As you read through Job, try paraphrasing each of the “speeches” – a one sentence summary for each section; I find it really helps you grasp what people are saying. For example, from today’s reading …

Bildad:

“God works in consistent ways. So rely on him and he will restore you” (8:1-10)

“The key to living is remembering God, the source of life” (8:11-19)

“God is just and he will bring about what is right in your life” (8:20-22)

Job:

“But God’s power makes it futile to question him” (9:1-13)

“Therefore, my hope is not in arguing for justice but pleading for mercy – but all I see is God beating me up” (9:14-20)

“God seems arbitrary and uncaring. If not him, then who is in control?” (9:21-24)

“I can’t ignore my pain and justifying myself does no good” (9:25-31)

“I need a lawyer to stand between God and me” (9:32-35)

“In my despair I will complain freely because I don’t think I deserve all this” (10:1-7)

“What is God’s motive in creating and then destroying me” (10:8-12)

“It doesn’t seem to matter what I do – God still comes after me” (10:13-17)

“Please just let me die” (10:18-22)

Interesting, isn’t it! Can you identify with Job’s emotions? Can you identify with his friends’ concerns?

Of course you should never read the ending in advance, but let’s do it this time and see where we will end up in a week’s time! At the very end of the story, …

After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. (Job 42:7-9)

Surprised?! So what was it that Job’s friends misunderstood about God? What was it that Job got right (NOTE: Job also got some things wrong too)? Keep asking these questions as you continue on through Job!