Heritage Reformed Baptist Mission
JOB
Chapter 1
Job:1-22
Introduction NOTE: “The instructions to be learned from the patience of Job, and from his trials, are as useful now, and as much needed as ever. We live under the same Providence, we have the same chastening Father, and there is the same need for correction unto righteousness.” - Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
I. THE PIETY AND PROSPERITY OF JOB - vv. 1-5 NOTE: The Hebrew word translated “cursed”, in normal usage, means “to bless”, “to kneel”. Cf. Genesis 47:10 where Jacob, as he was leaving Pharaoh’s presence, “blessed” him. Thus, the Hebrew word, when used in the negative sense of leaving, dismissing, is translated “to curse”. Cf. 1:11; 2:5; 2:9. See Job 3:1 where the normal Hebrew word “to curse” (“despise”, not necessarily using “curse” words) is used.
II. SATAN APPEARS BEFORE GOD (Hebrew = Jehovah) - vv. 6-12 NOTE: “God would not touch Job with His own hand, though Satan asks this ( v. 11, "thine"), but He allows the enemy to do so.” - JFB Commentary
III. DESTRUCTION OF JOB’S PROPERTY AND DEATH OF HIS CHILDREN - vv. 13-19 IV. THE PATIENCE AND PIETY OF JOB - vv. 20-22
NOTE: “Afflictions, when sanctified, humble good men, cause them to lie low in the dust, and bring them near to God, to the throne of his grace, and instead of arraigning his providence, and finding fault with his dealings, they adore his majesty, and celebrate his perfections.” - Dr. John Gill
NOTE: “We are to submit to trials, not because we see the reasons for them, nor yet as though they were matters of chance, but because God wills them, and has a right to send them, and has His own good reasons in sending them.” - JFB Commentary
A. Job, the man
1. Who he was = a real person - cf. Ezekiel 14:14; James 5:11
2. The human author of the book - cf. Job 19:23
3. Where he lived = the land of Uz, somewhere between Palestine and the Euphrates River north of the Arabian Desert
4. When he lived = probably soon after Abraham, around the time of Isaac - c. 1800 B.C.
B. Job, the book
1. Records the prosperity, afflictions, and restoration of Job, the man
2. Answers the question: “Why are the righteous afflicted?”
A. Perfect = integrity, sincerity, and consistency on the whole, in all relations of life - v. 1b - cf. Psalm 37:37
B. Feared God = from his heart; a holy, godly, reverential fear that kept him from evil - v. 1c
C. Eschewed evil = avoided; shunned - v. 1d - cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:22
D. Had a large family, the children of which met together to celebrate the brothers’ birthdays - vv. 2,4
E. Had an abundance of material possessions - animals, lands, servants - v. 3
F. Offered sacrifices for his children - v. 5
1. To which he bid (“sent and sanctified”) them to come - cf. Zephaniah 1:7
2. After they had completed the round of celebrations
3. In case they had “cursed”, i.e., left, dismissed God in the sense of failing to properly recognize Him in the midst of their celebrating as the provider of all they had
A. With the sons of God = angels - v. 6
B. From rapidly traversing the earth - v. 7
C. Hears God’s description of Job, which Satan already knows (v. 10) by observation - v. 8
D. Falsely accuses/slanders Job - vv. 9-11 - cf. Revelation 12:10
E. Receives permission from God to try Job - v. 12
1. Putting Job’s material/physical possessions in Satan’s power
2. Restricting Satan from harming Job’s person
3. Showing/proving Satan has no power to afflict men but what God gives him
A. Oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels, servants, sons and daughters in rapid succession on the same day
B. One servant escaped from each situation = Satan’s contrivance “to overwhelm Job, and leave him no time to recover from the rapid succession of calamities - ‘misfortunes seldom come single.’” - JFB Commentary
A. “Job arose” - upon hearing about his children - v. 20a
B. “Rent his mantle, and shaved his head” = expressions of deep grief - v. 20b
C. “Fell down upon the ground, and worshiped” = humbled himself and blessed God - 20c
D. “Naked . . .” - v. 21a - cf. 1 Timothy 6:7; Ecclesiastes 5:15
E. “Blessed be the name of the LORD” - v. 21b - cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
F. “Nor charged God foolishly” = spoke no hasty words against God - v. 22