About this Bible Study........The King James Version of the Bible is written in a beautiful form of the English language. It can be hard for modern English readers to understand. In this study, you will find notes and summaries in brown just above the the verses from the Bible. We recommend that you read the notes and summaries first, and then read the verses in their KJV form.
Timeline of the Bible |
The Book of Job
Job was a very good man. He was very rich and had a big family. God
allowed Satan to test Job. Satan took away Job's possessions and most of his
family. Job couldn't understand why this happened to him. He asks why God would
let these things happen. Three of Job's friends came to try and help him
understand. Later, another young man comes to help him. At the end, God talks to
Job from a whirlwind.
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Job and his three friends. Graphic from http://parishableitems.wordpress.com |
Job's friend, Zophar, talks to him. He tells Job that
he is guilty of sin, and God is punishing him.
Job's friend, Zophar, talks to Job.
Zophar was a Naamathite from the place named Naamath. He says that Job
talked a lot, but it doesn't make him sinless. He says that his words make
the other friends stop talking. But he feels that someone needs to tell Job the
right thing.
[1] Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
[2] Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of
talk be justified?
[3] Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall
no man make thee ashamed?
Zophar feels that Job was wrong. Job said he is
right and did nothing wrong. But Zophar wishes God would tell Job what is
true. Job's sins are twice as many as he thinks. Zophar says that God
has punished Job less than he really deserves.
[4] For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
[5] But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
[6] And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double
to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine
iniquity deserveth.
Zophar says that no one can really know God's ways.
Zophar asks if Job can really know everything about
God.
[7] Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the
Almighty unto perfection?
God's mysteries are as high as heaven and deeper
than hell. They are longer than the earth and wider than the sea. Job
cannot know all of God's mysteries.
[8] It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what
canst thou know?
[9] The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
No matter what God does to Job, no one can stop Him.
[10] If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder
him?
God knows bad and wicked men. He sees the bad
things they do. God thinks about what they do.
[11] For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then
consider it?
A bad man cannot be wise and smart. It would never
happen like a wild donkey can never have a human baby.
[12] For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
Zophar says that if Job stops sinning, good things
will happen to him.
Zophar says that Job should put his sins away. Then
he can pray to God and not feel afraid.
[13] If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
[14] If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness
dwell in thy tabernacles.
[15] For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be
stedfast, and shalt not fear:
He will forget his bad times. They will be like
water that is all gone.
[16] Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that
pass away:
Job will shine and be clear like the morning. He
will feel secure and have hope. He will be able to rest.
[17] And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine
forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
[18] And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig
about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
Job will lie down and nothing will scare him. Many
people will respect him.
[19] Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid;
yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
Wicked people will not be able to see. Wicked
people will not escape. They will not have hope.
[20] But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and
their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.
Job answered Zophar. He criticized Zophar because Zophar thinks he
knows a lot. He says that Zophar thinks he will take all the wisdom with him
when he dies.
[1] And Job answered and said,
[2] No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
Job says he understands as well as Zophar. He is as
good as Zophar is and knows as much.
[3] But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea,
who knoweth not such things as these?
Job says that he prayed to God, and God answered
him. Now his neighbors are making fun of him and laughing at him.
[4] I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he
answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
People who have easy lives laugh at people who are
slipping and having trouble.
[5] He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the
thought of him that is at ease.
Job says that bad people steal, but they still do
well. Some people do things against God, but then God takes care of them.
[6] The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are
secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
Job tells Zophar to ask the animals, birds, and fish.
He can ask the earth, too. They will tell him that God made everything.
[7] But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the
air, and they shall tell thee:
[8] Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the
sea shall declare unto thee.
[9] Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought
this?
God holds the souls of every living thing. He holds
the breath of every person.
[10] In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all
mankind.
Does the ear test words the way a
mouth tests meat?
[11] Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
Older people have wisdom. They understand things
better. They are stronger.
[12] With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
[13] With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
Job talks about God's power.
If God breaks down something, it cannot be built
again. If God puts a man in prison, no one can let him out.
[14] Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up
a man, and there can be no opening.
If God holds up the water, the land will be dry. If
God sends out a lot of water, it covers up the earth.
[15] Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth
them out, and they overturn the earth.
God is strong and wise.
People who lie and people who are victims of lies belong to God.
[16] With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
God leads away people who give advice. He makes the
judges foolish.
[17] He leadeth counsellers away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
He makes the kings become slaves.
[18] He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
God leads the princes away. They are destroyed. He
puts the mighty people out of power.
[19] He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
God takes away the good words of trustworthy
people. He takes away the understanding from old people.
[20] He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the
understanding of the aged.
He makes people hate the princes. He makes the
mighty people become weak.
[21] He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the
mighty.
God brings mysteries out of dark places, and He
brings death out to light.
[22] He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light
the shadow of death.
God makes the nations bigger, and He destroys them.
[23] He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the
nations, and straiteneth them again.
God takes the leaders and makes the people wander
in the wilderness.
[24] He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and
causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
People have a hard time walking in the dark. God
makes them stagger and walk like men who are drunk.
[25] They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger
like a drunken man.
Job says that he has seen and heard all of this. He understands it. He
said he knows as much as Zophar knows. He is as good as Zophar.
[1] Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and
understood it.
[2] What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.
He says he would like to talk to God. He would like
to discuss this with God.
[3] Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason
with God.
He says that his friends tell lies. They are
worthless doctors.
[4] But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
He says they would be smarter to say nothing.
[5] O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your
wisdom.
He asks them to listen to what he is trying to say.
[6] Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
He says they tell lies for God. He asks if they
will take God's side.
[7] Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
[8] Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?
When God looks at them, will it be good? Or will
God see that they are mocking (making fun of) Him?
[9] Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another,
do ye so mock him?
God will punish them if they are not fair and are
being sneaky.
[10] He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.
He asks if they are afraid of God.
[11] Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?
He said their memories are like ashes, and their bodies are like clay.
[12] Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
Job wants to talk to God himself.
Job tells his friends to be quiet. He wants to
speak. He is willing to accept God's punishment for his words.
[13] Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me
what will.
[14] Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?
Even if God kills him, he will
continue to trust God. He feels he is a good person and will defend himself.
[15] Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will
maintain mine own ways before him.
God may save him because he is being truthful and
honest.
[16] He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before
him.
Job asks his friends to hear what he says. He
is defending himself, and he feels that God will help him.
[17] Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
[18] Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
Job asks who will help him talk to God. If he does
not speak to God, Job feels that he will die.
[19] Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I
shall give up the ghost.
Job wants two things before he talks to God.
He wants God to take His hand away from him so bad things will stop happening. He
doesn't want to be afraid of God.
[20] Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
[21] Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.
If God calls him, he will answer. He wants
God to let him speak. He wants God to answer him.
[22] Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.
Job wants God to tell him what he has done wrong.
He wants to know what his sins are.
[23] How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression
and my sin.
He asks God why He hides his face from him. He
wants to know why God sees him as an enemy.
[24] Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?
He asks if God will break a leaf that blows around.
He asks if He will keep breaking it after it's dried up.
[25] Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry
stubble?
God has made bad things happen to him. God is
punishing him for bad things he did when he was young.
[26] For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the
iniquities of my youth.
He says that God put his feet in the stocks (a way
of punishment). He says that God watches him in everything he does.
[27] Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all
my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.
He feels his life is disappearing
like clothing that moths are eating.
[28] And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.
Job talks about life and feels that
life is hopeless.
Job says that men have short lives. Their
lives are full of trouble.
[1] Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of
trouble.
Man comes alive like a flower, then he is cut down.
[2] He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a
shadow, and continueth not.
God sees him and his sin, then brings him to
judgment.
[3] And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into
judgment with thee?
Job says that all men sin; he is not the only
sinner.
[4] Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
God knows that people's lives are short. God
already knows how long each one will live. Job asks God to look away so
people can work and then rest.
[5] Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee,
thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
[6] Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an
hireling, his day.
A tree will live again if it is cut down, but men will
not.
After a tree is cut down, sometimes there is a
little life left in the root. The root might make a new little sprout grow.
If there is water, the little sprout may grow and become a big tree.
But if a man dies, there is no new life. Man is like water that dries up.
[7] For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout
again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
[8] Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die
in the ground;
[9] Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like
a plant.
[10] But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and
where is he?
[11] As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
[12] So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they
shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
Job wishes that God would hide him until He isn't
mad at him anymore. At the right time, God would remember him.
[13] O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me
secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time,
and remember me!
Job will wait until his time to die. God will call
him, and Job will answer God.
[14] If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time
will I wait, till my change come.
[15] Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the
work of thine hands.
Right now, God sees everything Job does. He sees
his sins.
[16] For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
Job wishes God would put his sins in a bag and get rid of them.
[17] My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine
iniquity.
God destroys a man's hope.
God destroys men's hope like water
destroys rocks. Water destroys the plants like God destroys men's hope.
[18] And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is
removed out of his place.
[19] The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out
of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.
God is more powerful than man. God changes
the way men look and then sends them away.
[20] Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his
countenance, and sendest him away.
A man won't know if his sons are honored or not
honored.
[21] His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought
low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
A man will have pain, and he will mourn.
[22] But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall
mourn.