Listening Points (Before Reading):

God speaks again! How does Job respond? What does God’s description of the behemoth and leviathan teach us about His power? How is Job restored, and what lessons can we take from the ending?

Narration/Handwriting (K-2nd):

God challenges Job, and shows His power over all creation. Job humbles himself, repents, and is restored by God.

Observations and Questions:

Job 40: God resumes His discourse by calling Job to answer for his earlier complaints. Job, humbled, acknowledges his smallness and refrains from arguing. God continues, asking if Job can match Him in justice or power, and illustrating His might through the behemoth, a creature of unparalleled strength and majesty that only God can control.

• What does God ask Job to do in response to His questions?
  [God challenges Job to answer if he can and calls him to consider his position (v. 1-2).]
• How does Job respond to God’s challenge?
  [Job acknowledges his insignificance and remains silent (v. 3-5).]
• What is the significance of the behemoth in God’s argument?
  [The behemoth demonstrates God’s unparalleled power and Job’s inability to contend with Him (v. 15–24).]

Job 41: God shifts to describing the leviathan, a fearsome creature of the sea. Through vivid imagery of its strength, scales, and invincibility, God reminds Job of his inability to control even one of God’s creations. The leviathan underscores God’s omnipotence and man’s helplessness, leaving no room for Job to question His ways.

• What challenge does God present to Job regarding the leviathan?
  [God asks if Job can catch, tame, or subdue the leviathan, which he cannot (v. 1-9).]
• What attributes of the leviathan reveal its power?
  [Its scales are impenetrable, its breath sparks fire, and it causes chaos in the water (v. 15–21, 31–32).]
• How does God use the leviathan to reveal His majesty?
  [By showing that even this terrifying creature is under God’s control and design (v. 33, 34).]

Job 42: Job repents for his rash words, acknowledging God’s wisdom and sovereignty. God rebukes Job’s friends for their incorrect counsel, requiring them to seek Job’s intercession for forgiveness. Finally, God restores Job’s fortunes, doubling his former blessings and granting him a long, full life. This resolution affirms the ultimate purpose of God’s trials: to humble and bless His faithful servants.

• What lessons can we learn from the conclusion of Job’s story?
  [God’s trials refine us, His justice prevails, and restoration follows humility and trust in Him.]
• What does Job confess in his repentance?
  [Job admits God’s omnipotence and his own limited understanding (v. 1-6).]
• What does God require of Job’s friends?
  [They must offer sacrifices and have Job pray for them to be forgiven (v. 7-9).]
• How is Job’s life restored?
  [God gives him twice as much as he had before and blesses him with family and long life (v. 10–17).]

Listening Points (Before Reading):

Elihu continues speaking, charging Job with errors in his words. What is Elihu’s view of suffering? How does he explain God’s justice? What does Elihu say about how God communicates with us through suffering? Pay attention to Elihu’s description of God’s power and greatness.

Narration/Handwriting (K-2nd):

• Elihu tells Job he is wrong for thinking that religion doesn’t help and that God ignores the cries of the oppressed. He explains that Job’s suffering is a test, and he should trust God’s wisdom and power. He talks about how powerful God is, using nature’s storms to show that God’s ways are beyond our understanding.

Observations and Questions:

Job 35: Elihu addresses three specific mistakes Job made: 1. Job had suggested that religion was useless for himself or for God, but Elihu counters that religion benefits the person who practices it, not just God. 2. Job had complained that God ignores the oppressed, but Elihu asserts that God listens to the cry of the poor and afflicted. 3. Job had given up hope of God’s favor returning, but Elihu explains that God’s delay is part of His sovereign plan.

• Why does Elihu accuse Job of saying that religion is unimportant?
• How does Elihu defend God against Job’s complaints about the oppressed?
• What is Elihu’s response to Job’s belief that God has forgotten him?

Job 36: Elihu defends God’s sovereignty and wisdom. He tells Job that his suffering is a test, and it’s not punishment, but an opportunity for Job to humble himself before God. He explains that suffering can help a person become more refined, and that God’s power and justice should compel Job to submit.

• How does Elihu explain Job’s suffering as a test?
• What does Elihu say about God’s wisdom and why it should lead Job to humble himself?
• What is Elihu’s counsel to Job about submitting to God’s power?

Job 37: Elihu continues to praise God’s greatness by describing His power in controlling nature, like thunder, lightning, and storms. Elihu challenges Job to recognize his limited understanding of these natural phenomena and, by extension, to accept his ignorance regarding God’s providence. Elihu concludes that God is to be greatly feared because of His mighty power and wisdom.

• What does Elihu say about God’s power shown through weather?
• How does Elihu challenge Job’s understanding of God’s actions?
• Why does Elihu emphasize that God is to be greatly feared and trusted?

Listening Points

Elihu enters the conversation and speaks to Job. Watch for how Elihu defends God’s justice and sovereignty. How does Elihu challenge Job’s complaints? Does Elihu agree with Job’s friends? Notice how Elihu speaks about suffering and God’s reasons for it.

Narration/Handwriting (for kindergarten-2nd):

Elihu is upset with both Job and his friends. He tells Job that God is always right and uses suffering to help people grow closer to Him. He says God is just, powerful, and wise. He tells Job to stop complaining and trust God.

Observations and Questions

Job 32:

• Who is Elihu, and why is he speaking now?
• How does Elihu defend his right to speak, even though he is younger than the others?
• How does Elihu describe his feelings toward the situation?

After Job and his three friends have finished speaking, Elihu, a young man, steps in to speak. He is upset with both Job and his friends. He believes the older men haven’t answered Job well, and he feels the need to speak up. Elihu defends his right to speak, saying that even though he is young, he has wisdom and understanding from God. He also claims that his mind is full of what he has heard, and he can no longer keep silent. Elihu speaks impartially and seeks to refresh the conversation with new insights, hoping to address Job’s complaints and the false accusations of his friends.

Job 33:

• What does Elihu say about God’s ways of speaking to people through suffering?
• How does Elihu explain the purpose behind Job’s pain?
• Why does Elihu ask Job to respond to him, and what does he want from Job?

Elihu directly addresses Job, asking him to listen to what he has to say. He believes that Job has spoken harshly about God and misunderstood the reasons for his suffering. Elihu argues that suffering is not a punishment for sin, but a means by which God speaks to people and helps them grow spiritually. He highlights that God uses suffering to teach people lessons, such as patience and hope. Elihu also emphasizes God’s sovereignty and how He speaks through dreams, pain, and suffering to guide people to a deeper understanding. Elihu asks Job to listen to him carefully, acknowledging that he wants to help Job understand the greater purpose behind his afflictions.

Job 34:

• How does Elihu prove that God is just and wise in His dealings with people?
• What is Elihu’s main accusation against Job in this chapter?
• What does Elihu teach Job about how to respond to suffering and God’s actions?

Elihu continues speaking, this time addressing Job’s earlier complaints about God’s justice. Elihu firmly defends the idea that God is just, powerful, and sovereign. He explains that God is in control of all things, that He cannot do wrong, and that He rewards and punishes according to His perfect will. Elihu rebukes Job for questioning God’s justice and encourages him to accept his suffering as part of God’s greater plan. He stresses that God’s actions are always righteous and that Job should trust in God’s wisdom, even when it’s hard to understand. Elihu concludes by urging Job to humble himself and acknowledge God’s goodness and justice.

Before Reading / Listening Points

Job reflects on his former prosperity and current suffering. Watch for the contrast between his past honor and present disgrace. How does Job defend his integrity? What specific sins does he clear himself of? Notice his deep appeal to God and his solemn oath—how does this show his conviction? These chapters reveal Job’s emotional and spiritual struggle as he tries to vindicate himself before his friends and God.

Narration/Handwriting (for kindergarten-2nd):

Job remembers when he was rich, honored, and helped others. Now, he is in pain, rejected by people, and feels abandoned by God. Job says he has lived rightly because he fears God, so he asks God to prove his innocence.

Observations and Questions

Job 29:

Job reflects on the height of his former prosperity and the deep fall into adversity he now faces. His purpose in doing this is to elicit pity from his friends and justify or at least excuse his complaints. In this chapter, Job looks back to his days of prosperity and highlights several key aspects of his previous life.

1. What comforts did Job have in his house and family?
   [He had great satisfaction and comfort from his household, which included a sense of security and joy in his family life (v. 1–6).]
2. What respect and honor did Job receive from his country?
   [Job was highly respected in his nation, with people from all walks of life showing him deference (v. 7–10).]
3. What good did Job do in his role as a magistrate?
   [He was instrumental in delivering justice and providing support to those in need (v. 11–17).]
4. What were Job’s hopes for the future based on his past?
   [He believed his comforts at home and his influence abroad would continue, and he looked forward to further success (v. 18–25).]

Summary Question:

What is Job’s purpose in recalling his former prosperity?
[To highlight the contrast with his current misery, appeal to his friends for pity, and defend his integrity against their criticisms.]

Job 30:

This chapter presents Job’s dramatic contrast between his former prosperity and his current suffering. He begins with a melancholy “But now,” signaling the stark shift in his circumstances. The chapter describes the depth of his adversity in vivid terms, making his fall from grace all the more striking. Job uses his past experiences to emphasize the intensity of his present suffering, aiming to draw pity from his friends.

1. What change has Job experienced in terms of social standing?
   [Job was once honored, but now he is vilified, even by the lowest of people. His former respect has been replaced by ridicule (v. 1–14).]
2. How has Job’s emotional state changed?
   [Previously, Job found inward comfort and joy, but now he feels burdened and terrorized by his own thoughts. His sorrow is overwhelming (v. 15, 16, 28–31).]
3. How has Job’s physical health changed?
   [Job had once enjoyed good health, but now he is sick and in pain, with his physical condition deteriorating (v. 17–18, 29, 30).]
4. What is Job’s relationship with God like in this chapter?
   [Where once he experienced the secret of God, now his communication with God has been cut off. Job feels abandoned by heaven (v. 20–22).]
5. What does Job now expect concerning his life?
   [Job had once looked forward to a long life, but now he sees death approaching, and he anticipates its inevitable arrival (v. 23).]

Summary Question:

• What two things offer Job some comfort in his affliction?
  [First, he finds some comfort in the thought that his troubles will not follow him to the grave (v. 24). Second, he is reassured by his conscience, which reminds him that in his prosperity, he had sympathized with the suffering of others (v. 25).]

Job 31:

In this chapter, Job protests his integrity, not in a boastful way, but as a necessary vindication against the false accusations of his friends. Job’s friends had accused him of specific sins, and Job addresses these accusations one by one, claiming his innocence with solemn oaths and imprecations. His protestation of innocence not only defends his reputation but also affirms the character of God’s assessment of him, as a man blameless and upright. Job clears himself not only of outward sins but also of secret ones, proving his sincerity and highlighting the godliness that underpinned his actions.

1. What specific sins does Job clear himself of in this chapter?
   [Job clears himself of many sins, including:
   • Wantonness and impurity of heart (v. 1-4)
   • Fraud and injustice in commerce (v. 4-8)
   • Adultery (v. 9-12)
   • Harshness towards servants (v. 13-15)
   • Lack of mercy toward the poor, widows, and orphans (v. 16-23)
   • Trusting in wealth (v. 24-25)
   • Idolatry (v. 26-28)
   • Seeking revenge (v. 29-31)
   • Neglecting strangers (v. 32)
   • Hypocrisy and cowardice (v. 33-34)
   • Oppression and violation of others’ rights (v. 38-40)]
2. What is the basis of Job’s integrity in his actions?
   [Job’s integrity is not just in the outward actions, but in the principles behind them. His avoidance of sin stems from his fear of God, and his actions in justice and charity were rooted in his piety. This sincerity in his actions affirms that his righteousness was genuine.]
3. How does Job defend his reputation before God and his friends?
   [Job solemnly appeals to God’s judgment concerning his integrity. He takes an oath and invokes God’s wrath upon himself if he is guilty of the sins he addresses, confirming his innocence and the purity of his heart.]

Summary Question:

• What does Job’s defense in this chapter reveal about the nature of true piety?
  [True piety is not merely outward righteousness, but is grounded in a deep fear of God. It is not only about avoiding sin but also about acting with mercy, justice, and charity because of one’s reverence for God. Job’s defense shows that his practices were rooted in this genuine fear and love for God.]

Before Reading / Listening Points

Job 24: Job continues discussing the prosperity of the wicked. What examples does Job give of how wicked people harm others? Does God punish them immediately, or is judgment reserved for later?

Job 25: Bildad speaks briefly about the greatness of God and the smallness of humanity. Does Bildad respond to Job’s arguments, or does he shift the focus? What lessons can we learn from his words, even if misapplied?

Job 26: Job responds to Bildad, agreeing with the greatness of God but adding more. How does Job describe God’s power over creation and the unseen world? What does he say about humanity’s ability to fully understand God?

Job 27: Job defends his integrity and warns of the fate of the wicked. How does Job describe his commitment to righteousness? What does he say about the eventual downfall of wicked people and its effects on their families?

Narration/Handwriting:

Job says bad people often go unpunished until later. Bildad says God is great, and people are small. Job agrees but adds that no one can fully understand God’s power. Job promises to stay good and warns that bad people will lose everything in the end.

Observations and Questions

Job 24: The question Job addresses here is: Why does God allow wicked people to thrive in their unrighteousness? Does God deal with them immediately?

• How does Job say God punishes them?
  [Sometimes through hidden judgments in this life, but their full punishment is reserved for the life to come (v. 18–25).]
• What is Job’s main observation about wicked people?
  [Many who openly and secretly harm others thrive and succeed without being punished in this life.]
• Does Job think all suffering people are wicked?
  [No, because not all prosperous people are righteous, and not all troubled people are wicked.]
• How does Job describe the actions of the wicked?
• [They oppress the poor and defenseless (v. 2–12) and commit secret mischief that often goes unnoticed (v. 13–17).]

Job 25: Bildad gives a short reply, focusing on the greatness of God and the smallness of humans. He avoids answering Job’s arguments about the wicked prospering.

• What does Bildad say about God?
  [God is all-powerful and glorious, ruling over everything (v. 2–3, 5).]
• What does Bildad say about humans?
  [Humans are weak, unclean, and insignificant compared to God (v. 4, 6).]
• What lessons can we learn from Bildad’s words, even if misapplied to Job?
  [We should honor God’s greatness and stay humble about ourselves.]

Job 26: Job responds to Bildad, agreeing with his points about God’s greatness but showing they are irrelevant to the main argument. Job expands on the topic to demonstrate his own deep understanding of God’s power.

• What does Job say about Bildad’s words?
  [They were true but not helpful or relevant to the discussion (v. 2–4).]
• How does Job show his own knowledge of God’s power?
  [He describes God’s control over the unseen world, the earth, and the heavens (v. 5–13).]
• Does Job think they have fully described God’s greatness?
  [No, he says their words only touch the edges of God’s power and cannot fully explain it (v. 14).]

Job 27: Job continues speaking without interruption, defending his integrity and rejecting his friends’ accusations of hypocrisy. He describes the fate of the wicked to affirm his points.

• What does Job declare about himself?
  [He insists on his innocence and promises to stay true to his integrity (v. 2–6).]
• What does Job say about hypocrisy?
  [He fears it greatly and emphasizes that hypocrites cannot truly call on God (v. 7–10).]
• What does Job say is the fate of the wicked?
  [Despite their temporary success, they will face ruin, and their families will suffer (v. 11–23).]

Before Reading / Listening Points

Job 21: Job replies to Zophar. Does he complain as much as he did previously? What does he say about the punishment / prosperity of the wicked?

Job 22: Eliphaz speaks again. Are the things he says true?

Job 23: Job stops answering his friends, and addresses God. There are many tensions in Job’s words. What is he struggling with?

Narration/Handwriting:

Job says evil people can live happy lives, but God will judge them in the end. Job wishes he could talk with God about his suffering. Job resolves he will follow God no matter what.

Observations and Questions

Job 21: The fundamental question discussed continues to be: is outward prosperity a mark of the true believer, and outward ruin a mark of the hypocrite? What does Job answer? Does God punish evildoers on earth? [Sometimes, but not always. Job says commonly He allows even the worst sinners to live all their days in prosperity with no visible sign of God’s wrath.] Where does Job point to God’s punishment? [As being in the world to come.]

Job 22: What are Eliphaz’s accusations of Job? [injustice, unfaithfulness to God]. Are they right? [no] Eliphaz’s exhortation of vv. 21-30 is excellent, notwithstanding its misdirection in Job’s case.

Job 23: Job is struggling with his flesh and spirit, fear and faith. He complains of his suffering and of God’s silence, his inability to get understanding or relief. But he comforts himself with assurance of God’s deliverance and his own integrity.