This Monday Morning Blog-Inspirational Message focuses on The Book of Job most prominent Theme: “HOW TO VIEW SUFFERING”. A reminder of our imperfections in Christ when facing suffering from losses, separations and/or death of loved ones. Regardless of our “Right relationship” with the LORD most of us recognize our emotions/feelings from happy to sad, excitement to disappointment, loving to hate as well as calm to rage. When life events and situations happens expectedly or unexpectedly causes suffering emotions like WHAT, OMG, “I can’t believe this, why me?” All of these emotional thoughts and feelings are real and understandable.
The Book of Job which is known as the “Wisdom Book,” portraying life circumstances from divine perspectives.” The author is anonymous and date written unknown. This lesson begins with a description of Job’s character. Chapter 1:1 “A man perfect, upright, feared (reverenced) God and eschewed (shunned) evil.” Verse 6 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and satan came also among them.” According to MacArthur Bible Commentary “God is holding council with His heavenly court, His angelic hosts (38:7) and satan appeared with them.
Verse 7 “And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comes thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. “ Let’s pause to ask, does satan still go “To and fro in the earth walking up and down it?” The answer-First Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” Continuing Job 1:8 “And the LORD said unto satan, Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears Me [God], and eschews (shuns) evil?” Look at God—exercising His bragging rights on Job. Can God brag on you and I to satan like He did Job especially, “None like you and I in the earth?” Well this may be quite a “Reach” or not? What are your thoughts about you? “None like me in the earth” I can relate to “None like me” in the home, job and community due to being a responsible and reliable parent; and the positive impacts on the job and community. Desiring to be “None like me in the earth” through my writings.
Yet the greatest truth is everyone is created in the “Image and likeness of God with dominion” Genesis 1:26-27 bless with gifts, abilities, talents that are empowered by the Holy Spirit living in all confessed believers to be all that we can be for the good of the LORD. So why not “None like you and I in the earth.” We must see ourselves like God sees us! Feel free to share your thoughts. Just to note we are now called God’s sons and daughters, not servants (Corinthians 6:18).
So Job maintained a consistent prayer life, worship, praise and godly lifestyle in his actions with others. What about his role as a father? According to the Bible and MacArthur Commentary his attributes were: (1) Godly example to his children 1:1 (2) Created tender, family atmosphere in the home 1:4; (3) Taught his sons to love his sisters 1:4; (4) Pointed their way to God (1:5); (5) Acted as the priest in the home (1:5); (6) Exercised spiritual responsible for his children throughout their marriage and while living in their own homes (1:5); and (7) Entrusted the lives and welfare of his children to God (1:18-22).” “Food for thought.” Using Job as a parent role model how does you and I measure up as a parent or guardian?
Continuing after God said, “Have you considered my servant Job bragging on him. Satan’s response to Job’s righteousness were due to “God’s hedge around him. Meaning look at all he has—Job’s possessions that’s why he serves You. Take it way, he will then forsake You, curse You.” Read below the biblical account of Job’s loss of possessions including his sons and daughters.
Job’s Suffering 1:13-20 “And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Job’s Strength: Verse 20-22 First encounter with satan Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 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 all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. All reasons to grieve beyond measure.
satan’s 2nd encounter with God, Job 2:2-8; then verses 9 &10 conversation between Job and his wife. ‘And the LORD said unto satan, Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil? and still he hold fast his integrity, although thou moves Me against him, to destroy him without cause. And satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 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. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speaks as one of the foolish women speaks. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
For me unimaginable ordeals and trauma that Job experienced one-after-another but, maintained his integrity and reverence for the LORD. Even though he was ridiculed by his wife and accused by his three friends of wrongdoing. They believe God was punishing Job for his sin (s). And Job needed to figure out what he did wrong. Yet in this situation, no sin was committed by Job. God granted His “Permissive will” to prove to satan that “Job would not forsake nor curse Him. He would see for himself (satan) that Job was exactly who God said is/was “Upright, hate sin, perfect, reverence to the LORD and none like him in the earth, ” Despite the loss of his possessions, children and good health.
Then our hearts goes out to those that are grieving to include overwhelming issues and circumstances. Later in this blog will share biblical perspectives for SUFFERING. However the biblical perspectives does not replace consulting with your doctor and/or mental health profession when experiencing SUFFERING.
Job’s SUFFERINGS from his boils includes severe itching irritation 2:7,8; great grief 2:13; loss of appetite 3:24;6:6,7; agonizing discomfort 3:24; insomnia 7:4; worm and dust infested flesh 7:5; hallucinations 7:14; decaying skin 13:28;teeth fell out 19:20; and raging fever 30:30. All unimaginable!
In the beginning very compassionate Chapter 2:11-13 “Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came everyone from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent everyone his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.”
Summary of numerous Speeches/conversations made between Job and his three friends. During these conversations Job was full of sorrow. Job said “He did not want to live, wish he was never born, expressed despair, asked his friends for sympathy in his pain and protest what was unfair. Job told his friend, “They were out of touch with reality.” He confirmed his righteousness and defended his innocence. Job’s three friends “Accused Job of wrong doing, a secret sinner, impugning (questioning or challenging) God and to get it right with God. They told Job his sufferings are deserved.” Well what can we say about Job friends? They sounded like some of us, “Yeah it’s all your fault” and lack of compassion. Some would say “I’m keepin it real.” “Tried to help him.” Yet they were very compassionate in the beginning but, somewhere along the way their attitudes changed. They seems to have had enough of Job.
Now Job continued his lamented/answers in Chapter 31. Scripture 32:2 Elihu, a young man, the son of Barachel, a Buz clan found in the Hebrew Bible and associated with the descendants of Nahor, Abraham’s brother (Genesis 22:21 & reference The Topical Encyclopedia) was on the scene the entire time. He continued listening to Job’s Speeches-conversations and was waiting for the three friends to respond to Job. Yet they refused because of Job’s “Righteousness in his own eyes.”
Therefore Chapter 32:2 “Elihu’s wrath was hot against Job because he justified himself, rather than God; and his three friends because they found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.” Verses 6-11 “And Elihu answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst (did) not shew you mine opinion. I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
Many remember old folks used to say, “Children are to be seen, not heard.” I can imagine it was just as “Bad” for young adults or those close to it. “Don’t speak until you are told.” During the bible days it may have been more restricted.
Elihu Charges Against Job & friends teaches us HOW TO VIEW SUFFERING
- Presumption (His belief) to criticize God. Resulted to Job’s failure to recognize God may have a loving purpose, even though God allowed Job to suffer 33:1-22.
- Elihu declares Job impugned (disputed) God’s integrity by claiming that it does not pay to lead a godly life 34:1-37.
- Elihu urges Job to wait patiently for the LORD 35:1-16.
- Elihu believes that God is disciplining Job 36:1-21 (Permissive will and I would suggest being perfected to serve the LORD better.)
- Elihu argues that human observers can hardly expect to understand adequately God’s dealings in administering justice and mercy 36:22-37:24. Take our problems and concerns to the LORD, a present help.
- Need to see God in his/our suffering and worship Him 33:34. (Very important for today’s believers.
OMG the entire Book of Job attains many lessons for each believer on HOW TO VIEW SUFFERING. Then Jehovah-the LORD answered Job Himself out of the whirlwind and had much to say 38:1-41:1-34. 42:5-6 Job said, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Job abhor (disliked) himself and repented in dust and ashes. And Part VII. Job vindicated and honored.” The LORD also spoke to Job’s three friends. They were told to offer up for themselves a burnt-offering each, give to Job and he shall pray for them. All did as commanded by God. Verses 9b-10 “The LORD accepted Job; And the Lord turned the captivity of Job when Job prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. An aspiration on HOW TO VIEW SUFFERING throughout our life journey. Continue blessings & love! Neatbooks4u
