Sunday School 4

Sunday School 4-2-06 Job 1(14-15), (18-19), (22), 3(1-3) (11)

Job (From Smith’s Bible Dictionary)

Job, meaning “one persecuted,” was the patriarch, from whom one of the books of the Old Testament is named. His residence in the land of Uz marks him as belonging to a branch of the Aramean race, which had settled in the lower part of Mesopatamia (Probably to the south or southeast of Palestine, in Idumean Arabia), adjacent to the Sabeans and Chaldeans. The opinions of Job and his friends are thus peculiarly interesting as exhibiting an aspect of the patriarchal religion outside of the family of Abraham, and as yet uninfluenced by the legislation of Moses. The form of worship belongs essentially to the early patriarchal type; with little of ceremonial ritual, without a separate priesthood, it is thoroughly domestic in form and spirit. Job is represented as a chieftain of immense wealth and high rank, blameless in all the relations of life. What we know of his history is given in the book that bears his name.

Job, Book of (from Easton’s Bible Dictionary)
A great diversity of opinion exists as to the authorship of this book. From internal evidence, such as the similarity of sentiment and language to those in the Psalms and Proverbs (see Psalms 88 and 89), the prevalence of the idea of "wisdom," and the style and character of the composition, it is supposed by some to have been written in the time of David and Solomon. Others argue that it was written by Job himself, or by Elihu, or Isaiah, or perhaps more probably by Moses, who was "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and mighty in words and deeds" (Acts 7:22). He had opportunities in Midian for obtaining the knowledge of the facts related. But the authorship is altogether uncertain. Sir J. W. Dawson in "The Expositor" says: "It would now seem that the language and theology of the book of Job can be better explained by supposing it to be a portion of Minean [Southern Arabia] literature obtained by Moses in Midian than in any other way. This view also agrees better than any other with its references to natural objects, the art of mining, and other matters."

Background Information

I don’t feel we can start our lesson here; I must fill you in on the details which surround our lesson in order for the Bible Student to understand the context of our lesson. Here are the main points of consideration and some necessary facts for you to understand.

Job is described as a perfect man. Don’t misunderstand this word. It doesn’t mean he was without sin or the potential to sin; the word means he was “sound, having integrity, morally and ethically pure.”
The name Job means “one persecuted.” Job is the example of suffering without cause. We must remember who persecuted Job; it wasn’t God, but Satan who terrorized him. I realize God allowed this suffering, but Satan actually performed the evil deeds. We sometimes miss this and blame God. Chapter one, verse 22 tells us that Job understood this. Job “sinned not nor charged God foolishly.” The word “charge” means to blame. Job realized God is love. He did not curse God nor did he blame God foolishly which means unsavorily or unseemly. Job proclaimed his feelings by saying “blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job was a rich man. We are told Job owned 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 she asses, and had a very great household.
Job lost all his wealth. All of his possessions were lost one by one. His 10 children perished in a giant wind storm. His own health was taken from him. If Job had gotten his self value from things, then all would be lost. Some put all of their emphasis on possessions; please remember possessions are temporary. They can evaporate overnight. Spiritual things are the only things which will outlast this world.
There was a challenge between God and Satan. God asked Satan if he had considered His servant Job. Satan thought like many humans still do today. Remember, Satan is not omniscient as God is; Satan is capable and does make wrong assumptions. Satan believed Job’s righteousness was the result of his circumstances. Satan claimed Job served God because of his blessed life. He knew God had a protective hedge surrounding Job. He knew Job prospered like few others. Think about it; why wouldn’t Job serve God? That is wrong thinking! We don’t serve God because He prospers us; we serve Him because we love Him and more importantly He loves us! We must not fall into the trap of tying our faithfulness to our prosperity. Lazarus the beggar loved God despite not having any worldly possessions whatsoever. We must be determined to do the same!
God limited Satan as to what He could do. Notice God has all that Job “has” was in Satan’s hands. Not Job himself, but what he possessed! Satan is limited by God’s power! Our God is in control!
Why do bad things happen to good people? Job did not suffer because of any special wrongdoing. His friends assumed that, but they were wrong. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking everything that happens to us is retribution for sin. Some things happen just because we live in a sinful world. Some things happen because God is using us to win souls. Some things happen to purify us and to strengthen us for this journey of life. Some things happen to remove an obstacle which is preventing us from serving Him. It may seem painful at the time, but when we look back at it years later we realize it was for our own good. Some things happen to cause God to receive glory from our lives. Remember, He is the potter, we are the clay; He is the father, we are the child! We must trust Him to lead us in right paths.
We will not understand every question in life. People often ask me why certain things happened in their life and I have to give them the best answer I know; I don’t know. There are some things we will not understand until we get to heaven. The old hymn says “we’ll understand it better bye and bye.”

JOB 1:14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: 1:15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 1:19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

I only am escaped

I often wondered why only one fellow was allowed to escape these disasters. The answer is simple; someone Satan had to keep alive to inform Job of the suffering which was happening to him. Some folks enjoy being the bearer of bad news. They love to let you know how bad off you are. Avoid these folks! They will tell you how bad you look today, or how tired, and the next thing you know, you start to feel bad. You were fine until they informed you of your ailment. Suggestion is a powerful thing. let’s look for positive people to walk with. They will lift you up!

1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

What this verse doesn’t say!

People read too much into this verse. It says Job “sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” It means Job did not curse God nor blame God without having proper information. It doesn’t say Job never complained; he did. It also does not say Job didn’t question why this was happening; he did many times. It does not say Job never got discouraged; he got to the point of wishing he was dead. When we suffer it is natural to have our faith wane a little but we must be careful not to give up our salvation, nor to blame God when we don’t really know why this is occurring. God didn’t offer an explanation, and does not owe Job one. Let me point out an observation to you; in my 20 years in the ministry I have often had people question why God was allowing bad things to happen to them; they claim they do not deserve such treatment, but I have very rarely had people ask me why God was being especially good to them on the sunny days. For some reason we think we deserve the good things and are being mistreated when evil arrives. The truth is we all suffer; saint and sinner alike. We are not set apart in our behavior to the point where we are not subject to the challenges of life like others. Bad things happen to good people. People get sick, children die, finances fail, and loved ones betray us. These things happen to all mankind, and not because we are worse or better than others. It is not for us to understand but to trust.

3:1 After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. 3:2 And Job spake, and said, 3:3 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived. 3:11 Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

George Bailey

Does anyone know who George Bailey is? He is the hero of one of my favorite movies; “A Wonderful Life.” Due to several situations in his life, George came to the point where he thought the world would be better off without him. He attempted to commit suicide, but was saved by “his” angel. This angel then shows George what life would have been without him. George comes to realize he does matter, his life did make a difference, and he was valuable! This is about where Job is in our story. He is broke, suffering tremendously with sickness, scorned by his own wife, reviled by the townspeople, and without any sympathy from his so-called friends. He thinks he would have been better off had he been still born. Depression is a serious, debilitating thing. I understand it can be the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, and in such cases should be treated by medical experts as we would any other disease or abnormality. There is no shame in seeking help in such cases. But depression can also come due to negative circumstances, and can be alleviated by seeking comfort in prayer, communion with brethren, and solace in the word of God. It’s ok to be discouraged; it’s dangerous to stay in that condition. Do not wallow in misery; seek an escape route! Let someone know you need help. Ask God for strength. Get in a good Bible believing church! Don’t let it get to the point where you are devastated and run down. That situation can have irreversible consequences.

New Living Translation (to be used as a commentary only)

14 a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. 19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the desert and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. 1 At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. 2 He said: “Cursed be the day of my birth, and cursed be the night when I was conceived. 11 “Why didn’t I die at birth as I came from the womb?

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PASTOR RICK BARCUS