We are not jumping around randomly with our diversion to the book of Job. The best scholarship has determined that Job lived before Abram, so that’s where we’re going to read about him.
The book of Job is not placed in its chronological spot in the Bible, because it is not a history book as Genesis through Esther are. That doesn’t mean that its history is not historically accurate. The Bible’s history has been proven accurate by cross references with man’s historical accounts and by archaeology time and again. The accuracy of the Bible’s history accounts began to be questioned by man in the nineteenth century, as scholars of literature began studying the Bible as a piece of literature. That was occurring at the same time that the science of archaeology was beginning, and had yet to dig up much that would shed light on the questions of historicity of the Bible. These scholars questioned the accuracy of the Bible’s history because it told of people and places for which no other historical references existed. These so-called scholars then concluded that this history which was not corroborated by man’s accounts was false. Then archeologists began uncovering historical records that verified time and again the history recorded in the Bible. Archaeologists found cities that had been buried so long that they were forgotten, except by the Bible. We need to accept the truth of the Bible apart from man’s corroboration, but isn’t it rewarding to be given answers to the skeptics’ doubts? We need to be careful that we aren’t persuaded by man’s so-called wisdom to doubt the truth of God’s word. Man’s wisdom is as limited as his knowledge of history was, as the evidence lay buried and long-forgotten. There is still much that lies buried; the absence of the evidence should not diminish our faith. God rewards us when we come to Him in faith.
Job’s story has offered much comfort to suffering people throughout history. How good God is to give us this story, and the glimpse into events behind it that we could never witness otherwise. Although the book is primarily poetry, we don’t need to doubt the historical existence of Job and the fact of his suffering. Has anyone suffered like Job? If he can endure faithfully in suffering, so can we. Some things to note about Job:
He was, in God’s words, “a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil” (v. 1:8). God even reiterates that assessment of Job’s character in v. 2:3. It is important to remember throughout the book that Job is blameless in God’s sight. He remains blameless through the end of the book, which is also important to remember.
His first response was to bow to God’s sovereignty. Wow. What a model for us to follow when we are struck by catastrophe. His response to loss wasn’t due to his lack of care for what he lost. Rather, the background the book gives us tells us that Job cared for his children deeply. In the midst of that kind of pain, he submitted to God. He did not raise a fist to God’s face in rebellion. Lord, prepare each of us to respond to our own tragedies as did this lovely model You have given us.
He grieved. He was suffering cruelly, and he didn’t bottle it in!
He was suffering cruelly. Satan had no trouble with Job’s suffering; he simply wanted to use Job any way he could against God. Satan cares about you and me the same way. Understand what kind of enemy he is. He really doesn’t care about us; no, his passionate hatred is for God. We are merely the tools he uses to try to thwart God, and he picks us up and uses us any hurtful way he can, to hurt God. He wants to devour us, ruin us, hurt us – all in service to his hatred for God.
Satan could do nothing without God’s permission. Does that make God equally cruel, to allow Satan to harm Job? Hannah Whitall Smith used the picture of those hurtful trials coming from Satan through God’s hand: He stops some things, allows others. Why? Ultimately, only God knows, but we can submit to Him because His ways are higher than our ways (Is. 55:9) and because He is good. Anything He allows to come to us, He wants to use for our good (Romans 8:28). What good came to Job? Read the book, and see. One good thing that has come from Job’s story is that my soul has been fortified in the midst of my own suffering, by his example, as have countless other souls through the ages. The understanding and model this book gives us has proven to be a great help to God’s people.
Chapter 3 introduces us to ancient Hebrew poetry, of which few of us are fans. More about ancient poetry tomorrow.