Thoughts on The Book of Job

 

  1. Job was a blameless and upright man. (Job 1:1 NIV)  In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
  2. God had confidence in Job’s integrity. (Job 1:8 NIV)  Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
  3. God allowed Satan to test Job’s integrity. (Job 1:12 NIV)  The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
  4. God allowed Satan to test Job’s integrity a second time. (Job 2:1-6 NIV)  On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. {2} And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." {3} Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." {4} "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. {5} But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." {6} The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life."
  5. Throughout all the trials with which Satan afflicted Job, Job maintained his integrity and did not curse God. The length of time of the afflictions is measured in months. (Job 7:2-5 NIV)  Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages, {3} so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me. {4} When I lie down I think, 'How long before I get up?' The night drags on, and I toss till dawn. {5} My body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering.
  6. Job did not understand why he was having to endure these afflictions and very much wanted to understand why God allowed them. However, Job was not aware of the conversations between God and Satan.
  7. Job’s three friends tried to get Job to accept fault for his condition. Job refused to accept their arguments. And in fact the only fault, if it can be called a fault, that brought the afflictions upon Job was his being a blameless, upright man of integrity.
  8. Job did not know that God was happy with him, trusted him and was using him to humble Satan. If Job had known what brought the entire series of afflictions on him, he probably would have reacted much differently!
  9. Job was right to not accept the arguments of his friends and even his wife.
  10. Elihu, a young friend of Job’s, assessed the situation better than his wife and older friends. Elihu, understood that whatever God does is OK whether or not we understand the reasoning behind God’s actions. He also new the best response is to simply accept God in all circumstances without questioning His reasons.
  11. Elihu’s argument is not rebutted by Job which indicates Job’s agreement with Elihu.
  12. At the end of Elihu’s response to Job and his friends God speaks to Job. (Job 38:1 NIV)  Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm….
  13. God points out that although Job is a great man he is nevertheless merely a man and in no position to question God’s actions.
  14. Job accepts God’s correction. (Job 40:1-4 NIV)  The LORD said to Job: {2} "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!" {3} Then Job answered the LORD: {4} "I am unworthy--how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.
  15. God continues to lecture Job. (Job 40:6-7 NIV)  Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm: {7} "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
  16. Job again accepts God’s correction. And, repents of his attitude concerning the afflictions he endured. (Job 42:1-6 NIV)  Then Job replied to the LORD: {2} "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. {3} You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. {4} "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' {5} My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. {6} Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."
  17. Now God expresses his displeasure with the advice Job’s three friends offered. (Job 42:7 NIV)  After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.
  18. God has Job pray for his friends and they offer sacrifices that God accepts. (Job 42:7-8 NIV)  After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. {8} So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."
  19. God does not mention Elihu because Elihu was on the right track in his speeches to Job.
  20. Finally, God restores Job with even greater blessings than he had before the afflictions. (Job 42:10 NIV)  After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.
  21. Job lived another 140 years after the afflictions were over. (Job 42:16 NIV)  After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation.

 

What can we glean from the life of Job?

  1. Being rich doesn’t make you unrighteous.
  2. Bad things happen to good people.
  3. Listen to your friends but use your own judgment.
  4. Sometimes younger people offer better advice.
  5. In time, God makes all things as they should be.