JOB


A. "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." - JOB 1:1-3
  1. Of all the outstanding men and women in the Bible, Job looms high as a bright star in the galaxy of patience and loyalty to God:
    1. The name "Job" is a household word where suffering and patience are involved - James 5:11,12
    2. He is truly the embodiment of persevering patience and loyalty to God
  2. The book of Job, written by Moses in the land of Midian:
    1. Is, like the book of Ruth, full of pathos - holding the reader spell-bound from start to finish
    2. It should be read by young and old and its message should strengthen all who pass through trials and suffering
B. LET US NOTE PRAYERFULLY, A NUMBER OF POINTS IN THE LIFE-STORY OF THAT GREAT MAN, TO BUILD UP OUR FAITH
  1. Note the witness of Inspiration about the character of Job:
    1. "That man was perfect" - Job 1:1 - This divine testimony is given to but a few persons: Noah was perfect in his generation - Gen. 6:9; Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth received this testimony - Luke 1:5,6
    2. "And upright" - that means he was just and honest in his dealings with God and men
    3. "One that feared God" - it means that Job loved and reverenced God - Job 13:15
    4. "And he eschewed evil" - that means that Job hated every evil way; he refused to be associated with evil doers
  2. The tests that came to Job:
    1. Misunderstood by many, because they do not know the mind of the Lord
    2. They reveal to us that Satan has and still is making God's children his target to torment and if possible to destroy - compare John 8:44 with I Peter 5:8,9; Luke 22:31,32
    3. The tests of Job were permitted not to destroy Job
    4. But to demonstrate the cruelty of Satan
    5. And to point out the loving loyalty of Job in spite of the severe trials he went through
C. NOTE FIVE HIGH POINTS IN THE LIFE STORY OF JOB
  1. He was a man of integrity and high moral principles:
    1. That is the highest attainment by man in a world noted for its wickedness John 7:7; I John 5:19
    2. It is undeniable evidence that man can serve God with uprightness of heart even though surrounded by divers temptations - James 1:2
  2. The motive of this high integrity was challenged by Satan - the antagonist of God and man:
    1. "Doth Job fear God for nought?" - Job 1:9
    2. Does he serve God for a reward or because of the motive of love? - Acts 8:18; Mark 10:28-30
  3. Why God permitted the trials of Job:
    1. The principle of loyalty to God had been challenged by Satan
    2. God proved to Satan and to the universe that man's true loyalty to right is based upon absolute faith in God and his word
  4. The triumph of faith:
    1. Is based upon the Divine justice - "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away" "What? shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord and not evil?"
    2. It is based upon the knowledge of the persistent attack of the evil one - I Peter 5:8; Rev. 12:12
  5. The reward of integrity, loyalty and endurance:
    1. God rewarded Job's integrity, his loyalty and endurance with length of life and multiplied substance - Job 42:10-17
    2. Out Lord applies this same principle to all who love righteousness and hate evil, who endures unto the end - compare Matt. 24:13 with Matt. 25:31-46


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