When God speaks

In our Bible reading for this week, we will finish the book of Job (38-42). Many may be familiar with the first two chapters of the beginning and last part of the book, but not the middle. If you have been keeping up with your Bible reading, you will remember how Job has been wanting to talk to God. In (Job 31:25-27) Job’s language is quite strong when he says, “I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him.” In this last section of the book, Job will get his wish. But it will not be as he thinks.

In (Job 42) Job will say to God, “Then Job answered the LORD and said, ‘I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted….Therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.”

As you read this week consider the thoughts below.

·      (Job 38:1-3): How does God begin to speak to Job? Why do you think He began this way? What was Job to learn as He heard this?

·      (Job 38:5, 21): How is God speaking to Job in these two verses? Why do you think God spoke to Job in this manner?

·      (Job 38:22-23): What did God say that He reserves for times of distress, war, and battle? What Old Testament accounts might come to mind? Consider (Exodus 9:18; Joshua 10:11).

·      (Job 40:1-7): Why do you think God continued to speak and question after already demonstrating His power and wisdom to Him in chapters 38 and 39?

·      (Job 42): At the conclusion of God speaking, do you think Job has had his questions answered? What are we to learn from how God spoke to Job?

·      (Job 42): God speaks to Job’s friends as well. What did He reveal to them? How does this help us as we think about what they had said earlier about the LORD?

·      (Job 42): Why do you think Elihu is not mentioned in the last chapter?

·      At the beginning of the book, we were given details about the early part of Job’s life. The middle of the book showed us his suffering. What does chapter 42 say about the rest of his life? The book of Job is a book that teaches us a great deal about God. As we resume the Psalms next week, what will you take away from this book?