Life's Not Fair

LIFE’S NOT FAIR

THE BOOK OF JOB

WEEK 2 2008

INTRODUCTION

1. Good Morning. Week #2. By a raise of hands I’m curious who has been following along in the reading plan. I’m sure many of you got through the first 11 chapters of Genesis with not much problem, but now you are wading through the physical and emotional turmoil of this man Job along with his friends. I can relate to this man job. When in college I had taken a expositional class on the book of job. My professor, a man of great intellect and scholarliness tormented plan of making this book truly come to life for those that dared to take his class. This class met twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. At the beginning of every class a 10 page paper was required from each student. You don’t know how much anguish and suffering I faced. My heart was one with job, “why oh God have abandoned me and afflicted me with such great suffering.”

2. In Job’s suffering he asks a question, that I know people for generations asks

a. Job 21:7 (NIV)

7 Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?

b. Why do the wicked seem to prosper and increase in power and recipricallly why do bad things happen to good people.

3. SCRIPTURE

a. Job 1:1 (NIV)

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.

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b. Job 1:9-22 (NIV)

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 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 hands, 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 carried them off. 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 sky 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 carried them off. 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.

c. Job 2:7-10 (NIV)

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

4. OBSERVATIONS

a. Job’s Character (mentioned in verse 1 and then in 8 by God)

i. “Job was blameless” = without moral blemish

ii. “Job was upright” = did not deviate from God’s standards

iii. “Feared God” = He was aware of, revered, and submitted to God’s majesty.

iv. “Shunned evil” = rejected the opposite of God’s character.