In this series I’ve preached five messages: A general survey of Job’s wisdom, Job’s greatest request, Job’s mistake, Job’s reputation, and Job’s disciplines. Five messages that shed light into the life and wisdom of this man God was so proud of that he bragged on him in the heavens.
Throughout the book of Job we see a number of disciplines which Job practiced that brought him favor with God. They will do the same for us. In spite of the afflictions that dominate the book of Job, we know from Job’s age in Ch. 42 that he lived the large majority of his life abundantly blessed. God blessed him because of these disciplines Job practiced. I mentioned four in my message:
1. Determined Faith, 2:10b
2. Discretion, 31:30
3. Self control, 31:1
4. Repentance, 42:6
A fifth discipline Job displayed that makes God proud of his servants is Intercessory prayer. Job displays this in both the beginning and the end of the book. In 42:10 Job prays for his friends, the same friends who had given him such poor advice and sinned in the process. God grants their forgiveness after Job prays. He also is seen praying for his children in 1:5 offering sacrifices for their sin.
How often do we just lift up our own laundry list of wants to God, but don’t have time to pray for others? God loves people. Are you blessed when someone prays for your child? Parent? Family? So also God is pleased when we show concern in prayer for members of his family. As well as those who need to join His family. That’s called Intercessory prayer. Praying for others. A discipline seen in Job’s life that God desires to also see in yours.
March 18, 2010
March 9, 2010
The Value of a Good Reputation
Job’s reputation is the first thing we are told about in chapter 1, verse 1. There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job, and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil. (NAS)
This reputation held true among men and angels, on earth as well as in heaven.
Four characteristics are described. Job was
1. Blameless, or morally right with God
2. Upright, or righteous in character. 29:12-13
3. Fearing God, 1:20-22
4. Turning from evil 29:17
Satan saw this same reputation and sought to destroy it. These characteristics were a threat to him. Satan was irritated by Job. I wonder how Satan see’s you? Are you a threat to his kingdom? Does your reputation irritate him? Is he scared of you? Or are you scared of him? Don’t fear Satan. Yes Job went through a grueling ordeal, but he whipped Satan through it! Satan ran from Job with his tail between his legs. Satan left Job alone for the next 140 years! That’s what I want, a reputation with Satan that he’s better off leaving me alone. THAT is a good reputation.
This reputation held true among men and angels, on earth as well as in heaven.
Four characteristics are described. Job was
1. Blameless, or morally right with God
2. Upright, or righteous in character. 29:12-13
3. Fearing God, 1:20-22
4. Turning from evil 29:17
Satan saw this same reputation and sought to destroy it. These characteristics were a threat to him. Satan was irritated by Job. I wonder how Satan see’s you? Are you a threat to his kingdom? Does your reputation irritate him? Is he scared of you? Or are you scared of him? Don’t fear Satan. Yes Job went through a grueling ordeal, but he whipped Satan through it! Satan ran from Job with his tail between his legs. Satan left Job alone for the next 140 years! That’s what I want, a reputation with Satan that he’s better off leaving me alone. THAT is a good reputation.
March 6, 2010
Job's Mistake
There are many in the book of Job who make mistakes. Clearly Satan makes a mistake by challenging God over Job’s faithfulness in the first place. What a fool! He’s been living that one down for over 4000 years now. I bet he was really angry when the Book of Job made it into the Bible! But among those confined to earth, there are many others in the book who make mistakes as well.
1. Job’s wife told Job to curse God and die. (2:9) Big mistake.
2. Job’s children did not share their father’s fear of God and chose the life of ‘eat, drink and be merry. (1:4) Huge mistake that cost them their lives.
3. Job’s friends condemned him as sinful when he was innocent (22:5) Massive mistake that provoked God’s anger.
But Job also made a mistake, although it was not the sinfulness his friends assumed. Job’s mistake was his presumptuous attitude before God. Seen clearly in 10:2, 13:3, 27:2 but best in 19:6 Know then that God has wronged me…(NAS) Pretty presumptuous to suggest such a thing about God.
God spoke to Job and called him to repent. Job being a righteous man immediately did, and upon his repentance was asked to pray for his friends who had accused him so wrongly. We have no indication in scripture that Job did anything but simply obey, but what a moment that must have been. Job endures more loss than any man in history including his children. Satan then steals his health, and as if to cast insult upon insult, his friends show up not to console, not to comfort or encourage, but to condemn him as an unrighteous sinner. How painful must that have been in light of all he has already suffered? Fast forward to chapter 42. Job is forgiven and praised, and his callous friends are the ones who must do exactly what they demanded of Job: repent in humility before God. Actually, Job was to act as their priest. They were to repent and sacrifice before Job, and Job had to pray for them for their forgiveness. What a humbling moment for the now demur friends and a transcendent moment for Job. I wonder if he hesitated? No hint of that in scripture. Job was a better man than that. And true to his character, Job dutifully interceded for his friends securing their forgiveness.
Sometimes we are called to pray for those who hurt us. It can be one of the greatest signs of our faithfulness if we obey. Job had deep wounds from these friends, but he faithfully interceded for them. Who might God be calling you to pray for?
1. Job’s wife told Job to curse God and die. (2:9) Big mistake.
2. Job’s children did not share their father’s fear of God and chose the life of ‘eat, drink and be merry. (1:4) Huge mistake that cost them their lives.
3. Job’s friends condemned him as sinful when he was innocent (22:5) Massive mistake that provoked God’s anger.
But Job also made a mistake, although it was not the sinfulness his friends assumed. Job’s mistake was his presumptuous attitude before God. Seen clearly in 10:2, 13:3, 27:2 but best in 19:6 Know then that God has wronged me…(NAS) Pretty presumptuous to suggest such a thing about God.
God spoke to Job and called him to repent. Job being a righteous man immediately did, and upon his repentance was asked to pray for his friends who had accused him so wrongly. We have no indication in scripture that Job did anything but simply obey, but what a moment that must have been. Job endures more loss than any man in history including his children. Satan then steals his health, and as if to cast insult upon insult, his friends show up not to console, not to comfort or encourage, but to condemn him as an unrighteous sinner. How painful must that have been in light of all he has already suffered? Fast forward to chapter 42. Job is forgiven and praised, and his callous friends are the ones who must do exactly what they demanded of Job: repent in humility before God. Actually, Job was to act as their priest. They were to repent and sacrifice before Job, and Job had to pray for them for their forgiveness. What a humbling moment for the now demur friends and a transcendent moment for Job. I wonder if he hesitated? No hint of that in scripture. Job was a better man than that. And true to his character, Job dutifully interceded for his friends securing their forgiveness.
Sometimes we are called to pray for those who hurt us. It can be one of the greatest signs of our faithfulness if we obey. Job had deep wounds from these friends, but he faithfully interceded for them. Who might God be calling you to pray for?
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