Wisdom Class 2: Job 3-14 (Answers)

Answers to Wisdom Class 2 Questions
1. What do men in misery and those not have in common? (Job)

 Days continue to pass. "Why is light given to him who is in misery, And life to the bitter of soul,"
Although Job is asking for death, he continues to live. As we know, this is God's will to prove Job's faithfulness. (Job 3:20)

2. Are trials and problems always linked to a great sin committed? (Eliphaz)

According to Eliphaz, yes. He makes a compelling argument that Job is simply sowing what he had reaped (Job 4:7-9). While Job's friends don't actually tell Job what great sin they are claiming he made, they are steadfast in trying to convince him to repent and accept his punishment. We know from Job 1-2 that God held Job as a "blameless and upright man" and that his suffering is at the hand of Satan.

This brings about an important lesson from a study of Job, you need to read the bible with the context in mind. Someone could deceive you by pointing to any of the speeches from Job's friends and lead you to believe the bible teaches that suffering is a result of sin, and that Job was a terrible sinner getting what he deserved. In the context of the book, we know that God has stated Job is "blameless and upright" (Job 1:8 and 2:3), so the rest of the book is read know that his friends' accusations are baseless and false. We also know that Job's continued response that he has not committed a great sin is correct, he simply doesn't know that God has allowed Satan to bring this pain upon Job to disprove Satan's slander.

3. Does rest come after death or something else? (Job)

This question was difficult, but as we know from other verses within the bible, our soul will continue after our earthly bodies are dead. From Job 6:8-10 we see Job continuing to ask for God to allow him to die, but her he indicates that after death "They I would still have comfort," just as Job's faith in God now brings him comfort. And "Though in anguish I would exult" which indicates to me that though his earthly life finally ended, he continues to exult God.

4. When a friend suffers, should we judge or comfort? (Job)

We should show kindness to a friend, even when he is in sin (Job 6:14). Job was the friend who brought comfort to others (Job 4:1-4), but he is now the one suffering. We are to show kindness to all, it is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). There is never an excuse for not showing kindness, event to someone who may have committed a terrible sin. We need to work hard to always be kind.

5. If Job understood why he suffered, would he find a little peace? (Job)

Another difficult question to answer from the text, but I believe Job would at least agree he had sinned and be able to direct his attention to repentance (Job 6:24-25). Job hadn't sinned, so his suffering is even greater because it isn't a consequence for anything he had done.

6. By living an obedient life, will God answer all your prayers? (Bildad/Job)

Bildad tells Job to repent and God will restore all that he had (Job 8:5-7), but we know that Job is praying for God to allow him to die from chapter 3 forward, but God does not grant him death as he had prayed (Job 9:14-20)

7. Did Job have a mediator before God? Do we? (Job)

Job does not have a mediator (Job 9:33), but we have Jesus Christ as our mediator before God (1 Tim 2:5-6)

8. If you repent and turned to God, would all be restored and forgotten? (Zophar)

Zophar puts words into God's mouth and states that God would speak against Job (Job 11:5-6). He then indicates that God would restore Job if he would only repent (Job 11:13-19). We may sin in a way in which we have to suffer consequences (i.e. breaking the law and serving jail time for that sin), and we may truly repent and seek God's forgiveness, but we will still face the earthly consequences for our sins.

9. With whom does wisdom reside? Why? (Job)

Wisdom is with aged men, who by length of days gained understanding (Job 12:12). But greater wisdom and strength reside with God (Job 12:13-23)

10. What is a difference between a tree and man at death? (Job)

A tree can die, or we know become dormant, but be restored once it has water and nutrients again. Once a man dies, his time on earth is over, "till the heavens are no more" (Job 14:7-12)

Does Job have a right to complain?

 Yes. He is suffering from loosing all his earthly possessions, all of his children, and he is now has boils so bad that his friends couldn't even recognize him.

Note:  Give Us A King, The United Kingdom, by Bob and Sandra Waldron and The Holy Bible, new King James Version, Reference Edition, Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.were used in preparing the comments in this post.