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OUTLINE OF JOB

Part One: The Dilemma of Job (1:1-2:13)

I. The Circumstances of Job       1:1-5   

II. The First Assault of Satan    1:6-22  

Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

III. The Second Assault of Satan    2:1-10 

IV. The Arrival of Job's Friends....... 2:11-13

Part Two: The Debates of Job (3:1-37:24)

I. The First Cycle of Debate.............................. 3:1-14:22

A.  Job's First Speech     3:1-26

Job 3:1 After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

Job 3:2 And Job spake, and said,

Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

Job 3:26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

B.  Eliphaz's First Speech     4:1-5:27

1.      Eliphaz Believes the Innocent Do Not Suffer................. 4:1-21

Job 4:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

Job 4:7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?

Job 4:17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

2.       Eliphaz Calls Job Foolish    5:1-7

Job 5:1 Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?

Job 5:2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

3.       Eliphaz Encourages Job to Appeal to God................. 5:8-16

Job 5:8 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

4.       Eliphaz Encourages Job Not to Despise God's Discipline................. 5:17-27

Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

C. Job's Reply to Eliphaz     6:1-7:21

1.      Job's Deep Anguish    6:1-13

Job 6:1 But Job answered and said,

Job 6:8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

Job 6:9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

2.      Job Seeks His Friends' Sympathy   6:14-30

Job 6:14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

3.      Job Questions God's Continuing Trials.................. 7:1-21

Job 7:21 And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

D.  Bildad's First Speech     8:1-22

Job 8:1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

Job 8:5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

Job 8:6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.

E.  Job's Response to Bildad     9:1-10:22

1.      Job Argues His Case    9:1-35

Job 9:1 Then Job answered and said,

Job 9:2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?

2.      Job Questions His Oppression .... 10:1-22

Job 10:2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.

Job 10:7 Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand.

Job 10:8 Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.

F.  Zophar's First Speech     11:1-20

Job 11:1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Job 11:5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

Job 11:6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

G.  Job's Response to Zophar     12:1-14:22

1.      Job Tells His Friends Only God Knows................. 12:1-25

Job 12:1 And Job answered and said,

Job 12:3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

Job 12:9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?

Job 12:10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

2.      Job Begs God to Speak to Him. .. 13:1-28

Job 13:3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Job 13:23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.

Job 13:24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?

3.      Job Mourns That Man Has Only One Life................. 14:1-22

Job 14:7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

Job 14:10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

Job 14:17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.

II. The Second Cycle of Debate............................... 15:1-21:34

A.  Eliphaz's Second Speech     15:1-35

1.      Job's Mouth Condemns Him    15:1-13

Job 15:1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,

Job 15:6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.

2.      The Wicked Suffer    15:14-35

Job 15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

Job 15:20 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.

B.  Job's Response to Eliphaz     16:1-17:16

1. Job Calls His Friends Miserable Comforters. . .  16:1-5

Job 16:1 Then Job answered and said,

Job 16:2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

Job 16:4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

Job 16:5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

2. Job Laments His Situation    16:6-14

Job 16:6 Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?

3.   Job Defends His Innocence    16:15-22

Job 16:16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

Job 16:17 Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

4.   God Makes Job a Byword    17:1-16

Job 17:6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.

C.  Bildad's Second Speech     18:1-21

Job 18:1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

Job 18:2 How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.

Job 18:5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.

D.  Job's Response to Bildad     19:1-29

Job 19:1 Then Job answered and said,

Job 19:21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Job 19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

E.  Zophar's Second Speech     20:1-29

Job 20:1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Job 20:4 Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,

Job 20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

F.  Job's Response to Zophar     21:1-34

Job 21:1 But Job answered and said,

Job 21:7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

Job 21:14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

Job 21:34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?

III. The Third Cycle of Debate............................... 22:1-26:14

A.  Eliphaz's Third Speech     22:1-30

Job 22:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

Job 22:5 Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?

Job 22:21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

Job 22:22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.

B.  Job's Response to Eliphaz     23:1-24:25

1.      Job Will Come Forth as Gold .... 23:1-17

Job 23:1 Then Job answered and said,

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

2.      God Seems Indifferent to the Wicked............... 24:1-25

Job 24:1 Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?

Job 24:25 And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?

C.  Bildad's Third Speech     25:1-6

Job 25:1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

Job 25:4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?

Job 25:5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.

Job 25:6 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

D.  Job's Response to Bildad     26:1-14

Job 26:1 But Job answered and said,

Job 26:2 How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?

Job 26:3 How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?

Job 26:4 To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?

IV. The Final Defense of Job.............................. 27:1-31:40

A.  Job's First Monologue     27:1-28:28

1.       Job Affirms His Righteousness    27:1-23

Job 27:1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,

Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

2.       Job Observes That Man Cannot Discover Wisdom............... 28:1-28

Job 28:20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?

Job 28:21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

Job 28:23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.

Job 28:24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;

Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

B.  Job's Second Monologue     29:1-31:40

1.       Job Remembers His Happy Past . . 29:1-25

Job 29:1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,

Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;

Job 29:14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.

Job 29:21 Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.

2.       Job Describes His Present Humiliation............... 30:1-31

Job 30:1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.

Job 30:19 He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.

Job 30:20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.

Job 30:21 Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.

3.       Job Defends His Innocency    31:1-34

a.  Innocent of Sensual Sins    31:1-12

Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Job 31:6 Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.

b.  Innocent of Abusing His Power.......... 31:13-23

Job 31:19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;

Job 31:22 Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.

c.  Innocent of Trusting in His Wealth.......... 31:24-28

Job 31:24 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;

Job 31:28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

d.  Innocent of Not Caring for His Enemies . .           . . 31:29-34

Job 31:29 If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:

4. Job Pleads to Meet God and Defend Himself ..31:35-40

Job 31:35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.

Job 31:36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.

V. The Solution of Elihu............................... 32:1-37:24

A.  Elihu Intervenes in the Debate     32:1-22

Job 32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

Job 32:3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Job 32:6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Job 32:18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

Job 32:19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

B.  Elihu's First Rebuttal     33:1-33

1.       Elihu Challenges Job to Debate    33:1-7

Job 33:1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Job 33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

2.       Elihu Quotes Job's Complaints    33:8-11

Job 33:8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

Job 33:9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

Job 33:10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

3.       Elihu Answers Job's Complaints   33:12-33

Job 33:12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

Job 33:13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

Job 33:27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

Job 33:28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

C.  Elihu's Second Rebuttal. .     .. 34:1-37

1.       Elihu Challenges Job to Debate Again..................... 34:1-4

Job 34:1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,

Job 34:4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.

2.       Elihu Quotes Job's Complaints    34:5-9

Job 34:5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.

Job 34:9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

3.       Elihu Answers Job's Complaints   34:10-37

Job 34:10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

Job 34:34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.

Job 34:35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.

Job 34:37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

D.  Elihu's Third Rebuttal     35:1-16

Job 35:1 Elihu spake moreover, and said,

Job 35:2 Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?

Job 35:13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

Job 35:14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.

E.  Elihu's Conclusion     36:1-37:24

1.       Elihu Believes That God Is Disciplining Job..................... 36:1-21

Job 36:1 Elihu also proceeded, and said,

Job 36:2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.

Job 36:6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.

Job 36:10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

Job 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

2.       Elihu Reminds Job of the Greatness of God . .                      . . 36:22-37:24

Job 36:22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

Job 36:26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

Job 37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

Job 37:23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

Part Three: The Deliverance of Job (38:1-42:17)

I. The First Controversy of God with Job......................... 38:1-40:5

A.  God's First Challenge to Job     38:1-40:2

1.  God Questions Job from the Realm of Creation................ 38:1-38

Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Job 38:17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

Job 38:19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

Job 38:33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

Job 38:36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?

2.  God Questions Job from the Realm of Animals................ 38:39-39:30

Job 38:41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Job 39:26 Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?

Job 39:27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

3.  God Demands an Answer to His Questions................ 40:1, 2

Job 40:1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,

Job 40:2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

B.  Job's First Answer to God     40:3-5

Job 40:3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

Job 40:4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

Job 40:5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

II. The Second Controversy of God with Job......................... 40:6-42:6

A.  God's Second Challenge to Job. . 40:6-41:34

1.       God Tells Job to Save Himself . . . 40:6-14

Job 40:6 Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Job 40:7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

Job 40:8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

Job 40:9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

Job 40:14 Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.

2.       God Compares the Power of Job with That of the Behemoth............... 40:15-24

Job 40:15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

Job 40:19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.

3.  God Compares the Power of Job with That of the Leviathan............... 41:1-34

Job 41:1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?

Job 41:10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?

B.  Job's Second Answer to God     42:1-6

1.  Job Confesses Lack of Understanding............... 42:1-3

Job 42:1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

Job 42:3 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.

2.  Job Repents of His Rebellion    42:4-6

Job 42:4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

III. The Deliverance of Job and His Friends 42:7-17