Job - the Lord gives and takes away. Blessed be the Lord!
This week we begin our study into the life of a man who experienced great loss and suffering while wrestling with his integrity before the Lord – Job.
Job 1: Job's Character and Wealth
1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.
4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate 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 children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.
Satan Allowed to Test Job
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
7 The LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it."
8 And 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, who fears God and turns away from evil?"
9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason?
10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face."
12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
Satan Takes Job's Property and Children
13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,
14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, "The oxen were ploughing and the donkeys feeding beside them,
15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,
19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.
21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.
Job 2: Satan Attacks Job's Health
1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD.
2 And the LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it."
3 And 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, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason."
4 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life.
5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face."
6 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life."
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
8 And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.
9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die."
10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Job's Three Friends
11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.
12 And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven.
13 And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.
Things to think about…
Dead in a day! The suffering that we read about in Job 1 is not a fairy tale. This man in history went through this horror. Job didn’t need to believe in the ‘Prosperity Gospel’. He was living a life of blessing under the Lord with ten kids and great wealth. Nothing in this life is a guarantee for the Christian – not wealth, health, or many blessed relationships. But it is wonderful when the Lord allows them to occur. Job’s testimony that “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” Jon 1:21 is only true when seen with a heart of faith that acknowledges God’s right to rule in all situations.
Satan was created by God as a ‘son of God’, Job 1:6 and he was created ‘good’ on the first day of creation. Jesus said he saw Satan fall ‘like lightning’ in sin and rebellion to the earth. Satan is the “Prince of the air”, Eph 2:2 and is still the ruler over this present age roaming to and fro throughout the earth. Look at the dialogue between Satan and God, Job 1:6-12. God seems to be taunting Satan with the character of Job. Why does the Lord do this do you think? God is in sovereign control, evil can go only so far and no further without the Lord’s decree.
Four messages and four disasters, Job 1:13-22. The last of them was the most cruel, a wind from the Lord came and killed all Job’s children. Look at Job’s response, vs 21. He is a mighty man of God. I would be lost and beside myself at this point. Take all that I have, but not my family. May God have mercy. Years ago in our church there was a lady, Bronwyn, who testified to losing family members (more than two or three) and had gone through an experience similar to Job, possibly worse because it was over a lifetime and not over in a day. She has spent a few years in the Lord’s presence, pain and sin free. Praise God for grace that conquers in the face of such suffering. What else can be said.
‘Skin for skin’ was the devil’s taunt, Job 2:4. This same person mentioned above, like Job, has been afflicted with ill health. Job had boils for a season, but dear Bronwyn had terminal cancer four times, the last bout eventually took her life. Yet she had testified that she didn’t blame God, because through the suffering it had brought her closer to God. Why is it the case that some are drawn nearer through suffering and others, like Pharaoh, are hardened. May God pour out His grace on us whatever the season.
‘Curse God and die’ was the response from Job’s wife, Job 2:9. As if the burden wasn’t enough for Job. But I feel for his wife, she had lost her ten precious children. Job’s response back to her is correct, but how many of us are with Job’s wife and would struggle to take Job’s counsel to heart. It is only when we experience suffering that we can truly know for sure.
Enter Job’s three ‘friends’, Job 2:11-13. This initial response was the most appropriate and most helpful of all their counsel. They simply sat with Job and said nothing for seven days and nights. Where there is severe grief and loss, no words are able to comfort or heal. Just being there and weeping with those who weep is enough…’they saw that his suffering was very great’, Job 2:13.
Vision Point for Cell groups
CBC's Vision "To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission".
Cell group questions from Sunday morning’s sermon “Done decently and in order” Ex 37.
1. We see much rebellion to God’s order in the world. The BLM movement and riots in America. We have also experienced the same in Australia. These 2 countries were established with the gospel. The ancient Israelites were no different in setting up the gold calf even though they were the Lord’s people and had experience such a mighty deliverance from God’s hand from Egypt. Discuss.
2. The ancient Israelis were restricted morally through the ordered structure and worship with the tabernacle and it’s furnishings. Jay said on Sunday that you cannot legislate morality. Do you agree.
3. The Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand and the Altar of Incense all have spiritual significance and are in some way reflected in the ministry of Christ, or the church or Christians. Discuss how this is so and what the original furnishings were used for.
4. The cry of the world is for the freedom to do what it wants to do. But perfect freedom is found in Christ, John 8:32. How is this so and how is it maintained through the spiritual disciplines. Discuss what some of these are.
5. Christians can only be effective with the Great Commission if they have a good understanding of Christ and His word. The for each other that you grow in your knowing of the scriptures and are given the grace and boldness to share your faith. Pray for the things listed in the prayer points.
Prayer Points
1. Zac’s dad, Mark Torrington still in a Coma. Pray as he undergoes a lumber puncture operation and his subsequent recovery. Pray for recovery and more time with family.
2. Gary and Christine said goodbye to their sister/sister in law Diane to a long battle with cancer. Pray for Diane’s husband, Evan that his heart softens to Christ.
3. Pray for those who are struggling with health issues in the church.
4. People who have visited the church that they settle in.
4. Others who are struggling in their commitment to Christ and relationship strain/choices.
5. Sunday’s messages. The message this week – “Who needs enemies” Job 2-11, Jay.
7. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
8. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times.
Praise Points.
1. More visitors on Sunday.
2. Our worship team on Sunday – thanks Dan, Suzanne, Zac and Jean.
3. Molly and Katelyn did a great job with visuals and streaming.
4. Young Life will be using our facilities on Friday afternoons. Zach Lipp heading this up.
5. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
6. Praise God for all those who serve at CBC. Thanks again to Helen, Angelo, Catherine, Yuki, Doug, Maddison and many others who go about making CBC an amazing place to worship.
Announcements
1. Carols Sun 20thDec 6pm. Start with a meal. Carols to start after the meal around 7pm.
2. AGM – 16th November after the morning service. Open for all.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Kids Church activity sheets provided – either in the house or church.
