Book of Job Overview:

The Book of Job is one of the oldest, complex, simple and yet most powerful book in the Bible. It provides believers a rare and unique glimpse of the dynamic exchange between God, man and Satan. It teaches us that God has purposes beyond our understanding. It teaches us that sometimes good people suffer for reasons only known to God. Job also teaches us to be careful of judging someone who is going through difficult times and is suffering. It also teaches us that the best thing we can do for someone who is suffering is to listen, pray and to be there to support them. Lastly, Job shows that God used Job to teach us one very important lesson. Job didn’t realize that God allowed Satan to attack Job so that mankind, from the writing of Job through today, would understand that Satan constantly accuses us before the throne-room of heaven. Why did God do this ? One reason may be so that Christians today would understand that there is a spiritual battle going on today for the hearts and minds of mankind. Satan is real, alive and well and our strength comes from Jesus interceding for us at the right hand of God. Rest in this fact today and thank God for His provision made for us made by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Hebrews 7:22-27 “By so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. 23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”

1) God loved Job: Job 1:8 Then 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, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

2) Satan hated Job and wanted to see him sin against God. Job 1:9-11 “So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around 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 now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

3) God allows Satan to attack Job Job 1:12 “And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

4) In spite of Job losing everything he loved, he refused to curse God Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

5) God is proud of Job and brags to Satan about Job’s strength Job 2:3 Then 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, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”

6) God allows Satan to attack Job again Job 2:6 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.”

7) Satan uses Job’s wife to attack him Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

8) Job resists the attack by Satan and refuses to curse God Job 2:10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

9) Job Continues to Trust in God Job 13:13-16 Then let come on me what may! 14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands? 15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before “Hold your peace with me, and let me speak, Him.16 He also shall be my salvation, For a hypocrite could not come before Him

10) Job Continues to Suffer but Continues to Believe; Job 19:25-27 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

11) Job’s Friends Accuse Him of Sin in His Life Job 11:1-6 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: 2 “ Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated? 3 Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you? 4 For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.’ 5 But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips against you, 6 That He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves. Job 15:1-8 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: 2 “ Should a wise man answer with empty knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind? 3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk, Or by speeches with which he can do no good? 4 Yes, you cast off fear, And restrain prayer before God. 5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth, And you choose the tongue of the crafty. 6 Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; Yes, your own lips testify against you. 7 “Are you the first man who was born? Or were you made before the hills? 8 Have you heard the counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?

12) Job Criticizes God Job 23:1-6 Then Job answered and said: 2 “Even today my complaint is bitter; My hand is listless because of my groaning. 3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat! 4 I would present my case before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would know the words which He would answer me, And understand what He would say to me. 6 Would He contend with me in His great power? No! But He would take note of me.

13) God Responds to Job and His Friends Job 38:1-7 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: 2 “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? 3 Now prepare yourself like a man;I will question you, and you shall answer Me. 4 “ Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

14) Job Responds Back to God Job 40:3-5 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 4 “ Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. 5 Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” Job 42:1-6 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2 “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ 5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

15) God Restores and Blesses Job Job 42:12-15 Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-Happuch. 15 In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers.

Key Verses: Job 1:21-22 “And he said: “ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Personal Application: Simple Lessons from Job:

 

Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!34 “ For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?” 35 “ Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?”36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.