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Wednesday and Friday Night Bible Studies

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Rising Above the Pain and Suffering of Life (part 4)

By

Fr. Ward

on

April 9, 2021

A Study of the Old Testament book of Job

Fr. Ward continues his study on how to rise above the pain and suffering of life taking an in-depth look at the Old Testament book of Job.

Ezekiel 14:12-14 (NASB)

12 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 13 “Son of man, if a country sins against Me by being unfaithful, and I stretch out My hand against it, destroy its supply of bread, send famine against it, and eliminate from it both human and animal life, 14 even though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only save themselves,” declares the Lord God.

James 5:10-11 (NASB)

10 As an example, brothers and sisters, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

Job 1:6-12 (NASB)

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 8 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But reach out with Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will certainly curse You to Your face.” 12 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.

Job 4:12-21 (NASB)


12 “Now a word was brought to me secretly, and my ear received a whisper of it. 13 Amid disquieting thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people, 14 dread came upon me, and trembling, and made all my bones shake. 15 Then a spirit passed by my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. 16 Something was standing still, but I could not recognize its appearance; a form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice: 17 ‘Can mankind be righteous
before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? 18 He puts no trust even in His servants; and He accuses His angels of error. 19 How much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth! 20 Between morning and evening they are broken in pieces; unregarded, they perish forever. 21 Is their tent-cord not pulled out within them? They die, yet without wisdom.’



Author:
Fr. Ward
Father Ward has served as the Rector of St. Bartholomew's since 1998. He received his B.A. in History from SUNY at Buffalo; a M.A. in Practical Theology from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA; and a M. Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. Fr. Ward and his wife Kathleen have two adult children, Arthur and Alyssa.

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