Job-"My Servant Spoke What Was Right"

By Mary Vee
From Job 3-39

From the Notes from Job

Photo Courtesy

I don't understand what has happened. For days I've sat in ashes trying to figure out what happened and what I should do.

My friends gave me their advice, but I knew they misunderstood. 

Then God spoke out of a storm. "What power or understanding or control do you have? Whom do you control or have authority over? What wisdom fills your heart? Will one of you correct the Almighty? Let the one who accused God answer!"

My hands shook then my whole body shook. I hardly knew what to say. "I am unworthy--how can I answer you?"

I could hardly breathe. 

God spoke again, "Brace yourself like a man and answer my questions." Then He reminded me of His power and control over everything. 

I answered, "I know that you can do all things. No plan of yours can be defeated. You asked, 'Who is this that clouds my advise without knowing what they are talking about?'" I closed my eyes. "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know."

I then said to Him, "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you, therefore I hate myself and repent her in the dust and ashes."

God then said to my friend, Eliphaz, "I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your foolishness. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."

Photo Courtesy

I didn't know what to say. 

I watched Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar do what the Lord told them. I prayed for their souls, and the Lord accepted my prayer.

To hear the Almighty say I had spoken what was right overwhelmed me more than anything else. I was tired. So very tired. I think my respect for the Almighty's power kept me from getting up and dancing for joy. I just felt so overwhelmed. 

Still, on the inside, there was a glimmer of joy. A joy that came from pleasing the Almighty. This is something I always want to do. At any cost.

*********************************************************************************************

1. What did Job see when God spoke?
2. What did God tell job to do?
3. What didn't Job do after God spoke?
4. Who was God unhappy with? Why?

5. What did God tell those who did not please Him.

God had allowed this testing of Job to happen to prove to everyone what He expected from us. 

Job-My Friends Came When I Needed Them

By Mary Vee
From Job 2

From the Notes of Eliphaz, Friend Of Job

Photo Courtesy

My name is Eliphaz, I am a Temanite. I have known Job for a long time. We've spent a lot of time with our other friends, Bildad who is a Shuhite and Zophar who is a Naamathite. We get together a lot and talk about all kinds of things. I'd say we four have a strong friendship.

A messenger came to us and said terrible things happened to our friend Job. All of his sheep, oxen, and donkeys were stolen, many of his servants killed by invading armies, and his children--all of them--died in a terrible wind storm.

I sent word to Bildad and Zophar to meet at my house.

"What can we do?" Bildad asked.

"Should we take him a meal?"

I nodded. "Yes that would be a good idea. But I think he will be too sad to eat."

"That's right. I heard he also has painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. The poor man must be in so much pain," said Zophar.

"Should we take a balm to sooth his pain?" asked Bildad.

"I don't know. If I were him, I think I would like to know my friends were close, but not have to talk to them," I said.

"Yes, that is exactly how I'd feel," said Zophar.

Bildad folded his hands and held them close to his lips. "I think we should go to Job and do what you said, We will sit there as long as he needs and not say a word unless he speaks first. We'll be there to comfort him as friends."

We set out on our journey to find Job. After quite a walk, we saw him from a distance. Usually we could recognize him right away, but not this time. I couldn't stop myself from weeping. Zophar and Bildad wept, too. 

We walked to him and tore our robes and sprinkled dust on our heads then sat on the ground with Job for seven days and seven nights. 

Not one of us said a word to him, because we saw how great his suffering was. Our poor, dear friend, Job. How could this have happened to you?


*********************************************************************************************

1. Name Job's three friends.
2. Did they live in the same neighborhood as Job?
3. What did they decide to do when they got together to talk about Job?
4. What did they do when they saw Job?