LEARNING ABOUT GOD WITH JOB

A few years ago I began a study of Job with a friend that got sidetracked when she became seriously ill. I’ve yet to do a complete study on the book of Job, but some of my favorite scriptures are the last few chapters of Job in which God talks about Himself. In fact I love to read beginning with Job 38-42 and then jumping over to Isaiah 40→ and just meditate on my LORD.

In the next series of blog posts I am going to start with an overview of Job and then spend some time taking a closer look at these wonderful passages. What does this have to do with prophecy? The validity of believing the prophecies revealed in the scriptures is predicated on the character of God. The more we understand about the power and authority of Almighty God, the more importance we are encouraged to place on His words—prophetic and otherwise.

Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”

The first verse of Job opens by identifying Job as a God-fearing man who lived in the land of Uz. Many posit that Job was not a real person, but other scriptures affirm the truth of his existence.

Ezekiel 14:14 “Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.”

James 5:11 “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

I thought it was interesting to note that fearing God and hating evil were mentioned hand-in-hand. Those who truly fear God will hate what He hates, and scripture is clear in declaring that those who fear the LORD will hate evil.

Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”

Proverbs 16:6 “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”

We are told that Job was a wealthy man who had a large family. In fact, he was recognized as the “Bill Gates” of his day in the land of the east.

In testimony of his fear of God we are told that he made daily sacrifices for each of his children. Are we as diligent in daily prayer for our children? Our actions always reveal the true priorities in our lives.

Job 1:6–8 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”

Now we get to the part of Job that is so pertinent to our understanding of spiritual warfare. It seems that there are regular times that the angels come to appear before the LORD. More interesting is the fact that Satan attends at least some of these meetings. According to scripture, Satan accuses believers before God “day and night.”

Revelation 12:10 “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

Even more interesting is the fact that God calls Satan’s attention to Job as one of His most devout servants; in fact, He describes Job as without equal on earth.

What really strikes me is the civility and calm with which God speaks to him. He knew the end from the beginning when He brought up Job to Satan. He knows that Job will pass the test and that his faith will be strengthened—not weakened. The introspective question becomes—“Would God be able to put my name before Satan with that same confidence?”

Job 1:9–12 “Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.”

Obviously, Satan was well aware of Job because he had an immediate answer. He explains that Job’s character was a result of preferential treatment from the LORD. This thought reminds me of the words of Peter.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour….”

The wording of these verses also makes me think that Satan had tried to penetrate that hedge of protection around Job. Satan then throws out the challenge. If God caused Job to suffer the loss of all his treasures, Job would surely curse Him. So God gives Satan power over Job’s possessions, but he cannot touch Job.

Satan wastes no time. In one day Job receives a series of messages of bad news. First Satan provoked the Sabeans to steal all his ox and asses. Next he utilized fire from heaven to burn up all the sheep and their shepherds. Following that came news that the Chaldeans had stolen all the camels and killed all those tending them. Finally, comes the news that “a great wind from the wilderness” destroyed his son’s home and all his children had been killed.

I think it is important to note that the power God allowed Satan to use involved employing human instruments of war, calling down fire from heaven and causing a tornado to accomplish his purposes. Though God limits Satan’s ability as to how and when to utilize his power, he does have tremendous power.

How does Job respond?

Job 1:20–22 “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

Wow! Job passed his time of testing with flying colors. Job recognizes that God is the giver of all things and that He is sovereign in the right to bless and take away blessing. The question to think about—How would I have responded?