THE TESTING OF JOB

By Graham Bauer

Scripture

Job 1-2

Introduction

How many of us go through trials and tribulations and feel so utterly alone?
All of us! When others don't know, care or understand

(A) Job The Man - verses 1-5

(1) He was a real person historically Ezekiel 14:20
God's heroes of righteousness - Noah, Daniel and Job
(2) He was a model character Job 1:1-5
- Perfect, - Upright, - Fearing God, - Avoiding evil
(3) He was wealthy (verse 2-3) and influential
(4) He was pious (Verse 5)
- a good father, - approached God through sacrifice, - steadfast

(B) The Adversary - "Know your adversary" verses 6-12

satan moves in the heavenlies and the earth
Ephesians 6:10-12 We have an adversary in satan - accuser verses 9-11
satan hates us bu God delights in us 2 Chronicles 16:9.
God is strong in our behalf.

The History of satan

(1) His exalted position Ezekiel 28:12-15 Full of wisdom, perfect,anointed cherub
(2) His fearful sin Ezekiel 28:15-17, Isaiah 14:12-15 Pride=self exaltation.
(3) His present sphere Ephesians 6:12, 2:2 The earth and the heaven around it
(4) His work:
Luke 4:2-13 Tempting to sin. He tempted Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4:4 Blinding minds from the light of the truth.
2 Timothy 2:26 Making captives - bondage of addictions, control etc.
Revelation 12:10 Accusing V11 He is overcome by blood and testimony
(5) His defeat Hebrews 2:14-15 Defeated at Calvary.
(6) His doom Revelation 20:1-10 Cast into the lake of fire for eternal torment.

(C) The Heavenly Event-[1] verses 6-12

satan is jealous of the righteous Job - God delights in Job

Earth Event (1)

(D) The First Test Verses 12-22

(1) It's purpose:
To test the reality of Job's faith, love and obedience
1 Peter 1:6-7 God allows his people to be tested that we may be found unto the praise, the honour and the glory of Jesus.
What a witness when the world sees us overcome.
(2) It's manner: verses 13-19
The loss of all earthly possessions
satan strikes at us "blow after blow measured blow" to crush us.
(3) It's result:
(a) Grief v21 (b) Reverence v22 (c) Submission v23

(E) The Heavenly Event-[2] Job 2:1-7

satan is a destroyer. He sends infirmity on God's people.
Like Job our defense is only what is inside us - his integrity and righteousness.
Our integrity and righteousness - our standing in God - God's Word in us as we speak it forth. Jesus' life in us (His blood) spoken forth (blood and testimony).

Earth Event (2)

(F) The Second Test Job 2:7-10

v7-8 Affliction - painful, loathesome and humiliating.
Job sitting wallowing in the ashes
v9-10 Job's wife - well meaning intentions - wrong intentions (even with love) can cause us to sin, to do the wrong thing, to go the wrong way. Job remains submissive to God - even though he understands not why the affliction - He allows God's will to be done in his life. He does not enjoy it but he allows it.
What about us?
Will God triumph over satan through us?

(G) The Three Friends Job 2:11-13

They all thought Job's calamity was because of sin - they were wrong!
Job's three friends represent worldly wisdom.
(1) Eliphaz (4:8-16):
He based eveything on experience "I have seen" = sense knowledge.
2 Corinthians 5:7 "We walk by faith not by sight"
Walk in the spirit not the flesh.
(2) Bildad (8:8):
He based everything on tradition. What was done before.
(3) Zophar (11:5-6):
He based everything on legalism and reason.

Close

Be aware that satan is out to lead men astray from God's path.
You are his target so be aware from Job's testing of the whiles of the enemy.

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