Job 27 - Introduction

TODAY'S ENGLISH VERSION

1-2 I swear by the living Almighty God,

who refuses me justice and makes my life bitter

3 as long as God gives me breath
4 my lips will never say anything evil,

and my tongue will never speak a lie.

5 I will never say that you men are right;

as long as I live I will insist I am innocent.

6 I will never give up my claim to be right;

my conscience is clear.

7 May all who oppose me and fight against me

be punished like wicked, unrighteous men.

8 What hope is there for godless men

in the hour when God demands their life?

9 When trouble comes, will God hear their cries?
10 They should have wanted the joy he gives
and should have constantly prayed to him.
11 Let me teach you how great is God's power,

and explain what Almighty God has planned.

12 But no, after all, you have seen for yourselves;

so why do you talk such nonsense?

[Zophar]

13 Here is how Almighty God punishes wicked, violent men.
14 They may have many sons, but all are killed in war;

their children never have enough to eat.

15 Those who survive will die from disease,

and their widows will not mourn their death.

16 The wicked may have too much silver to count,

and more clothes than anyone needs.

17 But some good man will wear the clothes,

and some honest man will get the silver.

18 The wicked build houses that will not last;

they are like a spider's web,

or the hut of a slave guarding the fields.

19 One last time they will lie down rich,

and when they wake up they will find their wealth gone.

20 Terror will strike like a sudden flood;

a wind in the night will blow them away;

21 the east wind will sweep them from their homes;
22 it will blow down on them without pity,

while they try their best to escape.

23 The wind howls at them as they run,

frightening them with destructive power.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 27:1-23

529.

Chapter twenty-six contains a powerful section on the constant Lordship of God over nature. The verbs in Job 27:5-11 emphasize this. How so?

530.

What is meant by the expression took up his parable?

531.

Job takes the most solemn oath possible. What is it? What does it suggest?

532.

Does Job refer to the fact that he is yet alive? Or is this the thought?

533.

Is Job saying that he will speak the truth on all subjects or on just the subject of his innocence? Discuss.

534.

Job declares the guilt of his friends in the declaration of his innocence. Why?

535.

How is the term heart used in the O.T.?

536.

Show how we can ascribe verse seven to Job.

537.

The term get gain in verse eight means more than mere acquiring of possessions. What is added?

538.

Job presents his friends with a devastating theological dilemma. Explain.

539.

There is a grand lesson of the proper attitude toward God in verse ten. What is it?

540.

Job actually charges God with immoral behavior. Discuss. Cf. Job 27:11-12.

541.

The portion of the wicked man in Job 27:13-15 is very much like what happened to Job. Is there a relationship? Discuss.

542.

Aren-'t most of these comments idle dreaming about what should happen to the wicked rather than what really happens? Discuss.

543.

The moth of Job 27:18 is a man. Explain.

544.

What is described in Job 27:19?

545.

The wicked are lonely and haunted by terrors night and day. Why? Is this always true?

546.

What was unusual about the east wind?

547.

Who is throwing what at whom in Job 27:22?

548.

Men clap their hands at the wicked. When? Why?