Preacher: Bob Bryant | Series: The Story of Job

WHAT JOB’S “FRIENDS” SAY TO JOB

Job 4:8 “Those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.”

WHAT JOB SAYS TO HIS “FRIENDS”

6:24 “Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.”

16:2 “Miserable comforters are you all!”

27:5 “Far be it from me that I should say you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. 6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go.”

WHAT JOB SAYS ABOUT GOD

7:20 “Have I sinned? What have I done to You? Why have You set me as Your target?”

9:17 “He crushes me, and multiplies my wounds without cause.”

19:6 “God has wronged me.”

23:3 “Oh, that I knew where I might find Him. 4 I would present my case before Him. 10 When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”

WHAT JOB SAYS ABOUT HIMSELF

29:2 “Oh, that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me. 5 …when my children were around me.”

7 “When I took my seat in the open square, 8 … the aged arose and stood; 9 the princes refrained from talking… 10 The voice of nobles was hushed…

12 “Because I delivered the poor who cried out, the fatherless and the one who had no helper. 13 …and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.”

21 “Men listened to me and waited, and kept silence for my counsel. 23 They waited for me as for the rain, and they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain.”

30:1 “But now they mock at me. 10 They keep far from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.”

31:35 “Oh, that the Almighty would answer me.“

WHAT JOB WILL SAY ABOUT HIMSELF

42:3 “I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 5 I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, and repent.”

QUESTIONS FOR LIFE

1. What Job’s friends say to Job, “Those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.”What Job says to his friends, “Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” “Miserable comforters are you all!”

2.Have you ever heard or been involved in a conversation like this? Please explain.

3.In the future, what will you say or not say if you hear or become involved in a conversation like this?

4.Please read what Job says to God:  “Have I sinned? What have I done to You? Why have You set me as Your target?”

5.Have you ever felt like this toward God? Please explain.

6.Please read what Job says about himself:  “When I took my seat in the open square … the aged arose and stood; the princes refrained from talking… The voice of nobles was hushed…”  “Because I delivered the poor who cried out, the fatherless and the one who had no helper.   …and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.”  “Men listened to me and waited, and kept silence for my counsel. They waited for me as for  the rain, and they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain.”

7.What is Job revealing about himself in those words?

8.What do you think God thought of Job’s words?

9.Have you thought or said things like Job when you were in a time of suffering?

10.In what ways does the story of Job (so far) help to answer the question, “Why me?” How  can this help you in the future?

11.Please explain what you think of these words written by Wayne Watson and sung by Devin Crandell: I’m growing I don’t like itI love you but I’m tiredYes I guess I’ve got a lot to learn, I guess I’ve got a lot to learn, I’m growing and it hurts