Christian Living
The book of Job is a 42-chapter Biblical account of a man who reverenced God and the calamities that befell him. Below I share a few thoughts and insights on this voluminous account. I trust that you’ll be inspired to deal with any present troubles in wisdom as we learn lessons from Job’s story.
Point #1: Job was a God-fearing man. God described Job as “blameless, upright, one who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8).
–Lesson 1: God knows those who are truly His.
Point #2: As God bragged about Job, the devil taunted that Job was only devoted to God because; God has put a protective hedge around him and his family, and blessed him beyond measure (Job 1:9-10).-Lesson 2: Being a God fearing person comes with blessings, but also attracts opposition and hatred.
Point #3: The devil dared God to take away Job’s protection and blessing and then see if Job wouldn’t curse Him (Job 1:11).
Lesson 3: when the enemy sends persistent and near overwhelming adversities to a God-fearing person, he aims to get that person to doubt their faith in God….to embrace unbelief.
Point #4: Contrary to popular belief, God didn’t cause Job’s calamities, the devil did…
Lesson 4 : The Lord didn’t give and take as it’s commonly quoted at funerals, No! The devil came to take what The Lord gave (Job 1:9-12)…selah!
Point #5: Job’s calamities didn’t come to him because of any specific wrongdoing. Yes he was a God-fearing person, but he wasn’t Perfect. Even Job’s friends posited reasons and some of his shortcomings for possibly being responsible for his calamities, but they all speculated wrongly. Because what we can see stated clearly in scripture is that the devil came after Job, his household and his blessing. I mean God already described Job as BLAMELESS AND UPRIGHT, what more can any man hold against him?
–Lesson 5 : People generally draw quick conclusions about why someone is going through a difficult situation, however, their judgement no matter how smart or sensible it sounds, may often be wrong. When we don’t understand what’s going on with people, we should just pray for them.
Point #6: And though the enemy aimed to pass Job through a trial; to get him to denounce God, however from God’s perspective, this was all a test. ‘What would My Servant Job do? How will he react? What will he say?
God’s reprimand to Job, shows clearly where he faulted him….”Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said; “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”. Job 38:1-2.
In other words God rebuked Job for speaking foolishly and ignorantly.
Lesson 6a: If Job knew who God really is, His true nature, He wouldn’t have judged God wrongly. What we say about God in times of trouble, is borne out of our knowledge of Him. It’s better to gain sufficient knowledge of God through His Word before trouble knocks.
–Lesson 6b: When we don’t understand why certain things happen to us, it’s better to trust God and keep quiet, or better still to proclaim our preferred experiences based on God’s Word and promises, better to proclaim God’s might in praise, than to speak foolishly, better to look up to God for help, for deliverance and restoration than to sulk in despair.
Point #7: In all, as we learn these lessons from Job’s story, I believe that God wanted Job to show that he Trusted Him absolutely, to show that he Knew God as Omnipotent, and to remain Humble (submitted to God) irrespective of his unpleasant experiences.
Lesson 7: How are you handling your adversities and unpleasant experiences? What are you saying? How are you responding to them? What’s your disposition towards them? Do you see God bringing a good end or have you lost hope?
Point #8: Finally, even though it was the enemy who caused Job’s calamities, it was God who took care of them all. Interestingly, the Bible carefully points out Job’s restoration by God happened after Job forgave and prayed his friends for their poor judgement of his troubles (Job 42:10). God restored to Job DOUBLE of everything he lost.
–Lesson 8: God will restore to the righteous what was lost, what the cankerworms have eaten( Joel 2:25). However walking in love, forgiving and embracing those who oppose, hurt or try to harm us, is necessary for experiencing full restoration.
Hope you learn some lessons from Job’s story to help you navigate life’s troubling times.
Shalom!
What we say about God in times of trouble is borne out of our knowledge of Him – lesson6a…. very profound
Absolutely
Job’s story is thought – provoking, instructive and a lesson for all believers. You have done a good exposition. However, kindly let me know if Job’s story is a real – life story or a fiction. Blessings!
Real life sir..
I believe it indeed did happen because when the enemy goes after someone, he goes all out.
Good insight and a reminder to draw closer to God at all times, but especially when we are tested by trials.
Absolutely
This story oftentimes makes me question some thoughts that sit in my heart, beckoning for answers. The WHYs, WHENs & HOWs!
Faithfulness in trials is key to growth and permanent victory over situations.
Job was a righteous man who suffered immense loss—his wealth, health, and family— a very tough combination by any stretch of imagination. The beauty and joy of this story is that Job did not curse God. Job lamented, questioned, and expressed his pain to God, showing that God welcomes our raw emotions and struggles. Yet did not!
His story teaches us to remain faithful to God even in adversity like you have highlighted. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you great insights
Insightful. The enemy stole but God restored fully.
Indeed
Thank you ✨️
I will gain the knowledge of God through His Word so that I am not completely lost when trouble comes.
And
When I don’t know or understand why certain things may happen to me, I will stay quiet if it’s too hard or I will proclaim God’s promises and I will endeavour to remember when God showed up for me
Thank you for these lessons ♥️
You’re welcome
You’re welcome ❤️