THE CONTEST

Satan and His Host, Although Active on the Earth, Still must Report to God - 1:6-7

There is a specific time that they must report - 1:6; 2:1
“was a day”

Apparently, the angels and Satan are accountable to God - 1:6; 2:2
“...present themselves”
“Whence cometh thou” 2:2
“Satan answered the Lord” 1:7; 2:2

The host of Satan do not act alone - 1:6; 2:1 “Satan came also among them”

Satan has a desire to seek out people to torment and tempt - 1:6; 2:2
“Going to and fro in the earth”
“Walking up and down in it”

I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2 Cor. 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.


Observations:
You would think that Satan, as smart as he is, knows that the Lord has the power in the universe. Why fight against God.

You must come to the conclusion that Satan must act, due to his nature, out of hatred for God and God’s children.  Mark 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Satan acts in a malicious and wicked manner, even though he understands he cannot defeat God Himself.

Satan, although he cannot defeat God, desires to disrupt the activities and destroy the testimony of God’s Children.
1Thess. 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.


THE COMBATANTS - 1:8; 2:3
The Lord knows His children’s testimony and character - 1:8; 2:3
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job
that there is none like him in the earth
a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?


THE CONFRONTATION - 1:9-12; 2:4-6
Satan questions God’s knowledge and wisdom
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? - 1:9

Satan knows that the Lord has a hedge of protection round His children - 1:10
Hast not thou made an hedge about him
and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?
thou hast blessed the work of his hands
and his substance is increased in the land.

Satan wanted to take away his wealth, thinking that it would affect Job - 1:11
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath... curse thee...

Satan wanted to test Job in the physical Body - 2:4-5
Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 2:4
touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 2:5

Satan does not care who he destroys spiritually to accomplish his task - 2:3
although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat Luke 22:31
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?


THE CONDITIONS - 1:12; 2:4-6
God set the standard, remember He is in control - 1:12
he is in thine hand; but save his life. 2:6


THE CASUALTIES - 1:13-19; 2:7-9
Apparently, Job’s children were still partying and drinking - 1:13
The oxen were taken and the servants were killed - 1:14-15
Fire destroyed his sheep, servants - 1:16
The Chaldeans stole the camels and killed the servants - 1:17
His children were killed when their house fell down during a wind storm - 1:18-19
Job suffered boils over his entire body - 2:7
Job scrapped his boils to break them and sat down in a pile of ashes - 2:78
Job’s wife challenged his integrity and gave poor advice - 2:9

THE CONFESSION
Job’s immediate response was worship - 1:20
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle
and shaved his head,
and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped

Mt 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Job’s attitude was that everything belongs to God - 1:21
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return
the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD.

Job was fully aware that the Lord makes no mistakes - 1:22
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job understood it was God’s wisdom and sovereignty must prevail - 2:10
What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?
In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

THREE PROPER ATTITUDES WHICH REFLECT CHRIST IN OUR LIVES

Our first response to adversity should not be to remove it, but to allow it to reveal our true weaknesses. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Our second response to adversity should not be to focus on outward circumstances, but to realize that we are dealing with unseen spiritual forces. Ephesians 6:12

Our third response to adversity should not be to live for Christ in our own efforts, but to realize that Christ must live in us through the power of His Holy Spirit. Galatians 2:20


BIBLICAL PURPOSES FOR TRIALS and DIFFICULTIES?

1. They God's way of getting our attention! Romans 8:28-29
Cares of this world., plans, goals, projects; problems, pressures; strength is drained

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt. 11:28-30

2. They are assurance that God loves us! Heb. 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

3. It drives to a point of self-examination! I Cor. 11:31-32; Psalm 139:23-24
Examine our hearts and confess sin - He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Prov. 28:13

Regular observance of the Lord's Supper - I Cor. 11:28
Self-examination must take place in God's Word - Eph. 6:2-3
Have we done evil to those who have done good to us? - Prov. 17:13

4. They stimulate us to conquer pride! Contention strife, conflict - But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7

5. Trials reminds us of our weaknesses and absolute dependence upon God - 2 Cor. 12:7-10

6. Trials drive us to our knees - Psalm 3:17-18 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

7. Difficulties remind us that life is a spiritual warfare! I Peter 5:8; Eph. 6:11-18

8. Trials and Adversity purify our faith! - And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:3-8; Heb. 11:13; 11:33-40

9. Trials challenge us to test our labors and work! every spiritual house is tested - Matt. 7:24-27

10. Tribulation allows us to evaluate friendship - Prov. 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

11. Adversity is God's call to identify with Christ! - Phil. 3:8-11 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12. Trails prepare us to comfort others! II Cor. 1:3-5; 4:8-10,12,16
*God does not permit adversity for the purpose of defeating us, but for our benefit!


HOW TO AVOID UNNECESSARY ADVERSITY
*Recognize the danger of the tongue! James 3:4-6
*David's concern for his tongue - Psalm 15:1-3; 34:12-13; 140:1-3

HOW TO AVOID THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD - Hebrews 12:12-24

1. listen carefully! WHY? McCain - "Lest your spiritual limping becomes a leg out of joint"

2. Don't be despondent when confronted with God's discipline!

3. Encourage yourself in the Lord and "lift up" (set upright, restore to straightness or set dislocated bones). cf. Isaiah 35:3-4

4. Make necessary corrections in your life so that healing occurs. Recovery from God's discipline occurs when correction takes place. Prov. 2:20; 3:5-6 WHY? "lest that which is lame be turned out of the way"/

5. let it be healed
6. restore hindered relationships
7. look diligently