Job
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Job 1
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
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.
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.