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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 4 of 5 : Chapters 9-11

Study No.21                 Passage: Job 9:1-20       

Title: Job (3) – God's too great to argue with

A. Find Out

1. What did Job acknowledge? v.2

2. Why couldn't a man dispute with God? v.3,4

3. What does God do? v.5-10

4. What other limitation does Job have? v.11,12

5. What does this leave Job feeling? v.14-19

6. What does it leave Job feeling about himself? v.20

B. Think:

1. What main point is Job making in these verses?

2. What outcome does that leave him with?

C. Comment:

  Job acknowledges that what Bildad has been saying is true (v.2), that God will bless the righteous, but then he queries whether 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!

D. Application:

1. God sees everything, knows everything, and knows my every

    weakness and thus I can't pretend before Him.

2. For these reasons, our salvation depends on grace alone – that and

    God's mercy.

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 4 of 5 : Chapters 9-11

Study No.22                 Passage:  Job 9:21-35       

Title: Job (3) - I'm Doomed

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 4 of 5 : Chapters 9-11

Study No.23                Passage: Job 10:1-7        

Title:  Job (3) - Tell me what I've done

A. Find Out

1. Why is Job going to speak out? v.1

2. What is he going to ask of God? v.2

3. What question is he going to ask of God? v.3

4. How does he think the Lord appears to be acting? v.4,5

5. Why is he asking this? v.6,7

B. Think:

1. Why is Job's previous reticence to speak out going?

2. What does he maintain about his life?

3. Yet what does he think the Lord is doing?

C. Comment:

In the previous chapter Job had lamented the impossibility of a mere man challenging God, but 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).

Of course we know that God hasn't anything against him; it's not about sin but about faithfulness – but Job doesn't know that. From where he stands, it feels that he is under judgment. 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.

Can any of us be utterly perfect? Of course not, but that doesn't stop the Bible declaring us righteous before God if our heart is turned to Him. Much of the time we are not aware of the minor failings that we have and God does not hold those against us (Rom 5:13 ) although He will be working to rid us of them. What this story shows, particularly at this point, is that so often we don't know the whole picture.

D. Application:

1. God doesn't mind us expressing what we are feeling, even if we are

    wrong. He can wait for us to get right in our thinking!

2. Faith means being faithful even when we don't see the whole.

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 4 of 5 : Chapters 9-11

Study No.24                  Passage: Job 10:8-22        

Title: Job (3) – I'm condemned

A. Find Out

1. What fact of life does Job now consider? v.8-12

2. Yet what seems difficult with life with God? v.13,14

3. Yet what does he feel about his life and God? v.15-17

4. What does it leave him wishing? v.18,19

5. What does he ask? v.20b

6. What is he anticipating? 20a,21,22

B. Think:

1. What comes through in these verses of what Job feels God's intent is

    towards him?

2. What does it leave him feeling?

C. Comment:

From where Job is in his experience of life, and his ignorance of what has gone on in heaven, his responses in these verses are perfectly natural. First of all 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).

We need to reiterate that in his experience of life, and his ignorance of what has gone on in heaven, his responses in these verses are perfectly natural. We often feel the same – but for us we have the wonderful New Testament revelation that gives us the bigger picture that brings greater reassurances.

D. Application:

1. God is FOR US, His children – whatever is going on around us.

2. His grace (His Spirit) is there to help us cope always.

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 4 of 5 : Chapters 9-11

Study No.                  Passage: Job 9:1-10:22         

Title: Synopsis of Job's 3rd Speech

Job 9:1-35

  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)

Job 10:1-22

  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).

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 4 of 5 : Chapters 9-11

Study No.25                  Passage: Job 11:1-11       

Title: Zophar (1) – Don't challenge God

A. Find Out:

1. What does Zophar think about what Job has been saying? v.2,3

2. What does he object to in what Job had been saying? v.4

3. What does he wish God would do? v.5,6

4. What does he say that Job should know? v.6b

5. What does he imply you can't do and why? v.7-9

6. How do we appear helpless before Him? v.10

B. Think:

1. What of Job's speech does Zophar think a waste of time?

2. Why?

C. Comment:

  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!

  In this Zophar is right – we cannot challenge God's greatness for it is like an ant in your garden standing up and challenging you! When he says “true wisdom has two sides” he is perhaps saying more than he realises for salvation is both bad news and good news – but he wouldn't yet know the wonder of the good news!

D. Application:

1. Salvation is first about bad news – we are sinners condemned.

2. Salvation is also good news – we have been gloriously redeemed!

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 4 of 5 : Chapters 9-11

Study No. 26                Passage: Job 11:12-20  

Title: Zophar (1) - rest in righteousness

A. Find Out

1. What does God do but a ‘witless man' cannot do? v.11,12

2. What 4 things does Zophar counsel Job to do? v.13,14

3. What 3 things will result? v.15,16

4. How will life change? v.17

5. How will that work in detail? v.18,19

6. What will happen to the wicked though? v.20

B. Think:

1. What point is being made in v.11 & 12?

2. Summarise Zophar's counsel in v.13-14

3. Summarise his suggested outcomes in v.15-19

C. Comment:

  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).

  Now as general counsel this may be reasonable. When a person turns to the Lord and repents, then the testimony of Scripture is that God's blessing will come on them, but as an answer to Job's specific situation, it is not an answer, for sin is not Job's problem.

D. Application:

1. As a general principle, repentance does bring the blessing of God and if

    we are aware of any specific sin, we should repent of that.

2. Yet repentance is not always the thing needed. This needs wisdom.

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 4 of 5 : Chapters 9-11

Study No.19                  Passage: Job 11:1-20     

Title: Synopsis of Zophar's 1st Speech

  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).

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

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 4 of 5 : Chapters 9-11

Title: RECAP 4: Job & Zophar - Ch. 9-11

SUMMARY :  

In this fourth group of 6 studies we have seen:

a) Job

- lamenting that all-powerful God seems too distant

- feeling helpless before God

- declaring both the innocent and guilty get swept away

- declaring his innocence but is feeling a failure

- asking for God to tell him what he's done wrong

- expressing his despair

- believing he is going to die

b) Zophar

- chiding him for challenging God

- declaring it impossible to understand God's mysteries

- calling on Job to repent and trust in his righteousness

COMMENT:

  This speech of Job's, we may think, doesn't fit the canon of Scripture which the apostle Paul said was useful for training in righteousness (2 Tim 2:16 ,17) but it gives us insight into human suffering and we should see that this experience of Job in suffering is very real. If we are to help people we should understand something of the depth of misery and hopelessness that they feel.

LESSONS?

1. All-powerful God cannot be challenged.

2. God sees and knows everything.

3. We cannot pretend before God – be honest.

PRAY:

  Be honest before the Lord and tell Him just how you feel. Thank Him that He understands all you are going through and that He is there for you to bless you, as His child, in it.

PART 5: "Job alone"

  In this final part of this particular set of a month's worth of studies, in the next three chapters, we will see Job acknowledging the sovereignty of God, yet determining to speak out and acknowledging the frailty of man.