Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Study No.7                  Passage: Job 18:1-21         

Title: Bildad 2 – state of evil man

A. Find Out

1. What questions does Bildad ask of Job? v.2-4

2. How does he describe what happens to the wicked? v.5-7a

3. List the way his schemes go wrong? v.7b-10

4. List carefully the consequences that follow? v.11-16

5. What sort of future does he then have? v.17-20

6. What conclusion does he bring? v.21

B. Think:

1. What is Bildad asking Job to do in v.2-4?

2. What point is he making from verse 7 on?

C. Comment:

One is left wondering from this chapter if, even though he doesn't say it specifically, Bildad is basically saying, “Job, it's all your own fault.” He starts by chiding Job and asks him to “be sensible” (v.2) and why do you consider us stupid (v.3). Your anger seems to demand that the very truths of life must be changed to accommodate you (v.4).

Then he turns to ‘the wicked' (v.5 onwards). Their life energy, he declares, is brought to an end (v.5,6), his strength is sapped (v.7a) and it's all because of own, self-centred (implied) schemes (v.7b) which go wrong. It's like he gets caught in a net (v.8) or a trap (v.9) or a noose on the ground (v.10) Note all of these pictures are of things used by a gamekeeper to catch creatures. Does this imply (as Paul does in Romans 1) that God is at work in this way?

Whatever it is, the outworkings are very clear: fear is there at every turn (v.11), calamities and disasters are just waiting to happen (v.12), and even impacts him physically (v.13). Security goes as death (king of terrors) approaches quickly (v.14). Destruction comes (v.15) to his home and his whole life shrivels and contracts (v.16). Soon he is forgotten (v.17) and he ends up in the nether world of darkness (v.18). Even his family are destroyed (v.19) and all who see are appalled (v.20). These, he concludes, are truthful descriptions of the life and home of the evil, ungodly person (v.21). Often, but not always.

D. Application:

1. Sin does bring its own harvest (Gal 6:7). Beware.

2. Sinners sometimes only reap it fully after death.

Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Study No.8                  Passage: Job 19:1-22         

Title: Job 6 – I am struck by God

Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Study No.9                  Passage: Job 19:23-29       

Title: Job 6 – I have a redeemer

 A. Find Out

1. What does Job wish would happen? v.23,24

2. What did he know? v.25

3. What further did he know? v.26,27

4. What might they say? v.28 (NB. See alternative note)

5. What does he warn? v.29

B. Think:

1. Why do you think Job wished his words could be recorded?

2. What is amazing about his statement in v.25,26?

C. Comment:

  We have commented before that it is sometimes when we are at our lowest that the Lord gives us the greatest revelation. Job has just been pouring out the effects of what has happened to him and clearly feels very low, but it is at this point that he makes a most amazing faith declaration.

  But first he desires to be able to have his words written down for posterity (v.23,24) so that others can think through these same things presumably. For now he has come to a clarification of faith. Back in his previous speech in 16:19 -21, he spoke of an advocate or friend in heaven pleading on his behalf. Now he arrives at a further certainty: this advocate is more than just that; he is a redeemer (v.25a), he is one who will restore him and bring him back into a good place with God. But there is more, for this redeemer will come and, depending on the version of the alternatives your note at the bottom of the page gives you accept, he will either stand on the earth, this figure from heaven, or he will come down on Job's grave to raise him up (v.25b).

Here he is confident that death is not the end but that after death (v.26a), he will yet see him and that with a body (v.26b) and of this he is certain in his heart (v.27). He anticipates his friends querying this for, they will say, how can this be when our problems stem from ourselves (see alt. note v.28) but, he says, see judgment on the earth (v.29) as a means of drawing you to God through this one in heaven, there for us.

D. Application:

1. Jesus, our redeemer in heaven, is utterly for us.

2. We will yet see him face to face in heaven in eternity. Hallelujah!

Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Study No.                  Passage: Job 19:1-29         

Title: Synopsis of Job's Sixth Speech

  His primary assertion is still that he has done nothing wrong (v.7a) but God won't answer when he cries to Him (v.7b). God has held him at a distance (v.8), taken away his reputation (v.9), taken away all his security and left him with no hope (v.10), made him an enemy (v.11) and fought against him continually (v.12).

What made it even worse was that everyone who knew him have been separated from him (v.13): his friends and family have left him (v.14), those in his home think him a stranger (v.15,16), and even his wife and brothers (those closest to him) consider him revolting (v.17). Even children make fun of him (v.18) while those closest to him detest him (v.19). In all these descriptions Job shows us that he has become very aware of the outworkings of all of his misfortunes.

Then he desires to be able to have his words written down for posterity (v.23,24) so that others can think through these same things presumably. For now he has come to a clarification of faith. Back in his previous speech in 16:19 -21, he spoke of an advocate or friend in heaven pleading on his behalf. Now he arrives at a further certainty: this advocate is more than just that; he is a redeemer (v.25a), he is one who will restore him and bring him back into a good place with God.

But there is more, for this redeemer will come and, depending on the version of the alternatives your note at the bottom of the page gives you accept, he will either stand on the earth, this figure from heaven, or he will come down on Job's grave to raise him up (v.25b). Here he is confident that death is not the end but that after death (v.26a), he will yet see him and that with a body (v.26b) and of this he is certain in his heart (v.27).

He anticipates his friends querying this for, they will say, how can this be when our problems stem from ourselves (see alt. note v.28) but, he says, see judgment on the earth (v.29) as a means of drawing you to God through this one in heaven there for us.

Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Study No.10                  Passage: Job 20:1-11         

Title: Zophar 2 – The godless

A. Find Out

1. What does Zophar feel that makes him reply? v.2,3

2. To what does he appeal? v.4

3. What primary point does he make? v.5

4. What does he say about the godless? v.6,7

5. What further does he say about his future? v.8,9

6. And then what will happen? v.10,11

B. Think:

1. How do you think verse 3 follows on from 19:29 ?

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

3. Why do you think he's saying that?

C. Comment:

Zophar is upset! He's just heard Job warning the three of them that they ought to watch out otherwise God's sword of punishment will come upon them. He is troubled and disturbed (v.2) by this. He considers that is a rebuke that dishonours him (v.3) – suggesting he is a sinner. He appeals to long-known knowledge of the ancients (v.4) that it is the godless who have short-lived pleasure (v.5) and therefore by implication he is not in that category because he isn't suffering!

He expands on his thoughts about the godless. However great they may think they are (v.6) they will perish (v.7). Like dreams or visions in the night, he'll soon be gone (v.8) i.e. just as when we wake the dream is so often gone, so will the godless be. Those who saw and knew him will see him no longer (v.9) and what he has gained wrongfully will be taken from him and from his children (v.10). The strength that he appeared to have will be taken from him and he will die (v.11).   This is Zophar reacting defensively to Job and, as we so often do when we react like that, we don't always speak the whole truth. This does sometimes happen to the godless but not always. Jesus told a parable of the net and fishes that taught the God often leaves such people to be ‘collected up' on the last day. Similarly he spoke of weeds in a harvest, left until the time of harvest. See Mt 13:47-50 & 13:24 -30

D. Application:

1. Don't speak defensively for we tend to lose focus!

2. The godless are sometimes dealt with now by God, but not always.

Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Study No.11                  Passage: Job 20:5,12-19       

Title: Zophar 2 – God punishes (1)

A. Find Out:

1. Of whom is Zophar speaking? v.5

2. What does he delight in holding on to? v.12,13

3. But what will happen to it? v.14,15

4. What will destroy him? v.16

5. What will he not do? v.17,18

6. Why will all this happen to him? v.19

B. Think:

1. What is the activity of the godless shown here?

2. What is the punishment of the godless shown here?

C. Comment:

Remember, Zophar is speaking about the godless or the wicked person and he was doing it to show that he is nothing like this, to counter Job's warning in 19:29 .

In these verses he first starts off speaking about how the godless and wicked relish evil – it's sweet in their mouth (v.12) – and it seems that they cannot bear to let it go (v.13). Yet, he continues, this evil turns to poison in their mouth (v.14) and they will end up spitting out all their ill-gotten gains (v.15). All this evil will be like poison they suck up (v.16) and of course the end is obvious – it will kill them. They will not be able to enjoy the good things of life (v.17) and all the effort he has made to obtain these ill-gotten gains will be pointless for he will have to return so much of it and will not be able to enjoy it (v.18). And why is all this happening to him? It is happening because of his unrighteousness, because he has oppressed the poor and exploited others to take their property (v.19)

Well, the question we have to ask is, is this true? And the answer has to be in some measure or other, yes. Paul was to write, “ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction.” (Gal 6:7,8). Yes, sin does bring consequences and God does punish, but sometimes it is not very obvious – but it will come.

D. Application:

1. God does punish the wicked, both now and in eternity.

2. Sin bears its own fruit. Beware; don't be careless.

Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Study No.12                  Passage: Job 20:20-29      

Title: Zophar 2 – God punishes (2)

A. Find Out:

1. What can't the godless stop, and what won't help him? v.20,21

2. What will happen to him in the midst of his affluence? v.22

3. Where does it come from and what is it like? v.23-25

4. What additional pictures are given of his end? v.26

5. What more does he say to describe it? v.27,28

6. Why does it all happen to him? v.29

B. Think:

1. What does Zophar concede is the original state of the wicked here?

2. What, practically, does he say will happen to him?

3. What impact does that have and why?

C. Comment:

Zophar continues to pour out image-filled descriptions of what will happen to the wicked and godless. As we said previously, he is doing this to emphasise this is NOT what he is like!

The wicked have an ongoing craving, a constant desire for more and they are never satisfied by the wealth that they have already (v.21). Yet not only are his riches not satisfying, they will be taken away from him (v.22). When he is in the place of complete affluence, God will come and move against him (v.23). God will express His anger by bringing blow upon blow on him, and as much as he wriggles and tries to escape from God's activities, he will be pierced by them (v.24) and even if he tries to alleviate the situation, fear will overcome him (v.25).

Darkness and then fire (v.26) are waiting at God's command (implied) to consume both he and all his possessions. God in heaven will reveal his guilt and the affairs of the earth will rise up to condemn him and destroy him (v.27) and all his cherished possessions (v.28), for this is the day of God's anger poured out on him. This is what God decrees for the wicked (v.29). Thus ends Zophar's description of what happens to the wicked and the godless. Does this always happen to the wicked? As we said previously, in some measure yes, but often the judgement is stored up for when they die and have to face God.

D. Application:

1. Wrong doing DOES bring God's anger.

2. Wrong doing DOES create a reaction on the earth against it.

Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Study No.                  Passage: Job 20:1-29      

Title: Synopsis of Zophar's Second Speech

Zophar is upset! He's just heard Job warning the three of them that they ought to watch out otherwise God's sword of punishment will come upon them. He is troubled and disturbed (v.2) by this. He considers that is a rebuke that dishonours him (v.3) – suggesting he is a sinner. He appeals to long-known knowledge of the ancients (v.4) that it is the godless who have short-lived pleasure (v.5) and therefore by implication he is not in that category because he isn't suffering! He expands on his thoughts about the godless. However great they may think they are (v.6) they will perish (v.7). Like dreams or visions in the night, he'll soon be gone (v.8) i.e. just as when we wake the dream is so often gone, so will the godless be. Those who saw and knew him will see him no longer (v.9) and what he has gained wrongfully will be taken from him and from his children (v.10).

The strength that he appeared to have will be taken from him and he will die (v.11). He then starts speaking about how the godless and wicked relish evil – it's sweet in their mouth (v.12) – and it seems that they cannot bear to let it go (v.13). Yet, he continues, this evil turns to poison in their mouth (v.14) and they will end up spitting out all their ill-gotten gains (v.15). All this evil will be like poison they suck up (v.16) and of course the end is obvious – it will kill them. They will not be able to enjoy the good things of life (v.17) and all the effort he has made to obtain these ill-gotten gains will be pointless for he will have to return so much of it and will not be able to enjoy it (v.18). And why is all this happening to him? It is happening because of his unrighteousness, because he has oppressed the poor and exploited others to take their property (v.19).

Zophar continues: the wicked have an ongoing craving, a constant desire for more and they are never satisfied by the wealth that they have already (v.21). Yet not only are his riches not satisfying, they will be taken away from him (v.22). When he is in the place of complete affluence, God will come and move against him (v.23). God will express His anger by bringing blow upon blow on him, and as much as he wriggles and tries to escape from God's activities, he will be pierced by them (v.24) and even if he tries to alleviate the situation, fear will overcome him (v.25). Darkness and then fire (v.26) are waiting at God's command (implied) to consume both he and all his possessions. God in heaven will reveal his guilt and the affairs of the earth will rise up to condemn him and destroy him (v.27) and all his cherished possessions (v.28), for this is the day of God's anger poured out on him. This is what God decrees for the wicked (v.29).

Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Study No.13                  Passage: Job 21:1-18      

Title: Job 7 – the wicked live on (1)

A. Find Out:

1. What does Job next ask his friends to do? v.2,3

2. What does he ask them about himself? v.4,5

3. With what does he have a problem? v.6,7

4. List the things he sees the wicked doing. v.8-13

5. Yet what do they say? v.14,15

6. But what concerns Job? v,17,18

B. Think:

1. Reminder: what point had Zophar been trying to make?

2. How does Job show that that is not always so?

C. Comment:

Zophar had been making the point that the wicked always get their just deserts. Hold on, says Job, listen to what I have to say and then you can come back at me (v.2,3). Am I complaining to man? (v.4). My problems don't originate with man (implied). Look at my state and be quiet! (v.5). My quarrel is with God (implied) and this scares the life out of me (v.6). Look, I've heard all you've said (implied) but it's not true. Look, I've watched the wicked living, growing old and increasing in their power (v.7).

They haven't been getting destroyed as you've suggested; the Lord hasn't destroyed them! (implied). They see their children growing up around them and they are not being destroyed (v.8). In fact they seem quite safe and secure in their homes (v.9) so all this business about them being destroyed by God just isn't true. Their herds prosper (v.10,11), they are very happy (v.12) and live to a ripe old age and die in peace (v.13).

Yet, he continues, these very people reject the Lord openly (v.14,15) not realising that He is the one who enables their prosperity (v.16) and so I reject their counsel and wisdom. Come on, in reality, how often are they snuffed out (v.17), how often are they swept away (v.18)?

We need to reiterate Jesus' teaching where he spoke of weeds in a harvest, left until the time of harvest. See Mt 13:47-50 & 13:24 -30. God does often leave the wicked for a ‘later harvest'.

D. Application:

1. Don't envy the prosperity of the wicked. Their time WILL come!

2. Remain faithful even if no one around you is.

Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Study No.14                  Passage: Job 21:19-34     

Title: Job 7 – the wicked live on (2)

A. Find Out:

1. What does Job say ought to happen about a man's sin? v.19-21

2. What question does this pose about God? v.22

3. What two ways of death does he now compare? v.23-26

4. With what does he then challenge his friends? v.27,28

5. But what does he say they need to remember? v.29-33

6. So what does he conclude? v.34

B. Think:

1. What frustration is Job venting in verses 19-26?

2. What point is he making in verses 27-33?

C. Comment:

In the first half of the chapter Job had been pointing out how the wicked often seem to live securely and die in peace. He then refers to the traditional teaching that says God brings punishment on the wicked man's sons (v.19a). Let Him bring it on the wicked man, says Job (v.19b). Let the man himself suffer for his sin (v.20) for he doesn't care what happens to those who follow him (v.21). However, he says, who can teach God for He's greater than all of us (v.22). There are no neat answers. One man dies in peace and affluence (v.23,24) and another in anguish and poverty (v.25) but the truth is, they're both dead and that's the end of it! (v.26).

Look, he continues, I know what you are thinking, I know you are thinking to pull me down and blame me (v.27) for you look at what has happened to me and attribute wickedness to me (v.28). Have you never listened to those who travel far and wide and the stories they tell (v.29)? They tell of wicked men who lived on in security (v.30) while no one said anything about their wrongs (v.31). They eventually die like everyone else and die peacefully and with honour (v.32,33). Don't you see, he concludes, all of your wrong arguing has brought me no comfort because when I examine what you have said, I find it is full of untruths and errors (v.34)

D. Application:

1. Beware making generalisations about people's lives.

2. Give warnings by all means, when you see others doing wrong, but

    remember God deals with them as He sees fit.

Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Study No.                  Passage: Job 21:1-34      

Title: Synopsis of Job's Seventh Speech

Zophar had been making the point that the wicked always get their just deserts. Hold on, says Job, listen to what I have to say and then you can come back at me (v.2,3). Am I complaining to man? (v.4). My problems don't originate with man (implied). Look at my state and be quiet! (v.5). My quarrel is with God (implied) and this scares the life out of me (v.6). Look, I've heard all you've said (implied) but it's not true. Look, I've watched the wicked living, growing old and increasing in their power (v.7). They haven't been getting destroyed as you've suggested; the Lord hasn't destroyed them! (implied). They see their children growing up around them and they are not being destroyed (v.8). In fact they seem quite safe and secure in their homes (v.9) so all this business about them being destroyed by God just isn't true. Their herds prosper (v.10,11), they are very happy (v.12) and live to a ripe old age and die in peace (v.13).

Yet, he continues, these very people reject the Lord openly (v.14,15) not realising that He is the one who enables their prosperity (v.16) and so I reject their counsel and wisdom. Come on, in reality, how often are they snuffed out (v.17), how often are they swept away (v.18)?

He then refers to the traditional teaching that says God brings punishment on the wicked man's sons (v.19a). Let Him bring it on the wicked man, says Job (v.19b). Let the man himself suffer for his sin (v.20) for he doesn't care what happens to those who follow him (v.21). However, he says, who can teach God for He's greater than all of us (v.22). There are no neat answers. One man dies in peace and affluence (v.23,24) and another in anguish and poverty (v.25) but the truth is, they're both dead and that's the end of it! (v.26).

Look, he continues, I know what you are thinking, I know you are thinking to pull me down and blame me (v.27) for you look at what has happened to me and attribute wickedness to me (v.28). Have you never listened to those who travel far and wide and the stories they tell (v.29)? They tell of wicked men who lived on in security (v.30) while no one said anything about their wrongs (v.31). They eventually die like everyone else and die peacefully and with honour (v.32,33). Don't you see, he concludes, all of your wrong arguing has brought me no comfort because when I examine what you have said, I find it is full of untruths and errors (v.34).

Book: The Questions of Job (Job, chapters 15-31)

Series 2 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 18-21   

Title: RECAP 2: "Bildad, Job & Zophar" Chapters 18-21

SUMMARY:  

In this second group of 8 studies we have seen :

a) Bildad (2)

- chiding Job and then telling of the life of the wicked.

b) Job (6)

- speaking of the social consequences

- declaring he has a redeemer in heaven

c) Zophar (2)

- denying he is godless

- speaking in detail of what happens to the godless

d) Job (7)

- denying this argument

- showing that the godless often live in peace

COMMENT:

These have been chapters of strong arguments. Bildad first maintains that it is the wicked who perish (implication for Job?). Job pours out his anguish of what this has cost him socially, but eventually makes a major statement of faith, that he has a redeemer in heaven. He warns his friends against appearing godless. This puts Zophar on the back foot and so he maintains he is not godless and the godless always suffer. Job refutes that and points out that the godless often live in prosperity to old age.

LESSONS?

1. Suffering separates us off from other people

2. Whatever happens we have one in heaven speaking up for us.

3. Sin does often bring judgement in the present.

4. Often God leaves that judgment until after death.

PRAY:

  Thank the Lord that He is with you and for you whatever happens in life.

PART 3 : Eliphaz, Job & Bildad – chapters 22-25

In this next Part we see Eliphaz pressing Job's guilt and calling him to trust in God, Job wanting to talk to God, and Bildad maintaining that no man is righteous.