Job 1
Job's Character and Good Life
The Sons of God; Satan's Plan to Test Job
Satan Takes Everything; Job Blesses the LORD
Job 2
Satan is allowed to Afflict Job's Health
Job Again Passes the Test
Three Friends Come to Mourn with Job
Editor's Note: I will attempt to summarize some of the themes and statements made by Job and his visitors. My observations are by no means the final word on this; please feel free to weigh in and give your thoughts on what's going on
Job 3
Job's Lament
...regrets being born
...wonders why he is still alive
Job 4
Eliphaz Responds
...questions Job's authenticity
...says the innocent do not suffer
...says mankind cannot be righteous before the LORD
I'm always encouraged by the absolute power of God displayed here. The enemy is, not for lack of trying, prevent from stealing, killing and destroying. Will my heart's response be one of trust in the Father the next time things don't go my way?
ReplyDeleteI've realized there are many training exercises in my life every day. If I'm having a hard time responding correctly to the little problems then I can't reasonably expect to pass the big test.
The challenge for me has been to realize God is with me on this journey of life in all things. The Heavenly Father is using every opportunity to love, encouraged, teach, train, and equip his children for good works.
-Stacy
Well said, brother!
DeleteI think it's safe to say that no one saw this coming to Job's life, and (as we'll see soon enough) no one knew the real "why" of why it was happening. One of the big takeaways for me is that I don't really understand what others are going through, and, even though asking the "why" questions may be normal, I may never know the true answers, and that's not really what's needed.
Once again, this story is a good case study for two guiding principles for God's people: being faithful to the one in whom we trust and being loving toward people is the best way to live, *especially* when disaster strikes.
- jeffrey
"training exercises"
Delete...that is a great way to see life. Our Father is training us. Sometimes he uses rewards, and sometimes he uses consequences, but those rewards/consequences are not the point or the goal; the goal is to get trained up. And even though we may lose sight of it, we know that we can trust the Trainer, because He is our Father who loves us.
- jeffrey