Good Job! By Jon W. Quinn
Reprinted from The Expository Files (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4051/)
He was a good man, known for his loyalty to God, his endurance
and patience. Yes, Job was a good man, and from that we get the
title of this article.
The New Testament uses Job as an example of patience in the
midst of turmoil and horrible tragedy as well as victory after
the struggle. Christians are urged to also be patient when times
are filled with trial and loss and wait until the Lord comes.
His coming is always potentially at hand, and our being with Him
is only a breath away. If we endure, even unto death, we shall
rejoice. James writes, "Be patient, therefore, brethren,
until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the
precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it
gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen
your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain,
brethren, against one another, that you yourselves may not be
judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. As an
example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets
who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we count those blessed
who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen
the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion
and is merciful." (James 5:7-11).
When Did Job Live?
The historical references in the Book of Job seem to suggest Job
was a faithful man of God who lived sometime between Noah and
Moses, making Job a product of the Patriarchal age. First, there
are no allusions to the Law of Moses in the book. This seems to
suggest that he lived before the Law. Second, Eliphaz refers to
a flood that swept away the wicked (22:16). This very likely would
refer to the flood of Noah, which had already occurred. Third,
as faithful patriarchs did, Job functioned as the spiritual head
of his family and offered sacrifice as a priest in their behalf
(1:5). Finally, Job's life span fit with the later patriarchs
(such as Abraham) by living 140 more years after the events of
the book (42:16).
Some Lessons of the Book
The book of Job contains many lessons that are applicable to the
human experience. Some chief points:
1. God is great. He deserves our praise, devotion and loyalty
regardless of present distresses. He deserves these things because
of His majesty as God, our Creator.
2. Questions about suffering are asked, but not all of them are
specifically answered. The lessons include points that man is
unable to fathom all the reasons behind suffering, pain and apparent
injustice. We must continue to trust God. Also, we learn that
suffering is not the result of personal sin, or at least not necessarily
so. In fact, the suffering of the righteous may well be a testing
or proving ground.
3. There perhaps is no better example of human patience and endurance
than Job; and the possibility of unlimited and unconditional human
loyalty to God.
The Personalities in the Book of Job
The personalities of the book include God, Satan, Job, Job's wife;
Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu. Most of the book is a series
of debates between Job and his friends. All have some good things
to say, but all are also misinformed and mistaken about some of
their conclusions. Eliphaz seems the most sympathetic, Bildad
is somewhat in between, and Zophar is one of those "with
friends like this, who needs enemies?" Elihu is a younger
man that speaks up at the end of the debate.
The Great Indictment
Job was a man of remarkable character (1:8). He was concerned
by his family's lack of spirituality as they gave themselves constantly
to parties. (1:4). Satan makes an accusation against Job, and
really all who seek to live righteously before God. The charge
is that neither Job (nor anyone else) serves God for nothing.
We have to be "bought". We have no true integrity. If
God blesses us we will worship Him, but if there are no blessings,
then forget it! Satan is pretty cynical about it, having himself
failed to keep his proper estate because of his own pride. He
insists that we can be no different than Satan himself. (1:9-11).
God permits a test. If God is right (and, of course, He is) then
the test will prove that we creatures who bear His image are able
to be truly devoted to God. They say, "Every man has his
price." Satan said it as well. But God says they are wrong!
Job proves it for himself and all of us.
In one day, Job suffers the loss of his oxen and donkeys, sheep
and camels, servants and his sons and daughters. Job's reaction
is a tremendous example of integrity (1:20-22). Disappointed,
Satan explains away his mistaken idea about Job by saying the
test was not severe enough. The Lord permits Satan to inflict
Job's health (2:7,8). Job's wife lacks or loses her faith and
Job reprimands her (2:9,10). Ironically, Job's wife reacts just
the way Satan had said Job would! This shows us that faith and
loyalty is always a choice, and we each can choose to go either
way.
When Job's three friends arrive. They are stunned at what they
find as they look upon Job (2:11-13).
The Great Debates
Job maintains his integrity throughout the book, in spite of the
fact that he is confused about why these awful things have happened
to him. He, and his friends, all are under the notion that good
things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people.
The friends insist that Job has sinned and needs to repent, and
Job insists that he hasn't, and cannot explain why, though righteous,
he is suffering so greatly. Job desires several things: he looks
forward to death (but never considers taking his own life). He
would also like an opportunity to address God face to face and
suggest a mistake has been made. A large part of the book consists
of points of argument between the friends and Job.
God Speaks
Job gets his wish: an audience with God. The Lord rebukes Job
for insinuating things about which he knows nothing. (38:1-2).
God then challenges Job to answer a few questions. God knows the
answers; does Job? (38:3). The questions are designed to remind
Job of God's power and wisdom. After this, God gives Job his opportunity
to speak, but by this time Job is no longer interested because
he is convinced he has said too much already (42:1-6). God blesses
and restores Job (42:12a; 16,17). We should understand that we
can be like Job and other heroes of faith. They were no different
than we are in that they chose what they would be and we choose
what we will be.
What will you choose?
Inconvenient Detours Versus Mission Focus by W. Frank Walton
(www.biblical-insights.org)
"'The Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.' And they went on to another village" (Luke 9:56 NASB).
Jesus was the Man with the mission. "When the days were approaching for His ascension, He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). Here He begins the "home stretch" to His appointment with destiny. Luke, the apostle Paul's traveling companion, presents unique material as a travelogue of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem. "The material from 9:51-18:14 is exclusive to Luke, though similar teachings on different occasions appear in the other Gospels" (Ryrie Study Bible).
Note that before Jesus' triumphant "ascension," there was the prior process of the journey. In heading to that place of infamous Jewish rejection, the Samaritans rejected His once-in-a-lifetime offer to visit their city (Lk 9:53). Had they not heard of this equal opportunity Savior, who reached out to the outcast Samaritans of Sychar (John 4)? No matter, prejudice blinded them against Jesus' band heading for the despised Jewish capital. James and John, those fiery "sons of thunder," were enraged and wanted to burn up those insulting Samaritans (v. 54). That'll teach 'em! However, Jesus rebuked their vengeful, murderous spirit (v. 55f NASB).
Jesus did not let an inconvenient detour along the journey upset Him. He kept His ultimate mission in focus. Allaying immediate frustration, He was flexible and made an adjustment for the detour, they simply "went on to another village."
Detours are part of our life's journey and happen especially at inconvenient times. Annoying potholes in the road of life appear unexpectedly, jarring us into reality about life's road hazards. It's unrealistic to always expect everything to go according to schedule.
Personal growth means developing the strength of character to not become flustered at frustrating circumstances. How we react to circumstances can powerfully affect our circumstances, for good or bad. Rage against it and be miserable. Be flexible and cope with it, and you will find serenity in our soul. You may not be able to change your inconvenient circumstance, but you can always change your attitude toward it. You are in charge of you. Find a way, not an excuse, to keep your cool and work around your detour.
Success is not because you never had any delays, but because you endeavored to keep moving forward by focusing on our ultimate mission (Lk 11:28, 12:31). Remember Jesus, who saw a frustrating detour in light in His life's overall mission. He kept focused in saving men's souls. Men weren't to be hurt but helped. In serving God, no matter what happens, we can say, "This too shall pass." Don't make a detour a prison that shackles your journey toward God. Even in frustrating circumstances, we can be like Jesus, find calm in our soul and keeping moving in our service to God. How we handle a detour can glorify God.
TODAY, I will learn to be flexible and cope with frustrating detours along the way in serving God.
RELATED VERSES FOR PRAYERFUL STUDY: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18; Romans 1:13; 15:22-25.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Buddy Payne will present three lessons on Creationism Vs Evolution
August 9-11, Thursday and Friday evening at 7:00 PM and Saturday
evening at 6:00 PM. Please make your plans to attend these lectures
and invite your friends and neighbors.
Web site: http://www.geocities.com/~cdillinger/cocbs/cocbshp.htm