Fear And Faith Series

Job 1:1-3 (p. 350) October 13, 2013

Introduction:

From the beginning of time there has been a philosophy that people believe...and it genuinely affects their relationship with God....Sometimes causing them to reject God altogether Here it is: “God things come to good people – and bad things come to bad people!”

That belief lets us put God in an easily understood box...Good people then go to heaven and bad people go to Hell.

Here’s the problem with trying to put God in that box...It’s a lie!!! And we will never have the capacity to understand the mind of God...or have His plan all figured out...Especially when we are in the midst of something “painful” or “bad.”

Job is introduced as a “good man.” He lived his life so he could look people in the eye...He was upright...He was “blameless.” Not perfect, but no one would accuse him of cheating on his taxes or the golf course...He was honest...But we learn something more about Him than just his morality...His goodness flowed from a relationship with God...He lived in Fear of God...that’s why he rejected evil things.

And what follows reinforces the good things come to good people philosophy...Lots of sheep, lots of oxen, Wednesdays were exciting cause 3,000 camels were all doing “Hump DAAAAY!” He had 10 children: 7 sons, 3 daughters...They even liked being together...When birthdays rolled around each would have a huge feast and invite the entire crew...

How conscious of sin was Job? Very!!! After these feasts he would sacrifice an offering for sin...Just in case something wrong had been committed at one of these birthday bashes...”Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did this regularly!

A good guy, with lots of worldly riches...A family that gets along...and a real concern with His and their relationship with God...I hear the theme song to “Little House on the Prairie” going off in my head.

Here’s what blows the good for good and bad for bad philosophy out of the water.

I. SATAN THE ACCUSER IS AT WAR WITH GOD

JOB 1:6-12 (p. 350)

Job is believed to be the oldest book in the Bible...written by an anonymous Israelite about 1500 B.C. The Pentateuch, The first 5 books were written about 1450 B.C.

But Job gives us a look into Man’s earliest relationship with God...after the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden...and this view point shows Satan the Accuser before God...having just returned from “roaming throughout the earth.” The angels are there...So is Lucifer..called Satan...Lucifer means “angel of light.” Satan simply means: The Accusser.

We know Satan’s rebellion happens before the fall of mankind in the garden...because Satan is there...listen...

REVELATION 12:7-12 (p. 867)

Please understand, Hell, the lake of fire, the 2nd death are reserved for Satan, his forces and all those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life...but reserved means that’s still to come...After Jesus victorious second coming...Right now, and since he rebelled and lost...He is “alive and well on planet Earth.”

How does he have access to God...because there is a “spiritual world” we cannot see...And there is war taking place even as we speak...Satan hates God...His motivation is wrath...His time is short...So he attacks that which God loves...people...us...Job...And yet, it seems he, meaning Satan, still must ask God’s permission. Verse 7 leaves out what Satan is doing while roaming back and forth on earth, but most scholars believe his name reveals his activity...He is accusing people before God...Counting them like notches in a gunfighters gun handle...and verse 8 has God saying, “Yeah, but have you considered Job? He’s good, He’s blameless...He fears me and shuns evil?”

And Satan says, “Yeah, but why wouldn’t he look how you’ve blessed him!” You put a hedge of protections around him...let me at him and watch how quickly he curses you!”

O.K. says God...”but don’t lay a finger on him.”

Satan leaves the presence of God to carry out his scheme.

And if you think you’ve ever had a bad day...Listen to Job’s

JOB 1:13-19 (p. 350)

Gone...everything...flocks, oxen, camels...all his children...gone.

How does Job respond? Job responds with

II. HUMILITY AND WORSHIP

You can tell the character of a person in how they respond to tragedy...or loss... Job is absolutely devastated...Heartbroken...He prepares to mourn...He’s driven to the ground because he cannot stand under such grief...

But he worships...and in that horrible place of pain, loss and worship he says...

“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.” (v. 21)

Being one of God’s people doesn’t exempt us from grief or loss or pain...The challenge is not to become bitter...and blame God...and charge Him with wrong doing.

Especially as we wage war with Satan and his unseen dark forces...Jesus said, “He is a thief, a murderer...His native tongue is lying...He has come only to kill, steal and destroy. (John 8:44, John 10:10)