Lesson 7 - Job

Many people think that only the good come from God, the story of Job is proof that this is not the case.

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 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. (Job 2:3-6)

When Job had boils from head to foot, Job's wife said to him "dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die." Even though she said this, he didn't "sin with his lips."

In chapter 3, however, Job's tone changed. He cursed the day he was born. He wished for his death, he became what he despised. Even though his friends said he only had 6 troubles and that in seven there shall no evil touch thee, he still cursed his birth and wanted God to take him. Then Job said, "20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. 21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life. 22 This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destoryeth the perfect and the wicked" (9:20-22).
He continues to say:

• "9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? ... 16 With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his" (12: 9&16).
• "9 Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him? 10 He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons" (13:9-10).
• "9 He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me... 11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly and turned me over into the hands of the wicked" (16:9&11).
• "3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; 4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. 5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me" (27:3-5).

When God finally speaks, he is enraged, and rightfully so. He, in short is stating that Job, or anyone for that matter, does not truly know anything. "Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?" (39:1). "Knowest though the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?" (38:33).

Job then responded to the Lord by saying: "4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. 5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further" (40: 4-5).

This story ends, however, with Job saying " 2 I know that thou canst do everything and that no though can be withholden from thee. 3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (42: 2-3,5-6). The Lord then told Jobs friends that his wrath was kindled against them and that Job would have to pray for them as he would accept Jobs prayer. Job prayed for them and "the Lord also accepted Job" (42:9). After this, "the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before" (42:10).

Job's story tells me a lot of things. It tells me that:

1. God controls Satan and all the evil in the world. The deceived and the deceiver are his.
2. That even a man who God holds on a pedestal can fall into the hurt and pain that can surround him.
3. Even when we stumble, the breath of life is within us all.
4. We cannot even begin to comprehend that which God knows. Who are we to say we are better than the Almighty?
5. If we don't love the people we meet or if we mock them, who's to say that we did not just mock a messenger of God or God himself?
6. we can say to much when we are talking with God. "Thou protests to much"
7. Even when we curse him, or our birth, he will still be there to forgive us and to accept us once again. He is the only one that can give and take away. He can bless you or curse you. He is the first and the last.

"What I've Overcome" - Fireflight

I've got this passion, It's something I can't describe,It's so electric, It's like I've just come alive, I feel this freedom, Now that my past is erased, I feel the healing, I've found the meaning of grace(I found grace)

If only you come see me yesterday, Who I used to be before the change, You'd see a broken heart, You'd see the battle scars, Funny how words can't explain, How good it feels to finally break the chains, I'm not what I have done, I'm what I've overcome

I know I'll stumble, I know I'll still face defeat, These second chances will define me, So I'm moving forward, I'm standing on my two feet, I've got momentum, I've got someone saving me (got someone saving me)

If only you could see me yesterday, Who I used to be before the change, You'd see a broken heart,You'd see the battle scars, Funny how words can't explain, How good it finally feels to break the chains, I'm not what I have done, I'm what I've overcome

I make mistakes and I might fall, But I won't break, I've got someone saving me

If only you could see me yesterday, Who I used to be before the change, You'd see a broken heart, You'd see the battle scars, Funny how words can't explain, How good it feels to finally break the chains, I'm not what I have done, I'm what I've overcome, I'm what I've overcome, I'm what I've overcome.

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To know Jesus, you must know the scriptures; you must know the Old Testament.