We continue to worship God by learning from the book of Job. Our loving God wrote the Book of Job for us to learn from!
The majority of the Book of Job (Chapters 3 to 37!) is a debate between Job and his 3 friends with God just in the background. Because Job lost just about everything and he had to deal with a painful disease on his skin, the friends accused Job of sinning against God when he didn’t! Because Job was suffering, his friends assumed he had sin in his life!
We got a glimpse of the debate from Job and his friends in Job Chapters 3-7. Chapters 8-37 continue with the debate with Job and his 3 friends (a total of 34 chapters of arguing!). After praying about this, I decided to look at the debate as a whole and not read all of the chapters. We will look at passages that I found significant. I encourage you to read all of the chapters during the week for your study.
I believe the main point of these debates is to warn us of foolishness of people when God is truly not considered in discussions.
Turn with me now to Job Chapter 8; read along with me v1-6…
Job’s friend Bildad now accuses Job of sinning against God!
Similar to his response in chapters 6-7, Job replies to Bildad in Chapters 9-10. Look at Job 9:33-35… Job states again that he does not know of any sin committed by him.
Job 10:19-22…. Job again wished he was already dead.
Job 11:1-3…. Job’s friend Zophar continues the accusation that Job sinned!
Job 12:1-5….. and Job 13:1-5… Job tells his friends not to look down on him!
Job 14: Job continues with his rebuttal.
Job 15:1-4…. Eliphaz again accuses Job of sin!
Job 16:1-3…. Job tells his friends to stop their accusations!
Job 17: Job continues with his rebuttal.
Job 18:1-2…. Bildad was adamant that Job was wrong! The arguments/debates amongst friends were heated!
Job 19–37: The heated arguments (for 34 chapters!) continued back and forth!
And so, what biblical principles can we glean from these debates?
How foolish job and his friends were in a never ending argument! Is God pleased when we argue and argue and argue, especially as Christians? What do we need to do?
1. Although Job and his friends acknowledged God, they never prayed to God or “rested” on the truth that God knows everything and is in control of everything!
Acknowledge the “Almighty” God and Pray to God always!
2. Assuming someone has sinned is a sin itself! Be careful of being judgmental, always pray and trust God, instead of assuming something only God knows!
3. No matter the situation, show love, respect, and kindness to brothers and sisters in Christ. A good way to do this is to truly listen to what the other person is saying and accept it! Be quick to listen and slow to speak!
The debate between Job and his friends seemed to go on and on forever!
4. God is not pleased with forever debates among Believers of God! Pray to God and learn when to hold your tongue! Watch your ego and pride, which are sinful!
Take a moment now to quietly pray about these things; are we truly listening to each other?; how’s our own ego and pride? Take a moment to quietly pray; ask God what you need to do right……….
