Job’s Worst Day
Job Sermon Series, Part 2
Introduction (Job Slide)
- The book of Job is going to be a very challenging study for us
- Most people think this is about a man named Job who had a rough life
- However, we can easily fail to focus on the main character … God
- I believe this book will be a spiritual mirror for us … starting today
- Read Job 1:1-22
- Pray
Point 1 – Was Job a real person?
- One of our key questions today is, was Job a real person?
-- The short answer is yes … but let’s ensure we can understand why
- The prophet Ezekiel spoke about him as a historical figure in Ezekiel 14:14
- James, Jesus’s half brother, identifies him as one tested by God in James 5:11
- Paul quoted two times from Job as references of who God is
• Romans 11:35 (Job 41:11)
• 1 Corinthians 3:19 (Job 5:13)
- The bible tells us he lives in the land of Uz (modern day Uzbekistan)
- The loses he experiences were carried out by a real enemy, Satan
-- Also, the losses he experienced were executed by real groups of people
-- Throughout this time, Job was comforted by real people from identifiable tribes
- He lived during the time of the Patriarchs, probably ~ 2000 BC
-- This would be the same as the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
-- He lives to be well over 200 years old, common for patriarch’s time
- His wealth is measured in livestock, commonly done in patriarch’s time
- His leadership at home shows that he was the priest of his family
-- This identifies that Aaronic old covenant priesthood was not yet established
- Heirs include his daughters (Job 42:15); Mosaic law prohibited: Num. 27:8
-- Also tells us that he lived BEFORE the Law was given (Mt Sinai) in 1445 BC
- Job uses “Shaddai” (God Almighty) 31 times; common use for God’s name
-- Only used 17 times elsewhere in the OT (refers to prelaw, Patriarchal period)
- But the big question: Why is any of this important?
-- These facts are critical so that WE will know, and understand that this is real
-- This book is not a fairy tale, it is not an “analogy for better living today”
-- It is a historical account of what happened in a man’s life by God’s design
- Re: Wed night: What is at stake is the glory of God revealed to us
-- Honor SHOULD be given to God when the righteous suffer patiently for Him
-- APP: We can face trials with our heads up … knowing that God is at work
- TRANS: So, let’s dive in and explore Chapter 1 together
Point 2 – Setting the Stage
- Job was a man who was considered blameless before God (v1)
-- He was not sinless (there is a difference in those two words)
• Blameless: beyond reproach in personal character and conduct
• Sinless: literally, without sin (led a perfect life)
- Bottom line: No one could rightly charge Job with morale failure
-- He also feared God: he lived in awe, respect, took God seriously
- Job had seven sons, and three daughters; enjoyed unity in family (v2)
-- His family met regularly to celebrate and enjoy dinners/parties (v4)
- He was also a very successful business man (v3)
-- 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 oxen, 500 donkeys, bunch of servants
-- In the community, he would be considered “one of the wealthiest”
- Additionally, Job was a man who cared very deeply about his family (v5)
- After each family gathering, he would offer sacrifices for each of them
-- He would dedicate each child to the Lord; signifying they were the Lord’s
-- APP: Rather than holding onto them, he offered them to God willingly
Point 3 – Heavenly Conversations
- Amazingly, we get an incredible treat … to see inside God’s throne room (v6)
-- We are allowed to see a conversation that (no doubt) still takes place today
- God, in His throne room, is being attended too, and reported to, by His angels
-- These angels have been in the world; and have come to update God
-- In the midst of this, Satan also comes to give his report of what’s happening
- Take note: This is our enemy, this is the one who threatens us today
-- However, even he comes before God in submission to report on his activities
- God asks him, “Where have you come from?” (v7)
-- IMP NOTE: God knew exactly where he was and what he was doing
-- This is not a parent asking a child, where have you been … quite opposite
- This is God, in sovereign authority, asking this fallen angel to confess
-- APP: Recognize God’s authority in just this one sentence … ought to move us
- Satan’s report is what it always is: he has been roaming about the earth
-- So, God asks Him, “Have you considered my servant, Job?” (v8)
-- God knew Job’s heart … and He knew that his faithfulness was solid
- APP: However … consider this conversation could be happening about you
-- Trying to reason it: Cancer diagnosis … not my will, but His
- Satan’s response to God ought to give us pause at how cunning he tries to be (v9)
-- What he is implying is: Why would Job fear anything if YOU have his back?
-- “YOU have a hedge of protection around him, so of course he’s faithful!”
- What Satan does here is critical … don’t miss this (v11) (he’s daring God)
-- If you stop protecting Him, he WILL curse you to your face and turn away
-- CRIT: If Satan will talk to God like this … how imp are we to Satan?
-- Re: He is the enemy, seeking whom he may devour … we are nothing
- So … God allows him to have his way, but with limitations (v12)
-- You can do what you want ... but you cannot kill him. (see God’s authority!)
- TRANS: What we now (sadly) see is Job’s worst day … ever
Point 4 – Job’s Worst Day … Ever
- Critical to see: What happens is in the course of ONE day (v13)
• Oxen were attacked by the Sabeans and carried them off (v15)
• The sheep and the servants were killed by (prob.) a lightning storm (v16)
• The camels were stolen by an invading Chaldean army (v17)
• His sons and daughters were killed by a mighty wind (tornado) (v18)
- Let’s pause here for a moment … because I want us to learn from this
- We discussed on Wed night, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
-- The answer is: Because God, according to His infinite wisdom, chooses for these things to happen to reveal to others who He is.
- Surely, Job’s life would be shattered, and his outrage would be understandable
-- But his response is one we should learn from; it’s a model for us today
- We’ve got to be really careful with how we reply to what God is doing
-- Our natural (fleshly) response is to lash out, to lose our cool with God
-- To shake our fist at God and proclaim how good we are; How dare He…?
- It is the selfish sin in our heart that makes us think we don’t deserve bad things
-- Re: God’s will is sovereign and we are to desire to be like Him (Jesus)
- Jesus is our example, His life demonstrates how we are to respond to God
• The cross, for example, was not a convenience for Jesus … but God
• The torture and the beatings were not a convenience … but God
• The separation from His Father for our sin was not convenient … but God
- Regarding Job, I’m honestly not sure how I would’ve responded
-- I’m not sure any of us could really do well on this kind of day … but …
- Re-read verses 20-22
Point 5 – Job’s Response to God
- Job’s response was to rend his garments, and bow down before the Lord
-- Not in a show of: “Hey everyone, come and see how spiritual I am!”
- Rather, in submission to who God is and what God has done for him
-- Not what God has done TO him, but what God has done FOR him
- The bible tells us that Job fell to the ground, prostrate, in worship (v20)
-- Job willingly acknowledges God’s sovereignty and provision for his life (v21)
-- All he had, all his possessions, and even his children … belonged to the Lord
- Job’s confession of this is crystal clear:
-- “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away”
-- Meaning: I have no right to cling to these things as if they are/were mine
- In his response, he does not sin … but cries out in worship of God (v22)
-- Why? Flippant and crass remarks were not Job’s way to communicate with God
-- Those would be sinful responses, and his desire was to please God – ONLY
- Big Idea: His love of God caused him to praise, even on his worst day
- My challenge to you is this:
• Many of us have had bad days, but has it been as bad as Job’s?
• On those days, many of us have said/done things in response to God
• Would your responses line up like this one we just saw?
• Or, would our response(s), in comparison, shame us a bit? Challenge us?
- God is interested in our heart’s, and in our worship/service to Him
- God is not focused on our agendas, but wants our lives to be like Jesus
Challenge:
- How can we show others Who we serve if our reaction to God is sinful?
- If we cannot even respond with reverence … how will we live properly?
- Pray
References: Holman OT Commentary, Job
