Final Notes for the Class on Job

There is simply no way to cover the book of Job in 13 weeks spending 45 minutes per week in class and hoping to gather all the information that’s there. We can scratch the surface and make some important observations. We can see some of the frames of mind that influenced Job and his friends in what they said. We can grow in our understanding of God’s nature and how he deals with his creation. We can catch a rare glimpse into the spiritual realm and read about the conversation that set the stage for what would happen in the rest of the book. We can put our thoughts and observations together to form conclusions on what the book might be trying to tell us in terms of its overarching theme. There is so much to the book of Job, so much more than what we could cover in class.

I encourage everyone to purchase an audio bible. There is nothing better to listen to. It is far superior to all the entertainment and wisdom man can offer. Hearing the word of God adds an additional dimension of perspective when we combine it with reading it from the pages of our bibles. For me, the combination of reading and listening has a powerful impact on my ability to remember passages and make connections with different ones in different places. I am more easily and more quickly able to recall passages I’m thinking of and trying to locate. It’s an all-around improvement to my bible studies and growth.

I look forward to developing a deeper understanding of the book of Job, as well as the rest of the word of God. We have the luxury of bibles in our homes. Most of the Israelites probably weren’t so lucky as they had the scrolls of God’s word in their synagogues, but not at home. We are truly blessed to hold the word of God in our hands, the word that has everything we need to know pertaining to life and Godliness. God has made it simple for us.

Selected Points To Consider

***We are usually inclined to say something in our efforts to comfort someone. This isn’t always necessary or effective. Sometimes our presence without words is a much better comfort despite our desire to provide what we believe would be comforting words.

***Someone’s bad situation isn’t always a result of them sinning. Job’s friends made this error in their accusations against him.

***The wealthy aren’t well off because they oppressed people and stole from the poor. In most cases, they have made a series of wise decisions and God has blessed the labors of their hands. Job’s friends railed against his wealth and accused him of being an oppressor who perpetuated injustice. If we’re not careful we can adopt the current cultural biases against the wealthy and accuse and condemn them like Job’s friends did.

***Our ideas and understanding don’t necessarily become more accurate over time. Think of how some people thought the world was flat 500 years ago. Job knew this wasn’t the case in how he described the world, many more than 500 years ago.

***Tragedy on the earth isn't a piece of evidence against God’s existence.

***God works wonders that man cannot explain or duplicate

***God is actively involved with his creation, especially with humans

***God tends to the needs of his creation. Even the animals' needs don’t go unnoticed by God.

Some of my favorite verses in Job

1:20—Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped

2:13—And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

4:7—Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?

5:7—but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.

5:13—He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.

8:9—For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow.

9:12—Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing’?

11:19—You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor.

13:4—As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.

16:2—I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all.

19:23-24—Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!

28:12—But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?

31:1—I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?

32:8—But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.

32:21—I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person.

33:14—For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.

34:11—For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.

34:21—For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.

38:35—Can you send forth lightning, that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?

39:25—When the trumpet sounds, he says ‘Aha!’ He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

40:2—Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.

40:8—Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?

41:11—Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.

41:33—On earth, there is not his like, a creature without fear.

42:2—I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Ideas about the themes of Job

***This is about a conversation between God and Satan. Satan’s efforts amount to being able to fault God for his creation (humans) who don’t live up to what God says (in the case of Job since God declared him to be upright).

***Bad things happen to bad people

***God demonstrates his power and glory through the things he has made

***God makes a distinction between righteous and evil while giving the evil time to repent

***God is the source of all wisdom and understanding

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