Feared God and Shunned Evil

Text: Job 1; 42:1-6
12 January 2020

THE NAME OF JOB BY REPUTATION

1. Blameless   (Job 1:1a)

2. Upright   (Job 1:1b)

3. Feared God   (Job 1:1c)

4. Shunned evil   (Job 1:1d)   (Cf. Job 1:8)

THE FAITH OF JOB SEVERELY TESTED

1. The challenge of Satan

a) That Job feared God because he was so blessed   (Job 1:9-10)
b) The blessings of God
i) Hedge around Job
ii) The work of his hands
iii) Increase of wealth
c) If these blessings are withdrawn Job would curse God

2. The calamities that befell Job

a) Raid of the Sabeans
Loss of property and lives   (Job 1:13-15)
b) Calamity
Fire from heaven resulting in further losses   (Job 1:16)
c) Attack of the Chaldeans
Another loss sustained and servants killed   (Job 1:17)
d) Death of his children
7 sons and 3 daughters   (Job 1:2)
All were killed in a disastrous windstorm   (Job 1:18-19)

3. The reaction of Job

a) He mourned
b) He worshipped
c) He said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”   Job 1:21
d) Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong   (Job 1:22)

THE FAITH OF JOB SHAKEN

1. Four friends came to console Job

2. They ended up accusing him of sin and iniquity   (Job 3-37)

3. Job became:

a) Angry
b) Bitter

THE APPEARANCE OF THE LORD TO JOB

1. The LORD questioned the depth of Job’s knowledge and wisdom   (Job 38-41)

2. He showed Job his limitations

a) Knowledge
b) Understanding
c) Faith

THE FINAL WORD OF JOB

1. I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear   (Job 42:5a)

2. But now my eye sees You   (Job 42:5b)

3. Therefore I abhor myself   (John 42:6a)

4. And repent in dust and ashes   (Job 42:6b)

This is the true Fear of the LORD!