June 4, 2014

Today you should read: Job 1:1-12

Welcome to the book of Job. This book of the Bible will incite many questions in our hearts and minds as we explore the suffering of Job and the wisdom and sovereignty of God. As we engage this book, it might be helpful to know some of the major themes of Job. The introduction to the Book of Job at Bible.org lists what I believe are the major themes that we’ll discover.

1. To demonstrate that God is worthy of love apart from the blessings He provides.
2. To explain that God may allow suffering as a means to purify and strengthen a person in godliness.
3. To emphasize that man is unable to view life from God’s vast perspective.
4. To explore the justice of God who treats the righteous with suffering.
5. To demonstrate to the evil angels (Satan) that God’s practice of blessing the righteous is not a hindrance to the development of true righteousness.
6. To address Mankind’s wrestling with affliction which defies human explanation.

At the very heart of this book is the concept of “suffering,” but is it the overarching theme? In reading some commentaries about Job, my thinking was challenged with these thoughts from BibeStudyCourses.org: “The overarching theme of the Book of Job is providing the correct answer to the question, ‘Why should a man serve God?’ Or, to put it another way, ‘What is the motivation of true devotion?’ This theme is evident from the very outset of the book when Satan raises the question, “Does Job fear God for no reason?”

That leads to part of our passage today, particularly verses 6-12. Satan came on the scene from “roaming about on the earth.” The indication is that he was looking for a life to destroy. God asked if he had considered Job, who, we learn from verses 1 and 8, was a God-fearing, blameless, upright man.

Satan quickly responded in verses 9, “does Job fear God for nothing?” Verse 10 explains what Satan meant. Satan made the claim that the only reason Job is so faithful is because he has had it easy and been blessed by God.

Then in verse 11, Satan said that Job would curse God to His face if God would put His hand against Job. So, in verse 12, God basically said, “OK, Satan, Job is all yours.” God gave Satan permission to bring suffering to Job in order to demonstrate some major principles, namely the six themes that I listed above, but ultimately to show why God is worthy to serve and to show the true motivation of devotion to Him.

So, tune in and engage this book with us. My hope is that we’ll gain a new appreciation for the sovereignty of God and a stronger motivation to be devoted to Him regardless of our circumstances.

Posted: Rich Duffield

Author: Center Point Church

A multi-campus church in central Kentucky. Our mission is to take everyone we meet one step closer to becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ. View all posts by Center Point Church