The House You're Building

This week we read Zophar’s perspective on Job’s suffering.   Like the others, Zophar tells him to repent of his hidden sin so that he can be saved from his suffering.   Like the others, Zophar fundamentally misunderstands what repentance means and what it does for us.   True repentance (Gr. “Metanoia”) means a change of mind and purpose and life.   It can mean forsaking sin (Ezekiel 14:6), confessing sin (Luke 15:17-19), and sometimes making restitution for our sin (Luke 19:8).   But, contrary to what Zophar tells Job, repentance of sin will not end suffering.   It will, however, draw us closer to God and allow us to have a full relationship with Him.   Key Verse:   “ Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.”   Job 13:15a   Read Job 11-14   ·          Make a chart comparing Zophar’s accusations and Job’s response.   ·         ...

This next study begins the first discourse between Bildad, one of the three friends in chapter 2 who came to mourn, and Job’s response.     Key Verse:                 Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right? Job 8:3   The key verse today points to a major theme in this section and one that all Christians must come to girps with.   Can we blame God when bad things happen?   Do we think He is vindictive and spiteful?   Allowing thoughts like this can give Satan many opportunities about God’s love for us.   Let us look carefully today into Job as we continue to wrestle internally with these questions.       Read chapters 8-10 and answer the following questions:   ·          What is Bildad’s main point?   What does he believe caused Job’s suffering? ·  ...

A friend’s counsel and comfort can be much needed during times of trial.   Someone who has gone through similar circumstances can help sustain us with support and wisdom.   However, everyone is shaped by their experiences.   Experiences affect our perception on life and influence how we react to certain circumstances.   But our perceptions aren’t always true and our reactions aren’t always right.   Therefore, while we can accept a friend’s counsel, comfort and support, we must always measure it by what is true -   God’s Holy Word.   For only God’s Word can provide us with infallible truth every time.   This week we begin reading the first of several conversations between Job and his friends regarding each of their accounts of why Job was facing such calamity.   As you read Eliphaz’s explanation for Job’s suffering, compare it with (1) what you know from reading chapters 1 and 2; and (2) what you know about God’s character.   As...

  Key Verse:   Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips .     Job 2:9-10   This week, Job will lose more than just his family and material wealth, which would be enough to destroy anyone’s faith! He will have to give up his physical health.   Yet this too God allows to reveal Job’s faithfulness.   When I think of my life, I realize I have little to complain about compared to what he suffered.   I like Job long to respond to tragedy with faith.   And like Peter to say:   But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed .   1 Peter 4:13   Read Job 2 ·         Like last week,...

We count those blessed who endured.   You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings,   that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.                                                                                                                         James 1:5              ...