Job 1-2 Devotional

Welcome

Welcome to the Job chapter one and two, edition of the Blogging Through the Bible series, where some special sisters commit to reading the Bible cover to cover, taking turns blogging as they (we) go!  We would delight for you to journey with us and share in the discussion by leaving a comment, or/and with a journal, maybe gathering a study partner or two or three and meeting to share answers to each devotional's questions.

You can see my partner bloggers in this endeavor, at:

Words From the Wheel by Stacey Lynn Wells

No Longer Lukewarm by Angela

Purposeful Motherhood by Tatiana (formerly The Musings of Mum)

Job Chapter One

Have you ever read the book of Job?  It's kind of hard to take.  It is full of mystery and tragedy, to me, but ALWAYS worth the study, and ALWAYS treasures to glean from time in the Word.

Let's get right down to it.  

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Job 1:1 King James Version (KJV)

1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

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Good and Blessed
There you have it!  Foundational knowledge for understanding this scenario.  Job is a GOOD man.  Read those words, "perfect and upright,"  God fearing,  and that word eschewed- it means  he avoids evil!

Job 1:2-5 tells about Job's tremendous wealth and prestige, and in modern language, the family customs of his children partying, and his sacrifices and prayers that follow in an effort to cover any sins that they (his children) may have committed even in their hearts. Job is a GOOD man and he  is greatly blessed.

Perfect model for the ideology that if you are a good person and live right, and have a right relationship with God, then you will have a peaches and cream life, and be blessed, right?  Do you read any such philosophy, ideology or theology in Job?  I urge you to carefully consider the realities set before us in the story of Job, if you believe the Bible to be true.

A Conference with God, about Job

King James Version says "sons of God," and New International Version translates it into "angels," and Satan, come before God. In the presence of angels, God and Satan have a discussion about Job. (Job 1:6-10)

No explanation given.  I am wondering why was Satan allowed in the presence of God.  (His ways are not my ways.  His ways are higher than my ways.)

Uh-oh, Bad Turn of Events

At the end of this discussion, God gives Satan permission to bother or strike down everything that Job has, but not his SELF.  Why I wonder. Did God give Satan permission to do this to teach Satan what faith and goodness is possible??  Just why? Perhaps because He knew that strength and patience would be produced by allowing hardship?

Doom Gloom, Still Humilty and Faith

And so Satan (not God, but Satan) causes one heartache or  terrible loss after another  for Job. (Job 1:13-19)

Job was broken, but did not turn on His God.  He remained in position of humility and faith.

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Job1:20-21

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

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Job Chapter 2

Another conversation between God and Satan takes place, in the angels' presence, and at the end of this, Satan has permission to even harm Job's body. but also note:

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Job 2:2

2 And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

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Satan is roaming the earth in the meantime!!  (Job 2:2, and also previously Job 1:7)

 Job is stricken with sickness and illness, ridden with sores.  He sits among ashes and scrapes his skin with broken pottery (a treatment of the time, or a sign of anxiety and grief?) Anyway, his wife suggests that he curse God, but even at this weakest, after so much loss, grief, illness and heartache, NOT JOB.  He calls her foolish. (Job 2:7-10)

Then (verse 11-13) tell of three friends who leave their palaces to come visit and comfort Job.  At the sight of him from far away they were shocked....and saw that this situation was indeed so dire and tragic, that they had no words.  For three days all they did is sit beside him, oh besides weep and wail and join him with dust on their heads.

Oh I do hope you join our BTTB endeavor to join the study on what happens next...

Do you see why I used the words mystery and tragedy in the introduction paragraphs?  What do you find mysterious and tragic about these chapters?  I encourage you to read the chapters and reflect!  We would be delighted for you to share your thoughts in the comments.

Would your faith endure the losses and grief that Job endured?

How can we act to help build our faith strong so that we are able to endure such hardship?

Was it Job's sin that caused his hardship?

What else can we learn from these chapters?  What stands out to you?

Dear God, I want a pure, strong, and humble faith like Job.  I can not muster it on my own.  Your Holy Spirit please do the work in me so that no matter circumstances around me, I am humble and turned with an open and loving heart towards YOU.  Please help me to be a good friend and to be present to sit beside and love, as You lead.  In Jesus's name, amen

disclaimer:  My posts do not substitute for reading scripture.  They do not stand as complete summaries of the Bible or my own version or interpretation.  My BTTB posts are me sharing my thoughts, wishing to pique your interest or encourage discussion and involvement with His Word.