Week 5 (Jan 26-Feb 1): Job 26:1-42:17 &; Exodus 1:1-4:17 &; I Chronicles 6:1-3
As
you read through these passages of the Bible, reflect upon these
questions individually, through journaling, in pairs, or in small
groups...
1. In Job 27, Job made a number of declarations that God is in control, that Job will remain true, and that Job is innocent. Do you believe these claims? What are we to do with them given Job's circumstances? What scriptures support or question these assertions?
2. In Job 28:23, Job suggested that wisdom comes from God alone. Is this true? If so, how do we approach other sources of wisdom?
3. In Job 30, Job shared pretty honestly about his anguish. In what ways can these passages aid or inform our ministry to people today that are suffering and struggling?
4.In Job 30, Job also shared pretty honestly about how distant God felt and how adversarial God seemed to be toward Job. How do we reconcile these sentiments with our understanding of a loving, caring and merciful God?
5. Job 31:1 said, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman." In verses 9-10 he went on to suggest that if he does so, that he does not deserve to have his wife any longer. Jesus tolds us that when we look at a woman lustfully that we have committed adultery with her in our heart. How might this verse help men and women as we strive to remain faithful and pure?
6. Elihu waited to present his thoughts in Job 32. He waited to allow those older to speak first, but became frustrated when none of them adequately refuted Job's claims and the spirit compeled him to speak. Are there ways that we contribute to silencing the wisdom of "youth?" Are there ways that we may remain intentional about seeking the voice of those younger?
7. Consider Elihu's argument against Job. What is true in what he says? What seems to be lacking here? What would you have said to Job had you been in Elihu's place and heard all that Job was claiming?
8. In chapters 38 and 39, God responded to Job. But God responded with a series of mostly questions about Job's ability (or lack thereof) to do what God has done. God used questions rather than statements and added a bit of sarcasm as well. Is this how you would imagine God responding to Job? What is surprising here and what seems natural?
9. In Job 40, we read Job's response to God. Job acknowledged his place before God challenged Job again, this time referring to Behemoth and Leviathan. God's second series focused on these examples of God's creation rather than on God. What were these creatures and how does this aid God's argument?
10. Job 42 concluded the book with Job recanting and God accusing Job's friends of folly. God then restored Job's fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. It is after he is restored that his friends and family come to console Job. Thus a story of tremendous tragedy ends happily ever after. Is this a call to hope in the midst of tragedy? What do we say to people whose lives end still in the midst of the tragedy without a happy ever after?
11. The king of Egypt ordered the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill Hebrew boys that they delivered. Instead, they let the boys live and told Pharaoh that the boys were delivered before the midwives arrived. What do we learn from this example of civil disobedience?
12. While Moses' birth was not miraculous, we certainly see God's hand in keeping him safe as a baby and perhaps in avoiding the Pharaoh's wrath after killing an Egyptian. When God calls out to Moses from the burning bush, Moses pays attention. Some have said that the miracle here was not that the bush was not consumed but that Moses paid attention long enough to realize that the bush was not being consumed. When have you experienced a burning bush in your own life? What about the bush made you turn aside and held your attention? What did God have for you in that bush?
May the Lord bless and shape us through our individual reading and corporate study of His word this year.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment