The Book of Job_______________

As we journey through the book of Job, we will pay special attention to "creation" themes." The Prologue does not have a great deal in it concerning creation with the exception of procreation ideas. Procreation was a way that God showed favor to Job and continues to be a recurring theme throughout the book. In the epilogue we see Job again as "parent." As in the rest of the Bible, children are seen as a sign of "blessing." However, we shall wait until we discuss chapter 3 to expand more on the creation themes.

1There 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. 2Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3His 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. 4His 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. 5When 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.

Verse I. And now we are in the land of UZ?

A. No one knows for sure where this is but tradition says that it is on the border of Edom and Arabia, east of Palestine.

1. It was good pasture land (1:3)

2. Good for farming (1: 14)

3. It was near the desert or wilderness (1:19)

4. Within raiding distance of the Chaldeans and Sabeans (1:15, 17).

B. In later years it had kings (Jer.25:20), the the people of Edom dwelt there (Lam. 4:21).

C. Job was "perfect" "upright" and one who feared God

1. YHWH sees him as a man who travels a straight line

2. Job respects YHWH

Verse 2. The large family

A. In the middle east then as well as now a large family was the mark of blessings from God.

B. But___this in and of itself is significant.

1. Job had three daughters and seven sons.

2. Three is the biblical number for divine, Seven is the biblical number for perfect. Three plus seven is Ten which is the biblical number for complete. Job had everything.

Verse 3. Like wise, Job was a man of great wealth. Once again we find the numbers "seven" and "three." Seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels equal 10 thousand or complete.

Verse 4. Since each son held a feast on "his day" this suggest that we are dealing with a close family. We must suppose that the other nine children attended.

Verse 5. If some of you remember from our study of the book of Leviticus, the Burnt offering which was what Job offered here was not in specific for sin. The burnt offerings were offerings of worship primarily with marginal atonement value. They were the offerings of consecration. Notice in this context, the sin that Job was attending to here was "lack of consecration." "Renouncing God in their hearts."

Job's Character and Wealth

6. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.

7The LORD said to Satan, i"From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it." 8The 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." 9Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear 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." 12Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.

Verse 6__The Great Scene in Heaven!

A. "The Sons of God" equal those after the nature of God (cf.38:7)

B. "Those after the nature of God in this context means "spiritual" since Satan was among them.

See definitions of Satan below, but in this case one who is opposed or withstands.

Verse __7. YHWH begins the conversation. "From where do you come." I see this as another way of asking "why did you come." In the reply Satan tells YHWH that he has been patrolling the earth. Same message as I Peter 5:8, walking about "seeking whom he may devour."

Verse 8__ By YHWH's second question we may infer more about why Satan was walking about the earth. The Lord praises Job and expresses confidence in Job.

Verse 9__ With a sneer, Satan replies to YHWH. I gather here that Satan is expressing contempt for moral goodness. Satan's question "does Job fear YHWH for nothing?" means you have paid him well. In Satan's twisted mind there is no such thing as service because of love or for the sake of being righteous. He claims that if Job is serving God the reason is for pay.

Verse 10__Satan goes further in his argument. Not only have you paid Job off, but you protect him. Furthermore, who wouldn't serve God for enough money (land, sheep, and cattle).

Verse 11__Now comes the central argument.

A. If you take his stuff away and take down the fence, Job will renounce you.

B. The challenge is set. If God takes down the fence will Job prove that God can trust man to worship him with no reward in sight? Or, will Job look for greener pastures elsewhere?

Verse 12__The central question then as well as now. What kind of creature did God create. One with free will and the ability to act independently of God's foreknowledge? I think so. YHWH gave Job's children and all of Job's possessions over to Satan but Job's life was not to be taken.


13Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 14a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." 16While he was still speaking, another also came 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."

17While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." 18While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 19and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you."


The beginning of Job's calamities, vv. 13-19.

A. First Job lost his flocks and his servants who tended them (vv. 13-17).

B. This is followed by the loss of his 10 children as they were fasting in the house of the eldest brother (vv. 18-19).

C. Of these calamities, two were from men (the Sabeans (v.15) and the Chaldean s (v. 17); two were from the forces of nature --fire of God from heaven (v.16), and a great wind (v.19).

Verses 13-15__

A. The Sabeans, probably descendants of Sheba, a grandson of Abraham and Keturah (Gen. 25:3).

B. Archaeological data suggest this is North Arabia. If this is correct, then in the days of Job the Sabeans would have lived much nearer Uz than in Solomon's time when the queen of Sheba visited Solomon's court (1 Kings 10:1-10). Job associates Sheba with Tema, the Teman of of Edon (6:19).

Verse 16__Satan wastes no time. One calamity after another comes from Satan in his attempt to get Job to renounce God. We do not know what the "fire from heaven" was. It is popular to see it as lightening but we must remember the "fire and brimstone" of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Verse 17__As in verse 15 and 16 a messenger escapes to tell of tragedy. This third messenger reports that the Chaldeans fell on them.

Verse 18-19__The great wind was probably a Tornado. It was strong enough to destroy a good house. Once again all in the house are destroyed, except the messenger.

From the above story it is plain that Satan has the ability to use men and nature for his purpose. This brings about several questions. The "fire from heaven" and the "strong wind" came from Satan. Did God give Satan permission to use such powers? Is then Satan's ability to use nature and other men limited by God's permission?


20Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

   21He said,
         "Naked I came from my mother's womb,
         And naked I shall return there
         The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
         Blessed be the name of the LORD."

   22Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

Verse 20__

A. Job's response to tragedy was to worship!

1. He rent (tore) his robe

2. Shaved his head (Middle Eastern custom)

3. Fell on the ground

Verse 21__

B. An expression of eternal truth. All belongs to God

Verse 22__Job has passed the first great test. He has not renounced God.

1Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan1 also came among them to present himself before the LORD. 2The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it." 3The 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. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause." 4Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5"However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face." 6So the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life."

THE SECOND TRIAL

Verse 1__

A. What we notice about this story is that Satan does not give up. He failed in his first trial but now has come back to try again.

B. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Satan departed for a season (Lk. 4:13) to resume his efforts through the Jewish leaders.

VV. 1-3. These are very close to the opening verses of chapter one.

A. YHWY ask the same questions as before.

B. In v.2, YHWH received the same answer as before.

C. YHWH's accusation. Satan has moved Him against Job without cause. It is better read without just cause. There was a cause and that cause was Satan's challenge.

Verse 4__ "Skin for skin" is probably cryptic language much as in a parable. It means that a man will give all for his life. In other words, Job has not really been tested until his life is at risk.

Verse 5___But, skin for skin may be related to this statement. You have touched the lessor (the outer skin) now go deeper (the inner skin) all the way to the bone. If YHWH will do this, Job will renounce you.

Verse 6__Once again YHWH concedes to Satan. But also once again, YHWH limits to powers of Satan. God's purpose for this was to save Job through testing. Satan's purpose was to cost Job his salvation. We have a NT parallel to this idea:

7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!

8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 11I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. II Cor. 12: 7-12


7Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes. 9Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!" 10But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

More Physical Suffering by Job, 7-10

Verse 7__We do not know what disease Job had. There just isn't enough written about the matter to tell. Some suggest it was Leprosy or elephantiasis. Whatever it was, it was terrible.

Verse 8__Job now takes refuge in a waste dump. Though not stated, apparently Job covered the sores with ashes then scraped off the pus ladened mass with a potsherd (part of a broken vessel).

Verse 9__In the midst of Job's anguish and all his losses he now suffers further loss. His wife's support.

Here is what I think she is saying knowing what kind of life Job has lived devoted to God.

After living a life of devotion to God I would not continue to worship any God who treated me this way. I would say good bye and be finished with Him!

Verse 10__

Job maintains his confidence. Why does his wife accept good from God but does not accept adversity?


11Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him. 12When they lifted up their eyes at a distance and did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept. And each of them tore his robe and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky. 13Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.

Job's Three Friends and Their silent Accusations, vv-11-13

Verse 11__

A. We do not know how much time passed until Job's friends arrived on the scene. There had been enough time for them to learn of Job's plight and make plans to meet.

B. Eliphaz means "God is victorious or God is fine Gold."

1. The Temanite suggests he came from Teman.

2. However it may have been some now unknown place.

C. The meaning of the names of Bildad and Zophar are unknown.

D. But we may conclude that these men are not Hebrews which is important for several reasons.

Verse 12__These men did not recognize Job at first but when they did recognize him they "wept."

Verse 13__Now the question must be asked as to why they were silent. Knowing their theology which we will discuss later, I think they were afraid to speak to "such a sinner as Job."

Here is what we have learned so far.

1) Job lost his flocks, herds, and servants who tended them.

2) Job lost his children in one swoop.

3) Job lost his health and was smitten all over with sores.

4) He moved to the community dump and was looked on as an outcast.

5) He lost his wife's comfort and care as she turned against YHWH.

6) He is now being condemned by his friend's silence.

7) The greatest suffering of all not yet mentioned is the lack of understanding as to why all of this is happening in light of the "good life" Job has lived.

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by Lane Rogers


In most Christian traditions, a fallen angel is an angel that has been exiled or banished from Heaven. Often such banishment is a punishment for disobeying or rebelling against God. The best-known fallen angel is Lucifer. Lucifer is a name frequently given to Satan in Christian belief. This usage stems from a particular interpretation, as a reference to a fallen angel, of a passage in the Bible (Isaiah 14:3-20) that speaks of someone who is given the name of "Day Star" or "Morning Star" (in Latin, Lucifer) as fallen from heaven. The same Latin word is used of the morning star in 2 Peter 1:19 and elsewhere with no relation to Satan. But Satan is called Lucifer in many writings other than the Bible, notably in Milton's Paradise Lost.

The picture afforded us in Job 1-2 is equally imaginative; but Satan, perhaps the earliest individualization of the fallen Angel, is presented as an intruder who is jealous of Job. He can be seen as clearly an inferior being to the Deity and can only touch Job with God's permission, or as the ultimate embodiment of pride, as per his believed characteristics, trying to prove God's summation of Job's character and faith is flawed. By playing within the limitations God Himself has set Satan affords himself the opportunity to attempt to cause Job to curse the Lord and thereby, in effect, prove God wrong in order to prove himself to be correct, and therefore superior to God, but he fails. How theologic thought advanced as the sum of revelation grew, appears from a comparison of II Kings 24:1, with I Paral., xxi, 1.

Whereas in the former passage David's sin was said to be due to "the wrath of the Lord" which "stirred up David", in the latter we read that "Satan moved David to number Israel." In Job 4:18, we seem to find a definite declaration of the fall: "In his angels he found wickedness." The Septuagint of Job contains some instructive passages regarding avenging angels in whom we are perhaps to see fallen spirits, thus 33:23 "If a thousand death-dealing angels should be (against him) not one of them shall wound him"; and 6:14: "If their souls should perish in their youth (through rashness) yet their life shall be wounded by the angels"; and 21:15: "The riches unjustly accumulated shall be vomited up, an angel shall drag him out of his house;" cf. Proverbs, 27:11; Psalms, 34:5, 6; lxxvii, 49, and especially, Ecclesiasticus, 39:33, a text which, as far as can be gathered from the present state of the manuscript, was in the Hebrew original.

In some of these passages, it is true, the angels may be regarded as avengers of God's justice without therefore being evil spirits. In Zechariah 3:1-3, Satan is called the adversary who pleads before the Lord against Jesus the High Priest. Isaiah 14, and Eze. 28, are for the Fathers the loci classici regarding the fall of Satan (cf. Tertull., adv. Marc., II, x); and Jesus Himself has given colour to this view by using the imagery of the latter passage when saying to His Apostles: "I saw Satan like lightning falling from heaven" (Luke 10:18).









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