The Trouble with Trials

Background

We hear comments about the patience of Job…

Could be the pain of Job; should be the faith of Job

Author unknown; may have been an oral history, written down by Moses or a contemporary

Historical character, mentioned elsewhere in Scripture; not a nice allegory

Though the dialogue was no doubt later set down in poetic form

Narrative set in the time of the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob c. 2000-2100 BC

Wealth measured in possessions, persons controlled

Pre Moses; thus, pre-law

A rather familiar story

Quick summary:

Satan (the adversary) comes into the presence of God—as something of an interloper

Linguistics suggest “what are you doing here?”

His answer suggests “looking to cause trouble where I can” (Pitcher Paraphrase)

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

He’d come to the right place; but, like the devil in the Charlie Daniels song, he was outmatched

Satan challenges God: “He’s only good because you bless him”

Property taken; kids taken; stayed faithful

Health gone; stayed faithful (next week)

Friends wrongfully challenged him as being unrighteous; he made defenses—we’ll bypass that one

Understanding of the day: righteousness/obedience corresponded to blessing; sin and rebellion to punishment (you deserved what you got in life)

Concept of discipline was not understood; concept of lessons not understood

Main Idea: How Can a Good God Tolerate Evil

Theodicy—the vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil (Oxford dictionary)

Certainly relates to Job…and to the days in which we live as well

How and why would a good God allow such to happen to a good and godly man?

How would a good God allow the “invasion” of a virus taking lives, disrupting families, livelihoods, lifestyles...

Jobs are gone, savings shrinking, (some) people behaving in worst possible ways...

Looking at Job helps us understand

How Do We Respond?

How do we answer the questions, “Where is God?” “How could He allow...”

A full examination of Job shows that God never fully answers Job when he asks similar questions

Yet, the answer is revealed

Person

In vv. 1-5

Shown as an upright man…a wealthy man

7000 sheep; 3000 camels; 500 yoke of oxen; 500 female donkeys

Fuzzy math ~$8 million, greatest man in the east Jeff Bezos (Amazon, 140 $Billion)

Loved his kids; all 10 of them

Served as a family priest—making intercession for his family just in case...

God identifies him as “My servant!”

…but wait, there’s more!

v.8, none like him…blameless and upright…fears God and turns away from evil

Proposal

Satan baiting God…you’ve fenced him in from evil…loaded him with blessings...of course he serves you!

Job 1:11 ESV

But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”

Permission

God allowed the testing

God removed His hand of blessing and protection “Knock yourself out…”

…with one limitation (in round one); don’t harm the man himself

Gloves off in round 2—next week

Performance

Move into vv. 13-19

Oxen and donkeys stolen & servants killed

Sheep and more servants killed

Camels stolen, yet more servants killed

His children killed

All seemingly in a moment

Life as he knew it ended; he was in uncharted territory

Job 1:20 ESV

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.

Job 1:21 ESV

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 1:22 ESV

In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Perspective

Lets start with his faith; God Himself identified it

…fears God and turns away from evil

2 issues there

The faith—the fear—awe inspired reverence; does not preclude a knee-knocking fear; but more reverencing/worshipping...

The behavior

The OT statement was “he walked with God” as Enoch and Noah in Gen. 5-6

He lived by faith, though not mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” of Heb. 11, or in Romans

We don’t understand how the faith of Job came to be

We know God spoke directly to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and by angels, may conclude same with Job

Evidence is there; God identified him as His servant and the relationship was proven by the way Job lived

We have the ability to know the source of our faith through Jesus Christ; only through Him

Two things we should get right out of this

To have the faith; to have the walk

Many do try to get that backwards—to gain the faith by walking the walk—doesn’t work

Let’s Get This Right

Cannot be a loose, non-objective faith; must be in something—Jesus Christ: only He can save

We have to do it His way, not ours

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

We must believe that He is who He says He is; He says He’s God

John 10:30 ESV

I and the Father are one.”

…and that he’s the only way to the Father

John 14:6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Acts 16:31 ESV

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Cases of a 20 cent question and a 200 dollar answer

If the faith is true, the walk—like Job’s—will be right

Because of his faith, Job was able to stand the trip into uncharted territory—and it would get worse

How are you doing?

Having the firm faith in God, through Jesus Christ, we can survive whatever uncharted territory we must traverse

If you have fears, doubts, overwhelming cares and concerns, reach out via email, message...

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