Compassionate and Merciful

by Matthew W. Bassford There are many different opinions about the point of the Book of Job. Some say that it proves that man will serve God for nothing. Others posit that it is about the incomprehensible nature of suffering. Personally, I am partial to the explanation provided in James 5:11. According to the inspired…

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Contending with the Almighty

by Doy Moyer The book of Job is not as much about Job and his faith as it is about God and how He operates. Job was being tested, to be sure, but God even more so. Does God bless Job for nothing? Is God being unfair and unjust? Is God the true adversary? Does…

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Explain the statement in Job: “God giveth and God taketh away”

Question: Explain the statement in Job: “God giveth and God taketh away.” Answer: “He said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD'” (Job 1:21). Job realized that we didn’t bring anything with us…

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The Plea for a Daysman

by Jarrod M. Jacobs Job chapter nine records one of the speeches Job made when defending himself against Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. This speech in chapter nine is somewhat different from the others. Job does not spend much of his speech responding directly to Bildad and what he said in chapter eight. In chapter nine,…

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What is the proper translation of Job 22:6?

Question: Dear Jeff, We use quite a bit of your material in our bulletin with links to your site. For your consideration: I found your article on Modest Apparel.  The context of Job 22:6 does not seem to support your contention that Job was disrobing the naked (as if humiliating the immodest person), but rather being accused…

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Where did Job say he was pure, without transgression, and innocent?

Question: Regarding Job 33:8-9: Could you point out in Scripture where Job said this? I’ve searched verse by verse and can’t find it. Thank you. Answer: “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words: ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent and there is no guilt…

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Why did Elihu tell Job that his suffering was a chastisement from God?

Question: In Job 33:19 Elihu tells Job that his pain and suffering are a chastisement from God. What did Job do to cause God to put this sickness upon him to start with? Thank you. Answer: Elihu scolds Job for complaining that God has caused him to suffer without explaining why. “Why do you complain…

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Which book should be first, Job or Genesis?

Question: I’m confused. A brother mentioned what I understood to mean that Job was to be the first book in the Bible and not Genesis. Since then I have done my own research and am now seriously confused. The way I see it is “Does it really matter?” There are considerably good points brought up…

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Becoming Wise Men

by Steven Harper When Job had suffered some great losses due to the devil’s personal attack on him, we are told “when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together…

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