Job

Job is one of the oldest books in the Bible. Job the man lived 4000 years ago.

Job 1:1-5 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. He was a righteous man. …the greatest of all the men of the east… Job cared for his family and acted as the priest of his home.

Now enters satan, the accuser. God calls Job, my servant Job. 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.

In just a few moments Job suffered huge, tragic, sudden loss. Job 1:20-21 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

In his overwhelming grief, yet Job sought God. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Job is sat on a pile of ashes. Job 2:9-10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

Job sat and waited for God to redeem his life. He trusted God’s goodness in the face of all that was not good.

Job's friends just blamed and accused him - that God must be punishing Job for some sin. Over 80% of the book of Job is poor advice that Job’s friends gave him. They misunderstood God’s purposes.

In chapter 3 Job cursed the day of his birth. Job was spiritually, mentally, and emotionally broken.
His life was consumed with misery. Job 5:7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. We can trust that whatever He does — and whatever He allows — is perfect.

Job’s faith yet held fast.Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. We can trust Him.

Job knew what trouble was… Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Our faith outlasts these earthly days of trouble. We have an eternal hope.
Job declared his faith in his redeemer. Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Trust Him through your suffering. Walk with Him.

Job 23:12 …I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Esteem the Word of God. Job revered and honoured God as His maker and creator… Job 26:7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. Job honoured God, even in his pain…

Job 28:28 …Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Elihu finally spoke. He talked of how suffering is God’s way to teach, discipline and refine. Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind... Job had talked so much when he knew so little. Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

We can know that God can do all things. We can yield to His will. He has the power to remove our suffering if He so chooses. No matter what, yet we can trust Him. He is always in control. Even when our suffering is a part of His sovereign plan, we can trust Him.

The Lord will sustain His people through it all for His purposes and glory. Job 42:5-6 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

We are completely dependent on God. Let us learn to totally trust Him. Job turned to God in humble repentance. Job kept his faith.

Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. We see that throughout the entire book, Job prayed, struggled, and eventually overcame. He never stopped having a relationship with God.

Job lost just about everything - but he did not lose his faith in God. Job’s faith held steady, even though he suffered times of despair. Even though he did not understand what was happening.
Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning... We can learn from the endurance of Job.