Job is often rightfully referred to as wisdom literature. However, I believe it to be important to realize that the contents of Job are not poetry, fictional, or a story that simply provides life lessons on suffering. The book of Job is a historical account of actual events that took place, probably around the time of Abraham. This is important. If Job is read with the mindset of it being anything but historical, many things are lost such as the answer to “who is the ‘sons of God’?” or “where has Satan historically resided?” or any number of conclusions can be made that simply don’t fit the lessons the book is trying to communicate to its audience. So, with that in mind, I read through the book of Job this morning and was confronted with a few truths that I believe to be amazing…
Even with Satan roaming the earth, he is not free to do as he pleases.
As we see in chapter 1, Satan came before the Lord, which is mind blowing in itself for so many reasons. However, whenever he came before God, he was questioned as to what he had been doing. His answer was simple, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.”[1] Satan did have the freedom to roam the earth. However, as can be seen later in the chapter, God had to allow him to “mess with” Job. God set boundaries and limitations in this endeavor. Satan did not command this task but was allowed to partake in it with certain limitations.
The blameless are not free from tragedy.
It’s interesting how often I find myself thinking nothing bad could happen to me. I know bad things happen, and I’ve experienced plenty of it, but I don’t always live as if it were true. Often the thought is that God loves me too much for this or that to happen. God would never allow tragedy to strike me…sounds pretty arrogant now that I write it. The truth of the matter is that Job was blameless[2] in the sight of the Lord yet an unfathomable tragedy struck him. He lost everything.
Not all of my tragedy is a result of my sin.
Throughout the book, Job has three “friends” who come to “comfort” him. Much of the conversation is the “friends” trying to convince him that he needs to repent of some sin that he has committed. According to them, God does not bring tragedy on the blameless. Their argument is this:
- God does not allow tragedy for the blameless.
- Job has tragedy in his life.
- Job is not blameless.
The problem is that premise 1 is not true. God did allow tragedy to strike Job, and he was blameless. It’s somewhat funny how often I convince myself that I must have done something wrong because God would not allow me to go through this hardship if I weren’t guilty of some sin. It’s a legalistic way of thinking. Now, let me be clear, sin does come with consequences and hardships. However, your sin is not always the cause of your hardship. This point could be talked about for ages, but it’s a truth that is life changing.
An accurate understanding of God will lead to man’s humility.
What I believe to be a main point of Job is that an accurate understanding of God will bring the proud low. Throughout the entire book, both Job and his friends spoke of God as those who are proud. Job spoke as if he would approach God and make his case. Job’s friends spoke as if they knew all about God. God spoke as the perfect, almighty creator who was speaking to His creation. The result? Job was humbled. Take these two passages for instance:
Before Job hears from God: “But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue with God.” Job 13:3
After Job hears from God: “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6
This last statement was made after God revealed Himself in a clearer picture to Job. God Almighty spoke to Job, and Job repented in humility. An accurate understanding of God will lead to man’s humility.
[1] All Scripture will be quoted from the NASB unless otherwise noted.
[2] Job 1:8
