Job Chapters 1 & 2 - Nov. 6, 2005

Sunday School Lesson – Respond With Faith – November 6, 2005

This begins a new series of study “When Life Cave’s in”. We will be studying from the Book of Job.

Nov. 6 - Respond with Faith – When bad things happen to good people.

Nov. 13 – Carefully Evaluate Explanations – When others try to explain our suffering or loss.

Nov. 20 – Look to GOD for Wisdom – Where do we turn when trouble comes our way?

Nov. 27 – Honor the Sovereign LORD – Honor GOD in spite of circumstances.

Nationwide Insurance has a TV commercial, “When life comes at you fast”. They show all sorts of calamities happening. Sometimes life does come at us fast and hard. It is nice to have someone we can go to for help when such times come into our life.

There is a branch of theology that studies GOD and suffering. It is called theodicy. It is a study of why do good and godly people suffer?

Our material possessions can be replaced when they are taken away but when it comes to the loss of life, that is another matter. How do we cope with tragedy and life’s tragic circumstances? Job’s life will help us place some of life’s tragic circumstances into perspective as we explore his life.

We are not sure who wrote the Book of Job. Job himself may be the author. It was likely written during the time period of 2000 – 1800 BC.

Job was a real person.
We have the opportunity to see the beginning and conclusion of a major portion of Job’s life, certainly his time of testing. Unfortunately we do not have the opportunity to see our life and the outcome of situations we encounter. We have to trust GOD as Job did through the good times and the bad. Job had some bad moments but the end result he remained faithful to GOD.

We often have to be reminded that GOD is sovereign, all powerful, all knowing and present everywhere, therefore HE is in the perfect position to guide our path along our journey through life.

Sin can pull us outside GOD’S circle of blessings. GOD also allows situations to come into our life to build our character and even to test us. Since GOD is all knowing HE knows how we will handle or respond to circumstances or a test. So what is the purpose of a test, when GOD allows it versus us sinning? We will try to answer these questions in today’s study.

Job was a man of utmost integrity and feared GOD. We as Christians have the righteousness of GOD and the power of THE HOLY SPIRIT to help us through situations we encounter along life’s journey. Being a mature, completely dedicated, active Christian will not prevent bad things from happening to us, our family or friends.

THE LORD revealed a truth to me many years ago. I had read a book “Tortured for CHRIST”. It is about a Christian who was severely tortured for being a Christian in a Communist country.

As I recall about the time I completed the book, I either read about or heard about something bad happening to a Christian in our area. I came unglued. I told GOD that if I had the power HE had I would never allow bad things to happen to one of my children. Touch a hair on one of my children’s head and ZAP! My children would have special protection and every one would know they had better not mess with one of mine.


You know, GOD gave me an answer. HE said, “Suppose once a person became a Christian I did ZAP anyone one who dared lay a finger on them and every Christian had special divine protection. Why do you think people would become a Christian to seek forgiveness for their sins, receive eternal life, love ME and have fellowship with ME or to get special protection?” I said to get special protection. To me that answered my question.

GOD gives us special protection but there are times HE chooses not to provide the protection. We have to trust that HE is in the best position to decide when we are to receive special protection. It will blow our minds when we get to heaven and question GOD about some of the decisions HE made that affected us or our family. HE will tell or show us how HE protected us or families from much harm. How a certain circumstance would have turned out if HE had not intervened or how it was used to fulfill HIS plan.

This world is not our home we are simply passing through. Every human’s destination is heaven. We will all die one day. Some of us will get to heaven sooner than others. When Adam and Eve sinned sin and death came into the world. But GOD through HIS grace (unmerited favor) gave us a way to escape sin and death, HIS ONLY SON JESUS.

CHRIST is GOD’S free gift of grace to us. All we have to do is accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR by asking HIM to forgive us of our sins and to come into our life, simple but of eternal value.

Our background scripture is Job Chapters 1 and 2 (This is copied at the end of the lesson.)

Our focus scripture is Job 1:1-3, 8-12, 20-22; 2:7-10





Let’s read Job 1:1-3

Job 1:1-3
1 There was a man in the country of Uz[1] Gn 10:23; 22:21; 36:28 named Job. He was a man of perfect integrity,[2] Jb 2:3; 8:20; 9:20–22 who • feared God and turned away from evil.[3] Jb 2:3; 28:28; Ps 37:27 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. 3 His estate included 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east.

First we are not exactly sure where the country of Uz is located. Some scholars believe it to be the land of Edom, which is southeast of Judah. Likely the country we call Jordan today.

We know Job was a GOD fearing man of “perfect integrity”. This means he was “complete and upright” one whose character is fully developed without any moral gaps or flaws. He was a person you depend upon to do what was right. He acted as the Priest for his family and sacrificed animals for the sins of his family. Job was a GOD-fearing man, meaning he had a strong belief in GOD and acknowledged GOD as HOLY. Since Job knew GOD was HOLY, Job turned away from evil and resisted temptation.

Job’s family was perfect. He had seven sons and three daughters.

Numbers in the scripture are significant. The number seven (7) represents perfection or completeness. The number three (3) represents wholeness. The children add up to be ten (10), which points to Job’s family as the ideal family.

Job was very wealthy as indicated by the number of animals and servants he owned.

Life for Job was as good as it gets.


Let’s read Job 1: 6-12

6 One day the sons of God[5] Jb 2:1; 38:7; Gn 6:2,4 came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered Him, “and walking around on it.” 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” 9 Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job • fear God for nothing? 10 Haven’t You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions are spread out in the land. 11 But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” 12 “Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job [himself]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .” So Satan went out from the Lord’s presence.

We switch to an event happening in heaven. This event raises some questions but also enlightens us. Did this really happen? Yes.

Satan enters the picture. Satan is a fallen angel. The Hebrew word for Satan refers to “adversary”. He is an accuser and points to all the wrong people do on earth. He is stands before GOD pointing out the wrong we as Christians commit.

He is also called “the devil” in some scripture or Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12 (The Isaiah scripture is given later in the lesson along with an explanation of interpretation.)

Notice verse 10. Satan tells GOD, HE has placed a hedge around Job, his household and everything he owns. Nothing can get to Job or his family because of this wall of protection, so no wonder he is so good. We can pray and ask GOD to place HIS hedge-row around us or our family, friends, etc. This is a request to keep us or those for whom we are praying safe from the evil one and the things he can throw at us.

We make the request but keep in mind it is GOD WHO will make the decision to grant the request.

So let’s consider what we know about what is taking place in heaven based upon scripture. (There is much more to be studied about this subject but we will not at this time.)

There is a gathering in heaven of a heavenly council made up GOD and the angels, plus Satan. This is a meeting where GOD and the angels plan their activities on earth and the angels give an account of themselves. Satan is there, which shows that he is under the authority of GOD.

1 Kings 22:19-23 (This is another account of a meeting of GOD and HIS heavenly council.)

19 Then Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and the whole heavenly • host was standing by Him at His right hand and at His left hand. 20 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ So one was saying this and another was saying that. 21 “Then a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 “The Lord asked him, ‘How?’ “He said, ‘I will go and become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ “Then He said, ‘You will certainly entice him and prevail. Go and do that.’[8] Dt 13:1–5; Ezk 14:9; 23 “You see, the Lord has put a lying spirit into the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the Lord has pronounced disaster against you.”

GOD created all the angels, those who obey HIM and those who rebelled against HIM. The key is HE controls them all. It also shows even though GOD created them, HE also gives them the right to choose. GOD has complete authority and power over all of them.

Satan is an angel of great beauty and wisdom who became corrupt and rebelled against GOD.

Satan wants to be GOD and pride was the beginning of Satan’s downfall.

1 John 3:8
8 The one who commits sin is of the Devil,[4] Jn 8:44 for the Devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil’s works.

1 Corinthians 12:14-15
14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Satan can appear as something good, as an angel of light but his plan is to conquer and destroy. He does this by appearing to be the real thing and once we are ensnared he turns the tables and says got you. Only we think it is GOD who has deceived us or has let us down. Folks we are battling a clever foe. But remember 1 John 4:4:

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

As a Christian THE HOLY SPIRIT dwells within each of us and represents GOD. GOD is greater than all. GOD is our protector.

So why does GOD allow us to be tested or have to battle Satan? To build character within us and let us see that we have an adversary who roams earth seeking whom he can devour. Keep in mind Job’s character was complete. We as Christians are secure in THE LORD but we live in an unholy world. Satan has plenty of opportunity to attack Christians and non-Christian alike. We as Christians need to know how to respond when we encounter situations which emanate from Satan or an unholy world.
The following scriptures in Isaiah and Ezekiel were addressed to the kings of Babylon and Tyre. Some Bible scholars believe they also refer to Satan himself.

Isaiah 14:12-15

12 Shining morning star,[3] Or Day Star, son of the dawn how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground. 13 You said to yourself: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the [gods’]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. assembly, in the remotest parts of the North.[4] Or of Zaphon 14 I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the • Most High.” 15 But you will be brought down to Sheol into the deepest regions of the • Pit.

Ezekiel 28:11-19

11 The word of the Lord came to me: 12 “Son of man, lament[11] Ezk 27:2 for the king of Tyre and say to him: This is what the Lord God says: You were the seal[12] Or sealer of perfection,[13] Hb obscure full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.[14] Ezk 27:3 13 You were in Eden,[15] Ezk 31:9,16,18; 36:35; Gn 2:8 the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone covered you: carnelian, topaz, and diamond,[16] Hb obscure beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire,[17] Or lapis lazuli turquoise[18] Or malachite, or garnet and emerald.[19] Or beryl Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold;[20] Ex 28:17–20; 39:10–13; Rv 21:19–20 they were prepared on the day you were created. 14 You were an anointed guardian cherub,[21] Ezk 10:2–19; Gn 3:24; Ex 25:18–22 for[22] Or With an anointed guardian cherub I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you. 16 Through the abundance of your trade,[23] Rv 18:16 you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I expelled you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and banished you, guardian cherub,[24] Or and the guardian cherub banished you from among the fiery stones. 17 Your heart became proud because of your beauty; For the sake of your splendor[25] Ezk 27:3–4 you corrupted your wisdom. So I threw you down to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. 18 You profaned your sanctuaries by the magnitude of your iniquities in your dishonest trade. So I sent out fire from within you, and it consumed you.[26] Ezk 19:14 I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of everyone watching you. 19 All those who know you among the nations are appalled at you.[27] Ezk 26:16; 27:35 You have become an object of horror and will never exist again.”[28] Ezk 26:21; 27:36

Based upon Job 1:6-12 we learn a great deal about Satan;
v He is accountable to GOD. All angelic beings good or bad must present themselves before GOD.
v GOD knew Satan was intent upon attacking Job. (Have you considered MY servant Job? Satan considered Job but because of the hedge Satan did not go any further.)
v Satan can only be at one place at a time. Satan has demons or evil spirits who are also fallen angels who help him.
v Satan is a created being and has limits placed upon him by GOD.
v Satan cannot read our minds or foretell the future. As in our story of Job if Satan knew the future he would have known Job would not give in to what he was about to throw upon him.
v Satan has to get GOD’S permission to attack us as Christians. It also takes GOD’S power to defeat Satan in our life. That is why our relationship with our FATHER is vital.
v GOD places limits on Satan and what he can do to GOD’S children.
v We do know that Satan is real and very active upon earth. As he told GOD he was roaming around earth. Satan does this today.
v Therefore it is imperative that we remain close to THE FATHER WHO has the power to control Satan and his demons. CHRIST is the power in our life to defeat Satan and for us to emerge a situation victorious. The power of the shed blood of CHRIST and the power of THE WORD of GOD. Ephesians chapter 6 tells us how to prepare for spiritual war.



We could spend much time studying Satan but it more important for us to know our FATHER and keep our minds focused upon HIM. So I ask our FATHER to protect us as we study and to enlighten the eyes of our heart.

You likely have the same question I do, why did GOD allow Job to be tested? GOD knew Job would pass the test but a lot of people and animals were killed because of the test.

This event in Job’s life is a message to all people throughout the ages that no one is exempt for trouble. If we, as GOD fearing people, always had it good and prospered then people would serve THE LORD because the protection and prosperity HE gives us rather than serving THE LORD because of seeing the need for forgiveness of sin and the need to be born-again into GOD’S family through the rebirth of our spirit. Salvation requires faith in CHRIST and what HE did for us on THE CROSS.

Satan tells GOD that the only reason Job fears HIM is because of his prosperity. Job has the good life, so he is not going to do something that will rub GOD the wrong way. GOD said check him out. You may find he loves ME regardless of his prosperity.

During tests and trials in our life, GOD expects us to be drawn closer to HIM and for us to express our faith in HIM during these times which is a positive witness both to fellow Christians and non-Christians.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 gives us a reason we encounter troubles in our life; to help others with the help we ourselves have received. I know we tend to listen to those who have encountered a situation in their life and have been able to deal with it more so than those who have not encountered a situation we are facing. They have been there and gotten through the crisis.




1 Corinthians 1:3-7
The God of Comfort
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction,[2] Or trouble, or tribulation, or trials, or oppression; the Gk word has a lit meaning of being under pressure. so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so our comfort overflows through Christ. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is experienced in the endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will share in the comfort.

Job’s family is wiped out, except for his wife. Some speculate that the reason his wife was not killed is that she added to his misery.

Let’s read Job 1: 20-22

20 Then Job stood up, tore his robe and shaved[9] Jr 7:29; Mc 1:16 his head.[10] = in mourning; Gn 37:29,34; Jos 7:6 He fell to the ground and worshiped, 21 saying: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life.[11] Lit will return there; Ps 139:13,15 The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord.[12] Ps 113:2; 118:26 22 Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything.[13] Lit or ascribe blame to God [14] Jb 2:10

The prior verses tell us that Job lost just about everything, his children, servants and animals either killed or taken. But notice in verses 20 -22, Job tears his clothes, shaves his head, which are signs of deep mourning and falls to the ground and worships GOD. Job did not sin or blame GOD. Job passed the test.



But Satan cannot leave it alone. Satan approaches GOD the second time regarding Job and says in essence “no wonder Job did not blame you, his life was spared. If you will let me cause him health problems he will curse YOU”. GOD said go for it, you just cannot take his life.

Let’s read Job 2: 7-10

7 So Satan left the Lord’s presence and infected Job with incurable boils from the sole of his foot to the top of his head.[3] Dt 28:27,35 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself while he sat among the ashes.[4] = in mourning; Jb 42:6; 2 Sm 13:19 9 His wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 “You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said.[5] Lit sin with his lips

So Job is infected with incurable boils all over his body. (Keep this in mind, incurable boils. When we get to the end of the lesson we find Job has been cured. Guess who cured the incurable boils which Satan inflected upon Job?) Job scrapes himself with a piece of broken pottery while sitting in ashes. This is an act of deep grief, sitting on top of ashes that had been things of value at one time.

Now we see the role of Job’s wife. “Curse GOD and die”, she said. It could be that she saw Job suffering so much that he should curse GOD so GOD would take him out of his misery. The words Job uses imply she was not being a GOD-fearing woman but trying to convince Job to yield to what Satan wanted rather than trusting GOD.

We see Job’s response. “Should we accept only good from GOD and not adversity?”

Though it all, Job did not sin.

This is a study that challenges us all. When problems in life surround us our relationship to GOD is tested.

We all need the support of family, friends and special prayer when these times fall upon us. Most of all we need to know GOD is our refuge and strength during these times in our life.

May our LORD enlighten the eyes of our heart to HIS provisions for us during times of trouble.




























Job Chapters 1 and 2:
Job
Chapter 1
Job and His Family
1 There was a man in the country of Uz[1] Gn 10:23; 22:21; 36:28 named Job. He was a man of perfect integrity,[2] Jb 2:3; 8:20; 9:20–22 who • feared God and turned away from evil.[3] Jb 2:3; 28:28; Ps 37:27 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. 3 His estate included 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to have banquets, each at his house in turn. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send [for his children]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for[4] Lit for the number of all of them. For Job thought: Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts. This was Job’s regular practice.
Satan’s First Test of Job
6 One day the sons of God[5] Jb 2:1; 38:7; Gn 6:2,4 came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered Him, “and walking around on it.” 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” 9 Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job • fear God for nothing? 10 Haven’t You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions are spread out in the land. 11 But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” 12 “Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job [himself]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .” So Satan went out from the Lord’s presence. 13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and reported: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing nearby, 15 the Sabeans[6] Jb 6:19; Gn 10:7 swooped down and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 16 He was still speaking when another [messenger]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. came and reported: “A lightning storm[7] Lit The fire of God struck from heaven.[8] Gn 19:24; 1 Kg 18:38; 2 Kg 1:10–14 It burned up the sheep and the servants, and devoured them, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 17 That messenger was still speaking when [yet]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. another came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 18 He was still speaking when another [messenger]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house. 19 Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people so that they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 20 Then Job stood up, tore his robe and shaved[9] Jr 7:29; Mc 1:16 his head.[10] = in mourning; Gn 37:29,34; Jos 7:6 He fell to the ground and worshiped, 21 saying: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life.[11] Lit will return there; Ps 139:13,15 The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord.[12] Ps 113:2; 118:26 22 Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything.[13] Lit or ascribe blame to God [14] Jb 2:10

Chapter 2
Satan’s Second Test of Job
1 One day the sons of God[1] Jb 1:6; 38:7; Gn 6:2,4 came again to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before the Lord. 2 The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered Him, “and walking around on it.” 3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who • fears God and turns away from evil.[2] Jb 1:1,8 He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him, to destroy him without just cause.” 4 “Skin for skin!” Satan answered the Lord. “A man will give up everything he owns in exchange for his life. 5 But stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” 6 “Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “he is in your power; only spare his life.” 7 So Satan left the Lord’s presence and infected Job with incurable boils from the sole of his foot to the top of his head.[3] Dt 28:27,35 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself while he sat among the ashes.[4] = in mourning; Jb 42:6; 2 Sm 13:19 9 His wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 “You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said.[5] Lit sin with his lips
Job’s Three Friends
11 Now when Job’s three friends—Eliphaz the Temanite,[6] Gn 36:11; Jr 49:7 Bildad the Shuhite,[7] Gn 25:2 and Zophar the Naamathite—heard about all this adversity that had happened to him, each of them came from his home. They met together to go and offer sympathy and comfort[8] Jb 42:11; Ps 69:20; Jr 16:5 to him. 12 When they looked from a distance, they could [barely]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. recognize him. They wept aloud,[9] Jdg 21:2; Ru 1:9,14; 2 Sm 13:36 and each man tore his robe and threw dust into the air and on his head.[10] Jos 7:6; Lm 2:10; Ezk 27:30 13 Then they sat on the ground with him seven days and nights,[11] Gn 50:10; Ezk 3:15 but no one spoke a word to him because they saw that his suffering[12] Jb 16:6; Ps 39:2 was very intense.