Intro
We now explore the counsel of three friends of Job. As a backdrop, realizing that Job comes to us in to form of poetry, and also as a story, we should ask, “Why are three friends, not two or four, giving their counsel to Job?”
If we look at job as “history,” we would say that three friends counseled Job because three friends actually did! But if that is what we only take away, we’re thinking like 21st-century Americans reading Job as if it were a history book. Instead, let us hear Job as Jews, as the poetic literature that it is.
Deuteronomy 17:6: “On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death. No one is to be executed on the testimony of a single witness.”
Three witnesses were needed to condemn someone according to Old-Covenant Law. Two to three witnesses were needed to verify a fact before an Israelite judge. Thus, the original hearers would understand that the “counsel” that Job’s friends provide come across as “truth”—if they say all they agree in their testimony.
Eliphaz: Why Job is Suffering
Read Job 4:12-17
- How does Eliphaz come to his conclusion about Job?
Read Job 4:7-9
- According to Eliphaz, why is Job suffering?
Bildad: Why Job is Suffering
Read Job 8:1-3, 8-10
- What framework does Bildad use to asses Job’s suffering? (vs. 2-3)
Read Job 8:4
- According to Bildad, why is Job suffering?
Zophar: Why Job is Suffering
Read Job 11:1-6
- What worldview does Zophar use to asses Job’s suffering? (vs. 6)
- According to Zophar, why is Job suffering?
- What do the three witnesses all say about Job?
- What is the impact of their witness supposed to have on the Jewish listener?
The Proposed Solution for Job’s Sin Problem
Read Job 5:8-19
- What is Eliphaz’s solution for Job’s suffering?
Read Job 8:5-6
- What is Bildad’s solution for Job’s suffering?
Job’s Understanding of His Suffering
Read Job 10:1-8
- Why does Job think he’s suffering?
- What is his solution?
Job’s Understanding of His Suffering
Read Job 23:10
- What does Job believe God will do through his suffering? (See also Zechariah 13:8-9, Wisdom 3:6, Sirach 2:5, and 1 Peter 1:7.)
Read Job 42:5
- What does Job conclude his suffering has done for him in his fellowship with God?
What God does through Suffering
Read John 5:1-14
- What is one purpose of suffering? (vs 14)
Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-7
- What is another purpose of suffering?
Read John 9:2-3
- What may God be able to do through the suffering of one of His saints?
Read Luke 13:1-5
- When suffering happens, or bad events take place that are part of life in a fallen world, what does every occurrence point us toward?
- What do such events or suffering reveal about us now?
- Repent means to turn away from one thing toward another. Repenting is to turn us away from the effect of sin (suffering, perishing, etc.) to point us toward what?
Read 1 Peter 4:12-13
“share”: Greek, koinoineo, “communion” as a verb. This is being in communion with Christ; we are in Him and He is in us.
- Because you are in Christ and He is in you, why shouldn’t suffering come as a surprise?
- Because you are in communion with Christ, the reality of your suffering points you to what other reality?
- What does that enable you to do?
From the Lutheran Study Bible: “When Trials Come” (pg. 837)
In this sin-broken world, you will experience suffering. When trials come, do not automatically conclude that God is punishing you for a sin. Certainly confess and repent of whatever sins you know. But also entrust your body and life to the One who accomplishes His purposes in the midst of suffering. See the world with Job’s eyes, and behold the countenance of Jesus, your Redeemer, who bore the price of your salvation.
Troubles are not always punishments or signs of wrath. Indeed, terrified consciences should be taught that there are more important purposes for afflictions (2 Corinthians 12:9), so that they do not think God is rejecting them when they see nothing but God’s punishment and anger in troubles. The other more important purposes are to be considered, that is, that God is doing His strange work so that He may be able to do His own work. [Apology to the Augsburg Confession, Article XIIB, “Confession and Satisfaction,” paragraph 61]
Prayer: Psalm 17
P: Hear me, O Lord; my plea is just. Pay attention to my cry.
C: Listen to my prayer, since it does not come from lying lips.
P: My justice comes from You.
C: Let Your eyes see what is right! Psalm 17:1-2
P: I call on You, O God, because You will answer me.
C: Turn Your ear to me and listen to my prayer. Psalm 17:6
P: Protect me as the pupil of Your eye.
C: Hide me under the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8
P: As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness.
C: When I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness. Psalm 17:15
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