Chapter 8

Bildad tells Job that he should consider the wisdom of past generations. Papyrus can't grow without a marsh, and reeds can't grow without water—otherwise, they will wither. It's the same with the lives of those who forget God—their hope fails, and their confidence is like a spiderweb.

Lesson

Give good advice from their heart. But unless that heart has been affected by God's revelation, they can speak from it all they want – but it's not going to be very helpful for God's people – especially when we suffer.

Chapter 9

Job continues to maintain that he is innocent, but he doesn't think this would make a difference to God; God destroys the innocent and guilty alike. Though Job continues to maintain his innocence, he despairs of ever getting through to God to state his case.

Lesson

Job was explaining that he would pray and ask God to help him, but he would not argue with God. Even a perfect righteous man, as far as a man can be, would not have the right to argue with God. God's will and His way are perfect and they are unchangeable.

Chapter 10

Job asks God to leave him alone, so that he can find a little comfort before he goes into the grave forever. Here Job's complaint fastens onto the idea that it's unjust for God, the creator, to create him if all he's going to do is destroy Job.

Lesson

When God afflicts us, he contends with us; when he contends with us, there is always a reason; and it is desirable to know the reason, that we may repent of and forsake the sin for which God has a controversy with us.

Chapter 11

God is Aware of Wicked Men

But back in our text, Zophar continues and asserts that God is well-aware of wicked men in verse 11. 11 For he knoweth [vain/false/deceitful] men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? So, the existence of wicked men is no secret or surprise to God.24

lesson

Zophar tells Job that if he directs his heart the right way, he will reach out to God and abandon wickedness. Then he'll be blameless and have nothing to fear. Misery will be just a memory. It's the wicked who have no hope of escape and want to die of misery.