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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 3 of 5 : Chapters 6-8

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

Title: Job (2) – In Despair

A. Find Out

1. How does Job represent his anguish? v.1-3

2. To what does he attribute it? v.4

3. To what does he compare himself? v.5

4. What does he say about tasteless food? v.6,7

5. What does he want God to do and why? v.8-10

6. What does he then say about his present and future state? v.11-13

B. Think:

1. Summarise Job's feelings about his anguish in v.1-4

2. Summarise his desire in v.8-10

3. Summarise his hope? v.11-13

C. Comment:

  Job now speaks for a second time. He 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 makes comment about not eating tasteless food (v.6,7) and the implication is that such food needs some flavouring added, a possible inference that 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 wish 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) Eventually 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).

  Again we have here further additions to the previous pictures of Job's anguish that help us understand something of the awfulness of what he is going through. His misery is monumental and he is left feeling utterly weak and helpless in the face of what the Lord has brought on him. This is no mock testing. This is the real thing!

D. Application:

1. Extreme pain is suffering and we all encounter it in this Fallen World.

2. Understand the depths that some of our fellow humans go to.

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 3 of 5 : Chapters 6-8

Study No.14                 Passage:  Job 6:14-23       

Title: Job (2) - My friends are of no help

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 3 of 5 : Chapters 6-8

Study No.15                 Passage: Job 6:24-30        

Title:  Job (2) - Teach me

A. Find Out

1. What does Job now demand of his friends? v.24

2. What might he expect but what does he get? v.25

3. What do they seem to be doing? v.26

4. What is this like? v.27

5. What does he ask about himself? v.28,30

6. What does he ask them to do and why? v.29

B. Think:

1. How would you summarise what he is saying in v.24 to 27?

2. What does he ask them to consider about himself?

3. What does he consider is at stake which is important to him?

C. Comment:

  Job has just previously expressed his disappointment in his friends and 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 and sell their friend (v.27). Finally he pleads, 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).

Thus we see in threes verses a plea for clarity and for integrity in what they say to him. He's willing to take correction but he wants it to be carefully considered so he can see the reality of it. He wants them to genuinely assess his life, but to do it with compassion, to think about the sort of person he has been and to think about what they have heard him say in the past.

D. Application:

1. Are we compassionate in correction?

2. Are we truthful and just in correction?

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 3 of 5 : Chapters 6-8

Study No.16                  Passage: Job 7:1-10        

Title: Job (2) – the hardness of life

A. Find Out

1. Of whom does Job think, assessing life as hard? v.1,2

2. What does he conclude about himself? v.3

3. How does he describe his nights? v.4,5

4. Yet what does he feel about the pace of life? v.6,7

5. So what will happen to him? v.8

6. So what will be his future? v.9,10

B. Think:

1. What does Job consider about the nature of life?

2. What does he conclude about the pace and end of life?

3. What does he conclude about his destiny?

C. Comment:

  We must remember that Job speaks out of anguish and pain and when that happens to us our vision is clouded and our perspective distorted. So let's see what he says 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.

D. Application:

1. In pain and suffering our perspective is partial and distorted.

2. In pain and suffering we only see partial truth.

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 3 of 5 : Chapters 6-8

Study No.17                  Passage: Job 7:11-16         

Title: Job (2) – I will speak out

A. Find Out

1. What does Job say he will do? v.11

2. What is his complaint? v.12

3. What did he hope in sleep but what came instead? v.13,14

4. What did that leave him wanting? v.15

5. What does he want to happen, and why? v.16

B. Think:

1. How are these verses an expression of Job's anguish?

2. What point is he making in verse 12?

3. What is he left feeling about his life?

C. Comment:

  The “Therefore” of verse 11 links this passage with what had gone before. He had spoken about how he feels locked in to a life of misery that will just pass away like a cloud, and it is out of this sense of hopelessness that he cries out. It is like he says, “I'm past caring, I'm going to speak out anyway!” (v.11).

  The sea in verse 12 has been given boundaries (see Prov 8:28 ). The sea 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.

  We have commented previously about the need to understand the suffering of others. These early speeches of Job are little about the reason for suffering and all about the fact of suffering. In them we catch something of the awful reality of the anguish that Job feels. This is not some imaginary test; this is a test that tears him apart outside and inside, a physical test that racks his emotions and his spirit.

D. Application:

1. Do we ever think and pray about the suffering millions in the world?

2. Are we moved by compassion when we meet someone in anguish?

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 3 of 5 : Chapters 6-8

Study No.18                  Passage: Job 7:17-21       

Title: Job (2) – But why?

A. Find Out:

1. What does Job now ask of God? v.17,18

2. What does he further ask of Him? v.19

3. What does this lead him to wonder? v.20

4. What does he then ask God to do? v.21a

5. For what reason? v.21b,c 

B. Think:

1. To whom does God now address these words?

2. What does he make the basis of his questioning?

3. What does he wonder about the Lord

C. Comment:

  Job has just said that he will speak out (v.11) and so 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)? When we are in need of guidance and of encouragement and help and support, we are glad that the Lord is there watching over us, but when everything goes wrong, we wonder why we are the focus of God's discipline.

  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? Of course from the New Testament revelation we know the answer – because He loves us! 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? The answer given in the rest of the Bible is, of course, that God is holy and righteous and it does matter to Him what we do. His objective is to make us His children who enjoy the world and live in the way He designed us to live.

D. Application:

1. God does care about our ‘petty failings'. You are His child!

2. He loves you so much He won't just leave you like that.

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 3 of 5 : Chapters 6-8

Study No.                 Passage: Job 6:1 - 7:21    

Title: Synopsis of Job's Second Speech

  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).

Job 7:1-21

   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?

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 3 of 5 : Chapters 6-8

Study No.19                  Passage: Job 8:1-7     

Title: Bildad (1) – God is Just

A. Find Out:

1. How does Bildad describe Job's words? v.2

2. What does he ask about God? v.3

3. What reason does he give for what happened to Job's children? v.4

4. What does he advise Job to do? v.5

5. What does he say the Lord will do? v.6

6. How will the future be? v.7

B. Think:

1. What part of Job's suffering does Bildad deal with?

2. What is his reasoning for that? How can that help Job?

C. Comment:

  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)

  Within this Bildad speaks three truths that we need to heed (even if they don't apply in Job's case to be the answer to what has been happening). First God is righteous and just (v.3). That is always true. Second, Sin is a cause for judgement or apparent catastrophe – a man reaps what he sows (Gal 6:7) – that is true although it is not the reason here why Job's children died. Third, when we turn to the Lord in repentance, He does answer with blessing and our latter days are better than our former ones. But again Job doesn't have anything to repent of in this situation so yes, these are all true – but not in Job's case.

D. Application:

1. Learn to recognise that specific truths may be truths, but are not

    necessarily true for our present situation.

2. Learn the truths here.

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 3 of 5 : Chapters 6-8

Study No.20                  Passage: Job 8:8-22     

Title:    Bildad (1) - consider the ungodly

A. Find Out

1. What does Bildad says Job should do, and why? v.8-10

2. What are the godless like? v.13,11,12

3. What else is he like? v.14,15

4. To what else is he compared? v.16-19

5. How does God deal with men? v.20

6. So what will yet happen to Job? v.21,22

B. Think:

1. What point does he make in verses 8 to 10?

2. What points does he make in the 3 examples he uses?

3. What is he confident about in respect of Job?

C. Comment:

  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.

D. Application:

1. In suffering we are called to remain faithful to the Lord.

2. Ungodliness does have serious consequences!

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 3 of 5 : Chapters 6-8

Study No.                  Passage:   Job 8:1-22     

Title: Synopsis of Bildad's 1st Speech

  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.

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 3 of 5 : Chapters 6-8

Title: RECAP 3: Job & Bildad - Ch. 6-8

SUMMARY :  

In this third group of 8 studies we have seen:

a) Job (2)

- feeling weighed down by his anguish

- complaining that his friends have been of no help

- asking for compassionate understanding

- complaining he's locked in to a season of anguish

- declaring he will speak out anyway

- wondering why God bothers with us

b) Bildad (1)

- maintaining Job's children died for their sins

- declaring Job should just call on the Lord

- warning against godlessness

- declaring God will restore Job

COMMENT:

  Job's second speech in these two chapters reveals more of his anguish and sense of hopelessness. He had hoped his friends might have been comfort providers but they hadn't, lacking in compassionate understanding. He feels locked in and helpless and wonders why God is bothering with him – more expressions of his anguish.

  Bildad chides him and maintains there must be reasons for what has happed for God is always just. His children have obviously sinned but if Job is righteous, he has only to call on the Lord and be restored.

LESSONS?

1. We suffer because it is a Fallen World, but God is there for us.

2. We need to have compassion & understanding for the suffering.

3. In suffering our perspective can be distorted

4. God cares about all we do – the good and the bad.

5. There are many truths to be learned through suffering.

PRAY:

  Thank the Lord He has said He will never leave us.

PART 4: "Job & Zophar"

  In this next part Job realises God's greatness but that seems to make it worse, while Zophar declares his trust in righteousness.