JOB SERIES: CHAPTER 1 – USED TO PROVE

Though the book of Job is placed with the books of poetry, many biblical scholars believed the story of Job possibly took place during the patriarchal period. No matter when it took place I believe God inspired the writer to record Job’s life and allowed it to be included in the bible so that we the readers could gain insight into how to respond to oppression, ridicule, and suffering.

Job a perfect and upright man who feared God and avoided sin lived in the land Uz. Job and his wife had ten children (seven sons and three daughters) for whom Job consistently offered burnt offerings to cover them if perchance they had sinned or cursed God during their times of incessant feasting and family celebrations. Furthermore, Job was known to be a wealthy man for he had land, servants, and livestock.

As the story went God questioned Satan’s activities when he and other angelical beings appeared before Him, and after hearing his response, God speaks to him about the righteous character of Job which Satan then attributes to God’s provisional hand of favor, protection and blessings in Job’s life. God permits Satan to attack all that belongs to Job, and thus in his maneuvers, Satan stole, killed, and destroyed as Jesus said in John 10:10.

The definition of the word oppression is to crush or burden by abuse of power or authority, to burden spiritually or mentally, to weigh heavily upon, physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects, to smother, crush, to keep down by force, and to make sad or gloomy. Other words that relate to oppression are to be overwhelmed, bothered, burdened, dejected, depressed, discouraged, dispirited, encumbered, hampered, bullied, exploited, and harassed. Consequently, as told in this chapter, Satan employed these tactics of oppression in the life of Job by orchestrating a series of calamities.

All in one day, a firestorm from the west (Mediterranean) burnt up his sheep, marauding nomads from the south (Sabeans) and north (Chaldeans) stole his oxen, asses, and camels, and a whirlwind from the east (desert) collapses the home of Job’s oldest son and kills all of his children who were assembled together. Additionally, all the servants are killed except one from each incident who escapes and reports the disastrous news to Job. Job life was attacked from every direction, and he no doubt was overwhelmed.

However, upon receiving all of the life-altering news, Job assumes the stance of an individual who is grieving, but he also worships and blesses God. Plus, he recognized God gives and takes, he was born with nothing and he will die the same way. The last verse of this chapter ends stating, “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” If only we believers could do the same!

At the end of each blog that I do in this Job series, I will conclude with some reflections. So, here are my reflections for chapter one:

1. You can live a godly and righteous life.
2. Being godly does not exempt you from suffering.
3. The godly will suffer persecution at the hands of the enemy.
4. You may never know why you have been targeted to suffer.
5. In the end, everyone will be held accountable for their actions on earth.
6. God is omniscient. He knows if you are trustworthy.
7. Satan is limited; he is not omniscient, nor omnipresent.
8. Satan is on the move.
9. Satan must get permission from God to interfere in your life.
10. Satan questions man’s motives for serving God. He believes man is a mercenary.
11. God is our protector and provider.
12. Despite what you are going through, bless, and worship God.