" Some have concluded Job was a man that never really existed, he was a "fictional character" brought to life to bring across a " a moral to a story" that had been written. Some historians think Job may have been one of the advisers the great Pharaoh of Egypt sought after for advice in regards to the growing number of the children of Israel in the vast land of Egypt....before their journey began to the Promised Land...
Job is mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel and puts Job in the same status as that of Noah and even Daniel. James writes of Job in the New Testament epistles as an example of one who had persevered through suffering. In the early part of the Book of Job, it is written that Job was a great man...who lived in the East.
The story of Job begins with Job being concerned about his own children. It speaks of how his children enjoyed celebrating...like with birthday parties, and how his sons along with their sisters would gather often for such events. The impression given to Job's children is they simply loved "to party", and took advantage of any occasion to do so...including the celebration of their birthdays.
Then the opening chapter describes how Job would pray for his children afterwards, after their nights of celebration, and even at dawn of the following morning would pick out an animal for each of his children...and offer a sacrifice to God.
Job performed these offerings and sacrifices to God because Job feared for his own children, being concerned they were doing things that were evil in the sight of the Lord...perhaps even insulting the great God...of Israel. It is also written in the Book of Job that Job performed these sacrifices...quite often and at regular intervals.
Job does not appear happy with the behavior of his children as this story unfolds, and was particularly concerned if they had little if any respect...for God. The early chapters leaves you with the impression Job would have preferred his children were doing more charitable acts like assisting the poor...instead of continual plans for when their next party might take place. In the first chapter it leaves you with the impression Job's children were quite selfish in both nature and in their actions, enjoyed getting drunk often, and considered Job's religious life as one made up of "old wives tales".
As the story seems to escalate, terrible calamities happen to Job, and although there is detail given to how this all came about, that being Satan the Evil One, being the author of these calamities. Yet Job's friends do not blame Satan, rather they felt God was the author of these calamities that had come upon Job...because of sin in his life. Even Job himself gave no attention to Satan, instead questioning God as to why He had done this to him.
God Himself was very proud of Job...and this is where the story really begins. Satan, the devil, had accused Job of being honorable and respectful to God...only because God protected him. Satan then insists to God that this would not be the case...that Job would not be an adamant follower to the Lord if this "hedge of protection" which God provided for Job...were not there. Job would have no love for God if this hedge were taken away.
As this story unfolds, God proves Satan to be wrong. In Job 19:25 Job makes a remarkable statement that has been echoed through history...after a series of calamities had happened to Job. It is written Job spoke and said: " I know my Redeemer lives!" Job goes on to say that if he could put these words in a book, or better yet have these words chiseled in stone, it would be this: " Regardless of what circumstances I find myself in, I know my Redeemer lives, and He will stand alone upon the earth... above all the rest...when it is all said and done." (Gleaning format).
In Job 1:13, the story returns about his children. Job's children have arranged another party. This time it was another birthday party for his oldest son and all of Job's children were there...for the party.
Suddenly...things went a little "haywire". The calamities begin...with Job losing...possessions, all his children, and even his wife.
The Scriptures teach often of how "suddenly" things can change...in all of our lives. Before the Great Flood, when Noah had finished building an ark, the people around him were eating, drinking, marrying, and planting...having no clue they were about to meet their Maker through a Great Flood.
Jeremiah the prophet had been warning his own people that unless they change their hearts and behavior and obey the Commandments the Lord had given them, Jerusalem and the very Temple itself could be destroyed. Suddenly...it happened. Jeremiah witnessed for himself both Jerusalem and the Temple being destroyed. The people were not ready...and suffered terribly as a result of the invasion.
Troubles in life seem too often to come in two ways: 1) Suddenly, and 2) in waves. Series of troubles are designed to make us weaker...we simply lose our determination to persevere...and suddenly, more troubles arrive.
Many of the ancient prophets in the Old Testament spoke and warned their people...like Habakkuk, and yet just like Job, because of his faith and hope in God, gathered strength from an inner joy...even when his very crops had failed.
In Job 23 an interesting scenario had developed. After Job had been battered with waves and waves of troubles...including much personal loss, his friends had made this conclusion. They concluded all these horrible things were happening to Job...because there was sin in Job's life. Job himself had become quite frustrated, yet claimed he had not sinned against the God he loved and had given his life to.
In verses 10-12 Job confirms his love for the Lord and prove the accusation given by Satan...as false. Job may not know or even understand where God was at in this moment of his life...yet God knew exactly where Job was!
A Gleaning from Job 23: 10-12
" Yet He knows (God) every detail of my life and all that is happening...to me! He has great concern for me, examines my heart with an appreciation for me and gives to me His utmost attention. I am confident He will pronounce me completely innocent. He will find my heart pure...like the finest of gold!
For my attention is continually on Him, and I do my utmost to follow Him more closely. In fact, I follow His path...by putting my feet in His footprints, and refuse to venture off on some wild path of my own.
As far as His Mighty Commands, I have kept them continually in my heart...and speak them from my very lips. I give His commands my utmost respect, and treasure His words with high esteem in all my daily actions of life itself. I consider His Mighty Commands so important when I wake...I hunger for them more...than for my daily meal itself!"
This thought often runs through my mind...in these days and times: "Is there a series of "Suddenlys" about to happen to us?" And more important...is my own heart ready?
As in our Doxology so elegantly states: "Praise God from whom all Blessing flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!"
Job is mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel and puts Job in the same status as that of Noah and even Daniel. James writes of Job in the New Testament epistles as an example of one who had persevered through suffering. In the early part of the Book of Job, it is written that Job was a great man...who lived in the East.
The story of Job begins with Job being concerned about his own children. It speaks of how his children enjoyed celebrating...like with birthday parties, and how his sons along with their sisters would gather often for such events. The impression given to Job's children is they simply loved "to party", and took advantage of any occasion to do so...including the celebration of their birthdays.
Then the opening chapter describes how Job would pray for his children afterwards, after their nights of celebration, and even at dawn of the following morning would pick out an animal for each of his children...and offer a sacrifice to God.
Job performed these offerings and sacrifices to God because Job feared for his own children, being concerned they were doing things that were evil in the sight of the Lord...perhaps even insulting the great God...of Israel. It is also written in the Book of Job that Job performed these sacrifices...quite often and at regular intervals.
Job does not appear happy with the behavior of his children as this story unfolds, and was particularly concerned if they had little if any respect...for God. The early chapters leaves you with the impression Job would have preferred his children were doing more charitable acts like assisting the poor...instead of continual plans for when their next party might take place. In the first chapter it leaves you with the impression Job's children were quite selfish in both nature and in their actions, enjoyed getting drunk often, and considered Job's religious life as one made up of "old wives tales".
As the story seems to escalate, terrible calamities happen to Job, and although there is detail given to how this all came about, that being Satan the Evil One, being the author of these calamities. Yet Job's friends do not blame Satan, rather they felt God was the author of these calamities that had come upon Job...because of sin in his life. Even Job himself gave no attention to Satan, instead questioning God as to why He had done this to him.
God Himself was very proud of Job...and this is where the story really begins. Satan, the devil, had accused Job of being honorable and respectful to God...only because God protected him. Satan then insists to God that this would not be the case...that Job would not be an adamant follower to the Lord if this "hedge of protection" which God provided for Job...were not there. Job would have no love for God if this hedge were taken away.
As this story unfolds, God proves Satan to be wrong. In Job 19:25 Job makes a remarkable statement that has been echoed through history...after a series of calamities had happened to Job. It is written Job spoke and said: " I know my Redeemer lives!" Job goes on to say that if he could put these words in a book, or better yet have these words chiseled in stone, it would be this: " Regardless of what circumstances I find myself in, I know my Redeemer lives, and He will stand alone upon the earth... above all the rest...when it is all said and done." (Gleaning format).
In Job 1:13, the story returns about his children. Job's children have arranged another party. This time it was another birthday party for his oldest son and all of Job's children were there...for the party.
Suddenly...things went a little "haywire". The calamities begin...with Job losing...possessions, all his children, and even his wife.
The Scriptures teach often of how "suddenly" things can change...in all of our lives. Before the Great Flood, when Noah had finished building an ark, the people around him were eating, drinking, marrying, and planting...having no clue they were about to meet their Maker through a Great Flood.
Jeremiah the prophet had been warning his own people that unless they change their hearts and behavior and obey the Commandments the Lord had given them, Jerusalem and the very Temple itself could be destroyed. Suddenly...it happened. Jeremiah witnessed for himself both Jerusalem and the Temple being destroyed. The people were not ready...and suffered terribly as a result of the invasion.
Troubles in life seem too often to come in two ways: 1) Suddenly, and 2) in waves. Series of troubles are designed to make us weaker...we simply lose our determination to persevere...and suddenly, more troubles arrive.
Many of the ancient prophets in the Old Testament spoke and warned their people...like Habakkuk, and yet just like Job, because of his faith and hope in God, gathered strength from an inner joy...even when his very crops had failed.
In Job 23 an interesting scenario had developed. After Job had been battered with waves and waves of troubles...including much personal loss, his friends had made this conclusion. They concluded all these horrible things were happening to Job...because there was sin in Job's life. Job himself had become quite frustrated, yet claimed he had not sinned against the God he loved and had given his life to.
In verses 10-12 Job confirms his love for the Lord and prove the accusation given by Satan...as false. Job may not know or even understand where God was at in this moment of his life...yet God knew exactly where Job was!
A Gleaning from Job 23: 10-12
" Yet He knows (God) every detail of my life and all that is happening...to me! He has great concern for me, examines my heart with an appreciation for me and gives to me His utmost attention. I am confident He will pronounce me completely innocent. He will find my heart pure...like the finest of gold!
For my attention is continually on Him, and I do my utmost to follow Him more closely. In fact, I follow His path...by putting my feet in His footprints, and refuse to venture off on some wild path of my own.
As far as His Mighty Commands, I have kept them continually in my heart...and speak them from my very lips. I give His commands my utmost respect, and treasure His words with high esteem in all my daily actions of life itself. I consider His Mighty Commands so important when I wake...I hunger for them more...than for my daily meal itself!"
This thought often runs through my mind...in these days and times: "Is there a series of "Suddenlys" about to happen to us?" And more important...is my own heart ready?
As in our Doxology so elegantly states: "Praise God from whom all Blessing flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!"
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