Free Psalms Video Course:
The book of Psalms study starts on June 26. I've created a special 7-lesson video course to help you understand and study the Psalms. You can access it here: Digging Deeper, An Introduction to the Book of Psalms.
What I Noticed Today (Job 21-24)
Job 21
Job responds to Zophar’s argument point-by-point in Job 21.
In verses 1-6, Job opens his response, asking that they be quiet and listen to him. After that, they can continue to mock him. He says he is impatient because his complaint is not against man but God.
Note: The “you” in verses 2 & 3 is plural so while Job is addressing Zophar’s points, Job is addressing his comments to all three.
There are three main sections to his response:
- Job 21:7-16. Job points out that Zophar is wrong, the wicked do live and prosper, and they do have descendants. They sing and rejoice even though they reject God.
- Job 21:17-21. Job asserts that trials do not come only to the wicked.
- Job 21:22-34. Everyone dies, including the wicked. One person dies healthy while another dies in bitterness, but all men die.
Job concludes in verse 34, saying there is nothing left in their arguments but falsehood.
Job 22-31
The third round of speeches.
Job 22
Eliphaz’ third speech in response to Job.
Eliphaz makes three claims:
- Job 22:1-11. Eliphaz contends man is of no use to God; whether he is a sinner or is righteous, it doesn’t affect God. If Job were truly righteous, why would God bring charges against him unless he was guilty? Eliphaz continues saying Job is a sinner. His evil is abundant; there is no end to Job’s iniquities.
- Job 22:12-20. Eliphaz claims. Job is trying to hide his sins from God, thinking that God is high up in the heavens and cannot see his sin.
- Job 22:21-30. Eliphaz says Job needs to repent. Job needs to admit his sin to God and repent. Only then can he lift up his face to God, and God’s light will shine on Job once again.
Job 23-24
Job responds for the third time in Job 23-24, but this time, he ignores his friend’s arguments and speaks about God.
There are three main sections in Job 23-24:
- Job 23:1-12. Job wonders where is God. He wants to find God so he can lay out his case to God, believing that God would hear him and vindicate him.
- Job 23:13-17. Job is afraid of God. Job is terrified at the thought of being in God’s presence. His heart has grown faint, yet he still desires to be before God.
- Job 24:1-25. Job does not understand the seeming injustices he sees in the world: 1) there are injustices in the country (vv. 1-12), and 2) there are crimes in the city (vv. 13-17). Despite these injustices, Job says the wicked are cursed and remembered no more (vv. 18-24).
In closing (v. 25), Job challenged his friends to prove him wrong.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- While his friends continued to bring forth the same arguments, Job sees beyond his own suffering to the injustices that are going on all around them in the country and the cities. He may not understand the timing of God’s justice that comes to the wicked and the righteous, but he accepts that it is up to God to carry out.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
