffer then it could happen to anyone. Perhaps this is why they were so determine to convince Job he had sinned. If there was a reason for his suffering then they wouldn’t need to be afraid.
6:21 Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid.
When Job’s friends saw his suffering it was dreadful and they were afraid. If someone as righteous as Job could suffer then it could happen to anyone. Perhaps this is why they were so determine to convince Job he had sinned. If there was a reason for his suffering then they wouldn’t need to be afraid.
7:17 What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention.
It is remarkable that God pays any attention to mankind at all. We are so sinful, he is so holy. Why does God bother? Yet Job complains that God is too interested.
But people are instrumental to God’s great purpose and plans. People matter to God and how they live their lives matters to God.
7:17 What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention.
It is remarkable that God pays any attention to mankind at all. We are so sinful, he is so holy. Why does God bother? Yet Job complains that God is too interested.
But people are instrumental to God’s great purpose and plans. People matter to God and how they live their lives matters to God.
8:7 Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.
8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Bildad was right about some things, like these prophesies about Job’s future, but he was so wrong about the reason for Job’s suffering.
From Constable’s Commentary: Obviously the friends' theology was far more important than Job…He heard Job's words with his ears, but his heart heard nothing.
It is more important to be loving than to be ‘right’.
8:7 Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.
8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Bildad was right about some things, like these prophesies about Job’s future, but he was so wrong about the reason for Job’s suffering.
From Constable’s Commentary: Obviously the friends' theology was far more important than Job…He heard Job's words with his ears, but his heart heard nothing.
It is more important to be loving than to be ‘right’.
9:22, 24 It is all the same; that is why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’ When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it?
Poor Job! He feels it makes no different if you are righteous or not since God destroys both. However God wants us to live a righteous life out of a right relationship and not just to gain God’s blessings. God wants a relationship not a performance.
9:22, 24 It is all the same; that is why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’ When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it?
Poor Job! He feels it makes no different if you are righteous or not since God destroys both. However God wants us to live a righteous life out of a right relationship and not just to gain God’s blessings. God wants a relationship not a performance.
10:1 I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.
Job was not afraid to be honest and speak about the bitterness of his soul which came from not knowing why he was suffering. It is ok to be honest with God.
From Constable’s Commentary: If we are tempted to criticize [Job], we should ever remember that in the whole Book God lays no charge against His child. Terrible things were these which Job uttered about God, but at least they were honest.
10:1 I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.
Job was not afraid to be honest and speak about the bitterness of his soul which came from not knowing why he was suffering. It is ok to be honest with God.
From Constable’s Commentary: If we are tempted to criticize [Job], we should ever remember that in the whole Book God lays no charge against His child. Terrible things were these which Job uttered about God, but at least they were honest.