Bible Text: Job 1:1; 2:11–13; 9:2; 41:12–34
Lesson Focus: God doesn't conform to human definitions.
Big Question: Why isn't life fair?
Key Words: RIGHTEOUS, FAIR, AMBIGUITY, PARADOX
• Job is Wisdom literature and is more concerned with theological reflection than with telling the story of the people of Israel.
• The theological questions posed in Job confront much of what passed as religious thought, both then and now—the formula that good things happen to good people and the wicked are punished.
• Job looks at the experience of life as it is, often seemingly random and capricious, and argues back. He contends that he has been righteous and therefore does not deserve suffering.
• Job's demands escalate until God responds—not with justice, as Job has hoped, but with power and a broader perspective on creation.
• Job never gets a direct answer to his questions. With Job, we learn that God is beyond our understanding. We learn that God is deeply involved in a wide, wild creation. We learn that God is present with all who suffer.
• God doesn't conform to the human definition of fairness. Ultimately, this is very Good News. It means we get love, forgiveness, and grace we can never earn or deserve.
Job 1:1 One of the major arguments in the book of Job is whether personal suffering is God's way of punishing the unrighteous. This verse reminds us that Job's suffering was not a form of punishment for being a bad person. Do you believe that bad things only happen to bad people? Do good things only happen to good people?
Job 9:2. Job's three friends came to console him because of all that had happened to him, but they soon began to tell Job that his suffering was caused by his own wrongdoing. Job offers his argument after each of his "friends" attempts to convince him that he got what he deserved. One of the recurring points that Job makes is found in Job 9:2. Do you think it's possible for people to please God all of the time? On a whiteboard or chart paper, draw a stick figure and label it "The Perfect Christian." Invite the class to brainstorm all the characteristics of this person. Could such a person really exist?
Lutheran Study Bible page 792:"What does the concept 'theology of the cross' mean?" together as a class. Then read Job 2:11–13 and pose these questions: Have you ever comforted someone who was suffering? What was it like? Did you experience God's presence with the suffering person? As an exercise, try sitting in silence together for seven minutes. What would seven days of silence be like?
