Job 13: Group Study Handout

Overview

In Job chapter 13, Job continues his response to his friends, expressing his desire to plead his case directly before God. He criticizes his friends for being poor comforters and accuses them of speaking falsely on God’s behalf. Job asserts his confidence in his own integrity and readiness to present his arguments before the Almighty, believing that God will ultimately vindicate him.

Key verse

“Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.”

Job 13:15 (WEB)

Outline

1. Job 13:1–2 Job's Declaration of Understanding
2. Job 13:3–5 Desire to Speak with God
3. Job 13:6–12 Reproving His Friends' Claims
4. Job 13:13–19 Job's Resolve to Speak
5. Job 13:20–22 Pleading for God's Attention
6. Job 13:23–27 Acknowledgment of Sin
7. Job 13:28 Job's State of Decay

Discussion questions

1. In v5, why does Job say, 'Oh that you would be completely silent'?
2. In v20, what are the two things Job asks God not to do?
3. Job's claim in v15 about having 'no hope': what does this indicate about his state of mind?
4. The phrase 'bitter things' in v26: what is Job suggesting about God's treatment of him?
5. When have you felt like a 'driven leaf' (v25) in your own challenges?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Job 13: Proverbs 3, Job 23, Job 33.

Before next time: read Job 14.