Journey through the Old Testament Bible Survey of Job

Transcription

1 Journey through the Old Testament Bible Survey of Job Introduction: We now move into the five books of wisdom/poetry. The five books are: - Job - Psalms - Proverbs - Ecclesiastes - Song of Solomon. Job is considered the oldest book in the bible. Theme: Humanity s Faith in God s Sovereignty. We are made to ask ourselves, Do we have such a radical faith that we will cling to God even when all of our circumstances tell us to give up? Key Text: Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. (Job 19:23-25) Division of Book: 1. Faith In The Sovereignty Of God In The Face Of Chaos (Job 1-2) 2. Faith In The Sovereignty Of God In The Face Of Criticism (Job 3-37) 3. Faith In The Sovereignty Of God In The Face Of Correction. (Job 38-42) Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 1 of 5

2 1.0 Faith in the Sovereignty of God In The Face Of Chaos (Job 1-2) Job is wealthy relationally. Job is wealthy materially. Job is wealthy spiritually. 1.1 Why Is Satan In Heaven? To know the answer to that question we need to understand Satan s origins. o God created a beautiful angel. (Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14) The angels were created to reflect God s glory. o They were created hierarchically. One angel is appointed over them all as guardian of the cherub, for so I ordained you. (Ezekiel 28:14) o He is named the shining one or Lucifer. (Isaiah 14:12). o He was beautiful You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. (Ezekiel 28:12) o Pride wells up in Lucifer s heart. 13 You said in your heart, I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:13-14) o Satan wants to be like God. He wants to be independent from God and he wants the independence of God. o Satan leads a rebellion. His plot is discovered and he is thrown down from heaven. 1/3 of the angelic host follow Satan (Revelation 12:4) o His name is changed from Lucifer to Satan (meaning adversary of God) at this time. o Satan is called to heaven because he is an angel. He is a fallen angel, but he is still an angel. Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 2 of 5

3 1.2 Job Has Faith In God In Spite Of His Circumstances.. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. (Job 1:21) Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? (Job 2:10) 1.3 We Are Involved In a Spiritual Battle For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12) Our lives have an influence in the spiritual battle going on in the heavenly realms. Satan has been banished to earth. God creates humanity a little lower than the angels. (Psalm 8:5,6) God created humanity to be an answer to the angelic conflict, to demonstrate that he could more with less when less was dependent on him than he could with more when more was independent of him. Our faith has eternal ramifications in the midst of suffering. 2.0 Faith in the Sovereignty of God In The Face Of Criticism (Job 3-37) Job is victorious, but he doesn t get better. Why? It s a question Job asks. Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil. (Job 3:23) Job has four comforters. Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu all believe that Job is suffering because Job has sinned. There is some truth in what they say. But it is also foolish, because the world does not always work this way. Suffering cannot be explained as cause and effect as Job s four comforters suggest nor can it be explained as a series of random happenings saying that there is no moral, divine order that I need to submit too. It takes wisdom to understand to know which is applicable. Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 3 of 5

4 2.1 Three Lessons About Suffering: We don t need to be stoic about our suffering. We are to share our burdens with one another. (Galatians 6:2) Don t be resentful of hardship and suffering. (Hebrews 12:7-11) Don t be thinking that God owes you something. God is a God of grace and gives us all we have because of his grace, not because we have earned it. 2.2 Job Holds On To His Faith In The Face Of Criticism. Sometimes he is angry with his comforters, you are worthless physicians all of you! If only you would be altogether silent. For you, that would be wisdom. (Job 13:4) Sometimes he responds in anguish. I loathe my very life therefore I will give free reign to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul. (Job 10:1) But through it all he responds with assurance. (Job 31) Though he slay me, yet will I trust him. (Job 13:15) O that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. (Job 19:23-26) Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 4 of 5

5 3.0 Faith In The Face Of Conviction. (Job 38-41) God says to Job You don t know how to run the material universe, please don t assume that you can run the moral universe. 3.1 God Is Giving Job A Glimpse Of Himself. Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. (Job 42:3) My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. (Job 42:5) God never answer s Job s questions. Only God has the big picture. God does something much better than answer Job s question, he gives him a glimpse of himself. It is what we receive in Jesus Christ. 3.2 Jesus Is The Ultimate Innocent Sufferer. Jesus experiences utter hopelessness, the wrath of the universe, the wrath of God it all comes down on him. And he does it in order to put an end to evil and suffering without destroying you and me. He comes and pays for our sins. For Group Discussion: 1. Have you gone through a time of difficulty? What helped you to hold on to God during that time? 2. Pray together. For Personal Reflection: 1. Do you think God owes you something for your goodness? Has today s lesson changed that view? How? 2. Do you know someone who is going through a difficult time? How can you minister to them? How can you be God s representative to them today? Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 5 of 5