A STUDY OF JOB From Prosperity to Poverty to Prosperity 1. Aim: To show the life of Job and the experiences he encountered and to apply the things he learned to our life today

A STUDY OF JOB “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” Job 1:1 Job 1:1 - description by God

Job 1-2 – Introduction The greatness of Job (1:1-5) Satan questions Job’s faith (1:6-12) Job loses his property and children (1:13-22) Job loses his health (2:1-10) Job’s three friends (2:11-13) 3. Introduction to the life of Job - Job 1 & 2 a. Great man - 1:1-5 b. Satan questions Job’s faith - 1:6-12 c. Job loses his property and children - 1:13-22 d. Job loses his health - 2:1-10 e. Job’s three friends - 2:11-13 i. His friends came to him in his adversity - They kept still for 7 days. ii. Instead of talking about Job behind his back, they came and talked with him.

Job’s Lamentation about His Birth Chapter 3 Job’s Lamentation about His Birth "May the day perish on which I was born, And the night in which it was said, 'A male child is conceived.” Job 3:3 Chapter 3 - Job’s lamentation about his birth - Job 3:3

Why do the Righteous Suffer ? Job 5. Theme of book: Why do the Righteous Suffer ?

I. First Series of Controversy Job 4-14 Eliphaz: [4-5] Job you need to repent because you have sinned Job: [6-7] Knew he was not wicked and could not understand why he must suffer I. FIRST SERIES OF CONTROVERSY - Job 4-14 A. Eliphaz’s first speech - courtly Job 4 & 5 1. From a dream or vision he advises Job to turn to God and repent since he must have sinned - 4:7 “who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off?” 2. Job’s reply [Job 6 & 7] he was disappointed in his friend, he knew he was not wicked and could not understand why he must suffer. He calls for death

I. First Series of Controversy Job 4-14 Bildad: [8] God is just. Troubles indicates Job’s wickedness. Job: [9-10] God sends punishment on the wicked and the righteous. Job 9:22 B. Bildad’s first speech - Argumentative - Job 8 1. Insists that God is just - Job’s troubles indicate his wickedness - uses an old proverb - 8:6 “If you were pure and upright, Surely now He would awake for you, And prosper your rightful dwelling place.” 2. Job’s reply [ Job 9 & 10] – Job 9:22 - He says God sends punishment on the wicked and the righteous

I. First Series of Controversy Job 4-14 Zophar: [11] Condemns Job for declaring his innocence. Job: [12-14] Job replies severely and asks them to leave him alone. Job 13:15 Job 14:1 C. Zophar’s first speech - Blunt - Job 11 1. Condemns Job for declaring his innocence, brutally says it is less than he deserves. - 11:6 “Know therefore that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.” 2. Job’s reply [Job. 12-14] Job replies severely and sarcastically, asks them to leave him alone a. 13:15 “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” b. 14:1 “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.”

II. Second Series of Controversy Job 15-21 Eliphaz: [15] Accuses Job of vanity, saying no man is innocent. Job: [16-17] Job complains of their unjust reproaches. 16:2 “miserable comforters” II. SECOND SERIES OF CONTROVERSY - Job 15-21 A. Eliphaz’s 2nd speech - Job. 15 1. Accuses Job of vanity, saying no man is innocent 2. Job’s reply [Job 16-17] Job complains of their unjust reproaches - a. He calls them “Miserable comforters” in Job 16:2 “I have heard many such things; Miserable comforters are you all!” b. His eyes are red with crying - Job 16:16 “My face is red with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;”

II. Second Series of Controversy Job 15-21 Bildad: [18] Assumes Job’s wickedness and tells of doom of the wicked. Job: [19] Job appeals to the pity and generosity of his friends. B. Bildad’s 2nd speech - Job 18 1. Assume’s Job’s wickedness and tries to frighten Job by telling the awful doom of the wicked - 18:5 “The light of the wicked indeed goes out, And the flame of his fire does not shine.” 2. Job’s Reply [Job 19] Job appeals to the pity and generosity of his friends. Job 19:25 He makes the claim that “I know that my redeemer lives.” “I know that my Redeemer lives” Job. 19:25

II. Second Series of Controversy Job 15-21 Zophar: [20] Sets out the deplorable fate in store for the wicked. Job: [21] Job replies by saying that many wicked people are prosperous. C. Zophar’s 2nd speech - Job 20 1. He sets out the deplorable fate in store for the wicked. 2. Job’s reply [Job 21] replies by saying many wicked people are prosperous 2. Job 21:7-9 “Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power? Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.”

III. Third Series of Controversy Job 22-31 Eliphaz: [22] He tells Job that he is wicked and treats the poor cruelly. Job: [23-24] Job says that he has obeyed the commands of God III. THIRD SERIES OF CONTROVERSY Job 22 - 31 A. Eliphaz’s 3rd speech - Job 22 1. He tells Job that he is wicked - says that Job treats the poor cruelly - 22:6-7 “For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason, And stripped the naked of their clothing. You have not given the weary water to drink, And you have withheld bread from the hungry.” 2. Job’s reply [ Job. 23-24] Job says he has obeyed the commands of God

III. Third Series of Controversy Job 22-31 Bildad: [25] He says no man is without sin and this is the reason Job is suffering. Job: [26-31] Job gives a long reply giving a survey of his life and denies that he oppressed the poor. B. Bildad’s 3rd speech - Job 25 1. A short speech saying no man is without sin and that this is the reason Job is suffering - only six verses - 25:4 “How then can man be righteous before God? Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman?” 2. Job’s reply [Job 26-31] a. Job gives a lengthy reply giving a general survey of his life, telling how he had lived - 29:12-14 “Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper. The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.” b. He firmly denies he had oppressed the poor but affirms that he has helped all who needed any help 3. This last speech silenced his three friends. They had nothing further to say to Job

IV. Elihu’s Judgment of why Job was suffering Job 32-37 Accused Job of justifying himself instead of God. Said that God sends afflictions for a purpose. Elihu A. This man was there and heard all the speeches 1. He was much younger so he waited until the others finished 2. He gave four lengthy speeches in chapter 32-37 B. His message to Job 1. He condemned the three friends for not answering correctly 2. Accused Job of justifying himself instead of God 3. Pointed out that God sends afflictions for a wise purpose 4. Describes God and how great He is. 5. His main point was that suffering was to keep us from sinning, not punishment for sinning. 6. This was the difference between Elihu and Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar who argued that Job was punished for his sins. Suffering was to keep us from sin, not punishment for sinning

V. The Mistakes of Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu First three thought all suffering was sent as punishment for sins Job 4:7 John 9:1-2 Stephen – Acts 7:59 Paul – 2 Cor. 12:7 Jesus suffered ~ never sinned V. THE MISTAKES OF ELIPHAZ, BILDAD, ZOPHAR AND ELIHU A. Jobs first three friends made a mistake 1. They thought that all suffering is sent as a punishment for our sins. 2. Job 4:7 “whoever perished being innocent.” 3. The Jesus’ disciples also thought suffering was the result of sin in our life - John 9:1-2 “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And His disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” (Neither) 4. God allowed Stephen to be stoned - Acts 7:59 5. God allowed Paul to have a thorn in the flesh - 2 Cor. 12:7 6. Jesus knew suffering, and he never sinned

Many times we suffer because Of our sins. But every time we suffer it does not mean we have sinned ! God said that Job was blameless and upright. Sin was not the reason for his suffering. 1. Many times we suffer now on this earth because of our sins (consequences), but every time we suffer it does not mean we have sinned ! 2. God said Job was blameless and upright. Sin was not the reason for his suffering!!

Elihu thought suffering was Sent to keep us from sinning Not the complete truth (Heb. 12:6) Some suffer because of sin If this was true then God would cause all to suffer so that we would not sin. B. Elihu thought that suffering was sent to keep men from sinning. 1. This has a certain amount of truth in it, but it is not the complete truth as to why God allows suffering. 2. Heb. 12:6-7 “FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS, AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES." If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” 3. Some people suffer because they have sinned. 4. If suffering was sent to keep men from sinning, then God would cause all of us to suffer so we would not sin. 5. If he only picked out certain ones, then God would be a respecter of persons.

VI. God’s Explanation Job 38-41 Speaks out of a whirlwind Smallness of man Series of 60 questions to reveal that He was the Creator. VI. GOD’S EXPLANATION - Job 38 -41 A. God speaks out of a whirlwind 1. He talked about the smallness and helplessness of man 2. He asked a series of 60 questions to reveal to Job that He was God the Creator, and Job was merely a man a. He talks about the marvels of the world b. Also tells about the marvels of animals c. And then He reveals the mighty power that He has B. The message of God is that men with their limited knowledge ought not to expect to understand all the mysteries of God’s creation. Man with his limited knowledge ought not to expect to understand all the mysteries of creation.

VII. Restoration of Job Job 42 Job repents and bows down Friends are severely reproved Restored to his former state Substance is doubled More Children VII. RESTORATION OF JOB - Job 42 A. Job repents and bows down to God 1. His friends are severely reproved 2. Job prays for them and his prayer is accepted 3. Job is restored to his former state of prosperity and his substance is doubled a. 14,000 sheep = 7,000 b. 6,000 camels = 3,000 c. 1,000 yoke of oxen = 500 d. 1,000 female donkeys = 500 4. He also had seven sons and three daughters

Why did Job Repent ? Accused of sin – Job knew he had not sinned. Did not understand. God humbles Job In the presence of God Job seems vile and wicked. B. Why did Job repent in dust and ashes ? 1. His friends accused him of sin, since he was suffering; but Job knew he had not sinned, and could not understand how God could punish him so much. 2. God appears and humbles Job and gives Job an education 3. In the presence of God - Job seems vile and wicked. His inward impurity was shown and he realized he was not perfect. 4. Sunlight shining through a room will bring out particles of dust which we didn’t even know were present. They were there but there was no way for us to see them until the light appeared. 5. Job was righteous, but nothing in comparison to the glorious God, so he repented!

“Job died being old and full of days” Job. 42:17 Seen life in all of its varieties Knew worst and best of human life Afflicted in property, family, body and soul. “Yet he sinned not nor charged God foolishly.” Job. 1:22 C. “Job died being old and full of days” Job 42:17 1. He had seen life in all of its varieties 2. He had risen higher than all the men of the East 3. He had sun lower in affliction, poverty and distress than any other human being before or after. 4. He knew the worst and the best of human life 5. He was afflicted in: a. Property b. Family c. Body d. Soul 6. “Yet he sinned not nor charged God foolishly.” Job. 1:22

We must learn to feel grief We can live on in spite of losses Lessons from Job We must learn to feel grief We can live on in spite of losses In this world no ultimate reward or punishment God’s ways are beyond our understanding CONCLUSION 1. Lessons from Job a. We must learn to feel grief i. Sorrow has its use in our life - Heb. 12:5 “MY SON, DO NOT DESPISE THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD, NOR BE DISCOURAGED WHEN YOU ARE REBUKED BY HIM” ii. Jesus wept - John 11:35 iii. Jesus told the women of Jerusalem to weep for themselves and their children - Luke 23:28 b. We can live on in spite of our losses i. Our possessions are transient ii. Learn while you are young, that nothing is necessary but Christ. c. In this world, neither are the wicked ultimately punished, or the righteous ultimately rewarded. d. The righteous, though oppressed with sufferings and heartaches, can never be forgotten by Him who made us. e. God’s ways are beyond our understanding f. The Godly are allowed to suffer that they may see themselves, and the glory of God

Key word is TRIED “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 2. The key word in Job is “TRIED”. Job 23:10 “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Basic Lesson Job by patient endurance, in the end comes to see God and is abundantly rewarded. 1. The basic lesson is that Job by patient endurance, in the end comes to see God and is abundantly rewarded with greater prosperity and blessedness than he had at the first.

Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” 4. Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” a. Can you be described like this? b. You may be in prosperity and good health right now c. But what if poverty and affliction comes to you? d. Will you come through as pure as gold e. You can only if you are a faithful Christian.

A STUDY OF JOB From Prosperity to Poverty to Prosperity Job was a righteous man who went from prosperity to poverty and then back to prosperity.

GOD’S SIMPLE PLAN FOR SALVATION Rev. 2:10 1 PET. 3:21 baptism JN. 12:42 confess LK. 13:3 UNTIL DEATH OBEDIENT repent JN. 6:29 believe ACTS 3:22 hear