Job 42: Is Faith Always Worthwhile?
SO WHAT DO we get out of faith? Money? Power? Success? Every believer comes to these questions at some time or other. It is, after all, Satan's question in the first chapter. And so the fateful test is designed—the test to see whether Job's faith is without any ulterior motive or, as Satan believes, merely a commercial contract rather than a covenant of belonging. After Job prays for his friends, he has his fortune restored and is given a new family. The story ends with Job living happily ever after and dying "old and full of years." But was Satan right? Is unselfish faith possible? or even desirable?
Warming Up to God
How do you react when you hear someone talking about the benefits of following Jesus (such as health and wealth) when you have never received some of these blessings?
Read Job 42. »
Discovering the Word
- After God's speech in 40:15—41:34, Job is moved to full repentance. What words does Job use to describe his direct experience of God (vv. 1-6)?
- What does Job now know about God and about himself?
- What do verses 7-17 say about God's evaluation of each of the characters in the drama?
- Job's friends would probably have agreed with all that God said to Job in chapters 38—41. Why is God angry with them?
- In what sense has Job spoken of what is right about God (v. 7)?
- How do you think Job would now answer the question "Why are you suffering?"
Applying the Word
- In what sense may suffering Christians look forward to the blessing of God?
- What have you learned through this study about loving God for God's sake?
Responding in Prayer
Praise God for what you have learned about him and the way he works in the world through the book of Job.
For Further Study
Wasting Time with God by Klaus Issler