Bible Study Snacks, Job 38:1-42:6

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 38:1-42:6. 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 God's response to Job.
2) Consider the charges God makes against Job, and Job's repentance.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Job 38:1-42:6

Finally, Job is given his desire to have an audience with God. Though it's not at all what he expected. Speaking from a whirlwind, the Lord charges Job with darkening counsel by words without knowledge. A challenge is then made for Job to answer questions posed to him. A series of questions follow in rapid succession regarding the creation and nature that certainly contrast God's great power and wisdom with Job's limited ability and understanding.

God ends His first dialogue then with a repeated challenge for the one (i.e., Job) who contends with the Almighty and who rebukes God to answer these questions. Overwhelmed, Job admits his unworthiness and inability to answer. He admits he has spoken before, but will do so no more (38:1-40:5).

The Lord isn't through with Job, however. A second discussion begins with another challenge for Job to answer God's questions. Job is asked whether he truly thinks he can annul God's judgment, or condemn Him so that he can be justified (cf. Elihu's charges, 32:2; 33:8-13). If Job can thunder with a voice like God's, adorn himself with majesty, splendor, glory and beauty, bring the proud down low, then God would confess that Job could save himself.

To once more illustrate the power and wisdom of God, Job is asked to consider two great creatures, the behemoth and Leviathan. If man is fearful before them, how then could one stand against God (40:6-41:34)?

Job's final response is to humbly acknowledge God's ability to do everything, and that no purpose of His can be withheld from Him. He also confesses that he has spoken of things he did not understand, and beyond his ability to comprehend. Having now heard and seen God, Job despises himself and repents (42:1-6).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) How does the Lord speak to Job? (Job 38:1)
2) What is the Lord's first question directed toward Job? (Job 38:2)
3) What challenge does God place before Job? (Job 38:3)
4) List the different things about which God asked Job in the first discourse (Job 38:8-39:30)
5) As God ends His first discourse, what does He say to Job? (Job 40:1-2)
6) What is Job's response to these questions and God's challenge? (Job 40:3-5)
7) As God continues with His second discourse, what challenge does He repeat to Job? (Job 40:6-7)
8) What four questions does He then ask of Job? (Job 40:8-9)
9) What does God challenge Job to do, in order to prove he could save himself? (Job 40:10-14)
10) What is the first of two great creatures described to illustrate God's power? (Job 40:15-24)
11) What statement concerning this creature emphasizes God's power and strength? (Job 40:19)
12) What is the second creature described to illustrate God's strength? (Job 41:1-34)
13) What key point does God make with Leviathan? (Job 41:10)
14) Having heard God, what does Job now admit? (Job 42:1-3)
15) Now that Job has had his audience with God, how does he react? (Job 42:5-6)

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