Job 29-30

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Continuation of Job’s Response to His Three Friends

BACKGROUND NOTES

In his final response to his three friends, Job desires his past blessing and honor.
In his final response to his three friends, Job deplores his present misery and disrespect.

In chapter 29, as Job remembered the days before his intense suffering began, what was the primary factor in his joy of life (vs 2-6)?
As Job refutes the slander of his three friends, how does he describe what his life was like as part of his community (vs 7-17)?
What was it about the relationships of the men in the community with Job that he considered a mark of honor (vs 21-25)?
In chapter 30, Job contrasts the joy of life that he shared in chapter 29 with the misery and disrespect that fill his present days. Who are the men and what kind of men are they who show such disrespect toward Job (vs 1-8)?
Who or what does Job identify as the ultimate cause of the disrespect shown him by those in the community (v 11)?
In verses 20-23 we see that Job feels that God has ______________ him and is letting him _____. Job expected to be __________, but at this point in his life it was not to be.

Job identifies God’s presence, watch care, direction, counsel and blessings as the primary factor or source of joy and contentment in his life.
Job accurately describes the position of honor that he held in the community, including the respect of the young and the old men and the silence even of those with rank who wanted to listen to his wise words (vs 7-11). Job speaks about his compassion for, and deliverance of, the poor and the fatherless and his being a source of joy to the widow. He recounts his just character as he dealt with the lame and the victim of the wicked (vs 14-17).
The men of the community honored Job with their listening ear, their recognition of his irrefutable wisdom, their receptiveness to his counsel and his encouraging and uplifting humor and smile (vs 21-24).
In chapter 30, the men who showed such disrespect to Job were the young wandering vagrants and outcasts of society, taunting him even by spitting in his face (vs 1-10).
Still in the midst of his suffering, Job recognizes that it is God who is behind his lamentable condition (v 11).
In verses 20-23 we see that Job feels that God has forsaken him and is letting him die. Job expected to be rescued, but at this point in his life it was not to be.

Discuss your standing(s) in your community and the apparent reasons for how those in your community would describe your character. Consider means or ways you could demonstrate compassion, justice and generosity as individuals or as a group to those in need.

Has your life taken on sudden and unexpected crisis or calamity, even greater than that experienced by any of those around you? What has your reaction or response been? Have you questioned God’s ways? While you would not be alone in questioning God in the midst of deep suffering, remember that God does allow troubles to come upon the believer, but He always has good and just reasons for everything He allows. Continue to wait upon Him and His love.

“Then men listened to me and waited, and kept silent for my counsel. After my words they did not speak again, and my speech settled on them as dew.” Job 29:21, 22
“I go about mourning, but not in the sun; I stand up in the congregation and cry out for help. My harp is turned to mourning, and my flute to the voice of those who weep.” Job 30: 28, 31

Job, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsNovember 2, 2019