Date: 23-Apr-2023
Name: Eddy Aigbologa
Topic: SOME LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF JOB
Content:
We may think the book of Job is about a man who always got it right and as a result got a double blessing from the Lord for his uprightness and faithfulness to God.
There are some nuances in this book I pray the Holy Spirit will reveal to us for a better understanding of our relationship with God.
Ps 91:1-13 provides a context for a phase of protection and grace in Job's life.
1. God's shield and grace are over His righteous ones.
Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? Job 1:8
So Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his possessions have increased in the land. Job 1:9-10
Because so much is talked about Job's trials, we may be mistaken to think there is not much earthly reward for Job's uprightness. Job lived more of his life in the blessings and grace of God.
PRAYER
...And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. Ecclesiastes 10:8b.
Lord, in any way I am out of your shield of protection and grace, I repent and return to your refuge and place of grace.
2. One would think Job knew God's ways entirely because we were told he was a blameless and upright man who feared God and shunned evil.
Job's knowledge gap was exposed when he was going through a trial of excruciating pain, and his friends blamed him for his predicament.
His trial revealed his blind spot.
Ps 91: 14-16 provides a context for a phase of mercy in Job's life.
Job made comments like:
Why then have You brought me out of the womb? Oh, that I had perished and no eye had seen me! Job 10:18
The tents of robbers prosper, And those who provoke God are secure, in what God provides by His hand. Job 12:6
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous? Or is it gain to Him that you make your ways blameless?
I cry out to You, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You regard me. But You have become cruel to me; With the strength of Your hand You oppose me. Job 30:20-21
For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him; I would beg mercy of my Judge. Job 9:15
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. Job 13:15
For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27
God's response:
Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Job 38:2
Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further. Job 40:4-5
Job's reply:
You asked, 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Job 42:3
I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:5-6
PRAYER
God pardon me for times I have darkened counsel by words without knowledge and for words I uttered that I did not understand.
3. Job's righteousness was insufficient to save his children's lives.
And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all.
For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly.Job 1:4-5
Ezekiel 14:19-20
if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live," says the Lord God
"they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.
Prayer Points:
PRAYER
For the salvation and righteousness of our loved ones, spouses, children, relatives, etc. That they will come to the knowledge and fear God in all their ways.
