Scripture Text: Job 25:1-31:40
Memory Verse: “As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.”—Job 27:2-4
Introduction:
The last of the speeches of Job’s comforters turns out to be Bildad the Shuhite. Since Bildad has finally comprehended that a multitude of words will not help, his speech is very short. He only tries to communicate two themes: the greatness of God and the nothingness of man. Bildad’s words are true and beautifully stated, but they are spoken without love and comfort, and so they have not ministered to Job’s needs.
First of all, Job counters Bildad’s argument. Even granting that Job is without power and has no strength or wisdom, how has Bildad helped? His words have been futile, insensitive, and a total description of God’s power in the universe: the evaporation/precipitation cycle; the density of the clouds; the cycle of light and darkness; the storm at sea; and the stars and constellations by which His Spirit has adorned the heavens. Job describes – centuries before science taught it – that God hangs the earth on nothing.
Job’s comforters have not proved their cases – but then neither has Job solved his problem! In Job’s closing monologue, he contrasts his integrity with the doom of the wicked, he lauds the priceless quality of wisdom, and finally he dwells on himself. Job continues to insist on his own honesty, integrity, and righteousness. Job does not defend the wicked, the unrighteous and the hypocrite, for calamity is deserved.
Wisdom and understanding are hidden from the eyes of all living creatures according to Job. To fear God is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding. Job now gives a masterful and nostalgic account of the good old days of his prosperity and honor, and yearns for their return. Through this, he insists that he had not been guilty of any known sin. If any charges against him were written in a book, he would be proud to carry it around.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- Bildad’s speech seems of God, but where is it in error? (Job 25:1-6)
- Job is among the greatest examples of endurance in conviction, adherence to righteousness and perseverance in the faith. Explain in what ways he is an example for believers today? (Job 27:1-23; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Timothy 4:5-8; Philippians 3:8-16; Jude 1:21)
- What does Job mean when he says, “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28)? (Psalm 61:5; Proverbs 1:7)
- What can we learn from Job’s retrospect of the “good old days”? (Job 29:1-25; Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 91:11; 121:7-8) What does God offer all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? (John 15:15; Romans 8:1, 31, 33; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Peter 3:13)
Applying the Word
All God’s people have the experience of Job at some point in their walk with God, a time in which they cry out to God for help and He does not seem to answer them. What can we learn from Job’s experience and the other council of the Bible to help us understand that God is always faithful? (Job 30:20; Matthew 15:21-28; Luke 18:1-7; 1 Peter 1:7; Hebrews 10:32-39; 13:5)