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.
- 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).] - 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).] - 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).] - 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.
- 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).] - 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).] - 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).] - 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).] - 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.
- 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)]
- 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.] - 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.]