Lesson 5
The Court
(JOB 22—24)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Job 22—24. This lesson references chapter 8 in Be Patient. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
What should have been an encouraging discussion among friends had become an angry and painful debate. Instead of trying to calm things down, Eliphaz assumed the office of prosecuting attorney and turned the debate into a trial. It was three against one as Job sat on the ash heap and listened to his friends lie about him. According to the Jewish Talmud, “The slanderous tongue kills three: the slandered, the slanderer, and him who listens to the slander.” At the ash heap in Uz, it was death all around!
—Be Patient, page 111
1. Why did the discussion turn into an angry debate? Why does this often happen between well-meaning friends? When is it appropriate to have intense discussions of faith, fate, or other theological issues, and when is it not appropriate? What are some good ground rules for such discussions?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Job 22—24 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Eliphaz can’t resist shooting a sarcastic barb at Job. “Is it for your piety that he [God] rebukes you and brings charges against you?” (v. 4 NIV). Courts don’t try people for their righteousness but for their lawlessness! Therefore, since God has sent terrible judgments upon Job, he must be guilty of sin. “Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless?” (v. 5 NIV). But Eliphaz missed the point that Job had been making: “Why does God send the punishment before He arrests me, reads the indictment, and conducts the trial?” It all seemed unfair.
Eliphaz first accused Job of the sin of pride (vv. 1–3). Job was acting as though his character and conduct were important to God and beneficial to Him in some way.
—Be Patient, pages 111–12
3. Describe the God of Eliphaz’s theology. How does this God relate to sinners? In what ways were Job’s character and conduct important to the real God? How was God counting on these to silence Satan?
More to Consider: Read the following: 1 Thessalonians 4:1; Hebrews 11:5; Genesis 6:5–6; Psalm 37:23. What do these passages say about the value God places on His people’s character? (See also Ps. 18:19; Isa. 63:9; Heb. 4:14–16.)
From the Commentary
Eliphaz clinched his first point with evidence anybody could see: Job was suffering great trials, which were the consequences of his many sins (Job 22:10–11). Why else would he be in darkness, danger, and the depths of suffering? This was the hand of God indicating that Job was a godless man.
—Be Patient, page 113
4. Why was Eliphaz so certain about the reason for Job’s suffering? What might this say about Eliphaz’s own spiritual condition or circumstance? How do people apply this same theology today? Is it good theology? Why or why not?
From Today’s World
In Christian circles, it’s not uncommon to attribute sudden (or not-so-sudden) healing to God’s hand. While God doesn’t heal everyone who’s suffering, when someone is healed, they’re quick to give the credit to God, sometimes offering the simple praise “God is good” in thankfulness. But when people suffer, far fewer are quick to give the credit (or blame) to God. A broken world, or Satan himself, is blamed for the suffering of good people.
5. Why does the church have little difficulty crediting God for healing and other good events in people’s lives but not for the suffering or harder experiences people face? What does this say about the theology of the modern church? How is this like or unlike the way Job’s friends viewed his circumstances?
From the Commentary
Eliphaz calls Job a hypocrite, a statement that was made—or hinted at—more than once since the discussion began. “The hypocrite’s hope shall perish,” said Bildad (8:13). “For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate,” said Eliphaz (15:34). And Zophar said, “The joy of the hypocrite [is] but for a moment” (20:5).
A hypocrite is not a person who fails to reach his desired spiritual goals, because all of us fail in one way or another. A hypocrite is a person who doesn’t even try to reach any goals, but he makes people think that he has. His profession and his practice never meet. The Puritan preacher Stephen Charnock said, “It is a sad thing to be Christians at a supper, heathens in our shops, and devils in our closets.”
—Be Patient, page 114
6. Review Job 22:12–20. What was Eliphaz’s answer for Job’s apparent hypocrisy (22:12–14)? Was Job a hypocrite? Why or why not? How does hypocrisy continue to negatively affect the church today?
From the Commentary
Eliphaz was sincere in his appeal to Job, just as Zophar was sincere when he asked Job to return to God (11:13–20). “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you” (22:21 NIV). The word translated “prosperity” means “good of every kind.” Of course, a hypocrite should return to God, not just to get out of trouble and restore his or her fortunes, but to please and glorify God in the rebuilding of character and service.
—Be Patient, page 115
7. What does it mean to “submit to God”? (See James 4:1–10 and Job 22:22–27.) What does God promise to those who repent and return to Him? Do you think Job was failing to submit to God? Explain.
From the Commentary
Instead of arguing with his friends, or compromising his integrity by giving in to Eliphaz’s appeal, Job ignores them completely and speaks to and about the Lord. Job has already made it clear that his dispute was not with men but with God, and he emphasizes this fact in his speech.
We may paraphrase Job 23:2, “My complaint today is bitter, and I have to keep a heavy hand on myself to keep from doing nothing but groaning.” Job’s three friends did not understand how much discipline Job needed just to be able to talk with them. Instead of giving in to his pain and doing nothing but groan, Job sought to master his pain and not give in to self-pity. The next time you visit somebody in pain, keep in mind that suffering drains a person’s energy and makes great demands on his strength and patience.
Job was prepared to state his case, present his arguments, and let God give the verdict. Job was confident that, despite God’s great power as a Lawgiver, he would win his case, for he was an upright man, and God could not condemn the upright in heart. “There an upright man could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge” (v. 7 NIV).
—Be Patient, page 116
8. Was it right for Job to ignore his friends and go right to God? Explain. How did Job go about pursuing God? What can Job teach us about how we’re to pursue God and truth today?
More to Consider: Read Isaiah 48:10; Deuteronomy 4:20; Psalm 66:10; and 1 Peter 1:6–7. How does each of these passages use the image of a furnace to describe God’s ministry through suffering?
From the Commentary
“But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases” (v. 13 NIV). Job had no other gods to turn to for help, and no way to oppose God or change His mind. God runs the universe by decree, not by consensus or democratic vote. His thoughts and ways are far above ours, but He knows what is best, and we must accept His will and rejoice in it (Isa. 55:8–11).
Those who resist or deny the sovereignty of God rob themselves of peace and courage. “There is no attribute of God more comforting to His children than the doctrine of divine sovereignty,” said Charles Haddon Spurgeon. “On the other hand, there is no doctrine more hated by worldlings.” Why? Because the human heart is proud and does not want to submit to Almighty God. People want to do their own thing and do it their way, rather than find delight in doing the will of God.
—Be Patient, page 118
9. Review Job 23:1–17. How does pride get in the way of our relationship with God? Why was Job so frightened when he thought about the sovereignty of God? What is the difference between being frightened about God’s sovereignty and fearing God Himself?
From the Commentary
Job 24 focuses on the seeming injustices that God permits in this world. Job opens his speech by asking in effect, “Why doesn’t God have specific days to hold court? Then I could attend and tell Him what I think of the way He is running the world!”
Job starts with injustices in the country (vv. 1–11), and then moves to crimes in the city (vv. 12–17). He closes his speech with a curse on the wicked (vv. 18–25). If God won’t judge them, Job will!
Job is to be commended for seeing somebody else’s troubles besides his own and for expressing a holy anger against sin and injustice. Too often, personal suffering can make us selfish and even blind us to the needs of others, but Job was concerned that God help others who were hurting. His three friends were treating the problem of suffering in far too abstract a fashion, and Job tried to get them to see hurting people and not just philosophical problems. Jesus had the same problem with the Jewish lawyer who wanted to discuss “neighborliness,” but not discover who his neighbor was and then try to help him (Luke 10:25–37).
—Be Patient, pages 119–21
10. How are Job’s questions in chapter 24 similar to questions people have today about injustice? Why is it significant that he doesn’t focus solely on his own circumstance here? What message does this give us today about how to respond to injustice?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Job 22—24. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. Have you ever been “ganged up on” by friends who meant well but ended up making you feel worse? Describe the circumstance. What role did your relationship with God play in that story? How do you stand strong in your faith when others challenge you?
12. Do you attribute the good things that happen in your life to God’s hand? Why or why not? How about the difficult things you endure? What active role does God play in your life? How does the way you view God’s participation in your daily life affect the way you live out your faith?
13. Have you ever experienced injustice? If so, what was it like? What role did your faith play in that story? What do you do today when you observe injustice? How can your trust in God help you know how to respond?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you want to better understand the difference between being frightened of God and having an appropriate fear of God? Be specific. Go back through Job 22—24 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Study what God has to say about injustice. Then decide on practical actions you can take to challenge those injustices in a biblical way. Perhaps you can volunteer at a women’s shelter or raise money to help war-torn countries rebuild. God hates injustice and will one day judge the world for all its sins, but while we are on earth, He can use each one of us to face injustice head-on, making a positive impact on the lives of others in His name.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve noted above. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Job 25—31. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapters 9 and 10, “How Faint a Whisper!” and “I Rest My Case!” in Be Patient.