Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12-14

Study No.27                 Passage: Job 12:1-10       

Title: Job (4) – I'm a laughing stock

A. Find Out

1. What does Job say about himself? v.2,3

2. What has he become, despite what? v.4

3. What does he imply about his friends? v.5

4. What does he say about the wicked? v.6

5. To whom does he appeal? v.7,8

6. What do they know? v.9,10

B. Think:

1. What is Job trying to say in verses 2 & 3?

2. What point is he making in the remaining verses?

C. Comment:

Job recognises the ‘put-down' of Zophar (11:2,3) and appeals for equality (v.2,3) and a right to be able to speak. Essentially he is saying in the following verses that the good and bad alike are in God's hands and it doesn't matter what they do, God is overseeing all of life. Note that this doesn't say doing bad is all right, merely that such things go on while God is watching over it all.

He is aware that he has become a laughingstock (v.4), that people snigger behind their hands at what has happened to this ‘good man'. He's called on the Lord in the past and the Lord has answered and he has remained righteous and blameless – yet these things happened! Those who are in a place of ease and comfort look down on the misfortunes of others (v.5a) and assume their misfortunes are because of sin (v.5b). Meanwhile the wicked – marauders, those against God who worship idols – seem to get away with it (v.6).

This, he implies, is obvious to the rest of the world – all living creatures know it (v.7,8) – that all this is within the sovereign activity of the Lord (v.9) for all life is within His hands (v.10). Although Job speaks rightly here, we need to understand that this does not mean that God makes wicked men wicked, merely that He watches them and allows them and even uses them (e.g. see Acts 2:23 etc.). Job thus argues that his misfortune is not a sign of his wickedness, of his punishment. He's right!

D. Application:

1. God is overall ALL of mankind.

2. Things go wrong in this Fallen World and sometimes we suffer

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12-14

Study No.28                 Passage:  Job 12:11-25       

Title: Job (4) - power belongs to God

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12-14

Study No.29                Passage: Job 13:1-6        

Title:  Job (4) - I'm going to trust God

A. Find Out

1. What does Job now claim? v.1,2

2. But what does he say he wants to do? v.3

3. What does he say about his 'friends'? v.4,5

4. What does he ask them to do & what is his concern? v.6-9

5. What does he say God would do and why? v.10-12

6. What does he realise about him speaking to God? v.13,14

7. Yet what does he believe? v.15,16

B. Think:

1. What does Job think about his friends?

2. What concern has he about speaking out to God?

3. Yet what is his confidence?

C. Comment:

This is quite a remarkable passage. First of all Job declares that he is aware of the truth of all that he has just said (v.1), that God is sovereign, and this understanding shows he is not inferior to his friends (v.2). Nevertheless he wants to speak to the Lord (v.3). Arguing with them isn't doing any good (implied) for they don't speak the truth about him (v.4) and they'd do better to remain silent (v.5). He wants them to listen (v.6). He implies that as they have sought to speak on God's behalf they have not told the truth (v.7), nor have they been impartial (v.8). If He examined them they would not show up well (v.9) and He would tell them off if they were not impartial, even if they tried to hide it (v.10). His greatness would terrify them (v.11) and all their words appear as ashes (v.12), so they should keep quiet and let him speak (v.13).

Yet now he realises he is treading on dangerous ground, daring to challenge the Lord (v.14), but then comes an amazing statement of confidence in the Lord: even if God should kill him (v.15) for daring to speak (implied), he will yet trust the Lord (for his eternal destiny?) and speak out the truth as he sees it. Indeed, he feels his speaking out will be the cause of his deliverance (v.16a), for his very confidence is a sign of his righteousness (v.16b)

D. Application:

1. Do you and I have such confidence in God's love and goodness?

2. Do we declare our righteousness?

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12

Study No.30                 Passage: Job 13:17-28        

Title: Job (4) – two requests of God

A. Find Out

1. What does he ask, what has he done & what does he expect? v.17-19

2. What two things does he ask of the Lord? v.20-22

3. What 3 things does he ask of the Lord? v.23-25

4. What does he feel the Lord does? v.26

5. What does it feel like the Lord has done? v.27

6. What is an end result of such things? v.28

B. Think:

1. Summarise verses 17-19.

2. What again are the two things he asks of the Lord?

3. What does he then go on to ask the Lord?

C. Comment:

Having declared his assurance in being able to approach the Lord (v.15,16), Job now challenges his friends over what he has to say (v.17) because he has thought this through (v.18) and is confident that he is innocent (v.19). He asks just two things of the Lord (v.20a) and will then willingly stand before the Lord to answer anything else (implied (v.20b). He first asks the Lord to lift off His hand that seems to bring him such strife (v.21) – presumably to allow him to be more clear headed, to be more clear thinking – and then asks the Lord to bring him into His presence and let him speak (v.22). He then proceeds with his questions, assuming he is in the Lord's presence.

First he asks what his sins are (v.23), why it is that it seems that the Lord has withdrawn from him (v.24). It seems to him that the Lord is pursuing him (v.25) and bringing him to account for all the failures of his youth (v.26) so that it feels like he is chained in this place of suffering from which he can get no relief (implied v.27). The consequence of this – for him and for any such person – is that it feels like he is slowly rotting away (v.28).

Remember that this is what Job FEELS the situation is, not what it actually is, for the Lord has allowed this NOT because of Job's sin but for exactly the opposite – because he is righteous!

D. Application:

1. Sometimes feelings can make life feel bad.

2. Sometimes feelings don't convey the truth.

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12-14

Study No. 31                 Passage: Job 14:1-12      

Title: Job (4) - the frailty of man

A. Find Out

1. How does Job describe our life? v.1,2

2. What question does he ask of the Lord? v.3,4

3. So what does he say about life, with what request? v.5,6

4. Why, does he say, a tree is different from us? v.7-9

5. What happens to us? v.10

6. How does he picture that? v.11,12

B. Think:

1. What things about human lives does Job state?

2. What does he say God should do, as a result?

C. Comment:

Job previously described himself as a ‘windblown leaf' as a means of describing his frailty. Now he pours out his feelings about life generally. Our lives are short and full of trouble (v.1). We are soon gone (v.2).With this in mind Job wonders why God bothers with us (v.3). We know we are not perfect so why bother with us; we can't be made perfect (v.4). We are limited beings with a limited lifespan (v.5) so why not leave us alone and let us just live out our days? (v.6) A tree is quite different, for if it is cut down it produces new shoots and starts again (v.7-9) but we just die and that is it (v.10). In the same way that water ebbs with the tide or a riverbed dries out, so our lives ‘empty out' never to be filled again (implied v.11,12).

Job makes some searching points. We ARE frail and life IS limited and we are NOT perfect, so why DOES God bother with us? The answer, not found in these verses but elsewhere in Scripture isn't to do with the nature of mankind but with the nature of God. John tells us that “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8,16) and that God loves us (Jn 3:16 ). The whole purpose of sending Jesus is so that we can be lifted, transformed if you like, from this state of not knowing and wondering, into a life of love and purpose and destiny where we see ourselves as loved children of God with an eternal destiny. Part of the problem is that Job doesn't know that yet. Part of the test is responding well when information is limited!

D. Application:

1. Life without God is meaningless and purposeless.

2. Life as God's children is full of purpose and meaning.

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12-14

Study No.32                  Passage: Job 14:13-22      

Title: Job (4) – overpowered by God

A. Find Out:

1. What does Job wish would happen? v.13-15

2. What does he want God to do with his sin? v.16,17

3. How does he envisage God dealing with us? v.18,19

4. What does he see as the end of God's activity? v.20

5. What just happens then? v.21,22

B. Think:

1. What is the hope of v.13-17?

2. Yet what does that give way to in v.18-22?

C. Comment:

These are remarkable verses. Verses 13 to 17 are a surge of faith that sees beyond the present. Verses 18 to 22 revert back to a sense of hopelessness. If Job had stayed at verse 17 perhaps the book would have been ended but the remaining verses open up the way for further debate.

  Job starts by wondering if God could not lay him aside for a while in the grave until His anger has passed (v.13a,b) so that he could yet have a time with the Lord afterwards (v.13c,d). He wonders whether there will be an afterlife (v.14) where there will be a reinstatement of his relationship with the Lord (v.15a) because surely God desires more of the creatures He has made (v.15b), a time when sin would not count (v.16) and his past failures dealt with (v.17). This is amazing faith!

But then that all seems too good to be true or too far off and he is taken up again with the apparent present. It seems like what is happening erodes his hope (v.18,19) and therefore the outcome must surely just be God taking us off this planet (v.20) so he will no longer see what happens to his family (v.21) but is left focusing on himself (v.22).

We repeat, in these closing words at the end of the first round of speeches, he comes – for a moment – to an amazing climax of faith as he speculates on the possibilities of an eternal future with the Lord where sin is no longer the issue. That is an amazing insight into something that does not become clear until the New Testament era. But then the present seems to come over him again as a black cloud. More discussions will follow.

D. Application:

1. We have a glorious eternal future ensured by Jesus. Hallelujah!

2. Don't let the difficulties of today smother that hope!

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12-14

Study No.                 Passage: Job 12:1 - 14:22  

Title: Synopsis of Job's Fourth Speech

Job 12:1-25

  Job recognises the ‘put-down' of Zophar (11:2,3) and appeals for equality (v.2,3) and a right to be able to speak. He is aware that he has become a laughingstock (v.4). He's called on the Lord in the past and the Lord has answered and he has remained righteous and blameless – yet these things happened! Those who are in a place of ease and comfort look down on the misfortunes of others (v.5a) and assume their misfortunes are because of sin (v.5b). Meanwhile the wicked seem to get away with it (v.6). All living creatures know it (v.7,8) – that all this is within the sovereign activity of the Lord (v.9) for all life is within His hands (v.10). Verses 11 & 12 recognise that we have the capacity to learn and to gain wisdom with age.

  He declares that wisdom, power, counsel and understanding are all things that belong to and thus come from God. In all that follows he details expressions of God's power : His ability to tear down (v.14a) and to imprison people (v.14b). God can cause droughts or floods (v.15). But then he details ways that God moves sovereignly with mankind : He deals with both the deceived and the deceiver (v.16b), shows up (false) counsellors and (bad) judges (v.17), He releases the oppressed (v.18), He removes (bad) priests and leaders (v.19) and removes counsel, advice and wisdom from leaders (when a nation has gone astray (v.20) and deals with (bad) rulers (v.21). God also makes clear the truth (v.22) and exalts (good) nations and pulls them down (when they turn away from Him, v.23), and He takes away the sanity of great kings in judgement (v.24,25)

Job 13:1-28

  Job declares that he is aware that God is sovereign (v.1), and this understanding shows he is not inferior to his friends (v.2). Nevertheless he wants to speak to the Lord (v.3) Arguing with them isn't doing any good (implied) for they don't speak the truth about him (v.4) and they'd do better to remain silent (v.5). He wants them to listen (v.6) He implies that although they have sought to speak on God's behalf they have not told the truth (v.7), nor have they been impartial (v.8). If God examined them they would not show up well (v.9) even if they tried to hide it (v.10). His greatness would terrify them (v.11) and their words appear as ashes (v.12), so they should keep quiet and let Job speak (v.13).

  Yet now he realises he is treading on dangerous ground, daring to challenge the Lord (v.14) but then comes an amazing statement of confidence in the Lord: even if God should kill him (v.15) for daring to speak (implied), he will yet trust the Lord (for his eternal destiny?) and speak out the truth as he sees it. Indeed, he feels his speaking out will be the cause of his deliverance (v.16a), for his very confidence is a sign of his righteousness (v.16b)   Having declared his assurance in being able to approach the Lord (v.15,16) Job now challenges his friends over what he has to say (v.17) because he has thought this through (v.18) and is confident that he is innocent (v.19). He asks just two things of the Lord (v.20a) and will then willingly stand before the Lord to answer anything else (implied (v.20b).

He first asks the Lord to lift off His hand that seems to bring him such strife (v.21) and then asks the Lord to bring him into His presence and let him speak (v.22). He then proceeds with his questions: first he asks what his sins are (v.23), why it is that it seems that the Lord has withdrawn from him (v.24). It seems to him that the Lord is pursuing him (v.25) and bringing him to account for all the failures of his youth (v.26) so that it feels like he is chained in this place of suffering from which he can get no relief (implied v.27). The consequence of this is that it feels like he is slowly rotting away (v.28).   

Job 14:1-22

  Now he pours out his feelings about life generally. Our lives are short and full of trouble (v.1). We are soon gone (v.2).With this in mind Job wonders why God bothers with us (v.3). We know we are not perfect so why bother with us; we can't be made perfect (v.4). We are limited beings with a limited lifespan (v.5) so why not leave us alone and let us just live out our days? (v.6) A tree is quite different, for if it is cut down it produces new shoots and starts again (v.7-9) but we just die and that is it (v.10). In the same way that water ebbs with the tide or a riverbed dries out, so our lives ‘empty out' never to be filled again (implied v.11,12).

  Job wonders if God could not lay him aside for a while in the grace until His anger has passed (v.13a,b) so that he could yet have a time with the Lord afterwards (v.13c,d). He wonders whether there will be an afterlife (v.14) where there will be a reinstatement of his relationship with the Lord (v.15a) because surely God desires more of the creatures He has made (v.15b), a time when sin would not count (v.16) and his past failures be dealt with (v.17). This is amazing faith!

  But then that all seems too good to be true or too far off and he is taken up again with the apparent present. It seems like what is happening erodes his hope (v.18,19) and therefore the outcome must surely just be God taking us off this planet (v.20) so man will no longer see what happens to his family (v.21) but is left focusing on himself (v.22).

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12-14

Title: RECAP 5: Job alone - Ch. 12-14

SUMMARY :  

In this final group of 6 studies we have seen Job:

- feeling he has become a laughingstock – even when blameless

- feeling this is the work of the wisdom of God

- declaring God is sovereign and deals with all men as He wills

- feeling his friends have let him down

- determining to trust God and speak out

- asking the Lord to lift the burden and allow him space to speak

- asking what he has done wrong, why the Lord is doing this?

- recognising the frailty and imperfection of mankind

- wondering why the Lord bothers with us

- coming to a place of faith about the future

- yet giving way again to the pressures of the present.

COMMENT:

  This final set of studies in this particular series finds Job wrestling with great truths about life. Life is frail, life is short and we are imperfect so why does God bother with us. We reflected that it is because he loves us. We see Job's test almost coming to a climax at the end of this first round of speeches as Job faces the difficulties of life but speculates on the love of God that won't let this be all there is – there is an eternal future with the Lord where sin will not be the issue. But then in the battle we see these eternal truths almost being submerged by the harshness of what was happening in the present and faith seemed to vanish for a moment in a wave of hopelessness. There is a battle, we realise, to hold on to the truth in the face of the clouds in the present.

LESSONS?

1. Life sometimes is hard and we may not understand why.

2. People may not always be able to help us.

3. Such times bring us to a place of desperation in prayer.

4. When we pray honestly we find faith breaking through.

5. Part of our battle is to hold on to eternal truths in the face of present difficulties.

PRAY:

  Read over the above again and declare your faith in God's eternal plan for us. Declare your trust in Him in the present. Hallelujah!

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12-14

Title: Synopsis of all speeches

Synopsis of JOB'S First Speech: Job 3:1-26

Anguish for having been born

“If only the day when I was born and they said, “It's a boy!” could be blotted out from history (v.3), if only it disappeared and be hidden from even God's sight (v.4), if only it entirely disappeared (v.5), that night when I was born, if only it could be wiped off the calendar (v.6), if only the record of the shout of joy of that night could be wiped clean away (v.7), if only the soothsayers who curse, would curse that day, even those who seek to bring mystical beasts to destroy their enemies, would use them to wipe out this day! (v.8). If you look back on it, if only the night would go black and daylight never come to that day (v.9), for it didn't stop me being born into a life of trouble (v.10). None of these things happened, so I was born!” i.e. I wish I'd never been born!

Anguish over having been allowed to live

“Why did I not die at birth ? (v.11), why did the midwife and my mother bother with me? (v.12) because if they had left me to die, I would be at rest, free from trouble (v.13), just like those great people of the earth who are now nothing (v.14), those who accumulated much for nothing.” (v.15). “Why couldn't I have been stillborn and just buried?” (v.16). The easier path of death: in death we're all just the same (v.17), and slaves are freed from their labour (v.18), we're are all the same, and the slave is no longer controlled by his master (v.19). If only he had died at birth he would have avoided all the present pain.

Anguish over being preserved

Why am I being preserved now ? Why are we allowed to live on in misery and remain aware? Why is ongoing life given to us so we have to continue in anguish (v.20), when we'd rather be dead (v.21,22)? So why is ongoing life given (v.23) because this life is full of sighs and groans (v.24), and the worst nightmares have happened (v.25), and peace has left and only turmoil remains (v.26).

Synopsis of ELIPHAZ'S  Ffirst speech: Job 4:1 - 5:27

Eliphaz challenges Job not to be impatient with him (v.2a) for he's just got to speak (v.2b). Look Job, you've been on the other side of the fence, having instructed, strengthened and supported others (v.3,4) but it seems now you're allowing yourself to be pulled down (v.5). Shouldn't all of your experience bring you confidence? (v.6) Look, he goes on, the innocent or upright never perish (v.7), it's only the wicked who get trouble and are destroyed (v.8,9). You can appear as strong as a lion (v.10,11 implied) but even they suffer in their wild lifestyle.

Eliphaz bases this on a special word that was brought to him (v.12) in the middle of the night (v.13) that brought him fear (v.14). He actually saw a ghostly type creature float past him (v.15) and it spoke to him (v.16). This ‘thing' challenged whether mankind can compete with God for righteousness (v.17). God, after all, says the ‘thing' doesn't esteem angels who can fall and get it wrong (v.18) so why should he esteem mankind who are but dust (v.19) and who die so easily (v.20,21).

Who will you call to (v.1)? Beware, in your suffering, of becoming resentful and envious of others (v.2). I've seen a fool apparently at ease but then suddenly his house cursed (v.3) so that his children are left defenceless (v.4) and others come in and steal his harvest (v.5). Trouble doesn't just grow out of the ground (v.6), it is natural to human life (v.7). If it were him he would appeal to God (v.8) because God is great and all powerful and a wonderful provider (v.9,10). God cares for the lowly and those who mourn (v.11) but is not fooled by the crafty (v.12) who He deals with. You'd better be upfront with God now Job. (v.13,14). Yes, He does look after the needy and the poor (v.15,16).

God does discipline (v.17) and in so doing He may wound, but He will also heal up (v.18). The Lord does come and rescue His children (v.19) and will save us from famine or sword (v.20). He will protect us from those who would speak against us (v.21) and so we can laugh at the calamities that would come against us from this Fallen World (v.22). Even more, although the stones of the field usually hinder our crop growing and wild animals destroy our produce, with God's blessing on us (implied) these things are brought to a place of peace with us (v.23) and so you will be secure in your home and food production (v.24). The net result of this will be that you will know that the future is assured for your children (v.25) and when death finally comes you will be strong to the end (v.26). This, he concludes, I am sure about. (v.27)

Synopsis of JOB'S Second Speech: Job 6:1 - 7:21

Job feels his anguish is so great that if it was weighed it would outweigh all the sand on the seashores of the world (v.2,3) He attributes this to God's activity (v.4). He implies is it any wonder he is crying out, for a contented animal doesn't bray, only one in anguish (v.5). He talks about not eating tasteless food (v.6,7), the implication being that such food needs some flavouring added, if his friends are going to speak harsh words they could at least temper it with some added grace!

In his anguish he just wishes that the Lord would grant him his w ish for his life to be ended (v.8,9) so then at least he would die without having denied the Lord in any way (v.10) He bemoans his state and his future. He doesn't have any strength left and therefore has no hope of staying alive (v.11). He's not made of stone or metal and simply can't endure (implied v.12) and he feels utterly powerless and helpless for any hope of change has been driven from him (v.13).

He challenges his friends: What does a person in despair want and need from his friends (v.14)? Loyalty, faithfulness and devotion of his friends; Job has looked for this but not found it in his three friends. They are like streams which one moment are full and overflowing (v.15) as by melting snow (v.16), but the next dry up as in a dry season (v.17). Their failure also brings disappointment. They remind Job of caravans looking for water (v.18,19) who expected to find water but when they arrive at the place there was none (v.20). That's what these three friends have been like (v.21). Has Job ever made demands of them (v.22,23) so they might feel bad about him, (implied)? No, he hasn't!

Now he challenges them to assess him rightly . If he's done wrong, then show him that clearly (v.24). He's aware that correction can be painful and he's ready for that (implied v.25) Why, he continues, are you bothering to try and correct the words of a despairing man, words which you want to write off as just meaningless like wind (v.26). It seems so heartless, like those who would obtain orphans or sell their friend (v.27). Look me in the face. I'm trying to be honest, I wouldn't lie to you, I would tell you if I had sinned (implied v.28). Please, step back from this stand you've taken against me, be fair, because this is my integrity and my reputation you are talking about here (v.28) Please, listen carefully. Am I saying anything that is patently wicked? Have I not always been careful what I say; please be gentle with me! (v.29).

Next, he speaks about life. First, it is hard. But it's not just ‘life', it is the fact that we are called to ‘service' (v.1a); it seems like hard work, and he compares his life to that of a hired man (v.1b), working for others (implied) and like a slave longing for the end of the day or the hired person longing for the time to be paid (v.2), so he feels that he has been put into a place where he has to suffer and put up with it (v.3) every day – and every night.   The thoughts of sleepless nights were equally painful (v.4) with him wondering how long this night would drag on as he tossed and turned in discomfort with his body aching and itching (v.5)

But then he considers his days which seem to rush by (v.6) as he looks and looks for change, as he hopes for change – but none comes ! He calls to the Lord to remind Himself that as a mere human his life is like a breath (v.7a) and what is gone has gone and the happiness cannot be repeated (v.7b). His time on earth is strictly limited and he will soon be gone (v.8) and just like a cloud his life will soon pass and all that is left is death (v.9) from which he cannot return (v.9b,10). It all seems rather pointless from this painful perspective. He continues, “I'm past caring, I'm going to speak out anyway!” (v.11).

The sea in verse 12 has been given boundaries for it is dangerous and needs curtailing. Am I dangerous that I need reigning in by suffering , is what he implies here.   His life is a total misery. He had hoped that sleep might alleviate his state (v.13) but all that happens is that he has nightmares (v.14) and so anguish continues even in sleep. The result is that this life just seems to have no meaning and so he wishes he was dead (v.15) and he despises his life (v.16) for his days have no meaning and he wonders why the Lord allows his life to continue.

Now he addresses the Lord directly . He is in such anguish and he feels that he is the focus of God's attention and wonders why (v.17). Why, Lord, do you bother to watch us and examine us every day, he asks (v.18). It seems your eye is on me constantly, why won't you look away, even for a moment (v.19)? He then ponders a further question: even if I have sinned, how can my minor activities (implied) affect Almighty God (v.20)? Why should these things call your attention? He continues to cry out – why don't you just forgive me (you can do that!) because if you don't it's soon going to be too late because I'm about to die (v.21). This is the question in his mind: if I'm about to die, why bother to pursue me? You know we are but dust and soon gone, so what is the point of chasing us for our petty failings?

Synopsis of BILDAD'S First Speech: Job 8:1-22

Bildad speaks for the first time and chastises Job for his words which are just like a gusting wind (v.2). Look, he says, whatever else you may think about what has happened (implied) God doesn't pervert justice (v.3) and so what has happened must have a cause. When your children died, it must have been because they sinned and deserved it (v.4), and that's not your fault (implied).

Look, if you are upright (v.6a) and if you will look to God and call upon Him (v.5), surely He will hear you and answer and come and act on your behalf (v.6b) and restore you to your place of integrity and renown as you were before. No, surely when He does that His blessing will be so great that what you were will appear small by comparison, so prosperous will your future be (v.7)

Bildad is sure that God will yet bless Job – as long as Job does not act as the ungodly do and forget God. But first he appeals to the learning of the sages of the past (v.8) who presumably have taught them, for they are yet by comparison still young (v.9), for they will help (v.10).

Then he gives 3 comparisons to show the destiny of the ungodly (who forget God v.13a). First he speak about papyrus that grows near water (v.11) which, if the water dries up, soon withers (v.11b,12) i.e. without spiritual life the ungodly soon perish. Then he thinks of a spider's web which is so fragile (v.14). Such is the hope of the ungodly, that soon proves to have no strength (v.15). Third, there is the plant near water that grows but when it is grown, if it is torn up it will soon die (v.16-19). Yet again a warning against losing contact with God!

Finally he reiterates his confidence in God's righteousness that will not reject a blameless man (v.20) and so Job will be restored and will again know laughter and joy (v.21) and will put the wicked to shame (v.22). In all this Bildad is not empathising with Job but is indeed speaking truths – even if they don't specifically apply to Job who hasn't fallen away and forgotten the Lord. Yet it is a good reminder to Job not to drift into ungodliness in his suffering.

Synopsis of JOB'S Third Speech: Job 9:1 – 10:22

Job acknowledges that what Bildad has been saying is true (v.2), that God will bless the righteous, but then he queries can any one of us can be called righteous , He realises that if we tried to argue with God (to justify ourselves?) we would be outclassed (v.3) for God's wisdom is so vast we wouldn't have a chance (v.4). After all he muses, God moves mountains (v.5), shakes the earth (v.6), gives or takes away light (v.7), makes the heavens (v.8), in fact makes everything (v.9) and does things that are just beyond our understanding (v.10). What makes it worse, He is invisible (v.11) so I can't see Him. If He wants to take away things from us, how can we stop Him? (v.12). When He gets angry even the greatest of creatures cower before Him (v.13).

So, he concludes, how can I possibly argue with Him (v.14). Even if I were innocent, I couldn't stand up to His cross examining; I would just have to plead for mercy (v.15). He's so great even if I called Him, He wouldn't come (v.16). If He wanted to He could just crush me (v.17,18). If it were a matter of strength or wisdom or justice, He outclasses me (v.19). Even if I were innocent, I'd say something stupid and condemn myself (v.20). Result? I have no hope of arguing my righteousness with God!

Job declares his innocence (v.21a) but at the same time expresses his sense of hopelessness because, after all, God destroys both righteous & sinners (v.22,23) and part of His judgement seems, sometimes, to cause blindness to the authorities so that injustice and death prevail (v.24). His days seem to flash by meaninglessly (v.25,26) and he feels it is pointless trying to ‘put on a good face' (v.27) because he can never be declared utterly innocent (v.28) so what's the point struggling to change (v.29). Whatever he does will, make no difference (v.30,31). God isn't a human being to be confronted (v.32); He is inaccessible (implied). If only there was an intermediary , someone between human and God who could act as a spokesman (v.33) to get God to hold back, to give Job sufficient respite to he could speak without fear (v.34), then perhaps he could speak up, but that doesn't seem possible (v.35)

Now he is feeling so low (v.1) that he determines that he will speak out anyway ; he will voice the questions going round in his mind. Ultimately he feels that he is not guilty (v.7) of sin and so he feels it is legitimate to ask God to come out and declare what it is that He has against Job (v.2). It seems like God is against him while He lets the wicked get away with their wickedness (v.3). It seems to him that God is acting more like a human being (v.4,5) pointing out his minor faults (v.6) even though he is righteous. He feels he is blameless yet in a hopeless position before God.

He acknowledges that God has made him (v.8a,9a,10-12) but it now seems that God is out to destroy him (v.8b,9b). In both these aspects (life and death) he is acknowledging God's sovereignty.

But now Job is aware of something in particular, that God is a watcher and He's always had that in his mind, to watch Job (v.13,14). That's what it feels like to him! It doesn't matter whether he is guilty or innocent (v.15), he's still a wreck, feels bad about himself (v.16), and feels that God is out to get him (v.16,17).

The result of all this is that he wishes he'd never been born (v.18,19) and that, in fact, he's facing death (v.20a,21,22). That is the depth of what he feels and so cries out and asks the Lord to grant him a period of respite before he dies (v.20b).

Synopsis of ZOPHAR'S First Speech: Job 11:1-20

Zophar, the third of the three friends, now speaks (v.1). He clearly feels frustrated by Job and his opening words are words of rebuke as he speaks of what Job has said as ‘idle talk' and mockery (v.3). He chides Job for daring to say to God that he is blameless (v.4).

But then he expresses his desire that the Lord would speak to Job and reveal something of His wisdom (v.,5,6a) because, he says, such wisdom has two sides to it (v.6b) It's not only good news, but also bad news (implied) for God knows absolutely everything there is to know about Job and has even forgotten some of the things Job has done wrong (v.6c) because there are so many such things (implied)!

Look, he goes on, can you work out the great mysteries of God and how great He is? (v.7). They are greater than all of existence that we know – the heights of heaven, the depths of death (v.8) – bigger than anything you could use to compare them on earth (v.9). God's power is so great that if He comes along and judges and imprisons you, what can you do? (v.10). No, you are helpless!

Verse 11 is an implied outworking of verse 10. God puts people in ‘prison' because he sees their wrong and acts against them. God sees and acts is what Zophar lays down. God knows and acts, he says, but a man who is lacking moral understanding (witless) has no hope of changing and becoming wise, Is there a subtle challenge to Job there?

Then he moves on to the main thrust of his argument: if you seek righteousness you can trust in that and expect changes . If you seek the Lord (v.13) and put away your present sin (v.14a) and then make sure no evil dwells in your home (v.14b) then you will be free of guilt and be without fear (v.15). Very soon you will forget your troubles (v.16) and life will seem a lot brighter (v.17). Your whole outlook will change and because you now have a new hope, you will feel secure (v.18) knowing no one is out to get you and in fact they will be coming to receive your wisdom now (v.19). How different that is (implied) from the wicked who want escape but can't find it and will merely die (v.20).

Synopsis of JOB'S  Fourth Speech: Job 12:1 – 14:22

Job 12:1-25

Job recognises the ‘put-down' of Zophar (11:2,3) and appeals for equality (v.2,3) and a right to be able to speak. He is aware that he has become a laughingstock (v.4). He's called on the Lord in the past and the Lord has answered and he has remained righteous and blameless – yet these things happened! Those who are in a place of ease and comfort look down on the misfortunes of others (v.5a) and assume their misfortunes are because of sin (v.5b). Meanwhile the wicked seem to get away with it (v.6). All living creatures know it (v.7,8) – that all this is within the sovereign activity of the Lord (v.9) for all life is within His hands (v.10). Verses 11 & 12 recognise that we have the capacity to learn and to gain wisdom with age.

He declares that wisdom, power, counsel and understanding are all things that belong to and thus come from God. In all that follows he details expressions of God's power : His ability to tear down (v.14a) and to imprison people (v.14b). God can cause droughts or floods (v.15). But then he details ways that God moves sovereignly with mankind : He deals with both the deceived and the deceiver (v.16b), shows up (false) counsellors and (bad) judges (v.17), He releases the oppressed (v.18), He removes (bad) priests and leaders (v.19) and removes counsel, advice and wisdom from leaders (when a nation has gone astray (v.20) and deals with (bad) rulers (v.21). God also makes clear the truth (v.22) and exalts (good) nations and pulls them down (when they turn away from Him, v.23), and He takes away the sanity of great kings in judgement (v.24,25)

Job 13:1-28

Job declares that he is aware that God is sovereign (v.1), and this understanding shows he is not inferior to his friends (v.2). Nevertheless he wants to speak to the Lord (v.3) Arguing with them isn't doing any good (implied) for they don't speak the truth about him (v.4) and they'd do better to remain silent (v.5). He wants them to listen (v.6) He implies that although they have sought to speak on God's behalf they have not told the truth (v.7), nor have they been impartial (v.8). If God examined them they would not show up well (v.9) even if they tried to hide it (v.10). His greatness would terrify them (v.11) and their words appear as ashes (v.12), so they should keep quiet and let Job speak (v.13).

Yet now he realises he is treading on dangerous ground, daring to challenge the Lord (v.14) but then comes an amazing statement of confidence in the Lord: even if God should kill him (v.15) for daring to speak (implied), he will yet trust the Lord (for his eternal destiny?) and speak out the truth as he sees it. Indeed, he feels his speaking out will be the cause of his deliverance (v.16a), for his very confidence is a sign of his righteousness (v.16b)   Having declared his assurance in being able to approach the Lord (v.15,16) Job now challenges his friends over what he has to say (v.17) because he has thought this through (v.18) and is confident that he is innocent (v.19). He asks just two things of the Lord (v.20a) and will then willingly stand before the Lord to answer anything else (implied (v.20b).

He first asks the Lord to lift off His hand that seems to bring him such strife (v.21) and then asks the Lord to bring him into His presence and let him speak (v.22). He then proceeds with his questions: first he asks what his sins are (v.23), why it is that it seems that the Lord has withdrawn from him (v.24). It seems to him that the Lord is pursuing him (v.25) and bringing him to account for all the failures of his youth (v.26) so that it feels like he is chained in this place of suffering from which he can get no relief (implied v.27). The consequence of this is that it feels like he is slowly rotting away (v.28).   

Job 14:1-22

Now he pours out his feelings about life generally. Our lives are short and full of trouble (v.1). We are soon gone (v.2).With this in mind Job wonders why God bothers with us (v.3). We know we are not perfect so why bother with us; we can't be made perfect (v.4). We are limited beings with a limited lifespan (v.5) so why not leave us alone and let us just live out our days? (v.6) A tree is quite different, for if it is cut down it produces new shoots and starts again (v.7-9) but we just die and that is it (v.10). In the same way that water ebbs with the tide or a riverbed dries out, so our lives ‘empty out' never to be filled again (implied v.11,12).

Job wonders if God could not lay him aside for a while in the grace until His anger has passed (v.13a,b) so that he could yet have a time with the Lord afterwards (v.13c,d). He wonders whether there will be an afterlife (v.14) where there will be a reinstatement of his relationship with the Lord (v.15a) because surely God desires more of the creatures He has made (v.15b), a time when sin would not count (v.16) and his past failures be dealt with (v.17). This is amazing faith!

But then that all seems too good to be true or too far off and he is taken up again with the apparent present. It seems like what is happening erodes his hope (v.18,19) and therefore the outcome must surely just be God taking us off this planet (v.20) so man will no longer see what happens to his family (v.21) but is left focusing on himself (v.22).

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12-14

Title: Summary

Job – Part 1 – The First Round of Speeches

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12-14

Title: Conclusion

The Nature of the Test

Again and again, as we read through the book of Job we need to remind ourselves of the first two chapters and the events in the courts of heaven, and just what this is all about. The suffering that comes upon Job at the hand of Satan, is only by God's expressed permission, and that permission has a specific purpose behind it: to test Job and allow him to become a symbol or sign to the world that it is possible to stand in true faithfulness in the face of the most terrible things happening. This is a test to see how Job will stand in the face of it all.

True Suffering

Because we live in a Fallen World, things go wrong, Satan wages war against us, and the effects of sin have devastating consequences. When we are going through an affluent, comfortable, non-stressful time, it is easy to forget the suffering of others. Job faces us with the reality of suffering and that is why some of these chapters are so important. They may be far from glorious but they challenge us to enter into the anguish that others feel. It was compassion – feeling as they felt – that motivated Jesus' ministry often.

Facing Difficult Questions

Very often we are quite unthinking and it is only when we are challenged or go through times of difficulty that we bother to think through the big questions. The Lord wants us to be people of faith but also people of understanding. It's an interesting combination!

Challenges for Us

As always with all these studies, we must ask ourselves, what do these studies say to us? We've noted above, the tests that come in life from the Lord to prove our faith. We've noted the suffering that comes in a Fallen World and we've noted the difficult questions to be asked and thought through. So, are we in a place that, when things go wrong, we have learned to turn to the Lord, put our trust in Him, receive His grace to cope, and rejoice until we come through? Do we allow such times to teach us and challenge us? Do they draw us closer to the Lord and do they bring us to a place of greater understanding of the Lord, ourselves, others and the world around us? Will we allow such tests to mature us and take us on from self-centred, self-concerned, grumbling lives to lives that reveal the goodness and the glory of the Lord to the world around us?

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 5 of 5 : Chapters 12-14

Title: Appendix : Why Suffering?

In general we can suggest that we ‘suffer' in this world because of:

a) Sin – ours and that of other people bring suffering on us

b) Satan – a main cause of suffering as we will see

c) God – yes, the one thing above all others that Job teaches us is that

    sometimes the Lord allows suffering for a greater purpose.

Why does God allow Satan? He USES him as follows:

1. To reveal men's hearts

1 Chron 21:1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.

•  he was to reveal David's underlying sin of pride

•  in the parallel verses (2 Sam 24:1) it is seen as God who was behind it (to deal with the sin)

2. To bring judgement on unbelievers

Rev 9:11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon . (both names mean “Destroyer”)

3. To bring discipline to believers

1 Cor 5:5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

•  by putting this sinful believer out of the church's protection, it enabled Satan to come against him and humble him and bring him to repentance

4. To subjugate unbelievers

1 Jn 5:19b the whole world is under the control of the evil one

•  Satan is allowed to rule where there is unconfessed sin, i.e. over unbelievers

5. To maintain humility in our lives

One of the key things God does with his children is to seek to develop character in them. As pride is always lurking, sometimes God allows us to be attacked so that we maintain our reliance upon Him and realise that of ourselves we are nothing.

2 Cor. 12:7 I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud.

•  a very obvious reference from Paul

6. To develop faith & righteousness in our lives

Faith is one of the key elements God wants to develop in our lives, and so often he does this by allowing us to encounter trying circumstances where our faith is both revealed and developed. Similarly, such testing times are to reveal and bring about greater righteousness within us.

1 Peter 1:7 These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

•  trials are testings and testings reveal our faith

•  such revelation of our faith brings honour in heaven

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. [9] Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.

•  our faith is tested when Satan comes against us, and it is thus proved and strengthened

2 Peter 1:4-8 And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature. [5] So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. [6] Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. [7] Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. [8] The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

•  the testing of our faith develops our lives in many ways

7. To bring about trials whereby we can be rewarded

These trials, that involve Satan, make us rely upon God, His word and His Spirit and so the outcome of the battles we fight is that we appreciate Him, His word and His Spirit more and more.

James 1:12 God blesses the people who patiently endure testing.

•  testing develops us and God blesses through it

1 John 2:13,14 I have written to you who are young because you are strong with God's word living in your hearts, and you have won your battle with Satan.

•  it is a battle with Satan which we can win with God's word

•  as we battle we rely on that word more and more

1 John 4:1-6 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world… These people belong to this world, so they speak from the world's viewpoint

•  our battle is also with Satan's agents; we are to overcome in the mind

•  we overcome by the Holy Spirit within us

•  as we overcome we realise the wonder of who it is within us more and more.

Rev. 2:17 "Everyone who is victorious will eat of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.

•  our reward, as we overcome Satan's attacks, will be intimacy with Christ

Rev. 2:26-28 "To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, I will give authority over all the nations.

•  as we obey Jesus and have the victory so he is preparing us to take authority, both in this world and the next.

8. To teach us how to fight

As we face such trials we learn how to overcome

Judges 3:2 These are the nations the LORD left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience)

•  Israel grew in their knowledge of the Lord and how to fight as they opposed the enemy. We do the same in the spiritual sphere.

9. To demonstrate God's power over the enemy

We need reminding who is who in the battle. Jesus IS Lord!

Eph 3:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms

•  as we triumph God is glorified in the heavens

•  Mk 1:21-27 As Jesus cast out a demon God was glorified

•  Acts 13:6-12 As Saul triumphs over Elymas God was glorified