Delta Church of Christ Family Night Bible Study

In the opening chapter of Job, we learn that God is wise, God is in control and Job's faith is an example to us today.

Opening Questions

Why do you think bad things happen to people?

Does it bother you that you don’t know why God does what He does (both good and bad)?

Unpack the Text

The Book of Job is actually an account about God: His love, His wisdom and His sovereignty. We will study about God, His love for us and how we respond to suffering in our own lives.

Why do you think Job is pronounced with the "o" in "robe" instead of the "o" in "bob"?

The Hebrew name "Iyov" is the basis for "Job," and when translated, the "o" is pronounced with a longer sound, leading to the "Jobe" pronunciation. So, who do you think wrote the book of Job? Do you think it was Job?

Well, actually, there isn't an answer to that question because no one knows. But, how long ago was the book of Job written?

Jesus lived about 2000 years ago (can you believe it?), and Job was on the scene about 300 to 500 years before Jesus.

Some people believe that the book of Job is a parable. If Job is a parable, does it affect the Bible's reliability? Why or why not?

I believe that Job was a real person and the Book of Job is history. It is a tough account of Job's life. However, this doesn't mean there aren't visions and dreams in the account (and in those of other Biblical characters).

For me, there are several good reasons to interpret book of Job as history and Job as a real person. The most important is that the rest of the Bible points to Job not as part of a parable but as a real person:

The Old Testament consistently refers to Job as though he were a real, historical person. But what about the New Testament?

James, who wrote the book of James in the New Testament, was the brother of Jesus. What does this verse say about whether James believed Job was a real person?

If James believes it, I believe it. Let's find out who Job was:

First, we don’t know where Uz is. But... we do know about Job. Whom did Job fear, and what did Job stay away from? (1:1)

Verse 1 says Job was blameless. Does blameless mean sinless?

Blameless means having integrity, being whole, or unblemished. It can also mean walking in the instruction of the Lord. The Bible says Noah, David and Job were all blameless. But they definitely weren't sinless!

What kind of man was Job? (1:1-3)

How do the first five verses provide more proof that Job was a real person?

What did Job do for his children? Why do you think Job did this?

Job did it just in case his children offended God. So, what kind of father was Job?

He was a good, good father and a really, really good guy. How good? Like literally the best guy in the world. Then... verse 6 moves to a new perspective:

This might be one of those "visions" or dreams. We don’t know if it is the dream of the writer, but it is NOT the vision or dream of Job. The setting of the account is an assembly before God. "One day" is considered "New Year's Day" because it is believed that judgement of all of us will take place on New Year's Day. Do you notice a familiar name in this verse? Who?

Why is Satan there? Do you really believe that the devil is hanging out in heaven? Actually, don't believe it because the devil is not in this vision. This verse should be translated "the" Satan, came with them. Adding the "the" changes the meaning. How?

"The" Satan changes it to a title rather than as a personal name. The Hebrew root śtn (does it look familiar?) means "to oppose at law."

In a court, what are the attorneys that appear for both sides called?

We have THE prosecutor and THE defense attorney. On this basis I believe that THE Satan is actually the prosecuting attorney of the heavenly council!

THE Satan is a title, a description. It describes a position, but it is not a name. It has traditionally been translated the way it sounds (śtn), which is why it is Satan on the page. This impacts how we read it, but it is not the name of the Satan or who we call "the devil" described in the New Testament.

It is more accurate to think of this challenger or "accuser" as one of the members of God's court doing tasks for God. Once we know that, it is easier to see that this Challenger is not necessarily evil or enjoying what happens to Job; the Challenger is trying to understand how God works.

The Accuser is making a bold accusation against God. What is the accusation?

The "Challenger" says that Job is only following God because of the blessings! So, how would you prove that Job is blameless only because of the reward?

How does the Challenger say that God can prove whether Job is following Him for the reward or not?

The fancy term for what this Challenger is questioning God about is known as the Retribution Principle. What does retribution mean? What do you think the Retribution Principle means?

Simply put: the belief is that the righteous prosper and the wicked suffer. Good people get good things, bad people get bad things. Do you believe in the Retribution Principle? Why or why not?

Can you think of any phrases that sound like the Retribution Principle?

"They will get their 'just desserts.'" "They will pay for their sin." "They will get what they deserve." "What comes around goes around." Which of these have you heard of? What others do you know?

What did ancient people blame for sickness and tragedies?

They believed if a sin was really bad, that person’s life would be really bad. If they suffered, they must have made God angry. Do you believe this? Why or why not?

Peter wrote in his letter about how good people can experience bad things:

What does this say about good people suffering?

The Lord responds:

So what does God say to the Challenger?

God says, "okay, go for it as long as you don't harm Job physically (basically, 'don't kill Job')." Does this sound like a fair test?

Before we continue, I want to mention that we aren't going to get a specific answer in Job about "why" we suffer. So, since Job doesn't mention it, how do you explain why God allows suffering?

Then, the dark night comes for Job:

Here's something ancient Israelites would have noticed that we most likely wouldn't. In Deuteronomy 28, all of these disasters are detailed as punishments for sin in. How do you think Job's friends and neighbors would view Job after all of these things happened?

Then comes one of the most incredible set of verses in the Bible:

Wait just a second! Why did Job say "Praise the name of the Lord?" Could you have said that after all of this suffering?

What reason does Job give for still being able to worship? Is that a good enough reason for you? Why or why not?

The ancient Hebrew word for worship used here literally means, "bow down." Perhaps a better way to understand it would be to say that Job fell to the ground and accepted what God had done. Could you have accepted it? Do you know someone who has faced tragedy and accepted it? How did you respond to it?

Acceptance is an incredible response. And more significantly, Job did not sin in his response. But the account of suffering isn’t over!

What does God say about how Job responded to his suffering? How does the Challenger respond?

The Challenger responded, "Of course! Take away his health, though, and he will sin." So, God tells the Challenger (the Satan) to do whatever he wanted to Job as long as he didn't kill him. Whoa!

Have you ever had an itch that just wouldn't go away no matter how much you scratched? What did it feel like? Do you understand how Job would be suffering so much he would use broken pottery to scratch?

And now, Job’s wife enters the account:

Notice Job's wife and her response. I don’t believe that his wife is a bad person. The word translated "curse" here is barak, which can mean "bless" OR "curse." I tend to lean toward “bless.” Theologians are divided on what is going on here. How does that change what you think of her?

In fact, what she is saying could be very caring. It could be saying (try to read it with a caring voice): "Are you still trying to avoid sinning against God? Well, bless God and die" (because death would relieve his suffering). Does that change your view on Job’s wife?

Everything the world considers a reward for being good and righteous was taken away. If Job decides to die, he proves the Challenger correct. In other words, God's practice of blessing those who follow Him is actually a form of corruption! By rewarding me and you… He is corrupting us. Obviously, that isn't true. But do you understand the argument?

How does this verse sound like Peter?

The chapter ends with the arrival of three of Job’s friends. They grieve with him:

Job was silent here, but he doesn’t remain silent. The book of Job is filled with many responses by Job. He lets God have it. But he remains blameless. He doesn't overstep. He trusts God. What does that say to us today?

God is wise.
God is in control.
Job's faith is an example to us.

Your Story

In what way do you fear God and shun evil?

If you had been in Job’s situation, how do you think you would have responded?

Why is it easy to praise God when circumstances are going well?

How do you usually respond when tragedies happen to you?

For what type of events do people blame God?

For what sort of events do people blame Satan?

Why is it so hard to respond like Job when tragedies happen?

Apply it to Your Life

What is one way you can fear God and shun evil today?