BOOK OF JOB: THE MAIN PLAYERS

GOD    Martin Buber: We learn more about God as the book progresses.

1. The Prologue in Heaven

From the prologue alone, you could get the wrong impression that God is an capricious deity (like the Greek or Roman gods) who enjoys playing with human lives for the fun of it. What is the reason that God allowed Job to suffer–as seen in the Prologue alone? So that God would be glorified/vindicated in the eyes of the angels, Satan, and us.

2. As seen by Job’s friends (Read Job 4:7-9)

By listening to the friends’ thoughts about God, we at least get the idea that God is a good and righteous being who is concerned about the right actions of mankind and who carries out judgment justly in dealing with their transgressions. But it is a rather mechanical view of a predictable God (like a coin-operated vending machine) with no freedom of action.

3. Job’s Speeches (Job 7:11-14)

Job, in his speeches, shows that he realizes that God has ultimate freedom to do whatever he wishes and often does. However, he demands that God’s actions be righteous and he has trouble seeing how his own situation fits in.

4. God’s Speeches (Job 38:4-7) (Job 40:10-14)

In God’s final speeches, we see that God is the grand and glorious Creator of everything and that His thoughts are far above our thoughts; this teaches the complete “otherness” of God, His holiness.

5. The Epilogue (Job 42:8, 10)

By God’s gracious actions toward Job and his friends at the end, we see that the same God of the universe is also a very personal God who cares for each individual.

JOB –without sin or perfect? He was sinless (1:22) and that was not just his own opinion. Some commentators still try to deny this and treat Job’s own comments about himself as lies because they could not believe (as Job’s friends) that God would allow an innocent man to suffer. The ultimate example of this is Jesus, of which Job is a type (another reason that Job was allowed to suffer). Does that mean that Job was perfect and had nothing further to learn from God? Of course not, as we shall see. Look at some pertinent insights from the New Testament

1. James 1:2-4, 12-15

2. Mark 10:17-22 (Matt. 19:16-22)

SATAN

He is the character that is the hardest to get a handle on. There are actually relatively few mentions of him in the NT and hardly any in the OT so we should hesitate before being too dogmatic concerning his detailed history or his ultimate role in the scheme of things. But there are some definite things we know.

Titles

Satan = accuser (Job 1-2; Zechariah 3:1-2) acts though trials, accusation

Satan = adversary (I Chronicles 21:1) acts through temptations (as with Christ in the wilderness)

The Devil (diabolos) = accuser, slanderer John 8:44- father of lies

Beelzebub = the prince of demons (in the Gospels)

II Kings 1:2 Beelzebub = god of Ekron baal zebul = lord of heaven

baal zebub = lord of the flies baal zeboul = lord of dung

Belial (or Beliar) = darkness (II Corinthians 6:15)

“children of Belial” mentioned 16 times in the Old Testament

II Corinthians 11:14 Satan disguised as an angel of light

Lucifer (day star or shining one) Isaiah 14:12

originally addressed to King of Babylon (see 14:4)

Serpent Genesis 3 - cunning, liar, accuser, tempter

Romans 16:20 - reference to Genesis 3:15

Revelation 12:7-9 - serpent = devil = Satan

History and Position

Beginning

An angel (Job 1:6) in God’s presence (Zechariah 3:1) who is subservient to God (Job 1:12, 2:6; compare II Samuel 24:1 and I Chron. 21:1)

Fall from his position

Overcome by Christ’s coming (Luke 11:14-23) and death (John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14).

Cast out of heaven with his angels (Luke 10:17-19; Revelation 12:7-9).

Prince of this world (John’s Gospel) who is cast out (12:31), has no power over Christ (14:30), and has been judged (16:11).

At the present time

God of this world who hides the gospel from unbelievers only (II Corinthians 4:3-4) and does not touch those born of God (I John 5:18-19)

Ruler of the air at work in sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2) who can be resisted with the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-12; James 4:7)

A roaring lion seeking to devour, who causes suffering but can be resisted by faith (I Peter 5:6-11).

His final fate

Satan is chained (Revelation 20:1-6), then unleashed (Revelation 20:7), and finally cast into the lake of eternal fire (Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25:41).

Two quotes from C. S. Lewis:

“Satan is not the ruler of Hell, but its chief victim.”

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”

JOB'S FRIENDS

1. What did they do right?

They were there when he needed them.

They coordinated their activities.

They consoled and comforted him.

They showed empathy.

They knew when to keep quiet (at least to begin with).

They honestly felt that Job needed to see God's purpose in all of it.

2. What did they do wrong?

They talked at him rather than to him.

They blamed the victim.

They refused to believe Job.

They got mad when he wouldn't accept their arguments.