Wednesday Night Bible Study (Flatonia Baptist Church)

Job's second friend, Bildad, bluntly carries on Eliphaz's line of thinking that Job's suffering is proof of hidden sin in his life.

Job's third friend, Zophar, speaks, arguing that Job's stubborn refusal to repent of his sin is the source of his present difficulty. Although we know that this advice is misapplied in Job's case, we will take the opportunity examine what repentance truly is and how we can find peace in being reconciled with God.

Eliphaz has a second opportunity to speak, reiterating his argument that Job must be suffering due to sin. Job's response indicates a sense of hopelessness, and we look to the example of King David to see an example of hope in suffering.

Bildad once again expresses the consensus of the friends that Job's suffering is the result of an unnamed sin, but Job responds with a remarkable statement of faith and hope in declaring "I know that my Redeemer lives!"

Zophar makes his final speech, summing up his argument that Job's suffering is evidence of hidden sin. Job wrestles with the fact that God's judgment of the wicked is not always swift and sure.

Eliphaz speaks for the third and final time, eliciting a response from Job in which he laments what he perceives to be God's passivity in the face of injustice but ends with a hopeful statement of faith.

Job gives his final speech, reflecting on how far he has fallen and protesting his innocence once again before God. As we study Job's words we are reminded about the sort of holiness we should desire for our own lives.

A new character enters the scene: Elihu, a young man who has been watching the debate between Job and his friends unfold, speaks up and causes the reader to shift their perspective from the things of man to the things of God.