Job

By The Navigators

Why?
Relationships. Health. Work. Where have you encountered suffering? Wherever it is, Job knows how you feel. He experienced grief at every level. When we stumble into hardship, the first question we often ask is Why? And while spotting sorrow is easy, escaping it is hard. Suffering is a mystery—an invitation to explore and to listen. Job shows us how. You won’t find sophisticated explanations, easy prescriptions, or simple solutions. But you will find company in his wrestling and struggle. And as you follow his journey, may you also encounter his peace.

LifeChange
LifeChange Bible studies will help you grow in Christlikeness through a life-changing encounter with God’s Word. Filled with a wealth of ideas for going deeper so you can return to this study again and again.

Features

• Cover the book of Job in 13 lessons
• Equip yourself to lead a Bible study
• Imagine the Bible’s historical world
• Study word origins and definitions
• Explore thoughtful questions on key themes
• Go deeper with optional projects
• Find the flexibility to fit the time you have

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Release date: Feb 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781617471537

Book preview

LESSON ONE

INTRODUCTION

Job and God

Map of the Near East

Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

(James 5:10-11)

The patience of Job is proverbial, but in fact Job wasn’t patient. The Greek word in James 5:11 praises Job’s perseverance, and that is what he was: loudly, emotionally, impatiently perseverant in the face of suffering that would drive most people to despair. In one man’s story, the relationship between man and God is explored profoundly.

The Story

The plot is simple: Job is a good man overwhelmed by sudden calamities. He doesn’t know why; only the reader knows what is happening in heaven. Three friends visit Job to comfort him, and the four heatedly debate why Job has been so afflicted. Failing to persuade Job, the friends finally fall silent. Job still insists his suffering is unjust and demands redress from God. Then a young man named Elihu appears, claiming to have the ultimate answer for Job but adding few new insights. At last the Lord Himself appears. He asks Job a long series of questions. This response changes Job’s attitude, and he repents of his rash words about God. In the end, the Lord rebukes Job’s friends and praises Job, and He restores to Job double what he