Job Part 7-Adding Insult to Injury

This study closes off the second discourse between Job and his friends, as Bildad and Zophar weigh in. 

Again, they maintain Job is wicked and proof is that God has destroyed his wealth.  Despite their persistent negativity, Job keeps his head and does not sin. 

 

More importantly, we see a picture of Jesus in chapter 19.  Here we see our Lord as our Kinsman-Redeemer, the one who would rescue out of slavery.  In Old Testament Times, one who could not pay his or her debts sold themselves into slavery.  The redeemer would come and pay to set them free.   The redeemer could also avenge the deaths of relatives; in Numbers 35 God sets cities aside for manslayers to have refuge from the redeemer.  Praise be to God, for Christ has avenged our sin by his blood and come to rescue us from the slavery of sin!

 

Key Verse:          For I know that my Redeemer lives,

                                and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

                And after my skin has been thus destroyed,

                                yet in my flesh I shall see God,

                whom I shall see for myself,

                                and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

                                My heart faints within me!

                     Job 19:25-27 ESV

 

Job 18

·         Has he changed his approach since his last speech (Job chapter 8)

·         How does his list of what happens to the wicked happen to Job?  What does this imply that he thinks of Job?

·         What is his main point?

 

Job 19

·         Why does Job say in verse 2 that they have reproached him 10 times when this is only the fifth time one of his friends have spoken?  Read Genesis 31:7, 41 and Numbers 14:22 for insight into this figure of speech. 

·         How does Job feel about his relationships?

·         Verse 25 is important as it describes Job’s hope in his Redeemer.  As many consider the book of Job one of the oldest books of the Bible, this may be one of the first pictures of Christ expressed!  In Hebrew, the word redeemer (goel) describes one who provides legal protection for a relative that can’t defend themselves.  Look up the following passages and read about redeemers:

o   Leviticus 25:223-25, 47-55

o   Numbers 35:19-27

o   Ruth 4:4-15

o   2 Samuel 14:11

o   1 Kings 16:11

o   Psalm 119:154

o   Proverbs 23:11

o   Jeremiah 50:34

              Based on what you’ve read how does Jesus fulfill the role of Redeemer in our lives?

 

 Job 20

·         How does Zophar support Bildad’s main point in chapter 18?

 

Job 21

·         What is Job’s main question about his experience of suffering expressed in verse 7?

·         According to verse 29, why does this prove that his friends’ perception of life is in error?

 

 

Journal Prompt:  In chapter 19 Job specifically outlines how all the important relationships in his life have failed him most in his time of need.  Have you ever gone through a struggle and felt like there was no one to support you?  Do relationships effect our faith?  Have they affected Job’s?  Read Isaiah 35:3-4, Acts 11:23-24,  1 Thessalonians 5:11-15, and Hebrews 3:12-14 to meditate on why encouragement from others is so helpful.  Consider how you can encourage others in your life?