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Job #3 Why Me? Introduction: A great deal of the Job is a discussion between Job and his friends, Job 2.12-13. I can sympathize with his friends in that they cared enough to visit and spend time with Job, but what could they say. How many times have you went to visit a friend that is suffering and do not know what to say? How many of us have been suffering to have friends come and visit and wish they could say something to make us feel better? Time seems to stand still during our trials. There are three cycles of speeches by each of Job's three friends: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. I) First Cycle A) Eliphaz (the moderate) 1. He gently implies that Job has sinned. 2. He implores Job to not turn away from God, Job 4.6-8 3. While in a dream state Eliphaz has a thought, Job 4.12,17-20 4. Job is being chastened by God, Job 5.8 5. Such chastening is good and needs to be accepted, Job 5.17,27. This reminds me of Hebrews 12 and the chastening of God. B) Bildad implies that Job's suffering is directly due to his sins 1. Job 8.2-7 perhaps his son's death was due to their sins. 2. He calls on Job to repent and turn back to God; when Job had not actually left God. C) Zophar delivers harsh criticism 1. You are not getting it as severe punishment as you deserve, Job 11.1-6 2. He also calls on Job to repent, Job 11.13-15 D) Job answers his friends, Job 13.1-12 1. They are impugning things that are simply not true. 2. Each implied Job's suffering was due to his sins; we know this was not true. a. A lot of good people suffer-- tornado destroyed a member's airplane and other's orchard. b. While sparing the property of other's. II) Second Cycle A) Eliphaz, Job 15.2, 6-8 1. Where is your wisdom Job? 2. He describes the wicked and their self righteousness, Job 15.17, 21-22 B) Bildad criticizes Job's wisdom and self righteousness, Job 18.2-3 C) Zophar describes the wicked man, Job 20.28 D) Job responds to his friends, Job 16.1-3, 20 1. Job points out that the wicked often prosper in this life, Job 21.9-11 2. While the good may suffer calamity. III) Third Cycle A) Eliphaz, Job 22.4-9 1. Now he is making specific charges against Job. B) Bildad, Job 25.1-6 1. None of us are righteous when compared to God. 2. Almost the idea of we are sinful creatures by nature. C) Zophar says nothing D) Job quits talking to his friends and starts talking to God, Job 23.8-12 IV) Why Me? A) Job actually agrees with his friends, Job 9.1-3 1. Man reaps what he sows, Proverbs 22.8 2. The idea is right but the application is wrong. 3. This is one of the major arguments made by Job's friends to prove their accusations, Job 9.21-22 4. Many tragedies comes to the righteous and unrighteous alike, Job 9.23-24 B) Job is innocent (his suffering is actually due to his righteousness) 1. Ecc. 7.20 and 1 Kings 8.46 points out all sin and fall short of the glory of God. 2. Job was not sinless but he was not the wicked man walking in sin either. 3. Job was godly before his calamity and he was godly afterward. V) Lessons To Learn A) Trials have benefits, James 1.2-4 1. They teach us to rely on God more and less on ourselves. We tend to realize how helpless we are and how much we really need God. 2. During times of trials we often pray more frequently and fervently. a. Have you ever prayed with tears running down your checks? b. Have you prayed to the point of being exhausted? c. When? Sick child, friend killed in auto accident, etc. 3. Trials help us deal with more severe trials, 1 Corinthians 10.13. You will face more in the future. B) Read 2 Corinthians 4.16-5.4 1. Our trials are temporary 2. Everybody has problems and trials (not just you and me). Just and unjust; Rich and poor;, Famous and infamous 3. Everybody dies, Hebrews 9.27 Conclusion: Suffering is sometimes due to lifestyle choices, genetics, accidents, etc. We cannot control everything that happens to us. We can control how we react to the events in our life.
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