Day 009 (Job 21-23) - Year 7
The Bible Recap
Deep Dive
What is the main error in the mindset of Job's friends as described in the podcast?
Job's friends believe that suffering is always a direct result of personal sin or wrongdoing. They think that if someone is righteous, they will prosper, and if they are wicked, they will suffer. This mindset assumes a transactional relationship with God, where good deeds guarantee a happy life, which is a flawed understanding of God's justice and grace.
What does Job point out about the prosperity of wicked people in chapter 21?
Job observes that wicked people often prosper, amassing fortunes and living their dream lives while cursing God. He highlights the reality that prosperity is not a reliable indicator of one's righteousness or the state of their heart, challenging the simplistic view that good behavior always leads to success and happiness.
How does Job's story reframe the way we view trials and God's goodness?
Job's story shifts the perspective on trials from being seen as punishments to opportunities for growth and reliance on God. It emphasizes that God's kindness leads us to repentance and that His ways are beyond human understanding. This reframing helps us let go of notions of fairness and what we think we deserve, focusing instead on God's sovereignty and goodness.
What does Eliphaz imply in his speech in chapter 22, and how does it contrast with Job's attitude?
Eliphaz implies that his words are directly from God and suggests that agreeing with God will bring peace and good. This contrasts sharply with Job's humility and his desire to plead his case before God. Eliphaz's self-assured tone lacks humility, while Job acknowledges God's sovereignty even in his suffering.
What does Job's statement in chapter 23 reveal about his trust in God despite his circumstances?
In chapter 23, Job expresses his trust in God's presence and work, even though he cannot perceive Him. He acknowledges God's unchangeable nature and sovereignty, stating, 'He is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.' This shows Job's deep faith and surrender to God's will, despite his fear and lack of understanding.
What key insight does the podcast provide about God's work in our lives?
The podcast emphasizes that God is always at work, even when we cannot see or understand what He is doing. It highlights the importance of trusting in God's control and activity, even in the midst of trials and uncertainties. This insight encourages believers to surrender their desire for answers and rely on God's sovereignty.
- Job's friends wrongly assumed that suffering is punishment for wickedness.
- Job points out the prosperity of the wicked, challenging the idea of a direct correlation between actions and outcomes.
- The chapter underscores the importance of grace and mercy in understanding God's dealings with humanity.
Shownotes Transcript
Hey, Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble, and I'm your host for The Bible Recap. Yesterday, we wrapped up round two of all three of Job's friends advising him. He's now heard six speeches from them. And today, our reading opened with Job's reply to Zophar's second speech. His friends have been trying to point out that since all these bad things have happened to him, it must be because he's acting wickedly somehow.
This kind of thinking is embedded in our nature. Have you noticed that? The idea that if you do good things, God will give you what you want. If you do bad things, God will punish you. When things don't go your way, do you ever wonder if God is punishing you? Maybe it's because of that bad thing you did. Or if you can't think of anything you've done wrong to earn this treatment from him, you may start to wonder why he's not holding up his end of the bargain.
If you're not careful, you may find yourself living out of the same mindset Job's friends had, thinking that if you walk uprightly with God, you can use that as a bargaining chip to get what you want from Him. Because surely good works equal a happy life, right? Job's story points out the error in our thinking, and it also points out the true wickedness that lies at the heart of our motives when we try to use God as a means to our desired end.
In chapter 21, Job offers a rebuttal to his friend's claims. When he's talking about the wicked, he says, "...they say to God, depart from us. We do not desire the knowledge of your ways. What is the Almighty that we should serve Him?" Then he marvels. "...behold, is not their prosperity in their hand?" You don't have to look very far to see wicked people prospering. They amass fortunes and live their dream lives, all the while cursing God.
The reality Job brings to light here is that our lot in life is not a good way to determine the state of our heart. Good things do happen to wicked people. You've probably witnessed a lot of the same things Job mentions here. Maybe you've even been frustrated by them too, wondering, why do wicked people prosper? It doesn't seem fair.
But if you remember what we've learned about grace and mercy and what we think we deserve, you realize just how much we don't want what's fair. In the grand scheme of things, don't you want God to call you out of your sin? Do you want to wander off into callousness, doing whatever you want with no regard for God like the wicked people Job describes here? If you want to walk closely with God, you can see that it's His kindness that prompts us to repent.
When I see that God actually lets these wicked people have their way for getting him all together, that's what punishment looks like to me. Not the troubles I encounter that teach me to rely on God and help conform me to his image. Job's story reframes the way I view trials and punishment and God's goodness. It rids me of any notion I have of fairness or what I deserve. After Job responds, we start in with round three of the responses from his three friends—
Eliphaz speaks again, and he even implies that his words are straight from God. In 2221, he says, "'Agree with God and be at peace. Thereby good will come to you.'" Yikes, Eliphaz, that's pretty self-assured. There's no humility in that reply. In chapter 23, Job laments the distance of God. He wants to plead his case before God. And frankly, if I were him and I just listened to all these things from my friends, I'd just want to talk to God too.
In the middle of Job's lament, he said something that jumped out at me. In 23.8-9, he said, I think it's really interesting that Job trusts that God is there at work in the midst of this, even though he doesn't perceive Him anywhere. In 23.14, he says,
Honestly, Job is terrified of what those things might be. Maybe you've been there, expecting him to do the worst, anticipating that because you hate cold weather, he's going to send you to be a missionary in Siberia because he's cruel like that. Despite his fear, Job still doesn't curse God. He continues to yield to him and acknowledge his sovereignty. In 2313, he says, "'He is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.'"
Job wrestles with his own lack of control. It almost seems like he's despairing, but at the same time acknowledging God's ultimate control over his life. Where did you see God's character on display today? What was your God shot?
Today, I most loved the reminder that he is at work even when I can't see what's going on. He's still in control. He's still active. Even though I may have to wrestle with myself over my fears of what may come, and I may have to surrender my desire to have all the answers, it's evident that he's at work. Job knows it. I know it.
On the left hand, when he is working, I do not behold him. Job knows God is working, and Job wants to talk to God. Maybe, probably just for answers, and maybe, probably to try to make a point. But hopefully, a little bit of what's built into his desire to talk to God
is the knowledge that God gets him when none of his friends do, and that God actually knows what's happening and isn't just guessing, and that God has the way out and is going to bring the resolution. I think that deep down, Job knows. He's where the joy is. ♪
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