The Life of Job in Focus

1. Job's Prosperity and Righteousness

Job is introduced as a man of great integrity and wealth:

Job 1:1-3:
"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east."

Job was deeply righteous, offering sacrifices to God on behalf of his children, fearing that they might have sinned:

Job 1:4-5:
"And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually."

2. Job's Testing

One day, Satan came before God, and God asked if he had considered Job. Satan challenged Job’s righteousness, claiming that Job was only faithful because of his blessings:

Job 1:6-11:
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face."

God allowed Satan to test Job by taking away his possessions and children, but forbade him from taking Job’s life:

Job 1:12:
"And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord."

Job’s children were killed in a natural disaster, and all his wealth was destroyed. Job responded with profound faith:

Job 1:20-21:
"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

3. Job's Affliction and His Friends' Counsel

Job was struck with painful boils, and his three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—came to comfort him. However, upon seeing his suffering, they sat in silence for seven days:

Job 2:7-13:
"So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven."

Job's friends, however, later accused him of sin and argued that his suffering was a punishment for wrongdoing. Job maintained his innocence and questioned why he was suffering.

4. Job's Desire for an Audience with God

Job expressed his desire to present his case before God, asking why the righteous suffer and desiring a mediator between himself and God:

Job 9:33:
"Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."

Job continued to lament his suffering, feeling abandoned by God:

Job 13:23-24:
"How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?"

5. God’s Response to Job

After Job's lengthy discourse, God responded from a whirlwind, emphasizing His omnipotence and the limitations of human understanding. God asked Job a series of rhetorical questions about the natural world, reminding him of the vastness of God's wisdom and power:

Job 38:1-3:
"Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me."

God continued to question Job about the creation of the earth and the mysteries of nature, such as the behemoth and the leviathan:

Job 38:4-7:
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"
Job 41:1-2:
"Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?"

Through these questions, God revealed the enormity of His creation and the limitations of human understanding, asserting that His ways were beyond comprehension.

6. Job's Repentance and Restoration

Humbled by God’s response, Job repented for questioning God's wisdom:

Job 42:1-6:
"Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

In response to Job’s repentance and faith, God restored Job’s fortunes:

Job 42:10-17:
"And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch. And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days."

This story underscores the themes of human suffering, divine sovereignty, and faith, illustrating that God is worthy of trust and worship despite the inexplicable trials we face.

Doorway to Job's Affliction

God, in His righteous character, does not author sickness or evil, as these are contrary to His holy nature (James 1:13, 17). However, He may permit them for a greater purpose. Let us consider what Job himself acknowledged as the possible "doorway" for the enemy's access to afflict his body and family.

Job's Statement: "The Thing Which I Greatly Feared"

Job 3:25 provides a potential clue:

“For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.”

This verse indicates that fear may have been a significant factor in opening the door for Satan to act. Fear, when unchecked, can become a lack of trust in God’s protection and provision, thus weakening one’s spiritual defense. It’s important to note the following:

Fear as a Lack of Faith
Fear often signifies a lapse in complete trust in God’s sovereignty and care. Job’s fear, though understandable as a father and leader, might have created an emotional and spiritual vulnerability. This does not mean Job was unrighteous, but even the most faithful servants of God can have areas of weakness.
Fear’s Potential to Grant Access to the Enemy
Fear, if not surrendered to God, can open the door for spiritual attacks. This aligns with the principle found in 2 Timothy 1:7:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Job’s Habit of Sacrificing for His Children

In Job 1:5, we see that Job continually offered burnt offerings for his children:

“For Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.”

This action demonstrates Job’s diligence as a father and his reverence for God. However, it could also suggest that Job lived with a deep concern or fear about the spiritual state of his children. While his actions were noble, they may have been motivated more by fear than by trust in God’s ability to sustain his family.

God’s Hedge of Protection

Satan himself recognized that Job was protected by God’s hedge:

“Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?” (Job 1:10, KJV).

The hedge represents God’s divine protection over Job’s life. However, Satan argued that if this hedge were removed, Job would curse God. This suggests that God’s hedge of protection is contingent on His sovereign will and perhaps on human responses such as faith and trust.

Job’s Suffering and God’s Permission

While fear may have been a contributing factor, it is essential to remember that Satan could only act within the boundaries of what God permitted:

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life” (Job 2:6, KJV).

God’s permission was not due to Job’s unrighteousness but served a greater purpose: to demonstrate Job’s faith and to glorify God through his endurance.

Key Lessons from Job’s Doorway

Trust Over Fear: Job’s fear serves as a reminder to continually trust God fully, surrendering all anxieties to Him.
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7, KJV).
Faith as a Shield: Ephesians 6:16 highlights faith as part of the armor of God:
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
God’s Sovereignty Remains Supreme: Even when fear or weakness creates a potential vulnerability, God’s ultimate purpose prevails. Job’s story assures us that trials, though painful, are within God’s control and will lead to His glory and our ultimate good.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, KJV).

Conclusion

The doorway for Job’s suffering may have been linked to his fear, as he himself admitted, but it was ultimately God’s sovereign permission that allowed Satan to act. Job’s story teaches us the importance of addressing fear through faith, trusting in God’s protection, and recognizing that even trials serve God’s greater purpose in our lives.

Lessons of Faith in the Life of Job

To continually overcome fear daily and prevent it from giving place to the devil, a believer must engage in several spiritual practices rooted in faith, prayer, and the Word of God. Here are key actions based on biblical principles:

1. Trust in God's Sovereignty and Perfect Love

The foundation of overcoming fear is understanding that God is in control and that His love for us is perfect, casting out fear.

Scripture: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18, KJV).
Action: Meditate on God's perfect love for you. Trust that He holds your life in His hands and that His plans for you are good. This understanding can help alleviate the anxiety and fear that arise from uncertainties.

2. Focus on God's Promises and Faithfulness

Fear often arises from not knowing what will happen next or feeling uncertain about the future. A believer can combat fear by focusing on God's promises to provide, protect, and lead.

Scripture: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10, KJV).
Action: Regularly read and meditate on God's promises, especially those related to His faithfulness, provision, and presence. Speak these promises over your life to replace fear with faith.

3. Pray and Seek God’s Presence

Prayer is a powerful weapon to combat fear. When we pray, we acknowledge God’s authority and invite His peace to rule over our hearts.

Scripture: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, KJV).
Action: Commit every fear and anxiety to God through prayer. Thank Him for His peace that transcends understanding and guards your heart and mind.

4. Resist the Devil and Stand Firm in Faith

The Bible teaches that fear is often an entry point for the enemy to sow doubt and discouragement. By resisting the devil, we deny him the place to operate through fear.

Scripture: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, KJV).
Action: Actively resist fear when it arises. Declare God’s Word over your situation, reminding yourself that the enemy has no authority over you. Stand firm in faith, and the devil will flee.

5. Put on the Armor of God

The armor of God protects believers from spiritual attacks, including fear. It equips us with truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God, which are all necessary to overcome fear.

Scripture: “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11, KJV).
Action: Each day, consciously put on the armor of God. Stand firm in truth, secure in salvation, and trust in your faith as a shield against fear. Hold fast to the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, to combat any fear-based thoughts.

6. Cast All Your Cares on God

Fear often stems from being overwhelmed by life's challenges. The Bible encourages us to cast our burdens on God, trusting that He cares for us and will take care of us.

Scripture: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7, KJV).
Action: Each time fear or anxiety tries to overwhelm you, consciously cast your cares on God. Trust that He will take care of you, relieving you of the weight that fear brings.

7. Focus on What is Good and True

Fear often amplifies negative thoughts, leading to a cycle of anxiety. Instead, focus on positive, truthful, and encouraging things to renew your mind.

Scripture: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
Action: Refuse to dwell on fearful thoughts. Instead, focus on what is good, true, and aligned with God’s Word. This will help keep your mind at peace and prevent fear from taking root.

8. Speak God's Word with Authority

The Bible emphasizes the power of words. Speaking God’s Word over your life and circumstances can help dismantle fear and align your heart with His truth.

Scripture: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12, KJV).
Action: Speak aloud God's promises and His Word over your life daily. Declare His victory over fear, proclaiming your trust in His ability to deliver and protect you.

9. Fellowship with Believers

Being part of a community of believers provides strength and encouragement in overcoming fear. Fellowship helps to build faith and provides a support system during challenging times.

Scripture: “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25, KJV).
Action: Engage with fellow believers, sharing your struggles and receiving encouragement. Their faith and prayers can help you overcome fear and keep you accountable in trusting God.

10. Stay in a Posture of Gratitude

Gratitude shifts our focus from fear to faith. By giving thanks in all circumstances, we acknowledge God’s goodness and sovereignty, helping to dismantle the foundation of fear.

Scripture: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, KJV).
Action: Make a daily habit of expressing gratitude to God. Thank Him for His provision, protection, and faithfulness, which will help cultivate peace and diminish fear.

Conclusion:

To continually overcome fear, a believer must choose to live by faith, align thoughts with God’s Word, engage in daily prayer, and trust in His perfect love. By resisting fear, wearing the armor of God, and relying on the Holy Spirit’s strength, believers can protect themselves from giving place to the devil. Through these practices, they can walk in peace, security, and faith every day.

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Monday, 6 January 2025