The Book of Job Pt. 1

Theme

At the heart of the Book of Job is suffering in all its forms – emotional, physical, and spiritual. We will witness the protagonist/leading character experience all three at the same time and to such a degree that few of us can ever imagine. The book of Job provides us with an intimate view into the soul of a broken man. If you read Job, not in a two dimensional manner, but in a three dimensional manner, you will experience what he experiences. You will feel his pain – emotional, physical, and spiritual.

This book is not just about Job and his suffering. There are other individuals in the book who play key roles – his wife and his closest friends.

As we watch Job and the other players in the book react to his suffering, the following practical questions will be addressed.

1. What is my reaction/response to suffering? What should it be?

2. What is my reaction/response to those experiencing suffering? What should it be?

3. Why am I suffering? Is it because I have done something wrong and God is punishing me or is there another reason?

In laymen’s terms, why do bad things happen to good people? If you were to have asked that question to an Israelite living in O.T. times, he would have looked at you funny. The predominant belief among the Israelites was that bad things happened only to bad people. The reason why your children died young, lost your wealth, lost your health, etc., was because you sinned. God was punishing you for your sins. The reason why you had lots of children, wealthy, healthy was because you were a righteous person. God was blessing you for your righteousness. The Book of Job hits that commonly held view head on with the outcome proving to be surprising

4. Why doesn’t God tell me why I am suffering? Related question – Is God required to answer this question? Is He answerable to us?

5. How does suffering impact my relationship with God?

Outline

I. Prologue: Job’s happiness and Job’s testing (ch. 1-2)

II. Dialogue and Dispute: Job and his three friends (ch. 3-27)

III. Interlude on Wisdom (ch. 28)

IV. Monologues: Job, Elihu, and God (ch. 29-42)

V. Epilogue: Repentance and Restoration (ch. 42)
Background

Job believed to have lived 2000 years before Christ. It is believed that Job lived sometime after the Flood and before Abraham. Evidence - Job was not an Israelite/Hebrew. He lived in the Land of Uz – large territory east of the Jordan River. There is no mention of the Mosaic Law in the book of Job. No mention of the children of Israel. Uncertainty over who wrote the Book of Job and when it was written. Possible authors – Moses, Solomon, Ezra, or Job himself. Most common belief is that Job’s story was passed down by word of mouth over a lengthy period of time (possibly 2000 years) before finally being written down. The various translators of Job – Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Latin, English – had a difficult time translating the book because of the archaic/ancient style of the language. Different from other OT books. Tells you how old the book of Job is.

Job 1:1-5

1. What do we learn about Job in these verses? How would you describe him?

Wealthy, famous, large family, strong morals – man of integrity – did what was right – excellent reputation in the community – no one had anything bad to say about Job; strong spiritually – feared God. Detested evil. (KJV – escheweth evil). In fact, Job is listed with Daniel and Noah as examples of righteousness (Ezekiel 14:14, 20). Strong family man. Concerned with the spiritual health of his children. Job did not ignore his children’s partying or laugh it off as kids being kids. When their parties ended, Job would send for his children and sanctify/consecrate them - set them apart from any evil they might have done and offer sacrifices on their behalf. Job acted as intercessor – prayed on behalf of his children on a regular basis. Fathers – we need to follow Job’s example.

Job 1: 6-12

2. What do we learn about Satan in these verses - where he resides, his role in creation, and his authority?

Residence – not Hell; roaming the earth seeking whom he can devour (I Peter 5: 8)

Role – Satan – the accuser; we’ll see example in a moment with Job.
Authority – he has great power but there are limitations to his power. Satan is not a god – not omniscient, omnipotent, nor omnipresent; why is he attending to this convocation of sons of God/angels? Whether he likes it or not, Satan is still answerable to God.

God and Satan strike up a conversation:

God: “What have you been up to?”

Satan with a certain amount of pride and arrogance – “The usual. Roaming around the world making life miserable for your creation. Leading humanity deeper and deeper into sin.” Some justification for Satan’s arrogance. In Job’s day, man was far away from God. Worshipping all kinds of gods – Egypt: Ra, Horus, Osiris. Hittites – Baal, Ashtoreth. Philistines – Dagon; On and on. Job, worshiper of God, was in the minority.

God: “During your travels around the world, did you happen to notice my boy Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is faithful to me; a man of great integrity; a righteous man; who detests evil.”

Satan: “I wonder why? You’ve coddled him. You protect Job and his household from harm and You have made him the richest man on the planet. Why wouldn’t he be faithful to You? You made it easy for him to follow you. I guarantee You this; allow something bad to happen to him. Take all he has away from him … everything You have given him – his family, his wealth, and Job will curse You to Your face!”

God: “Alright, if you believe that to be true, then I give you authority over everything he has BUT do not lay a finger on Job himself.”

3. Satan means accuser. What accusations did Satan make?
Job - Job is righteous only because his righteousness paid dividends – family, fortune, and fame.

God – God gave Job a reason to follow after Him (God) by giving Job material rewards. vs. 10 – You have….

Job’s faith in you is shallow. God, Your faith in Job is shallow. Why else have You not allowed anything bad to happen to him? Take away the dividends/rewards, Job will reject You in a heart beat. All it’ll take is one bad day.