Lesson
5
Scripture:
Job
29:1-31:40
Main Idea: Job is
reflecting on his life
In chapters 29, 30 and
31 Job struggles with his past and his present in trying to understand what has
happened to him. He begins by lamenting (I like that word, it replaces whining)
about what life used to be like. He
talks about the wealth he used to enjoy and the respect of the people around
him who sought out his consul. In our world today we also seek out those
who seem to have it all together and who are successful in their jobs, lives
and the world. Often we look to them to determine how to get our own lives in
order. As Job talks about all he used to have, it would seem that he misses it
and desires to have it again. Is that the case? Does he desire wealth about everything
else? He begins a discussion if you would that would make one argue that Job is
James, defining himself not by his faith but by his works. He reminds us that
it is he who used to be listened to and respected. Now he begins in chapter 30
to deal with the world that he now must live in. A world where the children of
those Job once despised in life, now spit on him and pick on him. I cannot help
but think of the line that tells us that people kick you when you are down.
That seems to sum up Job’s speech in chapter 30. Those whom he lifted up, fed, nourished and clothed are now the ones
who are first to kick him, taunt him and beat him. Do we are a society
really pick on those who have been successful fall? There is an American saying
that we always root for the underdog. Is this not the human nature that we see
showing itself through in chapter 30?
What is
interesting in the midst of chapter 30 is the emotion of Job’s response. He
doesn’t just whine about his situation, rather he expresses in graphic detail
how the world has turned against him. I wonder if this dialogue is more pointed
at us than his actual situation. That is
to say that God wants us to see through Job’s suffering how humanity treats
each other in times of dire circumstances. Especially the people whose
lives have been the subject of our jealousy or desire. And in the midst of this
Job turns his eyes upon God. Why have you cast me down the way that you have?
Why are you being so cruel to me? Rather than the storm of justice I expect from
God, Job says I find myself in the midst of a greater storm where I am the
enemy rather than your friend.
In chapter
31 he again argues his righteousness. His life was wonderful, now it is
horrible and yet I have not done anything wrong. Then the goes so far as to
list the sins of his day. They are:
lust, committing evil acts against others, lying, abandoning his faith,
adultery, cruelty or indifference to slaves, not doing anything about the
suffering of the poor, putting wealth before God, idolatry, hatred,
indifference, hypocrisy, or stealing. As we look at this list, is Job
trying to justify himself or reflect on his life in order to understand what is
happening to him? Is this a discussion of a righteous man wronged or a man
trying to find what wrong he has done? In our day, there are those who will
quickly remind you if you are troubled that you have committed some sin against
God and if you figure out what you did and ask forgiveness your suffering will
go away. What do you think?
This part
ends with the words, “The words of Job are ended.” But I really think it ends
with the next line in chapter 32 which says, “So these three men ceases to
answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.” What does this mean to
you?
Questions
Answer the following questions in discussion group:
1.
Job
laments about his past, how does that maybe bring him comfort or pain?
2.
How
does your past affect your present?
3.
Job’s
critique of himself serves what purpose?
4.
Job
compares himself to the list of sins of his day. Do we do the same?
5.
Is
the list different in our day?
6.
What
is the worst sin according to Job?
7.
“I’d
give anything to have my youth back” is an expression we have all heard. Would
you?
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