Through the centuries, the book of Job has thrilled, enlightened, and challenged readers in Judaism, Christianity, and even Islam (which has its own variant of the biblical account). We say challenged because, as we have seen, in and of itself the book leaves many questions unanswered. On one level, this shouldn’t be so surprising. After … Continue reading –>
Bible students through the ages have sought to find parallels between the story of Job and the story of Jesus. And though Job is not exactly a “type” of Jesus (as were the animals in the sacrificial system), some parallels do exist. In these parallels we can find another lesson from Job: that of what … Continue reading –>
When we go through Job-like experiences and trials, we sometimes wish that Jesus was right here with us, so we could talk to Him face-to-face instead of just reading the Scriptures. We think Jesus would have something new to say to us outside of Scriptures, something that would fit our unique experience. However, let’s see what … Continue reading –>
Lesson 14. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. We don’t normally have fourteen weeks in a section of the Sabbath School calendar, but this time we do. Why not consider this 14-week time period as an opportunity to learn the virtues of endurance? Of persevering? Of sticking it out? Job did, and his faithful life has … Continue reading –>
As we all know, and some know too well, life is hard. Right at Eden, after the Fall, we were given some hints of how hard it would be, when the Lord let our first parents know what some of the results of their transgression would be (see Gen. 3:16–24). These were just hints though. … Continue reading –>
All through the book of Job, the three (and then four) men who came to speak to Job did so with good motives. They had heard what had happened to him, and they came “to mourn with him and to comfort him” (Job 2:11). However, after Job first started speaking, bemoaning the tragedies that befell … Continue reading –>
One of the great questions that has challenged human thinking deals with evil. Though some philosophers and even religionists have denied the existence of evil or think we should at least abandon the term, most people would disagree. Evil is real; it’s a part of this world. Though we can argue over what is or … Continue reading –>
Read 2 Corinthians 5:7 and 2 Corinthians 4:18. What crucial truths are revealed in these texts? How can these truths help us as we seek to be faithful followers of the Lord? The immediate context of 2 Corinthians 4:18 is eschatological, talking about the end times, when we are clothed in immortality, a great promise … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Cor. 5:7, Job 1-2:8, Matt. 4:10, Matt. 13:39, John 8:1–11, Heb. 11:10, Heb. 4:15. Memory Text: “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11, NKJV). … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Job, before his suffering, revealed a personality in harmony with God. He had high ethical values, personal integrity, and a heart for the poor. Lesson 13, December 24, 2016 1. Have a volunteer read Job 1:1, 1:8. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this … Continue reading –>
