Job Study 1

Lesson 1: Intro to Job

Introduction

This week, we will begin a study of an interesting and complex book of the Bible: Job

Can anyone here give a quick summary of what they think Job is about? give time for answers, but lead students to understand that the book of Job is generally understood to be about God’s righteousness and justice, as well as how we think about God during hard times.

Everyone in here has dealt with hard times before, and all of us will deal with hard times again!

And so, a study of Job is instantly valuable because we all could stand to have a better attitude towards God in hard times, but is that the whole purpose of the book? I wouldn’t have asked that if the answer was yes...

And so, as we break into this book, which you may be familiar or unfamiliar with, I want to you try and keep your head on a swivel...

Because the book of Job actually has a lot of lessons that it can teach us about life and wisdom and friendship.

But let’s pray, and let’s get into it!

Good beginnings...

Job 1:1 ESV

1 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.

Ok, so what are some things you notice about Job right off the bat? give time for answers, noting Job’s righteousness (not perfection!), Godliness, the fact that he is not an Israelite...

Another interesting thing about this beginning to Job, a thing that you probably can’t notice because you’re reading in English… Is that the story begins with a funny word order: “A man was in the land of Uz”

This funky word order lets us know that we are dealing with a bit of wisdom literature! Can you think of any customary starts to stories that let us know that we are dealing with a certain genre??? Once upon a time....

What is some other wisdom literature from the Bible? Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Some say Song of Songs...

Let’s read on, but keep it mind that this story is intentionally didactic, or intended towards teaching a lesson.

Job 1:2–5 ESV

2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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.

So, what are your impressions of Job’s life?

How does Job’s family seem to get along?

What do you make of all these numbers? Notice the holy numbers...

All of this information is working together to tell us that Job is a man of exceptional character, and of exceptional blessing!

Have you guys ever read a story that starts out with someone who has the perfect life? What does that normally signal to the reader??

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.

What does it appear that the Satan in view here does as part of his job? goes to and fro, considers the character of people...

So, how does it make us feel to hear that God is so easy-come-easy-go about Job’s possessions?

How did Job go about achieving his wealth? presumably in a righteous fashion, sacrificed to the Lord, showed love by the way he lived...

And so to whom does the credit go for all this stuff??? God of course!!

Really think about the attitudes of God/ the Satan towards humanity in this passage for a second… Is there anything you might learn from just that?

Some main points before we break this week:

The book of Job is a book on Theodicy

It’s a bit like a fairy tale in its construction, but this doesn’t mean that we should think that it’s an untrue story

The exchange between Satan and God shows us that God has a hopeful and optimistic outlook on his children, while Satan is pessimistic and negative

Only we know that Job is actually righteous!!!