Lessons To Learn From The Book Of Job
Feature 2 – October 2024 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Lessons We Need To Learn From The Book Of Job
Possibly the oldest book in the Bible, Job may have been written around the time of Moses. Many books have been written about Job; one in my library has around 500 pages. I remember someone who started reading the Bible, looked at the index, and then decided to begin with Job because of its short title. However, Job is not the easiest Bible book to read, and it is even harder to understand.
In most Hebrew manuscripts, the name Job occurs 56 (7x8) times in the book that carries his name, and twice in Ezekiel (14:14,20). This last passage places Job in the company of Noah and Daniel, names that respectively mean “rest” and “God is my judge.” Whether it concerns Noah’s days before God’s worldwide judgment of the flood (Gen. 6–8), or the days of Daniel and the Babylonian captivity (Dan. 1), the Scriptures show God’s full control, while never setting aside human responsibility. God’s Word also shows His faithfulness to His creation and to His people, wherever they are or whatever they need, despite their failures.
The Book of Job describes the Lord speaking to Satan, referring to Job as “My servant.” This expression associates Job with Moses, who is honored with the same title (Mal. 4:4). It is also used of the Messiah, called “My servant the Branch” (Zech. 3:8 NASB95).
James highlights Job’s patient endurance and “that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful” (Jas. 5:11). God’s Word describes Job’s patience as an example for all the believers, even those who will believe during the trials of the coming great tribulation (Mt. 24:15-30).
Several Important Details
Job 1:1 gives some important information to us: “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Let’s consider a number of points from this verse:
- The first words of this verse introduce Job as being “a man.” In our present society there is much discussion about this matter, but Scripture is very clear about it (consider Gen. 1–2). We should not feel ashamed to confirm being either a man or a woman, for no other options exist.
- Job was living in the land of Uz, a region that later belonged to Edom (Lam. 4:21). Uz is mentioned for the first time in Genesis 10:23, included in a list of 70 nations that existed in the days of Abram. Interestingly, those nations will play a role in the prophetic events detailed throughout God’s Word.
- Job’s name probably means “a cry of woe” or “he will cry.” If we accept this meaning we can say that it reflects a feature common to every human being from the moment he is born. However, the book of Job shows how he learned to listen to God’s voice in his personal situation. Job’s experiences led him to see himself in God’s light (Job 42:1-6). After his transformation and restoration, Job became a blessing to his friends (vv.7-10) and even more so to his restored wife, with whom he had seven sons and three daughters besides their ten children who had died in the beginning of their trials. Job’s extended family responded beautifully to their restoration (vv.11).
- Of the four excellent qualities describing Job, the first one, “blameless,” occurs seven times in the book (1:1,8, 2:3, 8:20, 9:20,21,22 NKJV). The term, tam in Hebrew, literally means “complete.” It occurs the first time in Genesis 25:27, where it refers to Jacob and is translated as “plain” (KJV) or “peaceful” (NASB95). Depending on the context, it can also be translated as “whole,” “sound,” “orderly,” or “quiet.” In some cases, the Hebrew tam is part of compound words or names.
- The next quality that characterized Job is that he was “upright” or “straight,” from the Hebrew word yashar. It is the opposite of crooked. Being upright is often mentioned in relation to faithfulness in God’s service. This term emphasizes that Job was right, or just, in words and works. It is what God wants from His people after they hear His commands (see Ex. 15:26).
- The next brief phrase adds that Job was “fearing God.” This does not mean that Job was afraid of God but that he greatly respected and honored Him, desiring to obey Him because of his love of God. Those who fear the Lord belong, spiritually speaking, to the family of Jacob (Ps. 22:23-24), who was transformed through a remarkable work of God’s Spirit. This is not the case of everyone descending from Jacob (see Rom. 9:6), but it is true of those in whom a similar work of God has taken place or will take place in the future.
- Job’s fearing God implies that he was turning away from evil, whenever and in whatever way it presented itself. Job did not try to compromise. On the contrary, his love and godly fear led this patriarch to remove himself from evil.
The above points in Job are features that God likes to see in all believers,
Things That Happen Behind The Scenes And What Comes Next
The details concerning Job’s personal integrity are followed by a brief description of his ten children (Job 1:2), his possessions and many servants (v.3), and his seven sons feasting together and inviting their three sisters (v.4). Verse 5 describes Job’s integrity and piety, highlighting his concern and care for his children. What an example!
Satan is the accuser of the brethren, and he is very active (read Rev. 12). Job did not know what we now know through God’s Word about what took place behind the scenes, especially Satan’s activities and God’s permission to attack him (Job 1:6-12). Here we have another example of God’s control, putting clear limits on what He allows Satan to do. Verses 13-19 describe four attacks that Satan organized, resulting in Job losing his possessions and his ten children. Despite these unfathomable adversities, Job worshiped (v.20) and said that the LORD had given and taken away. Job concluded by saying, “Blessed be the name of the LORD” (v.21).
After these tragedies, God allowed Satan to attack Job’s health with a severe disease (2:1-8). This fifth and unfathomably severe attack is followed by a sixth, namely Job’s wife challenging him to “Curse God and die” (v.9). These attacks were tests God allowed, and they were followed by Job cursing the day of his birth (Job 3).
Before Job began to speak, we read about Job’s three friends who came to comfort him but were silent for seven days (2:11-13). I suggest that in them we have Job’s seventh trial, because despite their good intentions and many good words, we understand that it was more difficult for Job to deal with them than with what he experienced before. Ultimately, even those things were used by God to make them work together for Job’s good (consider Rom. 8:28). In the end, Job saw all things from God’s perspective and was able to praise God (Job 1:21, 42:1-6). Job confessed that he had uttered “things too wonderful” (v.3).
The first time this specific term is used in Scripture was in God’s question to Abraham, whether there is “anything too difficult” (Gen. 18:14), or literally “too wonderful,” for God. He is the God of wonders who works wonders even in judgment (Ex. 3:20) and with Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, for which Moses praised Him (15:11). God committed Himself to do wonders, marvels and miracles for the good of His people (34:10).
Going back to Job’s friends, we read that they had come to comfort him (Job 2:11-13). After seven days of waiting and then Job cursing the day of his birth, these friends mentioned many things that were true, but they did not do so in real communion with God. Instead, based on their own views, they evaluated what had happened to Job and came up with their solutions, whether from experience (Eliphaz), tradition (Bildad) or intuition (Zophar). They accused Job of having seriously sinned, which Job denied and refuted, for he was clinging to God his Redeemer (19:25) and maintaining that he was innocent. Job’s response caused his friends to attack him even more, whereas Job continued claiming to be innocent (Job 27). All this was spoken and recorded in a series of three rounds that each one of them completed.
Job then extolled many wonderful features of true wisdom, while giving credit to God (Job 28). However, Job did so with self-complacent boastings, being satisfied with himself (Job 29). We acknowledge that his qualities were excellent, even though he was complaining about his situation (Job 30). These complaints are understandable from a human perspective: where and how would we be in such a difficult situation as Job experienced? With obvious self-confidence, Job completed his words of self-defense with a review of his integrity, excellent qualities and admirable actions (Job 31). This review is not written to criticize Job but to consider the details that God’s Word shares with us for our learning (Rom. 15:4).
Job’s Friend Elihu Intervenes
After Job’s words ended (31:40), an unexpected turn came from a fourth friend, Elihu. He was younger than the three other friends and for that reason had not said anything yet. However, Elihu’s anger burned against Job, who saw himself as righteous when he justified himself before God (32:1-2). Elihu explained that he was also angry with the three friends because they had condemned Job without any valid reason (vv.3-5). Furthermore, Elihu justified God in His words and actions (32:11-22). This is a practical lesson for us all, namely, to realize that God is always right and, secondly, that we should carefully listen to others and wait before we speak.
Elihu asked Job to pay serious attention to what he had to say (33:1-7). He spoke with great respect about God’s greatness (33:12), who is the only One who does not have to give an account (v.13). Elihu had a sincere desire to see Job fully restored with God (vv.31-33), and his friends restored after they had falsely accused Job. As Elihu spoke, he confirmed that God is always right and that He cannot be unjust (34:10-15). He is in full control and knows everything, as He rightly deals with everything (vv.25-26).
In his fourth speech (Job 36) Elihu showed how great God is, who is sovereign, and that no one can teach as He does (vv.22-23). Finally, Elihu challenged Job to do three things: listen, stand still and consider the wonders of God (37:14). This verse implies challenges to all of us.
God’s Final Intervention
After the six chapters (Job 32–37) of Elihu’s four challenging speeches, our attention is drawn to God, speaking to Job in a whirlwind or tempest. God’s amazing greatness, and for us incomprehensible wisdom, are displayed in this vast universe and in the many miracles of nature (38:22–39:30). He challenged Job to contend with the Almighty (40:1-2), after which Job confessed his insignificance and that he would not contend with God anymore (vv.3-5).
God then spoke a second time to Job out of the windstorm (v.6). How solemn is His speaking; how majestic His power displayed in His universe, whether in its incomprehensible vastness or in its minutest details; amazing! We will forever adore Him as our great Creator-God (Rev. 4:11). In His second speech (Job 40:6-41:34), God challenged Job to get ready and speak to Him, after which God would continue (40:6-14). Then God gave Job details about the mighty behemoth that He has put on this earth (40:15-24), representing the first of the ways of God (v.19). After this, God challenged Job to consider whether he could control that mighty animal.* And what about the mighty leviathan, the king of the sea described by God in Job 41:1-34? No wonder Job confessed that these things were “too wonderful” (42:3). Job then repented in a very remarkable way (v.6).
Concluding Remarks
Let us consider the details provided in chapter 42. Job is brought to repentance, and he does so “in dust and ashes” (v.6). After this, God addressed Job’s three friends because they had not spoken rightly about Him as His servant Job had (v.7). God instructed them to present a sacrifice for themselves as well as for His servant Job so Job could pray for them (v.8). They acted accordingly and God accepted them as well as Job (v.9). This was a real turning point, and Job did pray for his friends (v.10).
The same verse tells us that God gave Job twice as many goods as he had before his tribulations started. After this important restoration, we read that all his brothers and sisters and acquaintances came to visit Job, and they comforted him, while giving him special presents (v.11). By way of conclusion, it is mentioned that the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning, as God gave Job double the number of animals compared with what he had before his tribulations (v.12).
God also gave Job seven sons and three daughters, which implies another double (v.13), with the understanding of the fundamental differences between animals and humans because human souls are eternal. Even though our bodies die, our souls are eternal, whereas animals entirely perish when they die. Job’s three daughters are mentioned with their names and described as being the most beautiful women. They also received an inheritance equal with their brothers (vv.14-15). Verse 16 tells us that Job lived 140 more years, like the days of Abraham and his family. Job saw his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – four generations (v.16). He died old and “full of days” (v.17).
Many lessons can be learned from Job’s story and the book: his faithfulness, honesty and commitment to his wife and family; his care for the poor; and above all, his honoring God from beginning to end. There were moments of doubt and even accusations against God, but Job persisted in his commitment to Him, despite pleas by his wife and friends to give up.
May we, today and until He comes, cling to the Lord Jesus in our weaknesses and shortcomings, because He is faithful and full of mercy. Furthermore, He has said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20).
ENDNOTE
* Some believe the behemoth to be a dinosaur or even Tyrannosaur Rex. Scientists who have researched this topic have found that these animals could weigh about 35 tons!
By Alfred Bouter
Job always clung to God, always looked up to God, but he said in effect, “I cannot find Him; He has shut me out, occupying me with this agony that I am passing through, so that I cannot get at Him. I know if I could only get there I should find goodness and mercy.” It was no doubt very inconsistent; but that is always the case with poor man when he is not in the presence of God. Job was living, for a man of faith, too much in the good opinion of other people as well as in his own good opinion. There is where he was quite wrong, and there is where Christ and Christianity puts us in our true place if we are faithful. We face a hostile world. We may even have to face fellow Christians, who, if they are not faithful, are mad against any people who are, because it rebukes themselves. These are things we have to bear, for it is suffering with Christ. That is what Christ suffered. What is the place of the Christian? He is not of the world. How far is he not of the world? Why, like Christ. What did Christ do with the world? Where did Christ ever contribute one iota to what the world likes and values? Christ appeared to be the most useless of men for the world. There never was a person more completely outside the world while passing through it. That is where the Christian is. —William Kelly, “Eleven Lectures On The Book Of Job” (adapted).