Workers For Jesus Online Bible Study Table of Contents

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

God creates the world. --- God destroys the world with the flood, but saves  Noah and his family.---
This book of the Bible happens during this time God chooses Abraham and his descendants to His people. ---Abraham's grandson, Jacob, has 12 sons who lead the 12 tribes of Israel.--- The Israelites become slaves in Egypt.--- God helps the Israelites escape and leads them to Canaan. ---The Israelites fight in wars and take control of Canaan.---Judges lead the Israelites, but the Israelites want to have kings instead of judges. --- David is Israel's greatest king.--- Israel divides into 2 parts: Israel and Judah.--- The people of Israel and Judah continue to sin and worship false gods.--- God allows the Assyrians and the Babylonians to take the Israelites out of Israel and Judah.--- The Israelites (Jews) live in Babylonia and then Persia. --- When Persia defeats the Babylonians, the Jews go back to Judah.--- The Jews build God's Temple in Jerusalem again.--- Greece defeats Persia, and the Greeks control Judah (also now called Israel).--- The Jews become independent for 100 years.-- The Romans take control of Israel.--- Jesus is born. At age 30, Jesus begins his ministry. ---Jesus is crucified and then is resurrected. --- A Roman named Saul is converted to Christianity and becomes Paul.--- Christianity spreads. --- Paul write letters to Christians in other places. In the year, 70 A.D., God's Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed again.

 

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.
 


Job 11 - 14
Job's friend, Zophar, talks to him. Zophar feels that Job has sinned.
Job replies to Zophar.
Job talks about his friends.  He says that their advice is not helpful.
Job wants to talk to God himself.
Job talks about life and feels that life is hopeless.
 


 

Job and his three friends.
Graphic from
http://parishableitems.wordpress.com

Job 11


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 12


Job replies to Zophar.


Job does not feel that his friends are smarter than he is.


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 13
 

Job talks about his friends.  He says that their advice is not helpful.


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 14
 

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.
 

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