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. 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 1:8-12)
Having most of our journey through the New Testament, we now turn our attention to one of the oldest books in the Bible. The events of Job are contemporary, and possibly earlier than Abraham. The understanding and worship of GOD is very patriarchal, just as it was for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even their children up to the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai with Moses. Much of what is relayed in this account is strange to us, but there is a lot of meaning, of hope, faith, and the power and authority of our GOD that we can study, and by faith, hear from GOD and understand.
This first look gives us an odd scene where the accuser of the brethren is allowed to come into GOD'S presence and during the discussion, he accuses Job of loving GOD for His blessings and all that GOD had given Him. GOD allows satan to take Job's possessions and family, but at this stage, he is not allowed to hurt Job, his health, or his life. GOD is still in control, and our adversary is on a leash when it comes to GOD'S people. As this account plays out, we shall explore Job's condition and lament, his friends and their not so helpful advice, and GOD'S declaration and pronouncements at the end.
For GOD'S people, those who are secure in the Lord through repentance and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, this account reveals that GOD may test us and our faith in Him, He may direct or allow events to come our way to conform us to the image of His dear Son, and when we are astray, He certainly will direct events to chastise His people that we turn to Him, in trust, repentance, and complete surrender to Him who is our Lord, our Creator, Redeemer, and King. GOD'S purpose for His children while we are here on this earth is to become more like Him as we do His will and accomplish His work, in but not of this broken and sinful world, as lights in the darkness until He is done with us and brings us to Himself.
Until that day, whether we go Home to be with the Lord, or the Lord returns for His own, the Church of GOD are to be about our Father's business, as ambassadors for the King, as members one of another, and as His witnesses testifying of our GOD. We are to take the Word of righteousness and reconciliation with us wherever He sends us to meet the needs of those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD guides and provides for His people, that others might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are to love one another as Christ has loved us and disciple one another that we might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord through His Word. We are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to this lost and dying world, and as we go, proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness of sin through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who hear and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
This first look gives us an odd scene where the accuser of the brethren is allowed to come into GOD'S presence and during the discussion, he accuses Job of loving GOD for His blessings and all that GOD had given Him. GOD allows satan to take Job's possessions and family, but at this stage, he is not allowed to hurt Job, his health, or his life. GOD is still in control, and our adversary is on a leash when it comes to GOD'S people. As this account plays out, we shall explore Job's condition and lament, his friends and their not so helpful advice, and GOD'S declaration and pronouncements at the end.
For GOD'S people, those who are secure in the Lord through repentance and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, this account reveals that GOD may test us and our faith in Him, He may direct or allow events to come our way to conform us to the image of His dear Son, and when we are astray, He certainly will direct events to chastise His people that we turn to Him, in trust, repentance, and complete surrender to Him who is our Lord, our Creator, Redeemer, and King. GOD'S purpose for His children while we are here on this earth is to become more like Him as we do His will and accomplish His work, in but not of this broken and sinful world, as lights in the darkness until He is done with us and brings us to Himself.
Until that day, whether we go Home to be with the Lord, or the Lord returns for His own, the Church of GOD are to be about our Father's business, as ambassadors for the King, as members one of another, and as His witnesses testifying of our GOD. We are to take the Word of righteousness and reconciliation with us wherever He sends us to meet the needs of those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD guides and provides for His people, that others might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are to love one another as Christ has loved us and disciple one another that we might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord through His Word. We are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to this lost and dying world, and as we go, proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness of sin through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who hear and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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