"IF ONLY GOD WOULD . . ." How would you complete this statement with regard to your life and circumstances? Amid his suffering, Job realizes things about his own immortality and searches for hope from the God who loves him. In the midst of his searching, he makes the statement, “If only,” several times. Each time Job is searching for hope and clarity because of his life experiences.  This Explore the Bible Study: Hope Defined, will help you understand that it's alright to search for hope and meaning in the midst of difficult circumstances.

In the previous session, Job was described as a man who demonstrated a mature faith in God, and turned away from evil. He was a man of integrity, and was well-respected in his community. He had been blessed with children, possessions, and other material wealth. Because of these blessings, Satan challenged God by stating that Job only loved Him because of how he had been blessed. Satan told God that, if Job had all this taken away, he would turn away from Him. 

God allowed Job’s faith to be tested by Satan, to prove that authentic faith is not based on what one has but on Whom one trusts.

One must answer this question as the study of the Book of Job continues this week: “Are you mature enough in your faith to handle any test or trial you face? Or do you possess a situational or conditional faith – a faith that is only strong when situations and conditions are favorable?"

In Job 14:1-14 Job begins to reflect on the brevity of life, God's judgment, man's mortality, and the hope for life after death.

Brevity of Life and God's Judgment - Job 14:1-6

Job accepts the reality that life is short and that suffering and adversity should be expected. We know life is short because of sin. Romans 5:12 reminds us that, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. Yet we are reminded in Romans 6:23 that even though the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. If we are living in a right relationship with God through Christ, then we must realize, as Job did, that we aren’t immune to problems, sickness, or pain while living in this sin-broken world. But, like Job, we will still have questions.

Job asks three questions that one must answer regarding God:

1. Do you really take notice of one like this? The following passages remind us that God does take notice – Psalm 139:13; Psalm 139:16; Luke 12:7; Romans 5:6-8
2. Will you bring me into judgment against you? - The following passages help keep God’s judgment in perspective for the believer – Hebrews 12:5-7; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Revelation 3:19. If we profess Christ as Savior, then God’s judgment on this side of Heaven is for the purpose of discipline as a father disciplines his children. Additionally, we must always remember that not all bad things are a result of God’s discipline. Like Job, sometimes we have done nothing that is deserving of God’s discipline. The things we face are either due to the sin of others, living in this sin-broken world, or for the purpose of bringing glory to God.
3. Who can produce something pure from what is impure? - The following passages help answer this question –1 Peter 2:24; John 3:36; Hebrews 10:22; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21. The only way we can be truly pure in heart is to give our lives to Jesus. We are only pure through the cleansing power and blood of Jesus Christ.

Man's Mortality - Job 14:7-12

Hope for Life After Death - Job 14:13-14

Wanting to Die Versus Ready to Die