Good morning,
The book of Job chronicles God’s testing of Job. We will look at two dialogs between God and Satan, their consequences, and Job’s response.
Does God tempt men? No. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:” (James 1:13) However, as we will see, God does allow Satan the ability to test believers.
…HAST THOU CONSIDERED MY SERVANT JOB…
“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?” (Job 1:8)
INTRODUCTION (READ Job 1:1-5)
1) God’s dialog with Satan (Job 1:6-12)
“ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.8 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?9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?10 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.11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.12 And theLord 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.”
God initiates the conversation (Job 1:7)
God speaks highly of Job (Job 1:8)
Satan’s response (Job 1:9-11)
God allows Satan to touch all that he has. Puts limits on Satan (Job 1:12)
Job loses everything (READ Job 1:13-19)
2) Job’s response to losing everything (Job 1:20-22)
“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.”
3) God’s dialog with Satan (Job 2:1-6)
“Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.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.3 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? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.6 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.”
God initiates the conversation (Job2:2)
God speaks highly of Job (Job 2:3)
Satan’s response (Job 2:4-5)
God allows Satan to touch his bone and his flesh. Puts limits on Satan (Job 2:6)
Job smote with boils (READ Job 2:7-8)
Job’s wife: Curse God and die (Job 2:9)
4) Job’s response (Job 2:10)
“But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”
CONCLUSION
God does test His children
The testing is for our growth
We choose to be bitter or better
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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