The School Bus: When God Takes You to School

Job 38–42

Summary of Job 38–40:5
Job had been confident that he knew the workings and the ways of God (27:11)... now God calls on him to prove that claim and demands that Job answer His questions (38:1–3). God then asks Job a series of rhetorical questions.

38:1 - God finally answers Job from the whirlwind (eye of the violent storm). Why do you think God chose this specific time to reply to Job?

Fill in the blank: When you hear from God in the midst of great struggle, it reassures you that God ___________.
(...is here, cares, is ultimately in control, etc.)

38:2–40:2 - God takes Job to school and blasts him with tons of questions. Don't you hate when someone answers a question with a question?! That's what God did to Job. Why is this God's method of reply? What is it that He's trying to communicate to Job?
(He's reminding Job of who is God, majestic, sovereign, all-powerful, all-knowing, etc.)

Why does God appear to Job and say this? Is God defending Himself?
(God does not offer vindication of His dealings with us, nor does He need to justify his providence towards Job. He does not lower Himself in order to elevate us into judges of His conduct. The righteousness of His providence does not depend on how we perceive it or admit it. God is never defensive... He is the sovereign Lord of all, accountable to no being but Himself. He does not appear to vindicate Himself, but to rescue Job.)

Why does God speak to us (through His Word, others, circumstances, or the Holy Spirit)? What's the motive behind His words?
(to rescue us, save us from our sin, guide us towards Him, etc.)

40:3–5 - Job is ready to shut up and listen. Job needed to be rescued from his own thoughts. He began to make the wrong conclusions about God. We often need to be rescued from our own thoughts or the persuasion of others' thoughts. Powerful thoughts and words do not equal wisdom. Where does wisdom come from?
(Job 28:20-28, Proverbs 2:6, James 1:5)

Why should an unbeliever repent? Why should Christians repent?
(Repentance is not about relationship, but it is about restoring fellowship. Repentance is for everyone. To enjoy ongoing fellowship with God, we need to live a life of daily repentance.)

How does God's revelation lead to a life of repentance?
(It causes us to consider on a regular basis His glory and our inadequacies, and that His mind and thoughts are truly higher than ours. Isaiah 55:8–9)

42:7–17 - God never told Job why he suffered or what the purpose was. Would you still be demanding an explanation, or would you hear and understand what God said?

What has God showed you through these chapters?

What does God want to rescue you from right now? What do you need to repent from?