Lessons from the Book of Job 1

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Lessons from the Book of Job (1)

• Job 1 2

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Why Study the Book of Job?

• Most detailed treatise on problem of suffering
• How is suffering consistent with Gods nature?
• What can we know about the source of suffering?
• Is there any way we can prepare for suffering?
• How should we react to suffering in our lives?
• What patterns can be seen in Jobs suffering?
• Learn to overcome suffering through patience
• Gives a graphic illustration of Satans work
• Devils power is always used to destructive end
• Devils goal is to destroy every person

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Introduction to the Book of Job

• Subject of human suffering has universal appeal
  because all share the experience
• Poetic style is grand in language, artistry,
  depth of feeling and influence on literature
• Events recorded are real history (oldest book?)
• Text presents it as history (There was a man)
• Bible views as history (Ezek. 1414, 20 Jas.
  511)
• Lived in land of Uz (greatest of children of
  east)
• Likely in patriarchal time (age priest for
  family)
• Inspired book, but not all statements correct

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Outline for Book of Job

• Prologue (Job 1 - 2)
• Jobs Introductory Speech (3)
• First Cycle Of Speeches (4 - 14)
• Second Cycle Of Speeches (15 - 21)
• Third Cycle Of Speeches (22 - 31)
• Speeches Of Elihu (32 - 37)
• The Lord Job (38 - 426)
• Epilogue (427-17)

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An Introduction to the Man, Job

• Character of Job was exemplary
• Perfect (tam) - complete blameless mature
• Upright (yashar) - straightforward just
• One that feared God - reverent, submissive
• Turned away from evil
• Character prepared Job to endure suffering
• Wealth of Job was abundant
• Family 7 sons 3 daughters
• Great substance animals servants
• Concerned for spiritual well-being of family

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Jobs First Trial (16-22)

• God commends Job as earlier described
• Satan slanders Job as serving only for gain
• Wants God to take away all he has
• God does not do so, but allows Satan to act
• Job friends all wrongly assume action of God
• Satans assault comes in four parts
• Sabeans attack killing servants taking animals
• Lightning kills servants burns up sheep
• Chaldeans steal camels kill servants
• Great wind destroys house killing all children
• Job mourns, worships blesses God
• Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly

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Jobs Second Trial (21-13)

• God commends Job as previously plus more
• Satan slanders Job as serving only for his life
• Wants God to touch his bone flesh (sickness)
• God does not, but allows affliction short of life
• Satan afflicts with boils from head to foot
• Severe itching, skin cracks worms (28 75)
• Constant pain burning in limbs (3017)
• Skin blackened bones burning (3030)
• Becomes social outcast (1913-19 1620 309f)
• Conditions persists for months without rest (73)
• Resists plea to curse God accepts as right
• In all this, Job sinned not with his lips

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Friends Offer Silent Comfort
Now when Jobs three friends heard of all this
adversity that had come upon him, each one came
from his own placeEliphaz the Temanite, Bildad
the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they
had made an appointment together to come and
mourn with him, and to comfort him. And when they
raised their eyes from afar, and did not
recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept
and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on
his head toward heaven. So they sat down with him
on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no
one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his
grief was very great. --- Job 211-13 ---
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Some Lessons to Learn

• We cannot discern source of trials by sight
• We should be attentive to those enduring trials
• Best support may come from saying nothing
• Spiritual characteristics prepare us for trials
• Inward growth needed for spiritual strength
• Concern for spiritual welfare of family needed
• Whatever the trial, dont charge God as wrong
• Patience in trials learned more as they increase
• Hard to guard tongue from rash speech, but needed
• In time of trial, worship God count blessings

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