Forsaken by Family and Friends

Monday, October 6, 2014
Job 19:13-21 

13 He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. 14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. 15 They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. 16 I called my servant, and he gave [me] no answer; I intreated him with my mouth. 17 My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's [sake] of mine own body. 18 Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me. 19 All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me. 20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. 21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Job responds to his friends. Who was he estranged from? (v.13)
2) Who failed and forgot him? (v.14)
3) Who treated him as a stranger (alien)? (v.15)
4) How did Job's servant respond to him? (v.16)
5) How did Job's wife treat him? (v.17)
6) Who despised him and spoke against him? (v.18)
7) Who abhorred him and turned against Job? (v.19)
8) What had Job escaped his affliction with? (v.20)
9) Why did Job ask his friends to have pity on Him? (v.21)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
10) Have you ever suffered a terrible loss in your life?
11) If so, how did the people who heard of your calamity treat you?
12) If you have ever suffered loss, did you feel that even the Lord had turned against you? If so, why?

PRINCIPLES
13) If the Lord allows us to suffer losses, it is for our good and His glory.
14) The Lord may allow affliction in our lives, not to punish us, but to mature us.
15) Before the Lord will promote us, He may allow us to lose everything we cherish.