Job, A Man of God

INTRODUCTION:  Uz was most likely country of Idumea, Lam. 4:21, or at least bordering on Idumea (or the land of Edom). The land was called by the name of Uz, the son of Dishan, the son of Seir Gen. 36:28.
Us was north of Arabia, lying towards the Euphrates. It was here that the Chaldeans and Sabeans lived, who stole from him.

Job (meaning sorrowful, because he wept, greatly tried) was not only incredibly afflicted in life’s struggle to find answers, tormented in his body, the loss of family, but also in his mind and conscience, by the sharp temptation of his wife and friends. Their words and subtle arguing nearly brought him to despair.

They believed God was a sincere and fair judge, but a mortal enemy to anyone who had ceased to believe in Him. Therefore, Job would seek God without hope or help. These friends came to Job under pretense of providing some consolation, but actually grieved him as much as his afflictions did. Job constantly resisted their teaching and eventually was successful to prove his points.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. I Cor. 3:19

Job maintained a good perspective, but maybe could have handled it better. His adversaries have an evil attitude, but they defend it craftily and with deception. Job held that God did not always punish men according to their sins, but that he had secret and sovereign judgments, of which man did not know the cause. Therefore, man could not reason against God in His judgment and wisdom, but he should be convicted and be changed.

Moreover, he was assured that God had not rejected him. However, through his great trials and afflictions Job shows himself as a desperate man, as one that could resist God, and this is his good cause, which he handled well.

The adversaries maintain that God punishes continually according to man’s sin, but their intention is evil. They worked at bringing Job to despair, and so they maintain an evil cause. Ezekiel commends Job as a just man, Ezekiel 14:14, Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

And James sets out his patience for an example, James 5:11, Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

PURPOSES AND BASIC TRUTHS
*To demonstrate that God is worthy of love apart from the blessings He provides

*To explain that God may allow suffering as a means to purify and strengthen a person in godliness

*To emphasize that man is unable to view life from God's vast perspective

*To explore the justice of God who treats the righteous with suffering

*To demonstrate to the evil angels (Satan) that God's practice of blessing the righteous is not a hindrance to the development of true righteousness

*To address Mankind's wrestling with affliction which defies human explanation

*God is in control even when He appears not to be

*We can trust God even when we have no explanation as to what is happening to us

*The reasons for suffering in a person's life are not necessarily related to human explanations of personal unrighteousness, but are within the scope of God's good and powerful providence resulting in the defeat of evil and glory to himself

The book falls naturally into three parts.
Prologue, written in prose (chapters1-2)
Dialogue itself, written in Hebrew poetry (chapters 3:1- 42:6)
There is the discussion between Job and his friends (chapters 3-31)
3 cycles of alternating speeches: Eliphaz begins (chapter 4), followed by Job, followed by Bildad, then Job, then Zophar, then Job. However, Zophar fails to respond in the third round, making the only exception to the order.
Then Elihu addressed the matter (chapters 32-37)
God closes the discussion with the epilogue, again written in prose (chapter 42:7-12)

Job’s Character and Testimony: Jobs qualities were noticed by the Lord

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? 1:8; 2:3

But, they were also noticed by his greatest enemy: Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 1:9

Jobs life and testimony allowed him the privilege to be honored by the Lord to suffer, and be buffeted by Satan. The Lord knew that Job would be spiritually successful. This in itself is an incredible event.