Plot Twists: Job

November 24, 2024 | Mark Johnson

Job 1:1-5

The book of Job is a difficult book to understand.

First Difficulty in Understanding Job

• The starting and ending of Job is written in prose.
• Beginning with chapter 3 until the last 9 verses of the book, it is written in poetry.

Job is not only wealthy, but he is a righteous person.

Job is described by God as blameless and upright.

Job was a God-pleasing man.

Even with all of this, a day comes and plot twists.

Job 1:6-12

It is important to note that we all have a hedge built around us.

Here is the hard truth: God sometimes lowers that hedge and sometimes we step out from behind that hedge.

It takes a careful examination of your life to know which is which.

With the hedge down, all of Job’s possessions are taken or destroyed and his children are all killed.

One day all is well. Sleep is restful. Everything is good. Then it all changes.

What does a person do? How do you respond? How deep is your heart?

Job 1:20-22

Sometimes, when things seem as bad as they can get, they get worse.

It’s another day in heaven and Satan, the accuser, shows up.

Something to remember is that greatness is revealed in the testing.

As Satan afflicts Job, his wife says to him “Give up. It’s too much. Curse God and die.”

Job’s response, found inJob 2:10, is startling.

Second Difficulty in Understanding Job

Trials and sickness are not a sure sign of the judgment of God.

To understand the book of Job, you must remember that God has deemed him blameless and upright.

John 9:1-3

As Job’s three friends come to comfort him, we can see some warnings.

• Be careful when you begin to speak to someone in trial.
• When in the midst of trials, remember all the advice you receive may not be good advice.
• In trials, be careful not to put God in question.

Job wanted to know why this happened. There are two ways to ask:

• Why are You doing this to me?
• Why do You want me here?

If you read the book of Job carefully, the reader is told why.  However, in his lifetime, Job was never told why.

Finally, beginning in Chapter 38, God begins to speak.

Job 38:1-3; Job 40:1-5; Job 40:6-8; Job 42:1-6; Job 42:10

We have a promise as well.Romans 8:28

Three Lessons

1. There is a hedge around you. You can step out from that hedge or God may allow the hedge to be lifted. Pray for deliverance and live through it for His glory. We belong to Him.
2. Some rewards come on earth, while others come in Heaven. Trust God in all things. God’s eternal narrative cannot be changed by the enemy.
3. God is all-knowing and totally in charge.

Romans: 8:18; Romans 8:35-39