Denison Church of the Nazarene

July 25th, 2010

Today’s scripture focus: Job 7:1-7

The sayings of the wise represent a distinct type of literature in the Old Testament. Moses and the prophets received their messages directly from God, but Wisdom authors looked to God’s creation to determine truth. The pursuit of wisdom was not a secular endeavor, for Israel believed that God placed the principles of wisdom in the created order. Foundational to wisdom is the belief that God created the world in justice and righteousness. By choosing the path of truth, one may suffer for a time, but eventually obedience will lead to a long life with prosperity. By contrast, the foolish refuse the disciplined life in favor of one governed by self-gratification. Job-Songs make up the Wisdom section of scripture.

The book of Job is named after its chief character. The actual author is not identified. We may be sure the author was an Israelite, since he (not Job or his friends) uses the covenant name for God (Yahweh; NIV “the LORD”). Job is one of the most difficult books in the Old Testament to translate. It uses a large technical vocabulary of words from astronomy, mining, hunting, and law. Job is a carefully crafted literary masterpiece. It contains prose, poetry, dialogues, laments, hymns, and proverbs. The main structure of the book is divided into three parts: a short prose prologue (chapters 1-2), a long section of poetic dialogue between Job and others (3-42:6), and a short prose conclusion (42:7-17)

In last week’s CrossWords assignment, we read how, after Job is afflicted with sores all over his body, his three friends came to minister and grieve. After seven days of silence, Job begins his lament, cursing the day he was born. In chapter four, his first friend, Eliphaz the Temanite responds. Teman was an Edomite town noted for wisdom (Jer. 49:7). The speeches of Job’s friends contain elements of truth, but they must be interpreted in context. The problem is with what the friends did not know: God’s high purpose in allowing Satan to buffet Job. Eliphaz tells a of a hair-raising dream he had which revealed the truth of Job’s situation. He tells Job to be thankful for God’s correction.

Today’s scripture focus begins the second half of Job’s response to Eliphaz’s speech. After appealing for sympathy in chapter six, he now addresses his complaint towards God in chapter seven. “Hard service” usually refers to military service, though it came to be commonly used to refer to the Babylonian exile. For post-exilic Jews in Palestine, suffering had become a way of life. Would relief only come in death? We all go through difficult times, but Job is especially meaningful to the chronic sufferer – those for whom life seems one long, sleepless night. During these times when we feel that our friends aren’t hearing us, we can take comfort that God is indeed listening. Surely He has borne our sorrows!

CrossGroups

• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.

• Let everyone who would like share anything exciting from their week.

• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as would like.

1) Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?

2) What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?

3) When is it ok to complain to God?  How do we know God is listening to our troubles?

Today’s Sermon

• Job had a long night.
• We have those long nights, too.
• God was listening to Job in the night.
• God listens to us, too.

Assignment – Pray daily for the manifest presence of God in our worship.