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Reading Plan · Day 141

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Job 1-3

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About Job

The Book of Job was the first of the five books that made up the poetic section of the Old Testament. The other four Books were: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. The Book of Job was historical: a factual representation of events that actually took place. However, it was the beautiful words and sentences used that caused this book to be considered poetry. In the previous Book (Esther) we saw the effects of a "chess match" between God and Satan. In this book, we will see the causes of a "chess match" between God and Satan. Like the Book of Esther, this book also followed the classic storytelling method: 1. Introduction, 2. Conflict, and 3. Resolution.

Day 141 Read

Where You Stopped

Job 1

1There 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 turned away from evil.

1There 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.

Commentary · verse 1

Job was perfect. In the Bible, "perfect" meant "maximum profitability"...there was nothing more Job could have done. He feared God (cause) and turned away evil (effect). From the very first sentence, it was established that there was an actual man named Job who lived in a specific location, and he did not do anything evil. This was not a parable.

2And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

3His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the children of the east.

2And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

3His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

Commentary · verses 2-3

Job was the greatest of all men of the east. Uz was in the east, most likely in Edom.

4And his sons went and held a feast in the house of each one upon his day; and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and renounced God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

4And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

Commentary · verses 4-5

Job was so upright, he even offered sacrifices to cover his children. Again, there was no evidence that Job had done anything wrong.

6Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them.

6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

Commentary · verse 6

The "sons of God" (angels) presented themselves before God. Satan was with them. The Introduction portion of this story was complete. Next was the Conflict...

7And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

7And 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.

Commentary · verse 7

God asked Satan where he came from. Satan gave God a report that proved that Satan was not omnipresent. Satan can only be in one place at a time.

8And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil.

8And 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?

Commentary · verse 8

God asked Satan if he had considered Job. God Himself confirmed that Job was perfect, feared God, and turned away evil.

9Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

Commentary · verse 9

Satan's question essentially stated that Job feared God as an effect, not a cause. God stated Job was perfect because he feared God and the effects were that Job turned away from evil. What did Satan believe was the cause of Job fearing God?

10Hast not thou made a 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.

11But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face.

10Hast 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.

11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Commentary · verses 10-11

Job had a hedge protecting him. This was analogous to the Garden of Eden which also was a "hedge" according to the etymology. Adam was protected by God in the Garden of Eden, but it was his responsibility to "dress and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). In that verse, keep meant "watch, guard, shepherd." Adam didn't do that because the serpent made his way in and led Adam astray. Here, the implication was that Job also had protection from God, however, Job did "keep" his "hedge" and Satan didn't have a way to get to Job. Satan needed "help."

Commentary · verse 11

Satan said that if God took away Job's possessions (HAVE) that Job would renounce God to His Face.

Remember that point: Satan said Job would renounce God to His Face.

Here was the Conflict:

  • God believed Job was good and the effect was Job had possessions.
  • Satan believed Job had possessions and the effect was that he was good.

What was the Resolution?

12And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah.

12And 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.

Commentary · verse 12

God gave Satan power over all that Job had. He stated this in front of the angels, who may have also been involved in the hedge of protection around Job. If God had just stated He was Right, then the way (HOW) God handled this situation would have been wrong. God had to consider He was wrong. The only way to prove He was Right was to prove Satan was wrong. This is known as a "contrastive" perspective. It was used throughout the Bible by those who were led by God. Basically, God had to allow Satan's plan to fail so that He was proven Right. Notice, God did not say He was wrong. Notice also, Job had not done anything to deserve this punishment: Satan was the cause, God provided the "help" in order to remain Right and Just, and Job would experience the unjust effects.

Doctrines on this passage

13And it fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house, 14that there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them; 15and the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away: yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

18While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house; 19and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

13And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

14And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

15And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

18While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

19And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Commentary · verses 13-19

Job's possessions, his HAVE, were taken away. Notice, children were a possession, while his wife was not a possession. In some cultures, even today, wives are considered a possession. God does not consider a wife a possession.

20Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped; 21and he said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah.

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

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

21And 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.

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

Commentary · verses 20-22

Resolution: Satan was wrong. Not only did Job not renounce God, he did not sin and he worshipped God. Job still had not done anything wrong.

Where You Stopped

Job 2

1Again it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah.

1Again 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.

Commentary · verse 1

Introduction: The "sons of God" (angels) and Satan presented themselves before God, again.

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

3And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

2And 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.

3And 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.

Commentary · verses 2-3

God asked Satan if he had considered Job. This time, God added more to His description of Job: he still held fast to his integrity although Satan moved Him against Job to destroy him without cause. God was Right!

Huge point to remember: Job DID not cause his suffering.

Another point: Satan moved GOD TO destroy Job without cause.

Job 2:3 was a hard verse. Satan caused God to do this, so this was ultimately Satan's fault. God cannot initiate an injustice. Notice, Satan cannot make God wrong. God is Right and Just. God cannot act apart from His Nature because there were no causes within Him that were wrong and/or unjust. So, God can be made to respond, however, it will always be in a fashion that is Right and Just in the long term. There were several instances in the Bible where God did something He did not want to do and it was not wrong and not unjust. For example, 2 Kings 20 showed how God honored Hezekiah's prayer even though it was against God's Will.

4And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

5But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face.

4And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

5But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Commentary · verses 4-5

Satan said that if God struck Job's body in order to limit what he could DO, Job would renounce God to His Face.

Second Conflict:

  • God believed Job was good and the effect was Job did good things.
  • Satan believed Job was able to DO good things and the effect was Job acted good.

6And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life.

6And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

Commentary · verse 6

Resolution: Again, God allowed Satan to do his plan. God put all of Job into Satan's hands except for his "life". Life was "the ability to repair." Job still had the ability to repair. Life could not have meant "existence" because there would have been no way for Satan to be right if Job's existence was ended.

7So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

7So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

Commentary · verse 7

Satan struck Job with boils from his feet to his head. These boils would be on the upper layer of Job's skin. This skin was not really "alive." The upper layer of Job's skin would have eventually fallen off. Satan must not have been allowed to affect Job's brain or his internal organs because that would have been a better way to get Job to curse God to His Face.

8And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself therewith; and he sat among the ashes.

8And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

Commentary · verse 8

Job was in so much pain that he took a potsherd (shard of pottery) and scraped himself and sat down among the ashes. Job's ability to work, his DO, was taken away. He was in so much pain he was unable to DO anything but sit.

Doctrines on this passage

9Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? renounce God, and die.

9Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

Commentary · verse 9

Job's first test came from his wife. She told him to renounce God and die.

10But 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.

10But 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.

Commentary · verse 10

Second Resolution: Job called his wife "foolish" and in all of this he still did not sin with his lips. There are many teachers today who attempt to state Job deserved what happened. Those people are sadly misinterpreting the scriptures and by implication are calling God and the author of this story a liar. Remember, God and the author both stated that Job did not cause these two calamities.

11Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to bemoan him and to comfort him.

11Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.

Commentary · verse 11

Major Story Introduction: Job's three "friends" (Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar) set a time to meet with Job to mourn with him and comfort him.

12And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his robe, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.

12And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.

Commentary · verse 12

Job was so marred his friends did not recognize him.

13So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

13So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Commentary · verse 13

Job's grief was so great that his friends sat silent with him for seven days and nights.

Where You Stopped

Job 3

Commentary · verses 1-26

Everyone was created uniquely. I call this who you ARE. A person's ARE ought to be the cause of what they DO and what they HAVE.

The question everyone is asking themselves and each other is "Who are you?" The typical answers to this question sound something like this: mother, student, Christian, etc. Do these responses explain who you ARE? Or are they focused on what you DO and HAVE?

One of the tools needed to answer this question better is causality. The law of causality says that for every effect there is a cause. When applied to people, it translates as: what we ARE is a cause and the effect is what we DO. However, there is a second part to this cause-and-effect process that is equally important: what we DO is a cause, and the effect is what we HAVE.

The world tells us the opposite. The world tells us that what we HAVE will determine what we DO, and what we DO determines who we ARE. This is one of the equations behind advertising: "You need to HAVE this product so you can DO this thing and then people (or yourself) will believe you ARE a certain type of person." Think of any pickup truck commercial: "If you HAVE this truck, you can DO this job, and then BE (ARE) this type of man."

This worldview is extremely short-term because it is trying to take the shortcut of believing that effects prove causes. We see this when people mourn their lack of money or possessions because they are not able to be the person they were meant to be.

Job's DO and HAVE were now gone and all that was left was his ARE. For the rest of this story, we are looking at a man who was solely in his ARE...

1After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

1After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

Commentary · verse 1

Job cursed the day he was born. Job did not curse God.

2And Job answered and said: 3Let the day perish wherein I was born, And the night which said, There is a man-child conceived.

4Let that day be darkness; Let not God from above seek for it, Neither let the light shine upon it.

5Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own; Let a cloud dwell upon it; Let all that maketh black the day terrify it.

2And Job spake, and said,

3Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.

4Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.

5Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.

Commentary · verses 2-5

Remember, this was a man who was in an extreme amount of pain. Not only physically (which would have been terrible by itself) but also mental, emotional, and spiritual anguish! It was not wrong of Job to exclaim his affliction.

6As for that night, let thick darkness seize upon it: Let it not rejoice among the days of the year; Let it not come into the number of the months.

7Lo, let that night be barren; Let no joyful voice come therein.

8Let them curse it that curse the day, Who are ready to rouse up leviathan.

9Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark: Let it look for light, but have none; Neither let it behold the eyelids of the morning: 10Because it shut not up the doors of my mother’s womb, Nor hid trouble from mine eyes.

11Why died I not from the womb? Why did I not give up the ghost when my mother bare me?

12Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should suck?

6As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.

7Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.

8Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.

9Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:

10Because it shut not up the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.

11Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

12Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?

Commentary · verses 6-12

Major Story Conflict: Job began asking WHY. Job wanted understanding of WHY he received evil/destruction. This was the Conflict for the rest of this book.

13For now should I have lain down and been quiet; I should have slept; then had I been at rest, 14With kings and counsellors of the earth, Who built up waste places for themselves; 15Or with princes that had gold, Who filled their houses with silver: 16Or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been, As infants that never saw light.

17There the wicked cease from troubling; And there the weary are at rest.

18There the prisoners are at ease together; They hear not the voice of the taskmaster.

19The small and the great are there: And the servant is free from his master.

20Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, And life unto the bitter in soul; 21Who long for death, but it cometh not, And dig for it more than for hid treasures; 22Who rejoice exceedingly, And are glad, when they can find the grave?

23Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, And whom God hath hedged in?

13For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,

14With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;

15Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:

16Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.

17There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.

18There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.

19The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.

20Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

21Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

22Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

23Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?

Commentary · verses 13-23

Job struggled with this question: "Why are we given the ability to understand and then prevented from understanding?"

24For my sighing cometh before I eat, And my groanings are poured out like water.

25For the thing which I fear cometh upon me, And that which I am afraid of cometh unto me.

24For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.

25For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

Commentary · verses 24-25

Some teachers use verse 25 to state this as the reason why Job was destroyed, as if "he had sinned because he feared destruction." Again, God and the author said Job did not deserve the destruction, so these teachers are, by implication, calling God a liar. Second, "feared" in this verse meant "to be startled," like from an alarm. It would be like hearing a police siren, then getting into fear, and then finding out the police siren was for you. This siren/alarm that he heard came upon him. This "fear" happened after the destruction.

26I am not at ease, neither am I quiet, neither have I rest; But trouble cometh.

26I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

Commentary · verse 26

Job concluded his opening statement. Job asked why the destruction happened.

This day's reading covered the causes for Job's suffering (God handled a causal disagreement with Satan in a contrastive fashion) and Job's initial statement to his three comforters.

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