Truth really can be stranger than fiction.
First Page - Now launched! All the stories are true, or based on real events. Unlimited reading for $4.99 / month. No downloads. Read on your phone, tablet or computer.
La verdad puede ser más extraña que la ficción.
First Page - ¡Ya está en marcha! Todas las historias son verídicas, o están basadas en hechos reales. Lectura ilimitada por $4.99 / mes. No hay que descargar nada. Lea en su teléfono, tableta u ordenador.
Manna Minutes Podcast: Eye-opening Bible study in less than five minutes! Access all episodes here.
Manna Minutes en español:
Estudio bíblico que nos hace abrir los ojos en menos de cinco minutos! Acceda a todos los episodios aquí.
Manna Minutes Podcast auf Deutsch:
Augenöffnendes Bibelstudium in weniger als fünf Minuten! Alle Episoden finden Sie hier.
Was There A Curse On Helen's Romantic Life?
The Third Man by Angela Sheffield is based on a true story. Read chapter one now!
View Content By Specific Category
¿Qué tiene que ver conmigo? por Teófila Gottfried
Lo que leemos en la Biblia tiene que ver con todos los seres humanos, sean cristianos o judíos, ateos o agnósticos, budistas, musulmanes o adherentes a alguna de las filosofías o nuevas religiones que surgen en el mundo. ¿Por qué? Ver mayor información sobre este interesante libro.
Scripture of The Day - St. John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Escritura del día - San Juan 14,6
Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí.
Bibelstelle des Tages - Johannes 14,6
Jesus spricht zu ihm: Ich bin der Weg und die Wahrheit und das Leben; niemand kommt zum Vater, denn durch mich!
Eye Opening Bible Study on Job
An in-depth Bible study on Job probably is of more interest and of greater benefit to believers in Jesus who have at least a basic understanding of the scriptures. It also probably attracts Christians who are acquainted with genuine suffering in the mind and body, and with what it means to go through a fiery trial of faith. Few believers who have led "cushioned" lives can identify with suffering so great that it can lead to suicide. Sadly, few of these same believers have a genuine love for others who are in the midst of torment. It is good to preach the gospel, but it should be preached with concern and love for others. This is why the apostle Paul taught of the importance of love. Loving others does not mean becoming a "doormat" or neglecting oneself. However, it does not mean that believers should "coldly" preach the gospel either. Paul said that though he spoke with tongues, had faith to move mountains, prophesied, understood mysteries, and was willing to die for his faith in Christ, he was nothing without charity (love) (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). The world has a saying that goes: No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.
Book of Job Bible Study Focus
Again, this Bible study on Job focuses on what God said to Job at the end of his suffering. You should either read the entire book or be familiar with the things that Job suffered and why he suffered. You should also have a good basic knowledge of the conversations that he had with his "friends" who came to sit with him in the midst of his trial of faith.
Many people, including Christians, have been what might be called disappointed in the words that God said to Job at the end of his suffering. Job wanted answers to the question of why God allowed him to suffer. Instead of the Lord answering these questions of Job, it appears that he scolded his servant, when he said, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare if thou hast understanding" (Job 38:4). Chapters 38 thru 41 record what God said to Job.
One of the purposes of this Bible study on Job is to show that scripture lets us know that God's answer to Job out of the whirlwind was so much more than just putting Job in his place. This truth is not only revealed in the book of Job, but supported by numerous other scriptures as well.
Job's Response to God
"Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withheld from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore, have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak. I will demand (ask) of thee, and declare (teach) thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear. But, now MINE EYE SEETH THEE" (Job 42:1-5).
Jobs words, "Mine eye seeth thee," reveal what took place in his spirit as the Lord spoke to him out of the whirlwind. We know that a man cannot see the face of God with his natural eyes, and live. Yes, merely looking at God will kill a man. Not even walking in obedience to God will prevent death from looking at the Lord. Scripture tells us that God used his hand to cover Moses while his glory passed by. We read, "...Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of a rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by. And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts; but my face shall not be seen" (Exodus 33:20-23).
Nevertheless, Job said to God, "...Now mine eye seeth thee." Those words are the focus of this Bible study on Job. Job is not referring to his natural eyes, but rather to his spiritual eyes. Notice that he says, "mine eye," not "mine eyes." Man has spiritual eyes, which are called his "understanding" (Ephesians 1:18). Just as seeing God with the natural eyes would kill the natural body, seeing God with spiritual eyes will kill the effects of suffering.
Enlightening Bible study on Job should emphasize teaching this extremely important truth, because it reveals what happened when God spoke to Job out of the whirlwind. What happened was that the Lord overwhelmed Job whose spiritual eyes actually saw the glory of the great I Am (the Almighty God). Bible study on Job teaches several truths. Among the most important one is the realization that the glory of God cannot be explained in words. Neither the natural ear nor even the spiritual ear can fully grasp the wonder of the Lord. Remember, Job said that his ear had already heard, but that now his eye saw. The glorious presence of the Lord and the glorious experience he had with Jesus erased any power of the horrific suffering through which he had gone. It no longer mattered. The desire for answers was no longer there. All that mattered was that his spiritual eyes were looking at the indescribable glory of his Lord.
Job did not ask the Lord for any explanation regarding his suffering, because his spiritual eye was looking at God. Nothing else mattered. Jesus said, "And ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day YE SHALL ASK ME NOTHING..." (St. John 16:22-23). Why won't even those who have suffered greatly not ask an explanation of the Lord? Because their eyes will be looking at the face of God. This is a biblical truth with which only those who have experienced seeing God can identify. Others can gain an intellectual understanding only.
Will one Bible study on Job make everything okay for believers who are suffering terribly in the midst of their fiery trial of faith? No, it will not make the suffering vanish. Job endured horrible depression, confusion, sadness, frustration, and weariness, despite his knowledge of the word of God. Bible study on Job reveals truths that the Lord wants us to understand. Believers who have never had their faith tried in the fire do not know what Job went through. They do not know what it is like to truly suffer; and they should not pretend to be able to identify with such people. However, if the love and compassion of Jesus dwells in them, they can clamor to the Lord on behalf of others. The fact that they can't understand does not mean that they can't care and love.
There are beautifully saved survivors of the holocaust, of unspeakable child abuse, of war crimes, torture, and so much more. They are "modern-day Jobs" whose spiritual eyes have seen God, whose glory can do for them what no man can even begin to come close to doing. Praise the Lord.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
Related Recommended Reading
The Killing Of Job's Children: A Bible Study Lesson
Christian Suffering: A Sign of God's Punishment?
Depression Among Christians: What Does The Bible Say?
Christian Encouragement When Your Faith in God Is Waning
Based on true events, The Third Man by Angela Sheffield, brings the Bible up close and personal as the characters face real issues of life: Betrayal, deceit, romance, bitterness, anger against God, hopelessness, will power, perplexity, triumph, unforgiveness, mental illness, and the "Alcohol made me do it" excuse. Read chapter one FREE now.
Copyright notice: This website and its content is copyright of © Heavenly Manna (HeavenlyManna.net) 2002-2016.
Comments/Comentarios:
Send Comments or a Private Message about One of Our Services / Envíe Comentarios o un Mensaje Privado acerca de nuestros servicios
Once comments reach 10, they close. IF YOU USE PROFANITY, WE WILL REJECT YOUR COMMENT AUTOMATICALLY.
We're a small team, please be patient as we review comments.
©2003 - 2013 Heavenly Manna Ministries
Images: courtesy of Free Digital Photos, openstockphotography.org, FreeFoto.com, Wikimedia Commons. Multiple crosses image - Wikimedia Commons - C.G.P Grey - Animation by Heavenly Manna