Job ~ An Introduction

 

As we begin the book of Job, let us take a look at the first 2 chapters.

These 2 chapters are key to understanding the rest of the book.

Unfortunately, Job and his friends did not have the insight as to what was going on behind the scenes. If they had, their conversation may have gone quite differently.

Keep this in mind as we go forward in our reading:

The tongues of wise people give good expression to knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out a flood of stupidity.

Proverbs 15:2 GWT

Our reading today tells about a cosmic conversation between God and Satan.

God already know Job was a righteous man who followed him wholeheartedly. God also knew why he served him.

The Bible says it this way:

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.

Job 1:1-2

Later on the friends will accuse Job of causing his own suffering through sin. Even today, some people blame Job. They say his fear caused his troubles when they quote Job 3:35.

"What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me."

Neither is the case.

It was God who pointed out to Job to Satan.

Satan said to God that Job was only serving Him because of all that he has blessed him with.

Then the first of Job's sufferings begin.

Satan points out to God that Job continued to serve him, even after all his loss, because he was not touched personally.

Then the second of Job's suffering's begin.

In both cases,  God allowed Satan to cause troubles for Job and put a limit on them. These troubles caused Job to want answers. Even in his pressing for answers, he did not sin.

Because God knew, in the end, that Job would continue to remain faithful to Him.

Even in his questions and doubts.

God can also handle our doubts and questions when we experience trials way beyond our understanding.

Go to Him.

NIV QUIET TIME BIBLE:

• What indications are there that Job's righteousness was not directly related to his being blessed with material prosperity (1:1-8)?
• In this very ancient document Satan appears as an angelic adversary with free access to God's presence, unlike the devil in the New Testament. What does Satan accuse Job of (1:9-11)?
• For what good reasons could God agree to a contest that would affect Job and his family so painfully?
• How does Job react to the first test (1:20-22)?
• Why do you think God agreed to the second test (2:1-6)?
• Why would the suggestion Job's wife made be especially dangerous to Job's faith (2:9-10)?
• Suffering is a mystery, and the opening scenes of this book deepen the mystery by showing how inadequate are our "reasons" for misfortune. What have you already learned about accepting trouble from God (2:10)?
• What difference will this make to your own attitude toward hard times?

Here's an introduction video by Shannon Mullins (She used the NLT Chronological Bible which dates Job differently)....