Sermon
060720SS-Job.mp3
An overview of the book of Job
JOB
God’s Absolute Power Over Satan Revealed
Books of the Bible
Lesson 18
INTRODUCTION: Job is the first book in a series of wisdom books (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and Lamentations). Job is in the form of a dramatic poem. It is the oldest of the book of the Bible and it was written close to the flood of Noah’s day (21:11-14; 22:14-17). Job lived about 2,000 B.C. It was written before the giving of the law. This book finds its place between the eleventh and twelfth chapters of Genesis. The purpose of the book reveals the absolute power God has over Satan (41:1-5). God used Job to challenge Satan and Satan lost both contests. Satan lost and Job was refined by God through the trials (Job 23:10; Psalm 17:3; 66:10; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:7; 4:12). Job’s strength came from the words of God even though he had no written revelation of the words of God (Num. 12:6; Job 23:11-12). The conversations between Job and his three friends reveals some truths of the Great Tribulation, the sufferings of Jesus Christ (19:1-21), and the sufferings of a sinner in hell (18:11-21), but Job received no comfort (16:2). Elihu gave his opinion of the frailty of man and the power of God (36:22).
The name, “Job,” means, “persecuted.”
Doctrinally, Job pictures Jewish saints of the Tribulation in the land of Uz (Lamentations 4:21-22), who will be persecuted directly by Satan (Rev. 12:13-17). The book contains 42 chapters, equaling the 42 months of the Great Tribulation (Rev. 11:1-2). The three friends picture persecutors of the Jews during the trials of their faith. Job’s captivity pictures the captivity of the Jews (42:10; Ps. 126). The true patience of Job gives comfort for the sufferings of others.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Pity, prayer, the word of God and the hope of the resurrection are the sources for comfort (Rom. 15:4; 1 Thess. 4:18).
James 5:8-11 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Spiritually, the book gives wisdom regarding the sufferings of man. It also reveals that self-righeousness is fatal (27:6; 29:14; 32:1; Rom. 10:1-4). It appears that Elihu was the human author of the 1,070 verses of the book (31:35; 32:15-18; 34:34-37). The major events of the book could have all taken place within a month.
- JOB BEFORE HIS CATASTROPHE.
- He was perfect.
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
The word “perfect” means “mature,” “completely developed,” “well-rounded,” etc. It is likened unto a man who has both his legs, both feet, all his toes, both arms, both eyes, both ears; in other words, his body is “complete.” Job was a “complete” man, a “well-rounded” man, an “appropriate” man. (Teacher, stress the importance of this to your class members.)
- He was upright. The word “upright” means he “walked a straight line.” He did not veer to the right or to the left.
He is one of the strongest examples of Prayer in the Word of God.
Ezekiel 14:14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.
- He feared God. The word “feared” here in verse 1 means “he respected and revered God.” In other words, there was respect as long as he lived right and feared when he lived wrong.
Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
- He hated sin. Notice the words, “eschewed evil.” This means Job had a bitter hatred for sin. The word “eschewed” is a stronger word than “hate.”
God sees what we love and what we hate. We should hate wrong, evil and sin.
Psalm 139:21‑22 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
2 Chronicles 19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
- He had ten children.
Job 1:2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
- He had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys.
Job 1:3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
He was the richest man of the east. Job 1:3b. In other words, he was a wonderful Christian man and a very prosperous man.
- JOB’S ATTACK FROM SATAN.
Job 1:6‑12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to
present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Notice that in this story the Satan has to get permission from the LORD to do anything to a Christian. If God did not feel Job could have handled it then he would not have allowed Satan to do what he did.
1 Corinthians 10:11‑14 Now all these things happened unto them for
ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
The best man will always receive the biggest attack from Satan. The higher we go, the more dangerous the Christian life is and the more careful we ought to be. Satan attacks us in direct proportion to our Christian growth.
Mark 10:29‑31 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you,
There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
John 15:18‑19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time
cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
1 Peter 4:12‑13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial
which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Job relied on the words of God (23:10-12; Rev. 12:11). Durring the trials of life many get mad at the Lord and blame Him for the troubles, but Job was patient with God.
James 5:10-11 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
God bragged on Job to Satan to provoke another fight. God wanted to prove Satan wrong and He wanted to display His Almighty power over the Devil (41:1-5). God was also refining Job through these trials (Job 23:10; Ps. 17:3; 66:10; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:7; 4:12).
III. JOB’S TRAGEDY.
1. He lost his riches.
Job 1:13‑17 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters
were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:
14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
- He lost his children.
Job 1:18‑22 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
- 3. He lost his health.
Job 2:1‑8 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
- He had to help his wife through the pain.
Job 2:9‑10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Job’s wife is often criticized, but she endured the same trials as Job without complaint. She submitted to Job’s rebuke without comment (Eph. 5:22-24).
- He lost the faithfulness of his friends.
Job 2:11‑13 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.
13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.
Job suffered so much that he cursed the day he was born. He wished that he had died as an infant, and he wanted to die even then.
Good and bad advice are intermingled by the friends. Discretion discerns the differences.
- 1. Eliphaz – Job 4:1 Charismatic or Health and Wealth Gospel preacher. He said Job was a Hypocrite and if Job was right with God that these things would not have happened to him. He believed that if you live right that you will have everything you want and nothing bad will ever happen to you.
Eliphaz judged others by his personal experiences (Genesis 36:10-11).
He forgot about the first martyr, Abel (4:7), and he accused Job of foolishness (5:2-4).
- Bildad – Job 8:1 Deeper lifer. Bildad called Job a hypocrite and said the things that happened to him were because he was not deep in the word. Bildad pictures a Pharisee who piously follows the orthodox fundamentals of his religious system (Mark 7:1-13). He misapplied doctrine to Job’s situation (8:3-6). He questioned Job’s purity by his outward standards and personal convictions (Matt. 23:25-28; Luke 7:39).
- Zophar – Job 11:1 False judge. Zophar told Job that what had happened to him was because of sin in his life and God was judging him for it. Job 11:1 – 6 Zophar judged Job by his phylosphy and could picture the false god of education (11:6-7; Luke 15:16; I Cor. 1:22; 3:18-20; Col. 2:8).
All three friends implied that Job was wicked, but each came at Job from a different angel. Eliphaz judged Job by his personal experiences; he could represent the pagan god of science (1 Tim. 6:20). Bildad judged Job by his traditions; he could represent the pagan god of religion (Mark 7:1-13; Rom. 10:1-4). Zophar judged Job by his philosophy; he pictures the pagan god of education.
Good and bad advice are intermingled by the friends. Discretion discerns the differences.
(Teacher, take some time to the importance of staying true to one’s friends.)
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs 27:9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
One of the great things to remember in life is it is not your job to tell others why God brings pain in the life of others. When someone is hurting or their heart is breaking you are commanded by God to be blessing to them and help them. Let God worry about the judgment of sin. You don’t know why God does what He does.
Job 13:4‑10 But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
6 Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
8 Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?
9 Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?
10 He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.
Job 16:1‑5 Then Job answered and said,
2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?
4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.
5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
We all may wonder why but no one fully knows why. We are to comfort one another in our tragedies and heartbreaks.
Pity, prayer, the word of God, and the hope of the resurrection are the sources for comfort (Rom. 15:4; 1 Thess. 4:18). Job had no inner Comforter (John 14:16-17, 26).
When you would rather judge than comfort and when you enjoy pointing out the faults of others, this does not please the Lord.
Job 42:7‑8 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words
unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
- JOB’S SIN. Yes, this is right. Job sinned! What was Job’s sin?
Job 3:25‑26 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Job was afraid he would lose what he had. Notice the words, “The thing which I greatly feared has come upon me.” In other words, Job did not have faith to believe that things would work out all right. He was afraid what had happened would happen. In verse 26 he says, “I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet.” In other words , he did not trust God to keep him as he was.
Job was righteous but the only problem was – he knew it.
Job 10:6‑8 That thou inquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin?
7 Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand.
8 Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.
There is still another sin of Job. If one reads Job 38 and 39, he will find this sin. Job became proud after he had stood the test. His sin before he stood the test was fearing that things would get worse. His sin after he stood the test was being proud of the fact that he did stand the test. He said in Job 13:15, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Again he said, “For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” (Job 19:25) After Job had stood, he became proud, so the Lord came in chapters 38 and 39 and talked to him. (Teacher, read some of these things the Lord said to Job.) The Lord was saying, “Job, you’re not so hot. where were you when I did all of these things? How many of these people have you made?” He was trying to lower Job in his own estimation. His effort succeeded. After the Lord reminded Job of his own littleness, Job learned his lesson. We can see in Job 42:1-6, especially verse 6, that he is a new man.
- JOB’S REWARD.
Job 42:12‑16 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.
14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.
15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.
16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations.
Job received exactly twice what he had before: twice as many sheep, twice as many donkeys, twice as many oxen, twice as many camels, and God gave him ten children. why didn’t God give him twenty children? This is the reason: when donkeys die, they’re dead; when camels die, they’re dead; when sheep die, they’re dead; when oxen die, they’re dead; but when children die, they are not dead! Job did have twenty children! He had ten in Heaven and ten on earth.
- FOUR DIFFERENT VIEWS OF SUFFERING.
- The view of Satan
Satan’s accusation before god was that His people love and serve Him only to gain temporal advantage, or for what good they can get out of it.
- The view of Eliphas, Bildad, and Zophar. These three so-called friends of Job came to the conclusion that sufferings of the righteous are punishment for the known but perhaps secret sins.
- The view of Elihu. This wise man pictures God as a great God. He gives a true account of man in suffering. But, in his conceit, he was guilty of the very thing he had accused Job of.
- The view of God. The godly are afflicted so that they might be brought to self-knowledge and self-judgement, or afflictions are there for purifying.
CONCLUSION: There are several things to learn. The first one is that what we have, God gives us. We need to trust Him not to take it away, or at least to do what is best. Then we also ought to walk mature and straight before God. When we do stand the test for the Lord, we should not became proud. We should stop to realize that if we stand the test, God will reward us in the end.
Additional Lessons from Job
Job 11:12 For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.
An unsaved man is like a jackass; in that, he is stubborn and wild at night. The new birth in Christ transforms the jackass into a lamb of God (Ex. 13:13; Matt. 21:2; John 10:27-30).
Job 12:6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
Job understood that the churches of false prophets could prosper on earth (Matt. 7:21-23).
Job 12:7-10 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
Similitudes of nature can teach many truths (Hosea 12:10), but the creation is not to be worshipped (Rom. 1:25). True ministers are like oxen, but false prophets are like asses, dogs and vipers (Deut. 22:10; Matt. 7:15; 23:33). Christians are like sheep (Acts 20:28). Spirits are like birds (Matt. 3:16; 13:32). Men are like trees (Mark 8:24). Soul winning is like fishing (Matt. 4:19). Birds teach a valuable lesson; in that, birds of a feather flock together. Animals store food in the earth, which is a natural root cellar. Animals eat raw food (Gen. 1:29) and only their young drink milk (1 Peter 2:2). All animals obey God, but no animal should be placed above man (Gen. 9:1-3). Animism, pantheism, and evolution are illogical, pagan ideas.
Job 15:20-25 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.
21 A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.
22 He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.
23 He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
24 Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
25 For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.
Eliphaz unknowingly gave truths about the Antichrist (15:20-35), but he insinuated that Job was as wicked as the Devil. The Antichrist will be slain by an assassin (15:22; Rev. 13:3) and he will return from darkness (John 6:70-71; 2 Thess. 2:3-4; rev. 9:11; 13:14-15; 17:8).
Job 16:9-12 He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.
11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.
This passage compares with Psalm 22 and prophesies of some of the events prior to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (16:10-22).
Job 17:13-16 If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
14 I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou are my mother, and my sister.
15 And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.
Job described a sinner in hell. Hell is a place with bars and gates (Jonah 2:6; Rev. 20:1). A key is needed to open the gates (Rev. 1:18; 9:1). It is a place with fire for eternal torment of the damned with monsters of fear (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:46; Mark 9:42-48). The bottomless pit appears to be located in the heart of the earth (Ps. 69:14-15; 88:5-10; Matt. 12:40; Rev. 20:1-3).
Job 18:5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.
Bildad applied doctrinal truths of the Antichrist to Job in this discourse (18:5-21)
Job 19:6-9 Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.
7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.
8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.
9 He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.
This passage portrays a sinner in hell (19:6-19). This bears similarities to the sufferings of the Jews in the Tribulation (19:9; Lam. 3) and the sufferings of Jesus Christ (19:11-15).
Job 19:23-26 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
The Redeemer is associated with an eternal book (19:23-24; Ps. 12:6-7), a Rock (19:24; Jer. 23:29), and the physical resurrection of a man’s body (19:26-27). The Redeemer freely offers redemption to any sinner (Rom. 3:24; Gal. 3:13; 4:1-7; Heb. 9:15; Rev. 5:9) and to the nation of Israel (Isa. 41:14 44:6; 47:4). The true Redeemer will return in the latter days as the King over the earth (Hosea 3:4-5; Mal. 4:2; Luke 1:30-33; Rev. 19:11-16).
Job 20:19-20 Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;
20 Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.
The antichrist, as any international socialist, will steal the rights and rituals of the people through fraudulent taxation and military tribunals (1 Kings 21; Ps. 58:1-5; 64:2-6). He will publicly claim to protect the rights of the people (Ps. 36:1-4; Rom. 16:17-18; Rev. 3:14), but he will take all of the rights and riches from any nonconformist (Ps. 10:7-10; Amos 5:10-12; Matt. 25:34-40; James 2:5-7; 5:1-6).
He’s tyranny will be enforced by military troops like the wicked peacekeeping troops of the United Nations (Dan. 11:20-24; Nahum 2:1-4; Zeph. 3:8; Zeph. 14:12) and the evil workers of iniquity (Ps. 28:3). The global religion of the antichrist and his ilk will be Islam (2 Thess. 2:3-9; Rev. 17-18).
Job 21:7-15 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
The answer to this frequent question gives wisdom and understanding of life. The wicked may prosper in this life, but there is a final judgment before God (2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 9:27). The truth will be known about all men’s attitudes and actions (Matt. 12:36-37; Rom. 2:16). Evil men often live long to reveal God’s long-suffering (Rom. 9:22; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9). The inventions and technology of men often aid the righteous in their work for God (Luke 16:8). God allows the wicked to gain notoriety so their fall looks spectacular (Dan. 4). The Lord God’s only choice and dealing with a proud man is judgment (Lev. 26:19-20; Job 21:22; 41:34; Prov. 11:2; 16:18; 29:23; 1 Peter 5:5). A few men get right after a long life of wickedness and sin, which exalts the mercy and grace of God (Eph. 2:1-7). Ahab and Manasseh experienced this marvelous Grace. Paul demonstrated God’s power and grace in his life (Phil. 3:1-16).
Job 22:21-23 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
This portion is great advice for anyone. The most important relationship for anyone is the knowledge of God and his holy word (Jer. 9:23-24; 2 Cor. 4:1-2; 2 Peter 3:18). This pure knowledge leads to an holy life, which is man’s most important duty (Micah 6:8).
Job 23:10-12 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
There was no written revelation of God for Job, but God revealed his pure words through dreams and visions (Num. 12:6). Job and David esteemed the words of God above all things (Ps. 119:128). People with self-esteem lightly esteem God and His holy word (Deut. 32:15).
Job 25:4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
The natural birth is a fleshly birth (Gen. 5:3; Ps. 51:5; John 3:6). No man can be justified before God apart from the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1; 10:1-4).
Job 26:1-4 But Job answered and said,
2 How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?
3 How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?
4 To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?
These six questions deal with the quality of one’s service (1 Cor. 3:12-15). The central aim is the words a man speaks to others (Ps. 119:172; Prov. 10:20; 12:14; 15:2; Matt. 12:36-37). The vital quality and the clearing the words of God is to declare the thing as it is through the power of the Holy Ghost (Prov. 30:5-6; Acts 4:31; 20:27; 27:25; 2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2).
Job 26:4 To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?
The three spirits that can empower the words of man are clean Spirit of God (Lev. 2:1; Gal. 3:5), the spirit of man (1 Cor. 2:11), and unclean spirits (Matt. 16:23; Rev. 16:13).
Job 27:5-6 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.
6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
A man can be right (Acts 24:16), but he cannot trust his righteousness for salvation (Isa. 64:6). When an honest man sees God in his holiness, he sees himself as vile (40:3-5; 42:1-6; Rom. 3:23).
Job 28:12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
Wisdom is not found in space exploration or in the lost cities of the underworld (28:14; rom. 10:5-8). The priceless wisdom of God is found in the Lord Jesus Christ (Col. 2:1-3). A wise man fears God and seek His wisdom (Job 28:28; Ps. 119:120; Prov. 1:7; 9:10).
Job 30:28-31 I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.
29 I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.
30 My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.
31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.
A sinner in hell is pictured in Job 30:28-31. There is one Devil (dragon – Isa. 27:1), but many devils associated with hell (dragons – Deut. 32:33; Isa. 13:21-22; Mal. 1:3; Mark 3:22). Unclean birds are also associated with hell (Isa. 34:9-16; Rev. 18:2).
Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
Job’s covenant reveals his inward righteousness. Job’s wisdom reveals visual fornication is the first step in the ruination of a people (Ps. 101:3; Matt. 6:22-23; 2 Peter 2:12-16).
Job 32:1-2 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
The basic root problem with man is self-righteousness (Job 27:6; 29:14). Man either thinks he has more sense than God or he cancels God out (Rom. 1;18-32; 3:3-19).
Job 32:7-9 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
This is the first of two occurrences of the word inspiration in the Scriptures (2 tim. 3:16). A secular definition of the word means God breathed (Ps. 33:6). Inspiration is affiliated with the spirit (Job 32:8; 33:4). In…spir…ation means an infusion of God’s words into the heart of the believer by the Holy Ghost. Understanding of God’s words is attained through the Spirit of God (Prov. 2:6; Luke 24:45; John 6:63). God gives understanding to the sincerely humble and contrite spirit (Isa. 66:2; John 7:16-17; Rom. 8:16; Eph. 1:18; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Thess. 3:1).
Job 33:13-19 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
God’s methods of revealing his words before written revelation or in remote areas of no written revelation are dreams, visions, the creation, the conscience, and a special messenger (Gen. 16:7; 20:3; Num. 12:6; Ps. 19:1-4; John 1:9; rom. 1:18-21; 2:1-15; Heb. 1:1). When a man desires to do right, God gets the right message to him (Matt. 1:19-20). The heathen of the jungle know more about God in the educated fools of higher learning (Rom. 1:22).
Eli who described God’s dealing with a man to save his soul. The Spirit of God works in the night through subconscious instruction when there are less distractions (Ps. 17:3). If he rejects the truth, that instruction will affect and hinder the flesh (2 Chron. 33:9-20; 1 Cor. 5:5). If a person refuses to humbly accept God’s truth, the sub conscience instruction will deceive and destroy the person (Ezek. 14:1-11; 2 Thess. 2:9-12). The Lord guides the saved in a similar fashion for the proper decisions in life (1 Cor. 4:5). This reveals the importance of meditation upon the word of God day and night (Ps. 1:2; 63:6; 119:148).
Job 33:23-30 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
This passage reveals the hidden preparation of a sinner for a faithful witness through the Spirit’s fullness (33:14-30; Ps. 119:126). Elihu offered a beautiful picture of salvation in verse 26. A soul winner must yield to the power and wisdom of the Holy Ghost to give the story of the ransom of God through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4) and His pure blood (Acts 20:28; 1 John 1:7). The gospel of Jesus Christ gives the sinner a new birth (John 3:1-8).
Job 36:29-33 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
In this section, Elihu expounded upon a strange doctrine of God’s judgment on sin (Heb. 13:9). Storms at the wrong time judge man (1 Sam. 12:16-19). Storms at the right time bless man (Deut. 11:10-12).
Job 38:1-4 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
God is not obligated to give an account of His workings because everything that He does is right (Gen. 18:25), but God does choose to inform man of His matters in the eternal word of God (Deut. 29:29; Hosea 12:10; 1 cor. 2:6-16).
God dealt with Joe directly as a court setting. The interrogation of God contains scientific information about the origin of the earth and man. The questions deal with erosion, biology, agronomy, astrology, electromagnetism, geography, gravity, light rays, phonetics, physics, philosophy, oceanography, survival of the fittest, telephony, and the weather. Some of the questions refer to events of the Tribulation (38:12-23). A man can spend a lifetime on each question in search of its answer. At the Great White Throne Judgment lost men and women will judge God (Rom. 3:3-19; Rev. 20:11-15), but the only answer to the powerful questions of God and his closing argument is that the person is vile (40:4) and deserves punishment.
Job 38:31-33 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
The seven stars of Pleiades appear in the spring, but the constellation of Orion appears in the winter. No man can completely control the seasons and the weather. Mazzaroth could be the twelve signs of the Zodiac. Arcturus means the guardian of the bear (Ursa Major, the Great Bear, or the Big Dipper). The mythology of astrology contains pagan perversions of biblical truth (the bear – Prov. 28:15; Dan. 7:5; Rev. 13:2). The deceived are infatuated with the falling stars and their wish upon a star deceives them more (Rev. 1:20; 9:1-2; 12:3-4).
Job 39:21-25 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
God mentions the battle of Armageddon to display His power (39:18-30). Refuge from the battle and the tears of the tribulation will be in Selah Petra (the Rock City – Isa. 16:1-4). It is a city in Edom (Uz – Lam. 4:21-22), which is also called Joktheel (2 Kings 14:7). The Lord warned the Jews to flee to this place (Matt. 24:15-21; Rev. 12:5-6, 13-17). The Edomites will hinder the Jews (Obadiah 3-14), but a remnant will survive (Isa. 10:20-22; 40:31; rom. 9:27).
Job 41:1-3 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
God’s power is manifested over leviathan. God placed a worm on the hook in order to catch leviathan; so that, God could display his power over the sea creature (Ps. 104:26; Lam. 4:3) by using Job as bait to challenge the beast (Job 25:6; Rev. 13:1). God Almighty interrogated Job with 20 questions about leviathan. Who or what is leviathan? The Alexandrian scholars with their vast wisdom of the original languages do not have a clue (Luke 10:21; 1 Cor. 3:19), but any humble child who understands simple English and believes the interpretation of the Holy Ghost (Ps. 74:14; Isa. 27:1; rev. 12:3-4) knows that leviathan as the authorized title of Satan, who is a king over the children of pride (41:34; 1 Peter 5:8).
He is like a red, Chinese, fire-breathing dragon and his children like to smoke weeds and pierce their flesh, and they are usually religious fundamentalists (Mark 5:1-7; John 8:44; Eph. 2:1-3).
Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
Job was right in understanding that the wicked do not always get punished completely in this life (21:7-30) and the righteous do not always get rewarded entirely in this life. He understood that the same things can occur to a saint and sinner alike (Matt. 5:45). Job knew that men need a mediator to stand in the presence of God (9:33; 1 Tim. 2:5).
Job 42:12-13 So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.
There will be a resurrection of Israel at the end of the tribulation (Ezek. 37:1-12) and her dad will rise and begin the millennial kingdom with the Lord Jesus Christ (Isa. 26:15-21; Rev. 20:4-6). Since Job portrays a saint of the tribulation, it appears that his wife miraculously gave birth to 10 more children. All of God’s stories have happy endings for God’s dear children (Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17-18; Eph. 5:1).
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