This week I am going to address the book of Job in its entirety, even though the reading outline doesn't finish it until next week. How have you done with this week's reading? Have you endured through the endless questions and difficult language? Let me know what you think of this book. I cheated a little this time and listened to YouTube for 8 hours of Chuck Missler's commentary on Job... AND I loved my read-through of the book because I understood so much more. Check out his videos if you want an in-depth understanding of the dialog presented in the book of Job.
There are two questions I am going to attempt to address: Why did we interrupt Genesis to jump to the book of Job? What is the book of Job all about? If you do a quick Google search, your friendly AI results will tell you information that I don't agree with. Stick with me though. But as with everything, seek the Lord to help you understand His word and don't just take my word (or Google AI).
The book of Job is perhaps the earliest book in the Bible. There is debate about when it was written, but I think there's good evidence that the story of Job was very early on in human history. It is generally accepted that Job was a contemporary of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).
In the beginning of the story, we are told that all of Job's adult children die. The end of the story tells us that after the tragedy occurs in his life, Job lives another 140 years. This indicates that he most likely lived to be 175-200 years old, which puts his lifespan to be very similar to that of Abraham, who died at 175 years old. Additionally, Job's wealth was measured in livestock, rather than silver or gold. This method of addressing wealth fits into the patriarchal period as well. Abraham's livestock is frequently addressed in Genesis.
At the beginning of the book, Job offers sacrifices for his children, acting as a family priest, similar with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. There was no Mosaic Law to follow, nor any mention of Israel, the Exodus, or the tabernacle, indicating that these probably hadn't occurred yet.
In Job 42, Job's friends give him a "piece of money" and a gold ring. The term for piece of money used here is kesitah. The only other time this is used in the Bible is in Genesis 33 with Jacob. Very little is known about this currency and is believed to only have been used during the patriarchal period.
In week 1 we ended in chapter 11 with the introduction of Abram (Abraham) and then transitioned into Job. Next week, we will pick back up the story of Abraham in Genesis 12. It may seem a strange way to go about a Bible reading but, given that we are doing a chronological read through, I think the book of Job fits perfectly here in the account of human history. The reason Job is in the middle section of the Bible is because of the way it was written, its structure and language. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon are the "Poetry" section of the Bible. If we all understood Hebrew, I'm sure the texts would sound more poetical to our ears. Although in our English versions, the language in Job is still very eloquent and thought provoking.
Question 2... What is the book trying to convey to us? It is easy to get lost in the back and forth arguing with Job and his friends. Most of the time I hear people suggest that Job is about why the righteous suffer. That reasoning leaves me a little perplexed, because I cannot find an answer to that statement. Why did Job suffer... because God let him? Hmmm... I'm going to go out on a limb here and give my personal thoughts about what I see as being important in the story. Let me know what you think about the reason for the book.
Job is described as a man that "was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. (1:1) This does not mean that he was without sin, but I believed he lived a life that sought to honor the Lord in all he did and continually repented and dealt with any sin he committed. The word job is most likely from the Arabic word which means "to come back" or "repent"; as a name, Job would be translated as "Repentant One." If Job was perfect, what was he repenting from?
To me, the book of Job tells us two things: 1. man needs a Savior and 2. who that Savior is.
(Bear in mind that the Torah wasn't written until after the Exodus in the time of Moses.) As the oldest book of the Bible, Job makes some powerful statements about God and man. Then God shows up at the end of the story and displays His greatness through a series of questions comparing man to God.
Ponder these statements Job makes. "And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity?" (7:21) "but how should a man be just with God?" (9:2b) "but I would make supplication to my judge." (9:15b) "If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me." (9:20) "There is none that can deliver me out of thine hand. Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt though bring me into dust again? (10:7-9) "If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity." (10:14) "He also shall be my salvation:" (13:16) "Who can bring a clean thing out of any unclean? not one." (14:4) "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." (28:28) "Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom." (33:24)
Clearly these are from different excerpts, but Job understood the following and his story was preserved for mankind before the story began to unfold with Abraham and his lineage.
The fear of the Lord is wisdom. (28:28)
God created us. (10:7-9)
If I sin, I will be held accountable. (10:4)
Who can make a sinner clean? no one. (14:4)
How can man be reconciled with God? (9:2)
God has the ability to take away sin. (7:21)
God is a judge who hears us. (9:15)
God said, Deliver him from the pit: I have found a ransom!! (33:24)
Lump in throat. From the oldest book in the Bible, we are told that we need a Savior. We can't do it on our own.
You know the story that Satan came before God and asked to try Job. Job was given a trial that not many could have endured with the loss of all his belongings and children, and the physical ailments. Then Satan gets a little craftier and sends "friends" to help him console. A book could be written about them and their dialogue with Job, but I'm skipping it, except to say that it was the pressure needed for Job to crack. Initially he held up beautifully through the trials. Then Job was beat down by their accusations that he had unconfessed sin and that the situation was somehow his fault... that he deserved worse! And then, out it came, like a flood- his foundational believe that somehow he was righteous enough. Job recognized his attitude was wrong and... poor guy... it was too late. God had already sent a godly young man to help him see the error of his ways before God steps in.
Have you ever been there? You let some sort of ugliness slip out and instantly you were grieved. Maybe you thought it was buried or maybe you didn't know it was there, but when you saw the wretchedness, you were disgusted. I've been there and as I pondered this for Job, I felt so bad. (Okay, I may have even cried a little bit for him.) I know how I've felt when God had to correct me for my ugliness and knowing that God was coming to address him made me feel so bad for Job.
"Grid up thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer though me." (38:2) (If I were Job at this point, I would be hiding behind Elihu under my mat.) Question by question, God proceeds to lay out for Job that He was the one and only brilliant creator of all things, the most powerful, the source of wisdom and knowledge and that Job couldn't even begin to fathom the complexity of creation or come against the power of God's creations.
In 42:2 Job answers the Lord, " I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee." Job knew God would judge his sin and he knew he needed to repent as sin occurred. However, his life was marked with generosity to the poor and needy, purity of heart, compassion for the hurting, and true worship of God. But God sees our inward man; He knows things about us that we don't even realize. In his life, Job had developed a degree of pride that kept him from accepting that God can do as He wishes regardless of his understanding. Thankfully Job was given the opportunity to apologize and God... well I won't tell you. You'll get to the best part next week!
He is the potter, and we are the clay. We are fashioned for His use, not our own. God is good, with the ability to work all things together for our good, as he chooses. God allows our questioning, because He knows our understanding is limited. But...
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5
"For the LORD giveth wisdom: Out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgement, And preserveth the way of His saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgement and equity; yea, every good path." Psalm 2:6-9
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