Job

Intro

Today I want to take you through the book of Job. Now I would like to be able to start my lesson with a story, perhaps one of experience that can set up and possibly relate to what we are about to study. But fortunatly for me, I have not experienced any profound loss or trials that have put me on the absolute brink.

But there is one story that I have that I can relate to the book of Job. It has to do with a loss that almost cost me my faith. The loss of my grandfather.

Overview

Job has long been an interesting book to me. The dialogue itself is interesting. But also the content of it has been a source of mystery and intrigue for me and as I mature in my faith, it becomes more influential to me as we face the ultimate questions of our faith and we will discuss a few of those later in the lesson.

I want to start today’s lesson first by examining the book at a high level and then we will work our way into some of the details and have some discussion.

As we go along I would like to answer the five Ws.

Does anyone know what the 5 Ws are?

Who, what, where, when and why. Not necessarily in that order.

At the beginning we will be reading several sections from the scripture to set up the lesson.

Where?

Where did the events in the book take place?

In the land of Uz

Show map of Uz

When?

Timeline is unknown but some believer that he may have lived during the time of Abraham.

Who?

Who are the main characters in the book?

Job

God

Satan

Job’s friends Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu

Job’s introduction and character

Someone read: Job 1:5

Job 1:1-5 (ESV)

Job 1:1–5 (ESV)

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.

His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all.

For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

Someone else read: Ezekiel 14:12-14

Ezekiel 14:12–14 ESV

And the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, when a land sins against me by acting faithlessly, and I stretch out my hand against it and break its supply of bread and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast, even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord God.

Someone else read: James 5:11

James 5:11 ESV

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Job was righteous and considered one of three examples given in scriptures of men who would be spared if a nation they were living in were devoted to destruction. So not only was he righteous but he was exceedingly so.

Satan Challenges God about Job

Someone read: Job 1:6-12

Job 1:6–12 ESV

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Questions

What is another name for Satan? Accuser

Based on what we just read, what do you think Satan was doing as he was going to a fro?

I will read: 1 Peter 1:5

1 Peter 1:5 ESV

5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Already it becomes apparent to us that Job was righteous and not deserving of punishment. But God determined to show Satan that Job was so righteous that he could withstand anything Satan could do to him.

It shows from the very beginning that it was not by any fault of Job that things began to happen to him but rather it was something external to him that initiated the trials he was to face.

Let’s continue to read Job 1:13-22

Job 1:13–22 ESV

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 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.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.