Exploring the Bible // Job
The book of Job is the story of a man but he same name who went through loss and difficult more than most of could imagine. A man who believed in and served God, Job was targeted by Satan to see if he would remain faithful at the loss of so much.
In the book, we read about what he went through, his struggle to come out of the other side of heartache, and conversations he has with friends and God.
As for timing, many scholars believe Job lived during the times of Genesis, and more specifically, around the time of Isaac and Jacob. It’s an ancient story precedes Moses, that we can mostly gather. However, the author is unknown. It may have been Job; others credit it to Moses. If it was Job or a contemporary from his time, it would make the book of Job the oldest written book in the Bible.
JOB TESTED (CH. 1-3)
Job was a man living in Uz who is described in Job 1:1 as being “blameless and upright.” Job loved God. He had great wealth and a large family—certainly blessed in many ways.
One day, Satan went to God and within their conversation, told God that Job was only faithful to Him because he had a good life. But strip it away, and he’ll curse You. It was then that God allowed Satan to take away everything from Job but his life.
In one day, Job lost all of his wealth and children. His livestock was eaten, stolen or killed, his servants as well, in three separate incidences on the same day. In addition, while all of his children were gathered for a feast, a great wind knocked down the house and killed all of his children.
Job 1:22, “In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”
In chapter 2, Job’s good health was taken away when he was given painful sores all over his body. It’s after this experience that Job’s wife tells him to curse God and die. How hard for a man who has already lost so much.
In chapter 3, Job cursed the day he was born and said in verses 25-26, “For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes.”
DISCUSSIONS WITH HIS FRIENDS (CH. 4-37)
Job had three friends who interject throughout these chapters: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. There’s a lot to dissect here but in summary, they share a lot of negative words and poor advice with him. They attributed his personal losses to concealed sins.
Take these discussions as to how NOT to respond to a friend in need. They say horrible things like: perhaps his children deserved death as a punishment, that Job must have done something horrible to have this sort of trouble.
While Job defended himself, the suffering eventually turned him bitter and he questioned his pain. Something we often do as humans, don’t we? But through it all, Job continued to seek God.
A DISCUSSION WITH GOD (CH. 38-42)
This is where God interjected and spoke personally with Job. I personally find these chapters very helpful and they give us some insight into how we must handle our suffering.
God asked Job a series of questions that essentially reminded him of his humanity in contrast to God’s infinite power.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know!” v.4-5
“Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place?” v.12
These sorts of questions and statements go on for several chapters. It concludes in chapter 42 when Job humbled himself before God.
“Then Job answered the Lord and said: I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
The Lord then rebuked Job’s three friends for their harmful advice. And He restored Job’s health, gave him more kids, and doubled what he had before.
WHAT WE CAN LEARN
I always find great comfort and insight from the book of Job in my sufferings. It helps my keep my focus on God rather than allow my emotions to run my perspective. God doesn’t tempt us nor does He allow Satan to do with us what he wants without God’s ultimate protection. Rather, or struggles are often tests (although at times they are a consequence of sin).
What you and I must take away from this book is that God is Sovereign beyond measure. We must get some perspective: we weren’t there at the beginning. We didn’t create untying. We can’t see the big picture.
When you face trials and begin to question God, humble yourself before Him and repent each time you begin to think you know better than Him.
MEMORY VERSE
“And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’” Job 1:21 (ESV)