Bible Study Snacks, Job 32:1-37:24

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday! Welcome again to Bible Study Snacks. I sincerely hope everyone had a nice week! As always, I thank you so much for joining me as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, we will continue with our study on the Book of Job, specifically Chapters 32:1-37:24. I've designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

"Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen"

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

1) Examine Elihu's perspective in the debate regarding Job's suffering.
2) Notice how Elihu appears to prepare Job for what the Lord will have to say.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Job 32:1-37:24

We are now introduced to a new voice in this discussion. Having remained silent up to this point because of his youth, Elihu now speaks. Angry with Job justifying himself rather than God, and by the inability of Job's friends to provide an answer, Elihu feels compelled to speak (Job 32:1-33:7). He takes issue with Job's claim of innocence while charging God with counting him as His enemy. He proposes that God often uses various means to keep man from death ("the Pit"), including discipline with pain. Therefore Job should be looking at suffering as a disciplinary measure from a loving God, not as a punitive measure from one's enemy (Job 33:8-33).

The bulk of Elihu's speech then focuses on the justice of God, which Elihu feels Job has blamed. Elihu charges Job with adding to his sin by multiplying words against God without knowledge (Job 34:1-35:16). He concludes his speech with an effort to speak on God's behalf and by attributing righteousness to the Almighty. This he does by reviewing God's justice and majesty. The former as seen in His dealings with man, the latter as seen in His dealings in nature. With advice for Job to stand still and consider the wondrous works of God, Elihu seems to be preparing Job for what is about to follow (Job 36:1-37:24).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Why had Job's three friends stop speaking? (Job 32:1)
2) Who now begins to speak? (Job 32:2)
3) Why was Elihu angry with Job? (Job 32:2)
4) Why was Elihu angry with Job's three friends? (Job 32:3)
5) Why had Elihu held off speaking until now? (Job 32:4)
6) According to the outline above, what four reasons are given for why Elihu now speaks? (Job 32:1-5; Job 32:6-14; Job 32:15-22; Job 33:1-7 )
7) With what statements of Job does Elihu take issue? (Job 33:8-12)
8) What examples does Elihu provide of God's effort to save man from death? (Job 33:14-30)
9) How then does Elihu view the reason for Job's suffering?
10) What two statements of Job does Elihu respond to next? (Job 34:5-9)
11) What is Elihu's response? (Job 34:10,12)
12) What does Elihu then go on to describe? (Job 34:16-30)
13) Of what sin does Elihu charge Job? (Job 34:37)
14) How does Elihu answer Job's complaint that it profits a man nothing to delight in God? (Job 35:4-7)
15) What reason does Elihu give for why God might not answer the cries of men? (Job 35:12)
16) Maintaining that God is just, what does Elihu counsel Job? (Job 35:14)
17) What does Elihu feel that Job has done? (Job 35:16)
18) At this point, what does Elihu presume to do? (Job 36:2-3)
19) What does he first proclaim concerning God? (Job 36:5-23)
20) What does he then proclaim concerning God? (Job 36:24-37:24)
21) What does Elihu counsel Job to therefore do? (Job 37:14)
22) What are Elihu's closing words? (Job 37:23-24)
 
After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri