JOB 1:1-12 EXPOSITION
The main message that the book of Job teaches us is When We Can't Understand God's Ways, We Must Trust His Wisdom." And Job starts off this book in the first chapter with a deep-seated understanding God's ways. And he even expresses that he trusts God's wisdom. But all of that is seriously tested later on - especially starting in chapter 3.
To begin with, we read of Job's location, name, and personal character in relation to God in verse 1.
Introd. to Job 1
1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.
Job lives in the land of Uz. This was apparently just north of Edom - which was southeast of Israel. That is to say - outside of Israel. The men we'll hear from then are Gentiles rather than Jews.
And this verse doesn't say, but it's likely that the events of this book take place in the patriarchal period - the time when Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived.
And then the author of this book focuses on Job's character that we always need to keep in mind as we study this book. Job is blameless and pure. He really fears God. He really does turn away from evil.
As we see Job's friends later on impugn Job's character and assert that Job's sin causes his suffering - we know better. We know that the divine author of this book testifies to Job's blamelessness.
So, now that we have a glimpse into Job's whereabouts and character, we'll hear about the possessions that God blessed him with in verses 2 and 3.
Possessions
2 Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east. so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
So, when it came to children, Job was blessed with many. When it came to livestock, Job had an abundance of sheep, oxen, camels, and donkeys. And when it came to the overall homestead - which would have included servants - Job's was "very great."
He had it all. To the point where he was considered the greatest. The greatest. Everyone in the area would have known about Job in his day. His would have been something like a household name. And he would have been world-renowned - not just for his stuff, but for his godliness.
And this intersection of wealth and piety is a pretty lonely one. Many times those who are godly are poor. Those who are wealthy tend to be ungodly. It's hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
But that's not the case with Job. He was righteous and rich.
And so, we've seen his riches. Now - in verses 4 and 5 we see his righteousness.
Job's Godliness
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 When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually. for Job said,
So, apparently Job's sons would have all of their siblings over to eat. And this was a regular pattern. Each of the seven sons would have the nine other siblings over. I'm not sure if this was happening every day of every week or if it was spread out throughout a month - but the point is that they would be eating at each other's houses. They liked each other! They had a good family relationship.
But the even bigger point is that Job was concerned for them. Yes - they had a really good relationship with one another. But you know what Job was more concerned for? That they had a good relationship with God.
He would sacrifice for them - just in case they sinned. He was acting as a priest for them - which reinforces the idea that they were outside of Israel and before the Mosaic Law. If they lived in Israel under the Mosaic Law, then the law prescribed priests in a Tabernacle or Temple. Job here is just sacrificing to the true God - but he's doing it by himself outside any Temple. He's a priest for his family.
He could be happy enough with his riches and his family. But he's most concerned about the spiritual aspects of life.
This man is commendable to all of us. The picture given of this man isn't that he's primarily motivated by fear of God's reprisal for the least amount of sin pretense of sin but is truly a completely upright and blessed man in the real sense.
But his uprightness will be tested in the rest of this book - and especially in the rest of this chapter and chapter 2.
Angelic Gathering #1
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
This phrase "sons of God" is basically equivalent to "angels." And we don't hear a thing about any of these beings beyond the fact that Satan is there with them.
And this is in Hebrew "the Satan." The adversary. He's Job's adversary - but even more foundationally - he's God's adversary.
If God is for something...he's against it. If God loves something...the Satan hates it.
And God has a question for this enemy of his in verse 7.
God's Question to Satan #1
7 The LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it."
Satan's Response to God #1
OK, Satan was on the earth. He wasn't in another galaxy. He wasn't anywhere else in God's creation besides on earth. I would imagine that Satan doesn't spend much time anywhere else besides on this earth. But I suppose he could be somewhere else - otherwise God wouldn't need to ask him.
At any rate, we might wonder why God - knowing that Satan was walking around on the earth - why he asked Satan where he was.
It's because God was leading into this question.
God's Question to Satan #2
8 The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil."It's like -
Oh, OK, since you were there, Satan - since you were visiting the earth where so many centuries ago, you tempted Adam and Eve and were so influential in the marring of everything there - hey, have you considered one man who isn't going your way? Have you thought about Job, Satan - you old rebel? He fears me, whereas you don't. He turns from evil, whereas you embrace it all the time. He puts you to shame.
But - of course - the adversary is not going to just let God shine light on his own rebellion. As is his custom, he's going to accuse and insinuate falsehoods against Job.
Satan's Response to God #2
9 Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing?
Satan's insinuation? No, of course Job doesn't fear God for nothing. Well, then, why - according to Satan - does Job fear God?
In other words, Yahweh - you've bought Job off! That's the only reason he serves you - you make his life easy and you bless him in every way!
So, in Satan's mind - here's the real test that will prove that this man Job doesn't serve God for nothing.
10 Have You not made a hedge about 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 put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face."
Now, Satan proposes that Job will do exactly what Job was so fearful that his own children would do - curse God. Only, Job was afraid that his kids had cursed God secretly - in their heart. But Satan is hopeful that Job will curse God publicly and unashamedly - to his face.
In other words, Yahweh - you've bought Job off! That's the only reason he serves you - you make his life easy and you bless him in every way! So, in Satan's mind - here's the real test that will prove that this man Job doesn't serve God for nothing.
So, if you take away all that a righteous man has, will he still worship God? Satan says no.
And I think he's right for a number of people in American Christianity. The whole premise of a lot of what passes for Christianity today is that you worship God because he makes you wealthy and he gives you perfect health. And when those things are taken from these so-called Christians, it's inevitable that they say goodbye to God. They were really only worshipping the money anyway - the stuff that God gave them.
But what about us? If this heavenly interaction were going on right now about you, is there something that Satan could suggest that would cause you to "curse God?" What if he took all your stuff? What if he made your home life difficult? What if he let your health deteriorate? Would you abandon him?
Well, God allows Job to be tested.
God's Response to Satan #3
12 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your [f]power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.Satan's Departure
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Now, it's interesting and something to watch and consider that Satan told God to put forth his hand against Job. But then God tells Satan that everything Job has is in Satan's power.
So, who is the one inflicting the injury upon Job? Is it Satan or is it God?
The answer actually isn't so clear. Last time in our study I made a statement that basically Satan was the one who harmed Job - not God. But I think that we're going to see in the second chapter of the book of Job that God actually takes some responsibility for harming Job.
I think it goes like this - Satan can't do anything apart from the Lord's permission. And sometimes the Lord permits Satan to harm people. And when he does, God himself takes some responsibility for the results.
Calamitous Results #1
And so, now, starting in verse 13 we're going to see some of the calamitous results of this heavenly wager. God is saying that Job will keep his integrity and still worship him even if he doesn't bless him materially. Satan believes that the only reason Job is worshipping God is because of the material blessings that God has given him.
