Job 1:1-12 Click here for Bible Verses

Hi GAMErs,

Today we begin the book of Job.  It tells one of the most famous stories in the Bible about a man who experiences incredible suffering and loss despite being a seemingly moral and upright man.  It deals head on with the question “how could a loving God allow people to suffer?”  In terms of date, a good argument can be made that when you consider the names, cultural references and the lack of any mention of Mosaic law or Jewish transitions in the book of Job, a good argument can be made that the book of Job was written around or before 2000 B.C., relatively close to the time of the Old Testament patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (The Bible Knowledge Commentary).  The book of Job is likely one of the oldest books in the Bible.

Some have suggested that Job himself wrote the book, but the fact is that very little is known about the human author who wrote the book of Job.  Still the book of Job has been heralded as one of the greatest literary works of ancient or modern times.  Believing the Holy Spirit inspired its writing, we will look into the book of Job and find valuable lessons for us today.

Today’s passage is Job 1:1-12.  Let’s go!

Job 1:1-3 (NIV) 
1  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  He had seven sons and three daughters,
3  and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. 

On verses 1-5:  What made Job great was not just that he was wealthy.  Even more importantly, what made Job great was his heart for God.  Despite Job’s material wealth, Job’s greatest concern was the spiritual well being of his children.  He went out of his way to lead his family spiritually.  He prayed for his children and regularly offered sacrifices on their behalf (v5).
What can we learn from this?

  1. Just as Job loved his kids and offered a sacrifice for each of his children’s sins, God so loved us His children that He gave us His only Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.   Just as Job’s kids were lucky to have a father like Job, so you and I are blessed to be loved so much by our Heavenly Father.
  1. Just as Job was a priest in his home, here’s believing that God made you to be a priest in your home too (1 Peter 2:9).  What is a priest?  A priest is someone who stands in the gap between God and the people he is with.  The priest’s goal is to bring around him closer to God.  How can you be a priest for your family?  Pray with and for your family.  Read God’s Word with your family.  Take your family to church regularly. Live out God’s Word for your family to see.  Remember that Job showed that he feared God not just through the prayers he prayed or the sacrifices he made but through the character he displayed.

Job 1:6 (NIV) 
6  One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 

On verse 6:  Why could Satan accompany the angels when they present themselves before the Lord?  It’s because Satan, a fallen angel who rebelled against heaven but was defeated, needs to give an account to the Lord and is still subject to the Lord’s authority.  No matter how powerful Satan may seem, Satan is always under the Lord’s authority and must bow to Him.

Job 1:7 (NIV) 
7  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.” 

On verse 7:  Pastor Jon Courson insightfully observes that whereas Satan roams “back and forth” on the earth like a prowling lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), the eyes of the Lord also range throughout the earth to strengthen those who are committed to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9).  So in those times when you feel like Satan is tempting you, remember that the Lord is also there to strengthen you.

Job 1:8-12 (NIV) 
8  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.”
9  “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied.
10  “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.
11  But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
12  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.

On verses 8-12:  In this dialogue between God and Satan, notice that God and Satan have very different views of Job.  Like a proud parent, God is proud of Job and even boasts of how Job fears God and shuns evil (v8).  Satan has an entirely different view of Job.  Being the accuser that he is, Satan does not believe Job to be that God-fearing.  He thinks that the only reason Job fears God is because God has given Job very comfortable and blessed circumstances, but that if the blessings were taken away, Job would surely curse God to His face (v9-11).  To prove Satan wrong, God allows Satan to do as he wishes with everything in Job’s possession, but not to lay a finger on Job himself (v12).
What can we learn from this?

  1. The way God sees you and the way Satan sees you are totally different.  God sees and brings out the best in you.  God is not blind to your flaws and weaknesses, but He focuses on your strengths and the vision He has for your life.  He is proud of you.  Satan on the other hand has a cynical view toward you.  He specializes in undermining your worth.  Satan enjoys downplaying your strengths and magnifying your shortcomings to the point of distorting the truth.  Listen to Satan’s lies and you will be miserable.  Focus on God’s truth about you and it will set you free.
  1. From time to time God will test His children to see what is truly in their hearts.  As David says, “I know You test the heart and love integrity” (1 Chronicles 29:17).  God tests our hearts not to be cruel to us or to treat us like lab rats.  Rather, like a loving parent, God tests us for three reasons.  First, God tests us so that we have an opportunity to grow and get stronger, for it is under testing and pressure that we grow. Second, God tests us so that He has the opportunity to bless us even more when we pass the test.  Third, God uses the opportunity to prove Himself right about you and your enemy Satan wrong when we pass the test.  So whenever God tests you, remember that God has a good purpose behind the test, that God’s grace is sufficient in the test and that greater blessing awaits you when you pass the test.

Heavenly Father, all authority in heaven and on earth is in Your hands.  Thank You for being a loving Father who is proud of Your children.  Thank You that whenever You test us, You always have a good purpose in mind, Your grace is always sufficient and greater blessing awaits us when we pass the test.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!