In Job 29-37, Job argues with his friends and verges on self-justification or pride at times. Elihu rebukes Job in order to bring him back to see his own heart-attitude before God. Sometimes our suffering actually leads us into a strong self-protective attitude with God and others, and we too must return to the place of humility in our suffering.
(Job 29-37)
Sermon Outline
How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out. (Job 36:26)
Job’s Closing Argument (Job 29-31)
- Pride in Former Glory
- Current State of Despair
- Pride in His Righteousness
- Job’s Conclusion: “…I have done no wrong…yet God has found fault with me.” (Job 33:8-10)
Elihu’s Interjection
- Job & Co. lack Understanding
- Job’s Defense is Wrong
- God & His Ways are Right
- Elihu’s Conclusion: God’s ways are beyond understanding.
Our Conclusion
- Suffering does not always equal _______________________________________
- God’s Silence does not mean _______________________________________
- Humility does not put _______________________________________
- God does not _______________________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Take some time to discuss what the message was about today.
- What is something that you took away from the message?
- Reading through Job, you’ll notice that both Job’s and his friends’ statements have nuggets of truth to them, as well as faulty thinking about themselves and God. Make a list of some of the following found in Job 29-35:
- Truths about Job
- Falsehoods about Job
- Truths about God
- Falsehoods about God
- Why do you suppose it’s so easy, knowing our own depravity, to falsely accuse others and God, while justifying ourselves?
- In what way are you tempted to believe something falsely about God?
- In what areas in your life are you experiencing suffering? Where do you see suffering around you?
- In Job 36-37, Elihu is the opening act of the grand finale in which God speaks. How does Elihu’s response speak into suffering?
- In closing, spend some time speaking praises to God out of scripture and pray for people you know whom are experiencing suffering.