Joab's Fire Chapter 29 Discussion Question

In this chapter, we learn of the past between Abbadon and Joab. We learn of the victory Joab's father had over Abbadon, and we can see that perhaps Abbadon seeks revenge on Joab.

Like Satan who thought himself higher than God, so Abbadon thought himself higher than Joab's father. As Satan rebelled against God and caused others to rebel against God, so Abbadon caused the other farmmworkers to rebel against Joab's father. This isn't a perfect picture, but pride, envy and greed originate with the father of lies.

When we, as God's children experience a time of testing, I have no doubt that at times Satan instigates it. In his war on God, he takes vengeance out on us.

This is something to keep in mind when you see others suffer without a reason or struggle with a fault they seem to not overcome.  

We will look at two characters today: Job and Eliphaz. Then we will look at Lazarus' death.

Job 1:1 tells us that Job:

"...was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil."

v. 3 "...this man was the greatest of all the men in the east."

Job was concerned about his family's relationship with God and interceded on their behalf. He was so good that he became the center of conversation between Satan and God, but God had so much faith in him, that God was willing to prove to Satan Job's faithfulness. And Job proved himself worthy of that faith. 

v. 22 "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."

Then Satan comes again. God says to him in Job 2:3

"...Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause."

Those are great words of praise coming from the Almighty, Holy God. But Satan asks to test Job again, and God demonstrates His faith in Job's faithfulness by letting Satan go at him.

In 2:10b we read:

"...In all this did not Job sin with his lips."

Job's suffering didn't end after verse 10. Verse 11 says:

"Now when Job's three friends..."

Enter Eliphaz and his friends.

After Job's friends had their say, God speaks, reveals Himself to Job in a way Job hadn't fully considered before. Not that Job didn't know that God was the all powerful Creator, the All-knowing, Everlasting Lord. Job did. We can see this through his conversations with his friends. But that knowledge and understanding deepened through this trial.

The study question for this chapter is: What wrongdoing did God say Job's friends committed? What did God want them to do? 

Read Job 42:7.

"And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath." Job 42:7

What did Job speak about God that was right? We could look through the book of Job and see many things. Job understood that God was not putting him through this because of sin. Job didn't know why God allowed all this tragedy to happen to him, but he didn't count God evil for it. At the end, when God revealed Himself to Job, Job's response was:

"I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. 

"Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 

"...I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee." Job 42:2-3, 5

Job's depth of knowledge of God increased because of the ordeal he had endured, and he admitted that he did not know as much of God as he thought.

I think of Paul's prayer for the Ephesians:

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 

"The eyes of your understanding enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 

"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 

"Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:" Eph. 1:17-21

The church of Ephesus would suffer much but in that suffering, they would gain wisdom and knowledge and understanding.

So what wrong did Eliphaz and his friends commit? 

There are many things these men said, but we will look at only a couple.

They believed that Job suffered because of some sin he committed. They believed that Job was experiencing the judgment of God. They had placed God in a box and were attempting to make Job adhere to the god they had fit in that box.

But let's look a little closer at one incident.

What did Eliphaz the Temanite say to Job? (Job 4:3-7)

"Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

"But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. 

"Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope and the uprightness of thy ways?

"Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?"

In essence, he said, "Your turn has come because you are not as innocent or righteous as you claim. Your evil has been found out." 

We all go through dark moments in our lives. Even the strongest of Christians with the greatest of faith will be tested and will appear in our eyes to be failing the test. We'll look at them and begin to judge. "She really isn't as spiritual as I thought she was." "She's not practicing what she preached." "I've lost all respect for her because she is still dealing with that thing she should have gotten over years ago."

We judge without mercy. We withhold grace. We measure them with a rod that we could not stand to be measured against. I know. I'm guilty of doing the same thing from time to time. I hope those I've done this to can forgive me.

Life contains a series of steps. Each step gains us a little more knowledge, a little more understanding, a little more depth of faith. We might be able to say to another, "You should do this, or you should do that," like Eliphaz said Job did, and we speak legal truth. 

However, when we are touched by an infirmity, and the same truth applies to us, we may not have the strength to do as we would have counseled another. Eliphaz was wrong to throw Job's counsel back in his face.  Through this trial, God deepened Job's understanding of the truths he had shared with others. This Eliphaz did not understand.

Have you ever considered that perhaps Eliphaz may have been one of the people Job had instructed and strengthened? Even if not him personally, clearly Eliphaz had seen Job do it and seen the response. 

We need to be careful not to let the value of a person diminish in our eyes when she shares a heartache or a fault with us. When someone opens up her heart and reveals the scars or the wounds she has, we must be careful to not let that turn our admiration or respect we might have for them. Instead, it should draw out our compassion. We should understand that God tests each person's faith in ways that we will never understand. We should understand that we don't understand God fully.

We need to be careful because the weakness we see in another might very well reveal our own lack of understanding of God. What we say to that person who is hurt and suffering may be seen by God as ungracious, unmerciful, unjust. We need to always speak with the law of kindness guiding our tongue.

Let's look at what Jesus did when  someone He loved suffered in order for the Son of God to be glorified.

Take the time to read on your own John 11.

Jesus stated the purpose of Lazarus's illness: that the Son of God might be glorified. He even stated that the sickness was not unto death, but Lazarus did die. And the Bible says that Jesus loved Martha and Mary.

Yet, Jesus did not come when He received word. He waited.

Martha and Mary suffered. Lazarus suffered. 

Martha meets Jesus and wonders why Jesus didn't come to heal Lazarus.

Jesus' answer: "Thy brother shall rise again."

Note the kind words. He didn't say, "Well, Lazarus suffered because of sin." He didn't say, "Well, God is going to be glorified by this." He simply reassured her that all will be well.

Martha assumed Jesus met Lazarus would rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 

Jesus took the time to assure her in her faith, to deepen her faith in Himself. So we need to strength the faith of someone who suffers loss or hurt. We need to remind them of the eternal life we have in Christ.

When Mary came to Jesus, weeping. He groaned in the spirit, was troubled, and wept. No doubt, Jesus felt her pain.

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15

Jesus did not scold Mary for lacking faith. Even when Martha questioned Jesus' request to take away the stone where Lazarus was buried, He reminded her to believe and wait to see God's glory. So should we do for those who are enduring a trial. 

God told Eliphaz and his friends to go to Job with an offering and have Job pray for them.

I'm sure each of us have been miserable comforters to someone at some point in our lives. Praise be to God, that we can go to Jesus, our High Priest, and receive forgiveness. Because of Jesus' great sacrifice, we have forgiveness, we are covered, we can boldly approach the throne of God.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 11:16

Joab’s Fire Chapter 28 Discussion Question

Discussion Question #2 

In this chapter, Sarah returns to Joab. They begin to discuss Abbadon. Joab asks her, “He thought to bring me harm through you, didn’t he?”

Earlier Abbadon had tempted Sarah to leave Joab for another man, but Sarah remembered the godly man Joab was. She remembered how Joab had been her spiritual leader. Because of God, she ran from temptation.

When temptation comes, what should our response be? First we need to understand what temptation is. What is temptation?

• Anything that has the potential to turn our hearts and minds away from God. 
• Something that entices or allures us from God.

In the Middle Ages, temptation was often referred to as a testing.

The Greek word used in the New Testament for temptation (in Matthew 26:41; James 1:12; I Timothy 6:9 and other verses) means an experiment, attempt, trial or proving.

Think about it. How many times have we fallen because we’ve want to experiment with something? Or how many times have we been tempted and resisted, thus proving our faith in God?

We often equate temptation with sin, but the two are not equal. Temptation can happen without sin, but sin comes as a result of temptation.

How should we respond to temptation? By obeying God.

However, sometimes we don’t know how to walk in obedience to God through the situation facing us.

We should never forget God’s grace is with us, even when we fear we’ve made a mistake, or acted without full understanding of the situation. Isn’t it wonderful to know that when we stumble as Christians, God will help us? 

Psalms 37:23-24 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” 

 By God’s grace we will not experience eternal damnation and often we find God having mercy on us in the middle of the crisis.

Temptation is more than just an alluring of some physical act (stealing, lying, adultery, etc). Temptation involves the mind, the will, your deepest desires—it involves your heart. You might resist stealing, but continue to covet. You might tell the truth, but your pride resists the consequences of the truth. You might not resist committing adultery, but you dream about the man in the romance novel you just read and wish your husband was just like him…thus evoking ill-will toward your husband. To resist temptation you need to also control your thoughts and feelings.

James 4:1a
“From whence come wars and fighting among you?...” 

“Wars” is a word picture. When we have a dispute or strife or quarrel, it is like being at war with another. I’m sure you’ve seen two or more people hold a grudge against each other and every encounter results in a fight. That is being at war.

The Greek word for ‘fighting’ is ‘mache’ (reminds me of a machete). It figuratively means controversy. This word focuses more on individuals whose nature is to be at variance or contentious. You know the kind. They are always looking for an argument. If you say ‘nay’ they say ‘yea’. I wonder if any of Job’s friends who visited him in his illness were like this.

What does James say causes these wars and fightings? 

James 4:1b “come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” 

What does this have to do with temptation? Remember how we define temptation as anything that has potential to turn your heart or mind away from God. Remember how we said that temptation involves your thoughts and your will? These are your lusts that war in your members. If you are fighting with a brother or sister in the Lord is your mind on God?

I think if we examine ourselves closely, we may find that our pride has entered into the situations we face. Often peace comes when we humbly accept the situation and chose not to fight for our rights or fight for what we perceive as truth, and allow God to be our avenger.

Why did Sarah Black run away in the first place? She lost everything she’d ever worked for. Her heart was set on success in the eyes of people, not on God. However, when she turned back to God, she began to realize her mistake. She began to see that she had sought to find security via the wrong source. See page 101: 

“She looked into the eyes of the man whose strength had been hers for so many years. But he was not to be her strength, was he? She had relied on him, not God. No man could be the perfect protector and provider.” 

My husband seems to have a knack for knowing what technology stock will do well when. However, I can get quite fearful when he says, purchase such and such stock. Each time, I have to remember that God is ultimately in control and willingly submit to that purchase. I must submit to my husband and trust God to be in control. This is a testing…a temptation. Will I be willing to submit and not say, ‘I told you so’ if the stock loses money? Will I be willing to not constantly badger him with negative thoughts? My thoughts (or worries) and will are all a part of that ‘temptation’.

Resisting temptation is more than just the physical act. It is in the mind, the will—in other words, in your heart. It means determining to trust God even when you can’t see the outcome, and trusting God can mean doing what the world would say is entirely wrong.

Job’s wife said: 

“…Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die.” Job 2:9 

Many people will tell you similar things. "Do what is easiest." "Go for instant gratification." Many will tell you, "God’s grace is sufficient" (and indeed, it is). But their encouragement to rely on God’s grace is often founded upon a misconception of what that grace is. As a result, it becomes a stumbling block, keeping you from obeying God by trusting Him to take care of you.

Job’s friends wanted him to admit to sin Job hadn’t committed. They did not understand that God intended Job’s trial for good, not evil, not judgment.

Sarah needed to come to the point of understanding she must fully rely on God.

We need to be brought to that same understanding. When we are facing a harsh situation, when we are in dire straits, don’t give up on God. Keep obeying. Keep submitting to Him. Keep trusting Him. And do this through continuous prayers, Godly fellowship, and study of God’s Word.

Joab's Fire Chapter 27 Discussion Question

As Christians we have a clear advantage over the world. We have God. And because we are saved, we have no reason to fear the "evil tidings" of this world.

In this world, we simply need to please God--in each moment and every situation. It is a conscious decision that comes from knowing our position with God is secure and believing that position is the only one worth having.

Psalms 112:7 "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his
heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord."

Note the lack of fear in the righteous man. Note that it comes because his heart is fixed and trusting in God. Fear comes only when we allow our heart to trust in something or someone other than God.

In chapter 27 where was Sarah finding solace?

In God. In God's eternal nature. In eternity.

Let's spend some time focusing on God, looking at who He is through the eyes of David, a man after God's own heart.

Consider David. He was anointed to be king by Samuel, but before he would obtain that promise, he would go through many trials.

• He would have spears thrown at him by the one he served.
• He would run for his life.
• He would be betrayed by kinsmen.
• He would have his wife taken from him and given to another.
• He would have family and all his possessions robbed of him by the Amalekites.
• His best friend and the king he loved and served would be killed.

No one can deny that David had experienced some of the worst of life. But through those trials, David learned to trust God. He learned to quench some of his natural desires, like vengeance. And he learned to wait for the Lord's timing. The day did come when Saul no longer chased David, and David then became king. At this time, He wrote Psalm 8. Read this psalm.

Psalm 8:1 "O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens."

Consider this: LORD in the Hebrew is Yehovah (Jehovah), which means "the existing One." Think about it. God does exist. In fact, without Him, nothing else would exist. Someday sit back and consider this simple fact - God is the existing One, from whom all things were created.

Those who don't know God, can't claim that their 'god' is the existing one. "Existing" means to have life or animation. Does the Universe, in itself have life? It contains life that God created but it does not exist as a separate being. Can you call the government, the existing one? No. It cannot exist without people. It's glory can't be set above the heavens. Can the saints or Mary be called the "existing one"? No. They are a poor substitute for God.

We spend so much time questioning God. Why is this happening to me? Why must I go through this? Why won't you take this away? Questioning is a natural part of the growing process. Children ask questions to learn. When we go through a trial, asking questions is not wrong...it is what we do after the question, how we react to the answers (or lack of answers) that determines our faith.

However, those questions should be accompanied by a desire to better understand God...a deep desire we may not even be able to verbalize. When these trials come, focusing on the Existing One and His attributes helps to turn our thoughts from providing our own negative answers for our own questions.

When fear of the unknown grips us. When we are afraid someone will find out our shameful secrets. When we are wrongfully judged. When we battle with temptation. When we hurt. Before we come to the end of our ability to cope--focus on the Existing One, our Lord.

Lord, in lower case letters, refers to a master. In the context of the culture of that time, this master refers
to the superintendent of a household and also to a husband. It is a general recognition of superiority.

In those days you couldn't just quit a job when your master seemed unreasonable. You had to persevere. You didn't have a complaints department to go to when you didn't think you were treated fairly.

Having a master meant you had little to no choice in your lot in life. You might say, your master had
sovereign rule over your life.

Yes, there were rebellious servants, but rebellion usually led to some pretty harsh punishments.

Generally speaking, you did what you were told without complaining.

When facing your current trial, are you allowing God to be your master? Are you willing to accept the lot God has given you in your life? Are you willing to submit to your Master?

In Psalm 8, what things can we find that God has done?

• (v.2) ordained strength out of the mouths of babes and sucklings - something man would generally not consider doing.
• (v. 3) created the heavens, the moon the stars.
• (v.4-5) Created man

What has David say about man in this psalm?

• That he is lower than the angels, but God crowned him with glory and honor. Think about this for a minute. God didn't create you to be abused or misused or to be victims in any way. God created you for His glory - He crowned you with glory and honor - even if others don't see that. That glory and honor is for Him. Don't allow yourself to develop a victim mentality where you see yourself as worse than dirt. That wasn't what God intended for you. Even if people treat you that way, you aren't here for them. 

You exist for God. Bring Him glory and honor. Be like David and wait on God to put you in the position He desires for you.

• That God made him to have dominion over creation. Not the other way around. God sees us put us in a position above creation. Why can we have rule over creation? Because we are created in God's image--we have abilities to create and make moral decisions that no other creature can make. Here again, we see how God esteems us. He esteemed us enough to give us such a responsibility to have dominion over creation. Don't let man make you think you are of less value than creation. You are of greater value.

So this Master, who is superior to us gave us a lot of responsibility. He has crowned us with glory and honor.

What does that tell us about God and how He views us even when we face trials? The trials are not about us. They are about God and us glorifying God through even the worst of conditions. They are not about our comforts and getting what we want. They are about us growing in our faith and in doing so, giving testimony to God--a testimony that is lived out in our actions, our demeanor, our thoughts.

Go back to David. He wrote this psalm after he spent time on the run. After his wife was taken from him. After his kinsmen turned against him. After being robbed of his family and possessions. He endured all this and then saw that God found value in him.

When you are going through your trial, do you wonder if God sees you? Do you wonder if God values you?

We often talk about humbling ourselves, seeing who we are in light of who God is. And we conclude that we
are nothing and God is everything. Which is right and true.

However, we need to also recognize that God, in His infinite wisdom gave us responsibilities. Lifted us up to
a place we don't deserve. He saw value in us. Value enough to die in order to redeem us.

So when we are in the midst of that storm, that Almighty, All powerful, Existing One we need to remember that He has a plan. Our existence has a purpose. God does value us. Not as we value ourselves, but in His perfect and sovereign way.

So what should we do with this knowledge?

• Work the work. Keep right on walking the walk and talking the talk. Don't stop trusting, don't stop praising, don't stop seeking God.  Don't let those trials turn your faith
• Don't give up on God (don't curse God and die)
• And remember this time on earth is a mere drop in the bucket compared to all eternity.

A few practical notes about trusting God when normal
people fear:

• Fixing your heart to trust God requires blocking out thoughts that would cause you to fear. This takes a great deal of mental and emotional energy. Rely on God to give you that energy, and you will have peace during that time.
• Trusting God through an extended trial means spending more time with Him on a more intimate level - key word is time. Clear away any distractions so that you can have that time.
• Rest. Some situations make this almost impossible. God will carry you through. Rest is not always physical, but can be mental and emotional as well. Rest becomes a state of mind. A determination not to let anything still your peace. Prayer can give you rest. Quiet time with God can give you rest. And as soon as you are able, give your physical body rest as well.
• Rely on the Holy Spirit to meet you where you are at. In jail, as He did for Paul, on the battle field, as He did for David. In the storm, as He did with Peter.

Joab's Fire Chapter 26 Discussion Question

Psalm 18:2 "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

In this chapter, where did Sarah turn to when she realized she needed strength?

She went to the Bible and then to a quiet place where she could pour out her heart to God.

When we are walking through the fires of our trials, speaking these words out loud and in our hearts and minds helps us fight off thoughts of despair and hopelessness. God's Word is living and powerful and when we quote it, we can find He speaks to our hearts.

Psalm 103:20 "Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word."

How do you excel in strength?

By listening to God and obeying His commandments.

How can you listen to God?

• Reading the Bible
• Going to church
• Listening to Godly counsel
• Through the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart - that still small voice - in your quiet time with God, when you are praying and worshiping Him, He meets with you and communes with your spirit.

When hardships come our way, do we need to know why God allowed them?

No. If God wishes to reveal the reason to us, all praise and glory to Him. Sometimes knowing why will help correct something in our lives, but not always will we know or have a full understanding. This is when we must trust God.

Let's look at Psalm 139.

David in this psalm acknowledges God's complete understanding and knowledge of him. He also acknowledges God's omnipresence. There is no place David could go that God wouldn't be there with him.

In our trials we need to remember God. What He knows. Where He is (everywhere). And how much He cares about us.

Psalm 139:5 "Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thin hand upon me."

The word, 'beset' means to press with siege, to besiege a city for example.

When a city was besieged, people couldn't escape. The gates to the city were locked. The city surrounded by the enemy. To attempt to leave the city would mean certain death.

David uses 'beset' metaphorically here showing that he cannot get away from God.

In verses 8-10, David shows how God has 'beset' him.

 "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

If you don't believe God, these verses hold no comfort.

If you don't trust god, these verses merely state facts.

But if you trust God is good, if you trust God's love for you is pure, if you believe that God will fulfill His promise to take care of you and provide you--even if you must wait for that distant hope of eternity, His presence becomes a powerful source of encouragement and fortitude.

Psalm 139:10 "Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

 We don't have to go it alone. Look for God's hand. He's holding it out to you. Don't look at the waves and the wind, as Peter did. Look for God's hand.

How do you look for God's hand?

Look for anything good, because all good things come from God. Stop and pray and worship God and remember His goodness in the past. Immerse yourself in His Word and in worship music that honors Him.

And call out to Him. He is ready to hear you.

Here is a verse I taught to my children when they were toddlers.

Psalm 56:3 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."

 Psalm 139:17 "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! great is the sum of them!"

 God does care. He is in-tune with what is happening to you moment by moment. He has chosen to save you through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. why then would He chose to forget you when you need Him most?

If His love for you was great enough to die for you, His love for you is great enough to see you through this trial you face.

Our response should be as David's in Psalm 139:23-24.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Joab’s Fire chapter 25 Discussion Question

Job 7:20-21
"I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?
"And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be."

We, in our limited understanding, often misjudge a person and a situation. Sarah fell into temptation. She had run from her responsibility and longed to return to her former life. She dwelt upon what she once had, even as the Israelites did when they feared entering the Promised Land.

At the end of Job 7, Job confesses and wonders why God doesn’t pardon him. Last study we looked at how often we confess just to get out of the punishment, but confession without repentance cannot change things.

The testing of our faith often comes when we feel overwhelmed and begin to long for what we once had or for what we think we should have. Sometimes we step into a trial, even as Job did, and do not waiver in our faith until we’ve walked in that trial for a period of time.

Job had suffered the loss of his children. He obviously cared about their relationship with God.

Job 1:5
“And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.”

How cruel of Bildad to say, “If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgressions;” Job 8:4

Sometimes well-meaning people say things that increase our sorrow. They do not have full understanding of the situation. They pass judgment (though if you asked them, they would deny it).

What Bildad said could very well be true, but it was heartless. I’m sure Bildad was well-intentioned, but lacked sympathy.

Read Job 8:5-7
“If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
“If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
“Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” What did Bildad think Job should do? Seek God “betimes” and make his “supplication to the Almighty.”

“Betimes” means to seek earnestly, diligently. The Hebrew word is “shachar” which literally means “to dawn.” Figuratively it means to be up early at any task with the implication of earnestness. The picture is of a person breaking into or prying into something at the earliest opportunity.

So Bildad is telling Job that he needs to in earnest seek to break into God’s presence.
“Supplication” means to implore. The picture is of a mighty person bending down to show kindness to a lower person.

Bildad is telling Job to beseech or implore God for His kindness and mercy.

Like Job hadn’t done that.

Job 6:8 “Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!”

Job didn’t ask what Bildad thought Job should ask. Job asked for death.

He saw death as comfort (Job 6:9). Bildad wanted Job to ask for the trouble to go away.

Job did not feel comforted by his friends (Job 16:2 “…miserable comforters are ye all.”). He seemed almost angry with them—I know I would be. When the time of Job’s testing was done, God spoke to Eliphaz:

“…My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
“Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.” Job 42:7-8

God knew where Job was at in his knowledge of God at the beginning of his trial and at the end of his trial. Job’s knowledge wasn’t perfect, but he did seek to know the truth, and when God answered him, Job humbled himself and received the lesson God set out to teach him.

Job had another act that God expected him to perform. He needed to intercede on the behalf of his friends.
Bitterness could have settled into Job’s heart. He could have thought, “They were mean to me. I want no more to do with them.” But if he had taken that action, he would have shown that he had not truly humbled himself.

He could have refused to pray for his friends as a form of vengeance, but he did not. By praying for his friends, he acted out his forgiveness.

AFTER Job prayed for his friends, God gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).
During our times of trials people will hurt us with their words. Like Job’s friends, they may be well-intentioned, but lacking in understanding and humility.

However, if we wish to honor God with our lives, if we have truly humbled ourselves, if we do truly trust God, then we will forgive those people and will pray for them.

Nothing is ever just about the physical. The spiritual is always a part of every situation. If we fail to recognize that spiritual aspect, we fail to find the blessings hidden in the fire and in the flood.

When I remember to trust in God, that He would avenge me if need be, that I can walk through the fire because eternal rest and comfort and peace lay on the other side, I find peace on this side.

Job did call out to God. God answered him. Job humbled himself, and he prayed for his friends. Then God blessed him.

We can be angry for how people treat us when we are hurting, but that anger demonstrates first that we are not trusting God, second that we are not humbling ourselves, and third that we are not forgiving and praying. We will receive the blessings of heaven, but while we walk in this life, we need to trust God, remain humble, and be willing to forgive and pray for others.

Joab's Fire Chapter 24 Discussion Question

Compare Job’s words in Job 7:20-21 with his words in Job 40:4-5 and 42:1-6.

Job 7:20-21 "I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

"And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be."

Job 40:4-5 "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

"Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further."

 Job 42:1-6 "Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

"I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

"Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

"Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

"Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

In Job 7 what was his attitude toward God? He still wondered why God “had it in for him.” AND he saw that his perceived lack of God's forgiveness made him a burden to himself...note the focus here. He's not making his confession about God. He's making it about himself.

In Job 40 how did Job see himself? Vile. Job is now beginning to see himself in a different light...he's getting a sense that perhaps all that happens is not about him. His suffering is not about him.

Sometimes my husband gets cranky and withdraws a little. Along I come and say, "I'm sorry. Why are you upset with me?" And he'll huff and say, "It's not about you." And it isn't. He's in pain and is trying to cope, and here I am making it all about me.

Sometimes people lash out at us, and we seek cover thinking we've done something to offend....but it isn't about us. It's about them and often about their relationship with God.

The point is we need to get our eyes off of ourselves and onto God. When our eyes are on God, then we will see in our perifery vision, others...and often God shows us their needs.

When we stop witnessing or stop being another's friend because we think they are angry with us, it is a pretty good indication that we're making the situation about us. God showed Job that his suffering was about God. That God was greater than Job. That God could do whatever He wanted because He is superior; He is the Creator.

Hardships in our lives are not about us. Yes, we feel it. Yes, we must trudge through it. But they are not about us. And until we can look past ourselves to the greater picture, to the eternal hope we will experience one day, we'll be like Job and wonder why God has made our lives so full of burdens.

In Job 42 how did Job see God? As capable of doing everything and knowing all things.

How did Job see himself? As foolish.

What did Job do when he understood who God was and himself? He abhorred himself and repented.

In Job 7, Job was confessing with the intention of having God change how He was treating Job. “why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself? And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity?” This is confession without repentance. Have you ever admitted to doing wrong in order to get out of the punishment?

Job needed to see himself and see God in truth.

There is a progression:

God answered him and revealed Himself to Job, comparing Job to Himself.

Job’s response was to cover his mouth. He was getting a picture of himself and it wasn’t the one he had previously.

God answers him again, revealing Himself through His creation.

Finally in Job 42, Job’s heart reaches the point of truth, and he repents. Sometimes the trials we face reveal things to us, reveals our lack of understanding, our lack of knowledge, our lack of experience, and where our pride lies.

In your life, has God at sometime revealed to you a lack of understanding of Who He is and who you are?

King Saul sought David’s life, because he did not want to accept the consequences of his sin. In I Samuel 15, when Samuel confronted Saul about not obeying God in how he smote the Amalekites, Saul respond:

“And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me that I may worship the LORD.”

Sure Saul saw that he sinned, but he wasn’t remorseful. He didn’t understand the depth of his sin. And instead of asking God to pardon his sin, he asks Samuel to pardon his sin and join him.

God rejects Saul. Saul doesn’t accept the consequences of his sin. We see this because he seeks to kill David and hold onto his kingdom.

The Holy Spirit communes with us, revealing to us the sins we have in our heart. Confessing our sins is good, but we need to repent of them. We need to see those sins as God sees them. Yes, if we believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again—if we’ve put our trust in Him, we are saved. I believe Job was saved. I believe David was saved. But both men still had moments in their life where they received a deeper understanding of who God is and who they were in light of that knowledge—both of them humbled themselves before God.

When you look at your current situation, do you find the Holy Spirit speaking to you, revealing things to you? How are you responding?

Going through the process of understanding is normal. We may resist, because we are scared or tired. This is where God’s mercy steps in. He is merciful. He knows our thoughts, our desires, our passions. He understands our struggles, and He gives to us mercy and grace.

Let’s not forget our need for His mercy nor refuse to accept it.

And, might I add, that when we see someone who has endured a trial and is weary, let us not forget to extend them mercy as well. What God has given us let us freely give to others.

Joab's Fire Chapter 23 Discussion Question

 Due to life circumstances, I had suspended my posting for a time. I am sorry for the inconvenience. However, regular postings will begin again. This week I will be posting the catch up lessons.

Job recalled his former prosperity and way of living.

In chapter 30, Job focused on how he thought people viewed him.

Job 30:1 “But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.”

He goes on to accuse God.

Job 30:11 “Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.”

In Job 31, he justifies himself.

“Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath fasted to deceit; Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.” (v. 4-6)

Job 31:35-37 “Oh that one would hear me! Behold my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.”

Then God answers Job in chapters 38 and 39. He challenges him and reveals Himself to Job.

Job 40:2 “Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it.”

What is God saying Job did?

• Contend with Him
• Attempt to instruct Him
• Reprove Him

What does it mean to contend with someone?

The Hebrew word for contendeth is riyb (reeb). It means a personal or legal contest. It draws the picture of someone taking another by the hair or rending another’s garment and punching him. Of course, in the context of this passage, it refers to striving with words in an accusatory manner.

Is that not what Job did in chapter 31? He challenged God to weigh him in the balance, to know his integrity. Yes, he contended, and in his challenge he attempted to instruct God, and he also thought to reprove God.

What does it mean to reprove?

The Hebrew word for ‘reprove’ is yakach, which means to be right, to correct. The word has the sense of being in the sunshine. The one who reproves is someone that has a clear understanding, like someone who leads the crowd on a sunny day. It carries with it the sense of superiority, of knowing more and having the power and authority to correct or judge what is right and wrong.

In essence, Job seemed to think he knew better than God did.

Have you ever had someone contend with you? Did you ever experience a time when perhaps someone less experienced than you at work or someone under your authority reproved you or tried to tell you what should be done? Did he say things similar to Job? "Look at my experience." "Look at what people think of me." And when you failed to do what he thought you should do, did he say something to defend himself like, "Well, if you had just communicated better" or "You could have at least tried my way. You would have found it was just as good" or "I could have done that if you would have told me what you wanted."

Sometimes we approach God like Job, accusing God of not dealing rightly by us. "If only God had written specific instructions in the Bible."

Perhaps a prime example of this is the baptism of infants. Over 1700 years ago a ruler in Rome feared that his son would die and go to hell. He'd listen to various false religious leaders go on about how you must be baptized to be saved, so despite the fact that one of his religious counselors advised that one does not get saved by baptism, this Roman ruler decides to have his dying child baptized in order to guarantee his place in heaven. In essence, this man thought to out-think God and use a work to save his child. In doing so he propelled a false teaching that enslaved millions of people over the centuries.

During the 17th century, Baptists and Quakers were persecuted for not baptizing their infants. The Puritans believed that infant baptizing was a form of circumcision, thus forcing God to be held to a promise He didn't make - that of choosing that child for eternal life. Since the Baptists and Quakers did not baptize their infants, the Puritans believed these people were in danger of sending their children to hell. Another example of man forcing God into a box he's created for the Almighty...making God to be of man's creation and not who God truly is.

Have you ever looked at your past and said, “God, look what I have done for You? Look what a good life I have lived? Why are You treating me like this?”

Instead, what should we look for in our past?

• God’s redeeming Hand
• God’s mercy on our life
• God’s grace in our life
• God’s blessings
• God’s goodness

Throughout the psalms of David we see him remembering what God had done for him then expressing his trust in God for the future. Consider David’s psalm when God delivered him from the hand of his enemies and the hand of Saul.

Psalm 18:4-7
“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
“The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
“In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
“Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.”

David recalled how he felt and how God helped him. David continues to relate what wondrous works God did for him and in him. David's life wasn't over at this time. He still would have to endure much to become king over all of Israel.

When you are facing formidable walls and can’t find a way out of the situation be careful not to accuse God of injustice, of not caring, of making your life miserable comes easily. To justify yourself and shake your fist at God for letting you get into this position is natural.

Those formidable walls you face won’t reach Heaven, but your prayers will. Those walls of hardship and captivity can't keep God out. Remember who God is.

God tells Job how great He, the Almighty Creator, is. He reveals himself to this man so that Job would better understand God.

Has there ever been a time in your life when God reveals Himself to you through hardship?

What is Job’s response in Job 40:3-5?

“Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
“Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
“Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.”

Job humbled himself and listened to God. Then, after God spoke and revealed His greatness, Job answers God:

“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
“Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
“Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
“I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
“Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
(Job 42:2-6)

Now seeing and understanding more of God, Job humbles himself further. He recognizes how little he understood of God before and “abhors” himself.

What does it mean to abhor? It means to spurn or loathe. To reject.

Here Job is rejecting himself, his previous understanding of God, his misconceptions, his wrong interpretations of the situation, his thoughts and imaginations, and he repents.

Repenting in dust and ashes is an expression of deep humiliation and abasement. In essence, Job is lamenting over his lack of knowledge of God and that he uttered things he did not understand.

How often have we done the same?

Never be afraid to humble yourself before God and man. The position of humility provides a calm, a peace, a joy that pride can never give.

Did God reject Job? No.

Did God hate Job? No.

Did God love Job? Yes. He loved him enough to correct his thinking.

Consider how much God loved Job. He wanted Job to have a deeper understanding of who He was. He wanted Job to cast aside any notions he had of God that were not accurate. He wanted Job do know the depth of God’s love and mercy. How do we know this? Because in the end, God turned the “captivity of Job” (Job 42:10) and gave Job twice as much as he had before.

That word, captivity, paints a picture of how a person in the present is compared with what he was in former times. During Job’s suffering, his present state could not compare to his former state of prosperity. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for captivity is repeated twice in this verse. I think it reflects how God gave Job twice as much as he had before.

“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10)

When did God turn the captivity of Job? When Job prayed for his friends.

His friends didn’t do right. They were poor comforters.

Job had cause to be bitter toward them. I think God tested Job one more time in that He sent Elphaz, Bildad, and Zophar to Job for intercession, to offer up sacrifices on their behalf. If Job had not truly humbled himself, he could have allowed bitterness come between him and his friends. But he didn’t. He did what God asked, and then God prospered him.

To be humble before God goes hand in hand with being humble before others.

If you stiffen your neck against someone who has said hurtful things to you when you were hurting, you have not truly humbled yourself.

If you resent someone or remain unforgiving toward another, then you have not truly humbled yourself.

I know for myself, I find God is forever peeling away layers of my false ideas of Him, of my supposed righteousness…yes, I am saved by grace through faith in Christ and not by my works, but I find it easy to slip into the notion of self-righteousness without even knowing it. I am no better than anyone else--not even the vilest of murderers or perverts--because my sin caused my God (Who loved me so) to offer the greatest sacrifice of all and hang on the cross just as much as the murderer or pervert’s sin.

Controlling our thoughts is key to bringing God glory, and when we experience painful moments in life, hardships that are all consuming, we have an opportunity to exercise the discipline to control those thoughts and to exercise the discipline to study, meditate, pray and worship, and to exercise faith.