This is one of my very favorite studies and pieces of
Scripture. There is so much in this chapter, I believe we not only get a true,
accurate picture of God's Nature, but a very accurate picture of what our
relationship with Him should look like.
We learn that God is sovereign, independent and above us in
every way. We learn that we know next to nothing and that what we do know we
know because of Him. We learn that we can't
know everything, but He can, and
that He creates everything for our good.
We learn that bad things do happen to good people, that He
doesn’t cause bad things, but in the end, He does use them for our good.
I’ve heard it said the book of Job is like a “mini Bible”.
In it, we see creation, fall, redemption, restoration and His Grace we also get a look at what
God is like.
_______________________________________________________________________ - · Job wealthy and feared God – Bible says complete integrity (Job 1:1-12)
- · Satan tries to drive wedge between Job & God (Job 1:6 - Always surprised Satan has access to God) Note: in Job 1:7 God asks Satan what he’s been up to – He doesn’t ask the Godly angles because He KNOWS WHAT THEY’VE BEEN UP TO .
- · As the story progresses Job loses kids, possessions, health, standing in the community (prob.)
- · People that know him are convinced that he, through sin, has brought his problem on himself.
- · His wife tells him he may as well “end it” (thanks honey). Note: the only family he has left is at worst against him, and at best, ridiculing him.
- · 4 friends come to talk – Job did not talk to them for days – Note: Sometimes we don’t need to say anything to hurting people, just being there is enough.
- · When they finally talk to him, they tried to get him to repent – his bad fortune was a result of unrepented sin.
- · God rebukes Jobs friends for thinking He CAUSED this. – The good we do is ALWAYS caused by God - bad is ALWAYS about Satan.
- · Job tries to make the case that he is righteous toward God and better than the un- righteous.
- · Job not so concerned with what he’d lost, but why he had lost it.
- · Job asks God, why has bad happened to him when he’s a good guy? (God never answers that question. When we ask that, we are not looking for an answer – we are looking for an argument. God WILL NOT be drawn into that).
- God gives Job a theology lesson -
·
God, then gets on Job’s case, tells him not to
worry about it – He says don’t worry about it, I’m God - I’m sovereign – what I
say goes gets on Job’s case (Job 38:16 – when have you walked through
the springs of the seas?, Job 40:2 "Shall the one who
contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer
it.")
·
Job is restored in Chapter 42. (God is good and
after Job learned, He made good out of bad experiences because Job loved God
and was called according to His Purpose. –
(Romans
8:28)
·
Lessons
Job learned:
1. God is sovereign – ALL AUTHORITY
2. Bad things will happen to good people (what
is “bad, what is “good”?)
3. It’s not that bad things won`t happen, it`s
how we treat God and how we react when they do, (Satan has limitations and
hates God and His people)
4. God, then fairness – NOT fairness THEN God
The fact that the Book of Psalms is very next chapter – highlights contrast
·
Psalms are poems and songs of praise, lament,
some wisdom (proverbs) – Not one story or account, but a collection of
conversations from the heart.
·
Written mostly through David and his son Solomon
·
All Psalms put God first – Acknowledge God’s
Sovereignty
·
Never asks “why me, I’m a good guy”
·
Always seem to say, “you’re God, why NOT me?”
·
Psalms
will ask for help, in asking with the correct attitude, we acknowledge God is
our only help
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