Scripture Text: Job 22:1-24:25
Memory Verse: “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more then my necessary food.”—Job 23:10-12
Introduction:
In the third round, Eliphaz and Bildad conclude their arguments, using a great deal of repetition. Zophar remains silent. Eliphaz’ s questions are designed to show that God doesn’t need Job or anything he has or does, including his blameless ways. Then he launches into a prolonged tirade in which he accuses Job of gross wickedness – taking wrongful pledges from the poor, refusing water to the weary, bread to the hungry, taking land by force and oppressing widows and orphans. The facts were otherwise, for Job had shown great social consciousness and had been generous in his charity. Eliphaz truly has some exquisite words for Job in this his final appeal: “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;” (Job 22:21 NKJV) “Yes, the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver;” (Job 22:25 NKJV) and “so light will shine on your ways” (Job 22:28 NKJV). These words are not only beautiful, but also true – that is for a repentant sinner returning to the Almighty and removing iniquity far from him. The only problem is that Job had not been living in sin.
Job responds with a bitter complaint; if only he could come to God’s throne and find Him. Job is confident that if he could approach the Lord, He would have to admit that Job was righteous and so he would be delivered forever from his Judge. Meanwhile the unique and apparently arbitrary God does whatever His soul desires and Job is afraid of Him, and even terrified, because God has made Job’s heart weak. Since nothing is hidden from the Almighty, Job can’t understand why He doesn’t give the solution to the problem of the wicked’s prosperity to his three friends. In spite of the fact that these wicked sinners should be cursed in the earth and they should be remembered no more, God gives them security. Job maintains that the wicked don’t die any more violently than anyone else.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- Eliphaz appealed to Job with a traditional, yet simplistic, doctrine of repentance: if Job was willing to return to God, to receive instruction from His word, to humble himself and remove sin from his life, and to abandon his trust in earthly things and make God his delight, then God would surely deliver him from all trouble and success would follow his every endeavor. Name at least two errors in Eliphaz’ s theology. Hint: prosperity, motivation, sinfulness (Job 22:1-31; Hebrews 11:37-39; Job 1:9-11)
- Eliphaz named sins that he thought Job must have committed. Explain how the devil works through people to discredit one’s relationship with God. (Job 22:12-20)
- What caused Job to mourn more than the loss of his prosperity and family? (Job 23:1-12; Psalm 42:1-2; 63:1)
- How did Job view his suffering as to a relationship with God? (Job 23:13-17; Genesis 22)
Applying the Word
There were two questions that Job asks; 1) Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment? 2) Why must those who know Him look in vain for such days? (Job 24:1- 25) How can we respond in light of what the Old Testament and the New Testament say about the judgment? (Isaiah 2:12; 3:18; Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16; Hebrews 10:30; 12:23; 1 Peter 4:5; Revelation 20:4)