Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Job 42), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• Job had a lot of implicitly accusatory questions for God about the perceived unfairness of his sufferings (chs. 3-31). “Yahweh answered Job” (38:1) in an extended dialogue (chs. 38-41) which clearly has a strong impact on Job (42:1-6). Because of God’s self-revelation to him, Job is sorry for what he said and changes his mind about his sufferings (vv. 5-6). Why might “implicitly accusatory questions for God about the perceived unfairness of sufferings” be something worth repenting of? Why would Job confess that he didn’t know what he was talking about (v. 3)? How does God’s self-revelation in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ change your mind about sufferings?

• [10-16] In a picture of resurrection, Yahweh restored and multiplied Job’s fortunes after his sufferings. Why? Because Job’s piety was impeccable? Because Job had learned his lesson and apologized? Because of anything in Job?

• [17] Job died, leaving us longing for a lasting restoration/resurrection. Jesus Christ is the Resurrection (John 11:25); his resurrection guarantees our resurrection. Why would God do this for us, in spite of our not deserving it at all?