Job Introduction
Many of us are familiar with Job without having immersed ourselves in the full story. We know that he was a good man who suffered a lot, but his story is much more complicated than that. Scholars place the story of Job’s life during the same era as the patriarch in Genesis, placing him alive alongside (most likely) Jacob. While we don’t know a ton about Job’s backstory, we do know that he loved God. We also know that he was an upstanding husband, father, and wealthy landowner. Until he lost everything.
What unfolds in this story is both important for us to read, yet a little difficult to fully comprehend. Tim Mackie, co-founder of The Bible Project, describes Job this way:
“You’ve stepped into one of the most sophisticated and mind-bending literary works in the Bible. This book has been designed to stimulate your mind and heart by raising huge questions about God’s character and the meaning of human suffering. But just so you know, no straightforward answers lie within…Most people finish the book feeling unsure they got the point, but convinced they’ve experienced something profound.”
Why should we read the book of Job? Life is full of suffering and hardship. If you live long enough, you will experience the full range of human emotions. You’ll experience extreme joy and profound sorrow; triumphant gains and gutting losses. As followers of Jesus, we should expect to suffer hardships this side of eternity. By reading the book of Job, we are going to learn not necessarily why we suffer, but how to suffer faithfully. When we’re able to mourn, suffer, and grieve faithfully, that is compelling to the outside world.
As we read the book of Job, examine it through the lens of the hope we have because of the Gospel. As difficult as life gets on earth, we always have the hope of eternity on our side. When you’re reading along, grab a highlighter and journal to take notes as you go! Don’t give up on the days where it might feel repetitive. Lean into the text and dig deeper with other resources that will help you clarify what needs clarifying.
Read Job 1
Prologue
1 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. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Go Deeper
How do you respond when the bottom drops out beneath you? When the sun is shining, there’s money in the bank, and we’re healthy, it’s much easier to praise the Lord and smile. But what’s your response when:
- you get cut from the team?
- you unfairly get a bad grade on a test?
- your boss belittles you and insults your intelligence?
- your son frustrates you yet again?
- your spouse seems to love her job more than her family?
- a loved one receives a life-threatening diagnosis?
In Job 1, we see a man who was blameless, upright, feared God, and “was the greatest man among all the people of the East” (Job 1:3b). The Lord said, “There is no one on earth like him…who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8). Job faced temptation like the rest of us, but he walked away from sin.
Job was the best of the best and was richly blessed with a large family and an abundance of wealth, livestock, and servants. Satan told the Lord that Job obediently walked with the Lord only because he had everything he needed. Take it away, and his faith will go away. So the Lord allowed Satan to do whatever he wished with Job (except he could not harm Job himself). Satan brought major trial after major trial, culminating in the loss of Job’s 10 children.
The bottom dropped out beneath Job. Can you imagine what it must have felt like to lose just about everything in one day? To lose everything you own and to lose your very own flesh and blood? Most of us would probably do as Satan predicted—we would curse God to His face (v. 11).
Yet, we see something beyond extraordinary in Job. He grieved (tore his robe and shaved his head), but then he fell to the ground and worshipped the Lord. Can you believe it? Job did not sin by accusing God of wrongdoing. Instead, on the worst day of his life, Job praised the name of the Lord.
We see why Job earned the description of being the greatest among all the people. Job’s response should challenge us to do likewise. When we face trials of many kinds (which are guaranteed according to Jesus in John 16:33), will we be found faithful and worshipful like Job, or will we choose to curse God and walk away?
Questions
- Since only Jesus is sinless and perfect, what does it mean when it says that Job is “blameless?”
- Who’s really in control of Job—God or Satan? How do we know who’s in charge?
- What would it look like for you to “shun evil” in your life?
Listen Here
Listen to the song “Blessed Be Your Name” by Matt Redman. You can either listen in your music provider of choice or you can listen along through this YouTube link. The song dovetails perfectly with Job’s response to his massive trials as seen in Job 1:21.
4 responses to “Job 1 + Introduction”
How amazing it would be to have God say “Choose Amy because there is no one like her on the earth, a blameless and upright woman, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Sounds so incredible terrifying and amazing at the same time. God knew Job would not turn from Him. God knew that Job was truly solid. Even though his life would literally be ripped out from under him, he would steadfastly turn to God. I desire to be that obedient, steadfast, faithful, and loyal. When I start describing Job’s integrity I find I am using the words I use when describing God’s HESED love!
Hesed is unfailing ,faithful, steadfast, loyal reliable, covenant, undeserved, enduring, completely complete, cherished, everlasting, generous, kindness, flowing out of all eternity, God’s character.
So is Job a great saint? God thinks he is!! God thinks he steadfast and upright enough to handle what satan is going to throw his way. I believe we all have freedom of choice. God gave us that to make decisions for ourselves. We can choose life or death. Job was about to and did endure so much he was willing to die to get out of his suffering BUT GOD knew that Job was the right man for the job. Things happen to all of us that we would love to change BUT GOD also knows how all things work together for good to those that love Him.
God thank You for being able to worship You. God thank You for Your son Jesus Christ, who was willing to be that sacrificial lamb for all Your children. God help me to shema hear, to listen and obey, so that You are what is first and foremost in all I say and do. God, I do not always understand the purpose at the moment but I do know You are with me, for me and not against me. Today is the day the Lord has made and in these minutes of this day I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank You for eyes to see what is important to You and a heart willing to respond to direction. God thank You for each minute today that my life be glorifying and honoring to You in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (v8).
Something I’ve not noticed before caught my attention. The Lord initiated/set into motion the road of suffering forJob. I had surmised that it was Satan. God must have considered him worthy to suffer for his name, and a whole book of the Bible exists to document it all.
21 “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Such a powerful statement by Job! May I respond likewise to the blessings and challenges of life.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Lord, sanctify my heart to live humbly in the manner of Job.