JOB'S EXAMPLE

I’m reading in THE VOICE BIBLE for 2024. 

I get bored easily, so I typically read in five biblical zones to keep my interest high.  If you’re interested, here is my breakdown:

Genesis through Ruth                    236 chapters

I Samuel through Esther                200 chapters

Job through Song of Songs           243 chapters

Isaiah through Malachi                   250 chapters

New Testament                               260 chapters

In the past, I have gradually and systematically read through the Bible reading several chapters a day – using bookmarks to keep me organized.

However, this year I’m exercising even more flexibility by using a chart that I introduced in yesterday’s blog article titled: BIBLE READING TIPS.

_________________________________________________________

I read the first chapter of Job this morning.  What a remarkable chapter! 

It begins by describing a righteous man who probably lived in the vicinity and time-frame  of Abraham [sixth century B.C.]  He’s prosperous and is wholeheartedly dedicated to living a life that is pleasing to God! 

I’ll share several things from this chapter that I find to be totally astounding.

FIRST

Job illustrates true devotion to his children by continuing to pray for them even in their adulthood. 

His adult children always got together to celebrate special occasions. 

When these days of feasting were through, Job would call all of his family to his own house and purify them, rising up early in the morning to offer burnt sacrifices for each one.

JOB: God, forgive my children for any secret sins or grudges they have against You deep in their hearts. [v.5 VOICE]

This illustrates that our responsibility for our children does not end when they become adults and establish autonomy. 

Job continues to bear concern for the spiritual purity of his children.  He regularly calls them together and intercedes with God Almighty on their behalf!   

His concern is not shallow.  Job knows human nature and our vulnerability toward sin and rebellion.  He can’t bear to see his children drift from the divine purposes of God.  He invests his time, passion and resources to do everything within his power to see that they maintain a close, intimate, pure relationship to God! 

Surely I don’t need to unpack the message Job presents to us.  If God has blessed us with children, we are perpetually to care for them spiritually and to do everything within our ability to see that they walk in sincerity before the Lord!

SECOND

Suddenly, the scene changes to the courts of heaven.

Now one day, it came time for the sons of God, God’s heavenly messengers, to present themselves to the Eternal One to give reports and receive instructions.  The Accuser [Satan] was with them there. [v.6 VOICE]

God and the Accuser enter into a discourse that begins with God asking him where he has been.  His response: “Oh, roaming here and there, running about the earth and observing its inhabitants.” [v.7 VOICE]

God’s immediate response is to ask Satan if he has looked into the life of Job. 

He is unlike any other person on the whole earth – a very good man – his character is spotless, his integrity unquestioned. In fact, he so believes in Me that he seeks, in all things, to honor Me and deliberately avoids evil in all of his affairs. [v.8 VOICE]

Satan’s response clearly indicates that he has indeed examined Job’s life.  He claims that God has put a hedge of protection around Job [It is implied that this protection has prevented Satan from distracting and entrapping Job.]

God’s response shocks us!

ETERNAL ONE: I delegate this task to you [Satan].  His possessions are now in your hand.  One thing, though, you are not to lay a finger on the man himself.  Job must not be touched. [v.12 VOICE]

Soon after this encounter, tremendous disaster falls on Job, clearly as a result of Satan’s intervention:

·         His herds of donkeys and oxen are stolen by Sabeans, and all of his servants are killed except one who escapes to report to Job.

·         At the same time, lightning strikes his 7,000 sheep and his shepherds.  Only one survives to report the catastrophe to Job.

·         Chaldeans attacked another group of Job’s servants and stole 3,000 camels while killing all of his servants but one – who escaped to report to Job.

·         Finally, a fourth messenger arrives to tell Job that his children had all been killed by a tornado while they were feasting together.  Only one servant survived to report the tragedy to Job.

The point to be observed here is obvious:  God had such confidence in Job’s faithfulness that He pointed Job out to Satan, thereby, putting all of Job’s possessions – including his children - under Satan’s influence! 

How many of us are living this kind of exemplary spiritual life?

THIRD

Job’s initial response is exactly what we would expect, however, then he cries out of his pain words that we are incapable of understanding.

HIS RESPONSE

·         He tore his robe

·         Shaved his head

·         Fell to the ground

·         “Face down, Job sprawled in the dirt to worship.” [v.20 VOICE]

HIS WORDS

JOB: I was naked, with nothing, when I came from my mother’s womb; and naked, with nothing, I will return to the earth.

The Eternal has given, and He has taken away.  May the name of the Eternal One be blessed. [v.21 VOICE]

The chapter ends with a narrator’s observation:

In all of this Job neither sinned nor did he make foolish charges against God. [v.22 VOICE]

And we’re all left asking ourselves the same question:  Would I respond with such faith if Satan was to attack me and cause similar destruction and pain in my life?

____________________________________________

I have some work to do now.  I need to talk with God and get my priorities straightened out.  I need to – once again – review my life and renew commitments.  

Perhaps you need a self-appointment for similar purposes?