11: Out of the Whirlwind – Discussion Starters
- God Speaks. Where has God been in the discussion so far? Why do you think Job and his friends spent so much of their energy and talking time dealing with the nature of God when He’s not even participating in their discussion? Since God caused the events to happen that affected Job, why do you think He chose not to be involved in the talk–until now?
- Out of the Whirlwind. Have you ever heard God speak to you when your life was as confusing as a whirlwind? Have you ever watched a whirlwind spinning around and had to run or drive your vehicle to get out of its way? Is this whirlwind an example of a theophany (the appearance of God to man)? How near can God be to you and me? Are the limits to God’s nearness to me set by God or by me? What are they?
- God’s Questions. And God said, “Who is it that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” What is your answer to that question? Why does God ask questions of man when He knows everything from the start? Review the questions from God selected for this part of the lesson and ask, “Do these questions have anything in common?” If so, what? And why did God ask such questions?
- God as Creator. What is a rhetorical question? What is the purpose of asking questions that have no answer? Reading these questions yourself, do you sense something like being wrapped in a robe of ignorance? Do you ever ponder questions related to God’s creation and wonder why certain objects or creatures were ever formed? If you and I are so hopelessly different from God in every respect, why does He spend so much of His own resources in wrapping us together in His love?
- The Wisdom of the Wise. Have you heard of the flat earth society? What comes to mind when you hear from this group of people who claim to believe that all the pictures of space showing orbs and circles are fake and claim loudly that there is no proof that the world is round like a ball? When scientists report their findings and their plans for exploring space, do you ever want to ask them what they expect to accomplish? Aren’t they the wisest of us all?
- Repenting in Dust and Ashes. How difficult was it for Job to admit he didn’t know what he was talking about regarding God and creation? Why did Job, without further ceremony, throw himself on the ground in desperate humility? Do you and I ever pray like that in our Christian life? Should we? How much sinfulness have we absorbed into our lives even as we trust God and strive to walk with Him?
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God showed up and started a conversation with Job. Love was on display. Job was humble.....This is a beautiful picture of God and a revelation of the cruelty of the evil one.
There are a number of texts in the Bible that mention whirlwinds, such as Jeremiah 25:32 ,Ezekiel 1:4 , and Nahum 1:3. What might the purpose be that God chose whirlwinds in each of those situations, along with Job?
I call them attention getters. God is not lacking in ability.
Our inability to fathom evil, to be blindsided by it, is the very reason to trust implicitly that God's plan must and will win. We can trust The Almighty, The All-Knowing One, who truly loves us.The battle is The Lord's; and, He's already won!
Even with all that God is, He still asks that we come and reason together, to talk and ask questions. Just as we still talk and spend time with our children so they can grow to their greatest potential, so God teaches us as we spend time with Him.