Jewels From Job
Job – Chapter #1
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. Job 1:1-2 (NKJV)
FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN
Four characteristics are spoken about Job.
1. He was blameless.
2. He was upright.
3. He feared God.
4. He shunned evil.
These are four characteristics that all of us need.
Blameless – root word of the Hebrew means to be complete.
Upright – in the Hebrew can also mean straight.
Feared God – see Job 28:28; Psalm 19:9; Psalm 33:8; Psalm 34:11; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 14:27; Proverbs 15:16; Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:6; Proverbs 19:23; Proverbs 22:4; Proverbs 23:17; Isaiah 33:6;
Shunned Evil – see Psalm 1.
Other characteristics that could be added about Job.
1. He spoke the truth. Job 27:3-4
2. He maintained moral purity. Job 31:1
3. He loved his enemies. Job 31:29-30
4. He was hospitable. Job 31:31-32
3 Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. Job 1:3 (NKJV)
THE WEALTH OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN
Do we count a man’s worth by how many possessions he has? Job had a lot. But verse one does not look at what he had before it speaks of Job’s worth – it says - Job was a man…. He was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion. Job 1:1 (MSG) Character counts.
Stuff is just stuff. If we treasure gold here on earth we find it to be nothing more then pavement in Heaven.
2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him.
4 And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly. . Job 1:2; 4-5 (NKJV)
THE FAMILY OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN
Job was a Godly man but also a father who watched out for his children. The main thing he was concerned with was their spiritual welfare. We need to feed our children with bread – but bread alone will not fill their soul. It does not tell us if his children have any thoughts of spiritual things but that did not deter Job from doing what he knew was right. He would offer up sacrifices for his children. He formed a holy habit. This was Job’s regular practice. Job 1:5 (HCSB)
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. Job 1:6 (NKJV)
THE DAY OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN
It does not tell us what day of the week that it happened – but it happened all the same - One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. Job 1:6 (HCSB)
It would turn out to be quite a day for Job.
7 And the Lord said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the Lord and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" 9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing?
THE TEST OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN
The Lord questions Satan and asks him where he has been. Down on the earth he says. Then God asks the question, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” Job 1:8 (HCSB) “Lord why didn’t you keep quiet? Why did you have to point Job out to Satan? Maybe, just maybe Job would not have suffered so much. But of course that would not give us this story and the encouragement we can gain from it.”
God testifies of Job that which is found in verse 1. He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil. Job 1:1 (HCSB) Oh that God would testify of us. “I would fear God’s testimony of me – for I know my own heart. Blameless? Upright? Staying away from evil? I fear that God would judge me with the truth.”
10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
THE QUALITY OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN
The Big Question now comes. Does Job respect you – fear you for nothing? You have put a wall around him. It is only because of the blessings You give him that he respects You. Implied: If You did not bless him, he would pay no attention to You. With many this would be a true statement – some are friends because of what they can get out of the relationship. We are self-centered in the affairs of this world – is Job?
11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" 12 And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
THE LIMITED POWER OF SATAN
God now gives Satan limited power – but it is still a lot of power “everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job [himself].” Job 1:12 (HCSB) There was no hesitation is Satan’s response. So Satan went out from the Lord’s presence. Job 1:12 (HCSB)
THE SUFFERING OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN
13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided them and took them away--indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!". Job 1:13-19 (NKJV)
They say that trouble comes in threes but in Job’s case it was fours.
1. The attack of the Sabeans.
2. Fire from God.
3. Attack of the Chaldeans.
4. The great wind.
It is special events that make one day from being just like the rest. How many of us will ever forget Sept. 11th 2001. That day changed the face of America. All days would be mundane if it weren’t for special days. Sometimes our special days are days of joy and sometimes they are days of sorrow.
Who has told you that life will always be joy and pleasure – this is not true. All of the human race will suffer – some more then others.
20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. Job 1:20-22 (NKJV)
THE WORSHIP OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN
Job what are you doing? Why are you not running around trying to fix this? That’s what people do – at least me and my friends – we try to fix the unfixable. Job took the situation to God. He understood he had no control over this – saying: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord. Job 1:21 (HCSB)
Control is nothing more then an illusion. We try to play God – but only God is God.
The story of Job is also a story of a battle – just as the entire bible is. Evil vs. Good. Satan attacks Job. God allows the heart of the warrior Job to be tested. The most important battles take place in the heart of the warrior. Throughout the bible we do not see God panic. So it is true in the book of Job. He already knows who will win the war.
