ARE YOU WORTHY TO BE CONSIDERED?
JOB 1:8
Is there anybody in here that knows it’s an honor to be considered for God’s use…? He doesn’t have to use anybody… He can use ‘stuff’ to bring Him Glory… But it’s an honor to be considered worthy for God’s use… Job is considered worthy… (3 reasons)
Man of Piety: (v 1) A man of integrity. “Blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil…”
Man of Prosperity: (v 2-3) “7 sons; 3 daughters… 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large household…This man was the greatest of all the people of the East…”
Man of Posterity: (v 4-5) “Family get gatherings... 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.”
In spite of all, God asks Satan if he has considered (thought about or decided upon with care, regarded with respect or esteem) Job…? It’s an honor to be considered… But what’s so special about Job…? What made God ‘offer’ up (suggest) Job to Satan…?
I. PRAISE IN SPITE OF YOUR PREDICAMENT (1:20-22)
- Job’s character is attacked (v 10-12)
- Job loses property and children (v 13-19)
- Job realizes that all he has/is belongs to the Lord (v 20-22)
* When you know who/ whose you are, you can praise God matter what…
II. PERSEVERE IN SPITE OF YOUR PAIN (2:1-13:19)
Job 3: Job deplores his birth
Job 4-11: Three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) come to comfort him, but end up criticizing him… Their argument: (1) God blesses the righteous and curses the wicked, (2) God has afflicted Job, (3) therefore he must be wicked… (Problem: logical thinking, but not spiritual…) Suffering is not always a sign of disobedience…
As Job pleads his case, we discover that despite what he’s going through physically, spiritually he’s still on the page…
Job answers his critics. Zophar: Zophar rebukes Job by affirming that God should show him true wisdom and by affirming that if he would turn to God, he would be blessed 11:1-20
Job 12-13: Job responds by criticizing Zophar for not telling him anything new, not helping him, and not representing God well, whereupon, he again asks God to let him die 12:1—14:22
III. PROSPER BECAUSE OF YOUR PURPOSE (42:1-6)
Job 14-41: Continuous dialogue with friends and family and inquisitions with God… But chapter 42 is where Job finally receives his breakthrough…
Job finally understands his purpose… God literally puts him on front street and comes to him through a series of violent storms before the light clicks on…
Chapter 38: “Where were you…?”
Chapter 39: “What do you know about what I created…?”
Chapter 40: “Who are you to question me…?”
Chapter 41: “Do you really think you’re as mighty as I am…?”
God can and will give you a reality check to remind of who you are, but more importantly, WHO HE IS….!
Through this discourse, Job realizes what’s really going on… “Job answered GOD: "I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans.You asked, ’Who is this muddying the water, ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?’ I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me, made small talk about wonders way over my head. You told me, ’Listen, and let me do the talking. Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.’ I admit I once lived by rumors of you;now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears! I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise! I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor." (Job 42:1-6, MSG)
Job realized that his purpose was to bring glory an honor to God, by simply trusting in Him… And when Job realized his purpose, God was then able to bless him… (Used his haters…!) In fact, God gave him double for his trouble…! Can I tell you that when you know your purpose…God can cause you to prosper…? (v 7-17…)
