Lesson 112

Job 17–42

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Remove all distractions and focus on studying and learning. By doing this you show your willingness to be taught by the Spirit.

Begin your study with prayer.

Sometimes when we face trials, we might feel alone. We might feel that no one else understands our struggle.

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency assures us that we do not have to endure our trials alone. Listen for how we can gain the necessary help and strength to endure our trials.

We All Face Challenges

In the previous lesson you were introduced to Job and learned about the trials he endured.

As you study more in the book of Job, continue looking for truths that can help you during challenging times.

Job Bore His Testimony

Job is an example of someone who maintained his faith in the Lord even while enduring severe trials. Remember that Job’s children had died in an accident (see Job 1:18–19) and that he was afflicted with boils (see Job 2:7). Job felt that he was near death (see Job 17:1) and asked, “Where is now my hope?” (Job 17:15).

Additionally, one of Job’s friends, Bildad, spoke to Job about the state of the wicked who do not know God, implying that Job was also wicked (see Job 18). Job’s other friends also felt that he must have done something wrong. This led Job to feel forgotten by his friends (see Job 19:14, 19–22).

If you were Job, how do you think you would respond to your friends in this situation?

Despite the challenges Job faced, his testimony of the Savior did not waver. He responded to his friends by bearing his testimony. Read Job 19:23–27, looking for what Job testified that he knew.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Brings Hope

In Job 19:26 the phrase “after my skin worms destroy this body” refers to the death and decay of Job’s physical body. The phrase “yet in my flesh shall I see God” refers to Job’s future resurrection.

How can knowing that Jesus Christ has brought about the Resurrection of all humanity help us as we experience trials?

Testimony Gives Us Hope

One truth we can identify from Job’s testimony is that our testimony of the Savior and the Resurrection can give us hope in the midst of our trials.

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught that our testimony of the Savior and the Resurrection can give us hope not only when we are confronted with death but also when we experience other challenges:

“The assurance of resurrection gives us the strength and perspective to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and by those we love, such things as the physical, mental, or emotional deficiencies we bring with us at birth or acquire during mortal life. Because of the resurrection, we know that these mortal deficiencies are only temporary!” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Resurrection,” Ensign, May 2000, 15).

1. Answer two of the following questions:

• How can a testimony of the Savior and the Resurrection provide hope to someone who is enduring a challenge?

• When have you witnessed someone’s faith and testimony in the Savior and the Resurrection give him or her hope in the midst of a trial? What did you learn from his or her faith?

• How has Job’s experience strengthened your testimony? Record your testimony of Jesus Christ and the Resurrection.

Elihu Speaks Out against Job

In Job 20–37 we read that Job’s friends insisted that the wicked cannot prosper. Job acknowledged that sometimes the wicked do prosper in terms of their worldly possessions, but ultimately the Lord will administer justice on the Day of Judgment. Job told the ways the Lord had blessed him by allowing him to experience trials. Elihu, another of Job’s friends, spoke out against Job and his other friends because Elihu believed they had not been firm enough with Job and had failed to answer Job’s questions. Elihu also discussed some challenges that are common to all people.

A Limited Perspective Can Lead to Despair

What difficulties might you experience if you tried to perform your daily activities with your hand covering one of your eyes?

Considering Elihu’s limited perspective, listen to Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and look for what might cause us to have a limited perspective.

Considering Elihu’s limited perspective, read the following statement by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and look for what might cause us to have a limited perspective.

“From the limited perspective of those who do not have knowledge, understanding, or faith in the Father’s plan—who look at the world only through the lens of mortality with its wars, violence, disease, and evil—this life can seem depressing, chaotic, unfair, and meaningless. Church leaders have compared this perspective with someone walking into the middle of a three-act play [see Boyd K. Packer, “The Play and the Plan” (Church Educational System fireside for young adults, May 7, 1995), 3]. Those without knowledge of the Father’s plan do not understand what happened in the first act, or the premortal existence, and the purposes established there; nor do they understand the clarification and resolution that come in the third act, which is the glorious fulfillment of the Father’s plan” (Quentin L. Cook, “The Songs They Could Not Sing,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 104).

We Are Blessed When We Have an Eternal Perspective

What did you learn from Elder Cook about what can cause us to have a limited perspective?

As recorded in Job 38, the Lord taught Job by asking him many questions. Read Job 38:4–7, looking for the questions the Lord asked Job that gave him a better understanding of Heavenly Father and His plan of happiness.

What did the Lord want Job to understand?

“The Morning Stars Sang Together”

The Lord asked Job to consider where he was when the earth was created and who created the earth (see Job 38:4–5). To understand the meaning of verse 7, read the following statement by President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018). Look for who was among the “sons of God” who “shouted for joy” (Job 38:7).

“We lived before our birth into mortality. In our premortal state, we were doubtless among the sons and daughters of God who shouted for joy because of the opportunity to come to this challenging yet necessary mortal existence [see Job 38:7]. We knew that our purpose was to gain a physical body, to overcome trials, and to prove that we would keep the commandments of God” (Thomas S. Monson, “He Is Risen!” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 88).

We Lived with Heavenly Father

One truth we learn from Job 38:4–7 is that before we were born on earth, we lived with Heavenly Father and rejoiced in His plan of happiness.

2. Answer the following question:

• When we face challenges, why might it be helpful to remember that we rejoiced at the opportunity to experience life on earth?

Job Acknowledged God’s Power

Job acknowledged the Lord’s power, humbled himself, and repented. The Lord chastised Job’s friends and told them to sacrifice a burnt offering. The Lord also instructed Job to pray for his friends. (See Job 42:1–9.)

Read Job 42:10–17, looking for how the Lord blessed Job for his faithfulness.

Quiz 1

1. How did the Lord bless Job after he remained faithful and endured such great trials? Select all that apply.

   1. Job was blessed with double the amount of possessions that he had before his trials.

   2. Job was blessed with seven sons and three daughters.

   3. A mountain was named for Job as a memorial for his faithfulness.

   4. Job lived for many years and saw his posterity grow.

2. Using what you learned from Job’s experience, how would you complete the following principle? If we remain to the Lord in our , then He will according to His will.

   1. dedicated, good times, bless us

   2. devoted, disappointments, bless us a little bit

   3. faithful, trials, bless us abundantly

We Will Be Compensated for Our Losses

From Job’s experience we learn that if we remain faithful to the Lord in our trials, then He will ultimately bless us abundantly according to His will.

Read the following statement by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Look for ways the Lord might bless those who are faithful to Him during their trials.

“The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Come What May, and Love It,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 28).

Think of a time when you were compensated for a loss after being faithful to the Lord during a trial.

Blessings Await Those Who Remain Faithful

3. Answer one or both of the following questions:

• What are some ways the Lord can bless us if we are faithful during our trials?

• How have you been blessed as you have remained faithful to the Lord during your trials?

We Are Blessed as We Remember the Plan

Think of how remembering the plan of salvation can help you as you endure your trials. Identify something specific you can do to increase your faith in Heavenly Father’s plan, such as praying for a stronger testimony of its truthfulness, studying the scriptures more diligently, or increasing your obedience to Heavenly Father’s commandments. Commit to do something that can increase your faith in the plan of happiness.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) a, b, d; (2) c