The book of Job is one of the five books of poetry in the OT (sometimes referred as books of wisdom), along with Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. In this two part study we will consider just a few very significant concepts within chapter one. Read chapter 1.
We learn from Job 1…
- THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING RIGHTEOUS
Job is described by inspiration in verse one as: “blameless and upright, a man who feared God and turned away from evil.” For inspiration to commend Job in this way shows the significance of being righteous. It is not our purpose to deeply explore the meanings of these terms at this time, as the basic thrust is simple to understand. But consider the following…
First, could this be said of us? Not by a member of the church or our spouse, but by God? Seek to be righteous in the sight of God. While we certainly have a responsibility to be who we ought to be in front of our fellow man, ultimately we are seeking to be righteous before God who sees into lives and our hearts. When we leave God’s perspective out of our view of righteousness, we can easily become like the Pharisees (see Mt. 6 and 23). Live, think, act, talk righteously before God.
Consider also that while in one sense we can only be counted righteous through Christ and His atoning sacrifice (see Rom. 3:20-21;1 Jn. 2:2), we need to beware of using this principle to dismiss a personal responsibility to live in righteousness (see Titus 2:12). In fact, notice how Peter ties together what has been done for us to be righteous, along with our own responsibility. He says in 1 Peter 2:24: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” The love and grace of God ought to drive us to living righteous lives and never be used as an excuse for sin and disobedience! (See Rom. 6.) Don’t underestimate your responsibility to be righteous!
We also learn from Job 1…
(2) THAT SATAN IS ON THE PROWL (1:7)
In verse seven the Lord asked Satan where he had been. Of course, God did not need to ask him, but seems to have done so for our benefit and learning. Satan responded saying, “From going to and fro on the earth” (v. 7). My thought is that he didn’t just go on a site-seeing tour. If that is the case, we ought to beware of living too casually as well!
This evil being is called “Satan.” Satan means “accuser or slanderer.” And in this very text he is desirous of accusing Job before God. He wants God to change His assessment of Job. Surely the devil was plotting this kind of evil as he went “to and fro on the earth” (v. 7). Surely he has not ceased!
It should not be overlooked that Satan targeted a righteous man. It is not our intent to deeply explore how Satan works today, but surely he continues seeking to use calamities and suffering to shake the faith of the faithful. Remember, the Bible warns again and again of the lies, deceitfulness and craftiness of Satan (see Jn. 8:44; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Thes. 2:9-10; 2 Cor. 11:3-4). In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Brethren, be on guard, the devil is always lurking. “Put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11).
Know this… Though the devil is seeking to accuse us before the Father, we can indeed live lives that please our Father. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
We will plan to finish this short, practical study of Job 1 next week.
Daren Schroeder
