Posts that reference the book of Job

Study Tip: Job

Job is a difficult book. We don't have many details but it seems Job may be one of the oldest stories in Scripture. He was likely a contemporary of Abraham or he may have even predated the patriarchs. The catastrophes described defy comprehension, and for one man to absorb them in such a short span of time pushes the limits of our belief as much as any miracle recorded. Job wrestles with the questions we've all raised –

Why do bad things happen to good people?
Where is God when bad things happen?
And perhaps most penetrating – do we serve God for what we get out of it?

Job is written in poetic form and after a prologue, it is arranged as a series of debates. Job's friends alternate between lecturing and charging him. He responds, decrying his lot and defending himself to his friends and to God.

The poetic style and the strings of proverbs often employed by Job's friends can make it difficult to follow. Here are some suggestions:

As you read and study Job, keep track of the speaker. (Sometimes the same speaker will continue through several chapters.) What is the tone of his speech? What charges does he make? How does Job respond? What is his tone?

What kinds of "advice" do his friends give that is theologically correct but misapplied?

Keep a list of the defenses Job wishes to make before God. What does he say when God confronts him?

What do you learn about God from chapters 1-2 and 38-42?

After reading Job, how would you answer those three main questions?

What Job Taught My Characters

By Paula Wiseman

(I'm working on the edits for Indemnity, so I really appreciate your patience and understanding as I offer a repost. Thank you!)

Over the course of my books, I put my characters in some difficult spots. That's good for them and good for the readers. However, then I have to come along and put some wise resolution for that character to discover, drawn on or hear from someone else. I strive for a fresh insight, for practical wisdom, something useful, not just holy-sounding. This is always when the writing gets very humbling because this is where God takes over.

In one situation, I had a character go back to Job. (I had just finished reading Job myself, so it was fresh in my mind.) The character said although the Lord restored all that Job had, God never took the pain of the loss away. Yesterday, it also occurred to me that the restoration took years. Job didn't wake up the next morning *poof* with his seven new sons and three new daughters.

So here are two things I learned-

Pain fades to the point where it doesn't consume our lives, but it doesn't necessarily ever go away. At least not in this life. Sometimes we put unrealistic expectations on ourselves or others about how and when we should be 'over' something. Each situation is unique and intensely personal. Grant yourself (or someone else) the grace to walk through it rather than adding the pressure of 'should'. Truth is, God may doing things through the loss that we are completely unaware of, as was Job's case. Job never knew the full story behind all his suffering.

Second, restoration takes time and it may mean traveling over some ground we've already covered. Job had already done diapers and toddlers and loose teeth and adolescence but he had to go through it all again. It's worth it. The last chapter of Job says, "The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than the beginning."

What have you learned from Job?

Study Tip: Types of Context

By Paula Wiseman

Last week we introduced the idea of examining the context to interpret Scripture, specifically the words around the passage you're studying. There are a few other factors to consider.

Geographical context – Where do the events take place? Remember, the events in Scripture don't take place in modern day North America. Many times the surroundings prompt psalms or teachings. For instance, in Matthew 24, Jesus and His disciples leave the temple in Jerusalem, and the sight of that building in all its grandeur leads Jesus to remark that not one of the stones from that magnificent building will be left on top of another. He then explains the framework for the destruction of the city and His own second coming. All that teaching occurs in the geographical context of Herod's temple.

Historical context – When do the events take place? The Bible spans hundreds of years of history. Things were different for Abraham than they were for Paul. Both are very different from our own perspective. Keep in mind the numerous scientific discoveries that hadn't been made yet, and still, the Biblical writers understood things like the water cycle (Job 36:27) and weather (Matthew 16), genetics (Genesis 30), prenatal development (Psalm 139). Things like representative democracy, quick travel and communication didn't exist.

Cultural context – How did the events fit into the larger scheme? In Biblical societies, slavery was commonplace. There was no opportunity to work hard and make a better life for yourself. If you were born poor, you'd die that way. Marriages happened under vastly different circumstances. Sickness likely meant death. The threat of invasion was an ever-present reality.

While God's word is relevant and applicable to us today, keep in mind the unique time and place in which it was written.

Study Tip: Praise and Worship

By Paula Wiseman

raised hands We've reached the last post in our look at different types of writing in the Bible. Praise and worship of Jehovah God is one of the central themes of Scripture. Although it comes in several varieties, it's some of the easiest language to identify.

Look for direct address and second person pronouns for God (the "you" ones).
"Lord, You have been our dwelling in all generations." Psalm 90:1

Look for the word "praise" and then notice the reason or occasion.
"I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14

Look for descriptions of His attributes and/or what He does (especially those things that are like no one else).
"He is unique and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does." Job 23:13

Some verses may fit more than one variety.
"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3

If you're a list maker, keeping track of all the reasons to praise God- who He is, and what He does- is a great faith builder. Just tuck that sheet in the back of your Bible and add to it over time.

What is your favorite praise/worship verse?

Study Tip: Fly Over

By Paula Wiseman

: Image via Wikipedia

Welcome back to the blog and a new study tip. I think I have things in hand well enough to get back on schedule. Thank you for your patience!

Next time you begin a new study of a book of the Bible, sit down and read the book through in one sitting. (Okay, Genesis, Psalms, Jeremiah and some of the others may take more than one.) Don’t make any notes- just read it like you would any other pleasure book. Take the pressure off yourself to retain, or to analyze it. Just read it. This does two things for you. First, it makes Bible study less of a chore and more like enjoying time with your Father while you read this wonderful journal He left for you. Second, it gives you context for deeper study.

This quick, overview read is like a view from a helicopter. When you fly over an area, you get an idea of the topography, the roads or waterways, and the landmarks. In a quick read, you get the tone of the book – Job ‘sounds’ different than Jeremiah. You also get the big themes and ideas. If you read the Kings, you see there were good kings and bad kings. In Leviticus, there’s a lot about offerings and feasts. In Luke, the Son of Man is on a mission. In Philippians, there is joy.

I admit, this is a tough one for me. I like the details, and I find myself easily pulled into a word by word examination. However, the overview is critical for a deeper understanding of Scripture, especially how the parts relate to the whole. It may help to read in a different translation than you typically use, especially for the narrative books like the Old Testament histories or Acts or even the Gospels.

Next week, we’ll try a ‘drive-by’ reading to follow the ‘fly-over’.

Time for Pain and for Restoration

By Paula Wiseman

: Image by stage88 via Flickr

Over the course of my books, I put my characters in some difficult spots. That’s good for the plot and good for the readers. However, then I have to come along and put some wise resolution for that character to discover, drawn on or hear from someone else to get them out of that pickle. I strive for a fresh insight, for practical wisdom, something useful not just holy-sounding. This is where the writing gets very humbling because this is where God takes over.
In one situation, I had a character go back to Job. (I just finished reading Job, so it’s fresh in my mind.) The character said although the Lord restored all that Job had, God never took the pain of the loss away. Yesterday, it also occurred to me that the restoration took years. Job didn’t wake up the next morning *poof* with his seven new sons and three new daughters.
So here are two principles about pain or loss (I wish I’d thought of them, but they’re God’s)- Pain fades to the point where it doesn’t consume our lives, but it doesn’t necessarily ever go away. At least not in this life. Sometimes we put unrealistic expectations on ourselves or others about how and when we should be ‘over’ something. Each situation is unique and intensely personal. Grant yourself (or someone else) the grace to walk through it rather than add the pressure of ‘should’. Truth is, God may doing things through the loss that we are completely unaware of- as was Job’s case. Job never knew the full story behind all his suffering.
Second, restoration takes time and it may mean traveling over some ground we’ve already covered. Job had done diapers and toddlers and loose teeth and adolescence with his kids, but he had to go through it all again. In the end, it’s worth it. The last chapter of Job says, “The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than the beginning.”

Pain, suffering and sorrow are a fact of life, but thank God through Jesus Christ, they are only a fact of THIS life. (John 16:33)