BEHIND THE SCENES OF SUFFERING

The Character of Job

Job- persecuted, hated, object of enmity, one ever returning to God

We are uncertain as to the exact location of Uz. It is possible that it was near the land of Edom, which would be in the northernmost part of Saudi Arabia today.

What does the Bible say about the condition of each person on earth?

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 3:10 “as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;”

Ecclesiastes 7:20 “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”

Since these things are true, how could Job be described as blameless and upright?

Job is not the only person in Scripture described in terms like this.

Genesis 6:9 “These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.”

See Genesis 17:1-2, Genesis 26:4-5, 1 Kings 14:7-10, Luke 1:5-6...

Job had been counted as righteous by grace through faith. He had a living faith that caused him to live in a way that was pleasing to the Lord. He had no glaring weaknesses of his character.

Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

Genesis 15:6 “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”

See Romans 4:1-8...

See James 2:14-26...

Ephesians 2:8–10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

What are some things you notice about Job’s family? What do we learn about Job’s character based on his treatment of his kids?

Behind the Scenes

Who is Satan? What did he say he had been doing?

Satan- adversary (See Ezekiel 28:11-19, Isaiah 14:12-15)

See Revelation 12:7-10...

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Matthew 4:3 “And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.””

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Why do you think the Lord brought up Job to Satan in light of these truths?

Does Satan recognize the Lord’s authority here in this passage?

Daniel 4:35 “all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?””

Mark 1:27 “And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.””

What is Satan’s accusation against Job?

See Romans 1:21-25...

Matthew 10:37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

Why do you think the Lord would allow Satan to do this? What good could He possibly bring out of this?

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Disaster Strikes

What all did Job lose? How quickly did he get the news about all of his losses?

The Bible has a lot to say about the certainty of suffering and loss.

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

1 Peter 1:6–7 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18...

How can we stand strong like Job when disaster strikes?

See Matthew 7:24-27...

“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” — Charles Spurgeon

The Response of Job

Who did Job credit with his misfortune? Was he right to do that?

Isaiah 45:7 “I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.”

What truths did Job hold on to as he was suffering?

How can we worship the Lord in the midst of our suffering?

2 Samuel 12:20 “Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate.”

See Habakkuk 3:17-19...

Psalm 73:25–26 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

1 Timothy 6:6–7 “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.”

Hebrews 13:5–6 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?””