Then Job replied: ThenThe word "Then" serves as a transitional marker, indicating a response or a continuation of a narrative. In the context of the Book of Job, it signifies a pivotal moment where Job begins to articulate his thoughts and feelings after the lengthy discourse of Eliphaz. This transition is crucial as it sets the stage for Job's defense and his heartfelt lament. Historically, this moment is significant as it reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of dialogue and debate, where responses were carefully crafted and delivered in a structured manner. Job
The name "Job" is derived from the Hebrew "Iyyov," which some scholars suggest may mean "persecuted" or "hated." Job is a central figure in this biblical narrative, representing the archetype of a righteous sufferer. His account is set in the land of Uz, a place that is not precisely located but is thought to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia. Job's character is pivotal in exploring themes of suffering, faith, and divine justice, and his name itself evokes the trials and tribulations he endures. replied
The verb "replied" indicates Job's active engagement in the dialogue. In Hebrew, the root word "anah" can mean to answer, respond, or testify. This suggests that Job is not merely speaking but is providing a considered response to the accusations and assumptions made by his friends. The act of replying is significant in the context of ancient wisdom literature, where dialogue and debate were essential methods for exploring philosophical and theological questions. Job's reply is not just a defense of his character but also an exploration of his understanding of God and justice. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and perseverance. 2. EliphazOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In the preceding chapters, Eliphaz speaks to Job, suggesting that his suffering is a result of sin. 3. UzThe land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel. It is a place of both prosperity and later, profound suffering for Job. 4. SufferingThe central theme of the Book of Job, where Job experiences loss of wealth, health, and family, leading to deep existential and theological questions. 5. DialogueThe Book of Job is structured as a series of dialogues between Job and his friends, exploring themes of justice, suffering, and divine sovereignty. Teaching Points The Reality of SufferingSuffering is a part of the human experience, even for the righteous. Job's account reminds us that being faithful to God does not exempt us from trials. The Importance of LamentJob's response to his suffering includes lament, which is a biblical way to express grief and seek understanding from God. It is important to bring our honest emotions before God. The Role of Friends in SufferingJob's friends initially come to comfort him, but their misguided advice shows the importance of offering presence and empathy rather than judgment. Faith Amidst TrialsJob's perseverance is a testament to maintaining faith even when circumstances are dire. Trust in God's character and sovereignty is crucial. Seeking God's WisdomIn times of suffering, seeking God's wisdom and understanding is vital. Job's dialogues with his friends and God highlight the need for divine insight. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Job's initial response to his suffering challenge or affirm your understanding of how to deal with personal trials? 2. In what ways can the account of Job encourage you to maintain faith during difficult times? 3. How can you be a better friend to someone who is suffering, based on the interactions between Job and his friends? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced suffering. How did your faith influence your response, and what did you learn from that experience? 5. How can the themes of perseverance and restoration in Job's account be applied to current challenges in your life or community? Connections to Other Scriptures James 5:11This verse references the perseverance of Job, highlighting his endurance and the ultimate compassion and mercy of the Lord. 1 Peter 5:10This verse speaks to the restoration and strength that God provides after suffering, paralleling Job's eventual restoration. Psalm 34:19This verse assures that the righteous face many troubles, but the Lord delivers them from all, echoing the hope found in Job's account. People Job, TemaPlaces Sheba, Tema, UzTopics Answereth, Job, RepliedDictionary of Bible Themes Job 6:1-13 5945 self-pity Library July 12 Evening
Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.--HEB. 10:24. How forcible are right words!--I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. They that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.--If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily PathOf Sufferings
Of Sufferings Be patient under all the sufferings which God is pleased to send you: if your love to Him be pure, you will not seek Him less on Calvary, than on Tabor; and, surely, He should be as much loved on that as on this, since it was on Calvary He made the greater display of His Love for you. Be not like those, who give themselves to Him at one season, and withdraw from Him at another: they give themselves only to be caressed; and wrest themselves back again, when they come to be crucified, …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer "Now the God of Hope Fill You with all Joy and Peace in Believing," &C.
Rom. xv. 13.--"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing," &c. It is usual for the Lord in his word to turn his precepts unto promises, which shows us, that the commandments of God do not so much import an ability in us, or suppose strength to fulfil them, as declare that obligation which lies upon us, and his purpose and intention to accomplish in some, what he requires of all: and therefore we should accordingly convert all his precepts unto prayers, seeing he hath made …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
1, 2. The vanity of those pleas which sinners may secretly confide in, is so apparent that they will be ashamed at last to mention them before God.--3. Such as, that they descended from pious us parents.--4. That they had attended to the speculative part of religion.--5. That they had entertained sound notion..--6, 7. That they had expressed a zealous regard to religion, and attended the outward forms of worship with those they apprehended the purest churches.--8. That they had been free from gross …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Joy
'The fruit of the Spirit is joy.' Gal 5:52. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification, is joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. I. It is a delightful passion. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity A Solemn Address to those who Will not be Persuaded to Fall in with the Design of the Gospel.
1. Universal success not to be expected.--2-4. Yet, as unwilling absolutely to give up any, the author addresses thou who doubt the truth of Christianity, urging an inquiry into its evidences, and directing to prayer methods for that purpose.--5 Those who determine to give it up without further examination.--6. And presume to set themselves to oppose it.--7, 8. Those who speculatively assent to Christianity as true, and yet will sit down without any practical regard to its most important and acknowledged …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul "And we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6.--"And we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Here they join the punishment with the deserving cause, their uncleanness and their iniquities, and so take it upon them, and subscribe to the righteousness of God's dealing. We would say this much in general--First, Nobody needeth to quarrel God for his dealing. He will always be justified when he is judged. If the Lord deal more sharply with you than with others, you may judge there is a difference …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Job 6:1 NIVJob 6:1 NLTJob 6:1 ESVJob 6:1 NASBJob 6:1 KJV
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