Job 4–31

Job’s Friends Give Him Counsel

Job 4–31 contain conversations between Job and three friends who came to see him (see Job 2:11–13). Each friend, in his own way, told Job that God punishes sinners, so Job must have sinned. You know from what you learned in Job 1, however, that Job did not sin. When Job tried to defend himself and his righteousness, these “friends” accused him of boasting. Job explained that he knew of many wicked men who had not experienced the kind of punishment he received. The “friends” responded by encouraging him to repent so that God could remove his trials. But Job continued to argue that he was innocent of wrongdoing.

Studying the Scriptures

Do activities A and B as you study Job 4–31.

1. Scripture Mastery—Job 19:25–26

   1. Read Job 14:14, find a question Job asked, and write the question in your notebook. Then read Job 19:23–27 and summarize how Job later answered the question.

   2. Why do you think Job’s testimony in Job 19:25–26 was so important to him at the time he said it?

2. Find Other Testimonies

   Using your Topical Guide, find two other scriptures that answer Job’s question in Job 14:14.