JOB'S PROGRESS

Job 1:1 His initial state

Who does this remind you of in the NT? Perhaps the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-21). What might have been lacking in Job's life? Perhaps a sin of omission. One hint is found in Job 16:4. His faith was not yet tested. One doesn't know how strong one's faith really is otherwise.

Job 1:20-22 After the first test

a. Tragedy reminds him to be grateful for God giving him blessings in the first place. Most of have shorter memories.

b. The Lord taketh. Job didn't try to pretend that he hadn't lost everything. It was God's will, not just a meaningless accident. God is still in ultimate control.

c. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Job didn't turn bitter and curse God. As Paul said in Ephesians 6:13, “able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Everything had been taken away fro Job but his faith.

Job 2:9-10 After the second test

Shall we receive good and not evil? The whole point of the heavenly contest was to see if man serves God merely to get blessings. It is a very pertinent question today. Tammi Bakker was quoted as saying, “I love the Christian life. I would follow it even if it wasn't true.” What are our motives: to get the good life or because it is true? We often stress the promises in the Bible and not the warnings of tribulation for believers.

Job 3:1, 11 Despair sets in

Unfortunately, the story continues.

3:1 He curses the day of his birth.

3:11 He curses his life.

7:1 He generalizes his state to all of mankind.

Job 9:19-24 The dark night of the soul

He reaches his lowest point in these verses and blames God who, he says, delights in hurting the innocent. What about the statement that he is innocent? Some see this as Job's hidden sin (pride) and the reason for God's punishment. Innocence is not the same as being without sin – see Job 7:21. Compare with Philippians 3:6 for the Jewish conception ot this subject.

Job 19:25-26 Faith in the midst of disaster

He makes the remarkable statement that God will redeem him and he will be resurrected. It should be pointed out that translators do not fully agree among themselves as to the proper understanding of this statement.

Job 42:1-6 He sees God and himself clearly for the first time (I John 3:2)

Job 42:8-10 Job prays for his enemies

He learns to pray for those who have spitefully used him.

He also learned patience, more sympathy for others in need, had a direct vision of God, more insight about God's ways, caution in speaking about God and for Him, was perhaps not as self-righteous, and his faith was even stronger. All this was accomplished through suffering.