Last week we discussed Job and all of his blessings we enter in to a scene change from Earth to Heaven, when the Lord and Satan are conversing.
We will look at Satans accusation and Gods challenge.
In heaven, Satan is the accuser.. On Earth he is the destroyer. The enemy of God and of good.
Where we are at now, Satan comes in making accusations against Job. Satan knows that Job is faultless, He’d just like to give a try-temptation.
READ JOB 1:8
My servant, Job… what an awesome title to be given from God.
Looking back at Job 1:3, comparing what God is saying about Job to what the author of this book declares about Job.
In verse 3 job considered the greatest in all of the east, which would say he was known far and wide, celebrity status.
Gods evaluation of Job is very impressive, God declares that he is blameless and upright. Yet to God, Job has no celebrity status. But Gods evaluation also says, he has no pride in his heart. ‘ no man like him ON EARTH’
Last week I ask each of you to think about this week, what you can change in your life to make you blameless. Did you think about that this week? Did you think about that factor keeping you from being ‘blameless’?
For god to refer to Job as no other man like him on earth.. can you imagine?
1:9…Satan starts his accusations….Does Job fear for nothing?
This is how we might would say it today… Look, God, talk about kid glove treatment. The man gets penthouse perks”
1 Peter 5:8
New International Version (NIV)
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
The accuser continues, vs 10 “have you not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has?
A hedge: a wall, surrounding; enclosure
Breaking this down the accuser is claiming divine favoritism.
-you’ve protected his body from illness
-protected his family from harm
-and you have protected his possessions from destruction
*he has it made on everyside. The divine wall around him.
Satan is saying, you’ve blessed him like no other, why wouldn’t he worship you.
{{can you see Satans persuasiveness}}
Vs11.-
Here is Satans prediction.. he is saying instead of treating him like an overindulged child, treat him like anybody else on earth, let him know what its like to suffer the death of a child, to lose all of his possessions, let all that hit him full force and youll see what he is made of.
The accuser, satan, is saying job is worshiping God because of what he gets out of it, not because the Lord is truly first in his life.
We can see satans persuasiveness, Satans personality here.
-He has intellect¬ because he is conversing with God.
-He has emotion because he is agnostic toward Job (remember agnostic is: A person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything)
-He wants to destroy Job in hopes of disgracing God.
Satan, the accuser has a clever plan, its also unfair. Job doesn’t deserve the mistreatment.
Satan can only accuse, he cant deny Jobs righteousness
Satans only motive is selfishness
Satan accuses God that the reason Job is prosperous and blessed is because nothing is allowed to come near him for injury.
Think about this, is this accusation true for you? Can you only exist in a pleasant environment? Is God afraid to let you see adversity?
Can one who knows and loves God renounce Him?
Even though he is known as the greatest of all the east he is the best of the best, he is a servant of God… none of this is impressing to Satan.
‘you wanna know what he is really made of, quit spoiling him, take all this overindulgent stuff and his protection down, take away his comfort and you will see..he will turn on you”
Vs 12
God will not permit this accusation to fall back on himself, and not back on Job either. Satan cannot strike at God – he is pleading with God.
If God hadn’t delieverd Job after this accusation how would it be glorifying to God?
Imagine the glory God receives when Job remains upright.
God Delights In His Beloved People and Their Righteous Ways
Although, Job is given over for temptation – God puts exclusions on it.
-not a hair on that childs head can fall without Gods permission.
What Satan is here is the unintentional instrument to accomplish Gods will – Satan can do NO MORE than he is allowed to do.
- This is a good point for us to remember when trials come against us we know that The Almighty is between us + our trial.
- They will work out for His own purposes of love.
- I Corinthians 10:13“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
- the word “temptation” means “temptation. ” For instance, God blocks the enemy from extending such an enticement to sin into our lives that it is too much for us to refuse it. In this verse, He further promises that when we are tempted to sin, He provides a way to resist and to escape.
Sometimes life delivers blows of a crushing nature and we stagger under the weight of the pressing load. At that point, we cast our burdens on Him (Jesus) for He cares for us. Jesus comforted His followers with these words,
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
If we exchange our burden for His yoke, the weight eases considerably, for He promises, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30
In times of trial we have to remain faithful to God, Obiediant to God so that he can bear our burden. If we try to do it ourself, we can possible fail the test or trial that is handed to us.
There are 4 principals that remain true from what we have went over so far, that are true to this day;
Principle One: There is an enemy, and we encounter we cant see.. but he is real.
-Our enemy is supernatural, and we encounter him or one of his adversaries regularly, he hopes that his deceptive strategy will play tricks on your mind and weak you and bring you down. Satans desire is to ruin your testimony regardless the cost he will ruin your life . Whether it be using your family against you, your kids against you, your husband against you, an illness. Whatever it takes to break you down, he will try.
Principle Two: There are trials we endure we do not deserve, but they are permitted.
-life includes trials that we don’t deserve, but they must be endured. Gods will is an unfathomable mystery to us, we can never explain or fully understand. We can’t try to grasp the each thread of His profound plan, if we do we can easily become confused and resentful and bitter, and if that happens Satan will have won the day. We have to ACCEPT IT. Endure that trial that has been permitted by God. Nothing touches your life that has not first been passed through the hands of God. He is in full control and because He is, He has the soverign right to permit trials we don’t deserve.
Priniciple Three: There is a plan we explore we will not understand, but it is best.
- Although each segment of our life may not be fair or pleasant, it works together for good. Our percpective is VERY limited. God has a panoramic view, we see only in the pinpoint of time. Gods big picture is at work, he doesn’t feel the need nor is he obligated to explain it to us, He is God. We have to rest in the realization, that He’s Got This.
Principle Four: There are consequences we experience, we could not anticipate but they are necessary.
- Where ever we find ourself today, I am sure that you have or are going through something that is unfair. Chances are you don’t deserve what is happening. The consequences may have started to get to you, you didn’t expect any of this. What has happened is a necessary part of your spiritual growth. Yes, necessary.
At this point in scripture, Satan departs from Gods prescense. But the story isn’t over. The more the story unfolds, the more you will realize that life is not only difficult, its unfair.
One thing we have to take in closing is that we can prepare and pay closer attention to the message all through this book. We have only seen a glimpse of how things started. Although in these times when God seems silent, and you find yourself wondering if he is there, He is. And He cares.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Job - Lesson 1 - Who was Job
The book of Job is a book that is a lot of times over looked by most, its seen as a book of suffering. This
Book and the study of Job himself is very useful to most of us today to help us understand that we are not alone in trials and times of suffering. It gives us a glimps of Gods perspective on our suffering. We are often overwhelmed by self pity, and want an explination for why god allows trials to happen to us.
The author of the book is not known for sure the consensus says Job himself wrote it, moses, or Soloman.
Geographically: Job is from UZ, Uz is not an existant city today. Noone knows the exact place where it was for sure it is believe to lie west of Babylon and East of Palestine (Saudi Arabia area). The country had fertile grazing lands, with desert near, and rock. The geographical location is pretty insignificant to our study in Job, the book plunges into narrative immediately.
We do know from biblical/historical records that the culture in UZ they believed in God, our Yaewah, God. We know this because later in the book Job had 3 friends visit and they had discussions about God.
The land of Uz had an agricultural ecomony, just as it did in Canaan with Abraham
If we could sum up the book of Job in 3 words it would probably be life is difficult.
Start by reading Job 1:1
Job was blameless which means without fault, innocent
Upright, this is describing his relationship with others. meaning upstanding, honest – straight forward, he handled his business dealings with integrity, keep his word, and dealt fairly with others, as a result he was respected by those around him. .. The word upright in Hebrew translates to mean straight.
He was blameless by humans this doesn’t mean sinless before God.
Romans 7:25 Paul knew what he was suppose to do and not suppose to do, Paul couldn’t go through life without sin and we cant either, 1john also tells us that if we say we are sinless, we are wrong. Therefore he wasn’t.
Psalm 101:6 “my eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land that they may dwell with me, he who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister me”
--feared God –
• Proverbs 111:10 & 9:10 tells us that he fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
• Proverbs 1:7 Beginning of knowledge
So this tells us that he was wise, and knowledgeable, he respected God.
Fearing God also tells us that Job had the right relationship with God and was motivated to turn away evil, or overcome temptation.
How can we today turn away from evil? this would mean not partaking in ungodly discissions or when that filth is on TV that is ungodly, you turn it off - Psalm 101:3 ‘ I will set no thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away it shall not fasten its grip on me’
Job reverenced god, God was His front and center.. just as he should be for us
READ 1:2
What does the #7 mean in scripture?
Completeness. 7 sons show us that Job was complete. Mideast during this time it was a sign of Gods blessing.
(we will discuss his children later on)
Read 1:3
Being that the Economy in Uz was an agricultural based economy, a persons wealth was shown by their livestock. Job was well to do. Today he would be equivelant to Bill Gates Donald Trump Oprah.. all in one.
Lets breakdown the riches, in todays time, US Currency.
7,000 sheep x $250.00 each = $1,750,000.00
--Jobs having sheep he probably sold wool and the sheep provided food for him
3,000 camels x $5000.00 each = $15,000,000.00
--Here locally I know they are rented for 1 night at $500.00
Jobs having such a large amount of camels tells us that it was kind of a trucking business, he probably ran caravans for hire as well as they were his personal mode of transportation.
500 yokes of oxen, it takes at least 2 oxen to make a yoke, so
1,000 oxen x $4000.00 each = $4,000,000.00
500 female donkies x $500.00 each = $250,000.00
Female donkies are worth more still today they are a pack mule if you want to call it that, back then they were worth more because they were the delicacy of the day – donkey milk.
Total Liquid assets in Livestock mentioned; $21,000,000. 21 million dollars.
So we have established that Job is very wealthy, he has 10 children.
Read vs 4.
Verse 4 being that the siblings are eating and drinking together, # they get along, #2 they are obviously grown, which means no diapers no toddlers going around. They were in a time of celebration. Job had it made. There was no one criticizing him because he was a good man, and there was nothing to criticize.
READ VS.5
By offering 10 burnt offerings for each of his children, that tells us that he had a deep concern for their hearts, concerned that they may have a bit of disobiediance in their hearts. Job was spiritually sensitive, not just with his own life but with his childrens. A praying father. A faithful man. He had concerns valid upstanding concerns for the hearts of his children.
Now verse 6, if this were a theatrical performance.. the curtains would close and there would be a pause. The entire scene changes. Verses 1-5 are full of Jobs blessings, good news, and a great life.
Read vs 6.
Job knows nothing about what is going on. Similar things happen in our life as well. When were not aware of it, God is carrying out a plan that would amaze us and occasionally, shock us. God is permitting things to get underway that we don’t know about that we don’t expect. Without Jobs knowledge, something is happening in the heavenlies.
Lets look at something here:
Verse 1:1 starts with ‘there was a man.
Now look at verse 1:6 ‘there was a day’
There was a man who lived on earth, there was a day in the throne room of God.
Between these verses we are taken from the familiar day to day life on earth , to the unfamiliar scene of God in heaven.
In verse 6, the sons of God came to present themselves .. who is this talking about?
-his angelic servants.. angels.. they came to present themselves before Him, to tell him what they have observed and get new orders. Some philosphers think that this was a band of angels that were protecting Job.
-why do you think they are referred to as sons of God?
In translations both Hebrew and greek the sons of God are Jehovahs messengers.
-He is THE FATHER TO THE SPIRITS, He is the Father to mankind as well however man is linked to the human body, where angelic beings arenot they have nothing to do with sin. In resurrection we.. Luke 20:36 “for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of resurrection”
Now, what do you think about Satan presenting before God?
- Satan can still have access to God, He walks the earth as well. However, Satan has went to God for permission. He is conversing with God.
- Revelation 12:7-12 tells us that Satan will be cast out of heaven and earth and bound to hell for 1000 years, then will be out for tribulation and then receive his eternal retribution.(rev 20:10)
This is such a picture of how great Gods patience are. He has tolerated Satans schemeing and even let him tempt our first parents adam and eve, then He is still on his accusing destroying path. To think that even Satan, must go before the throne of grace even before battering and torchering us.. we have a big soverign God.
The Hebrew text identifies, Satan in this verse HAA-SahTahn meaning ‘the satan’,
What does it mean? SahTahn is a Hebrew word, it’s a verb form word, meaning to be adversary, to resist. Therefore we get the accuser or adversary. Satan accuses Gods people day and night.
Satan is that little red devil with the pitchfork that we picture in our head. He is the most attractive brilliant powerful archangel that God ever created. HE hasn’t lost his brilliance, power or appealing beauty. Satan likes to work behind the scenes, because he is invisible, doesn’t mean he is not real. We will see in later scripture, he has personality. He is in constant commitment to destroy Gods people and oppose Gods plan.
Vs 7.
God asks Satan from where does he come, God knew for he is omniscient (allknowing) God knows everything. It could be worded for our understanding ‘tell me what you’ve been about, whats been going on?”
Satans answer is brief. “roaming the earth’ he moves all about the earth as do his demonic forces, he has random access to wherever he wishes to go. The earthly elements that hold us in do not effect him he is supernatural. He can move from asia to America instantly. When he says ‘ive been roaming around the earth” he means that, literally.
Book and the study of Job himself is very useful to most of us today to help us understand that we are not alone in trials and times of suffering. It gives us a glimps of Gods perspective on our suffering. We are often overwhelmed by self pity, and want an explination for why god allows trials to happen to us.
The author of the book is not known for sure the consensus says Job himself wrote it, moses, or Soloman.
Geographically: Job is from UZ, Uz is not an existant city today. Noone knows the exact place where it was for sure it is believe to lie west of Babylon and East of Palestine (Saudi Arabia area). The country had fertile grazing lands, with desert near, and rock. The geographical location is pretty insignificant to our study in Job, the book plunges into narrative immediately.
We do know from biblical/historical records that the culture in UZ they believed in God, our Yaewah, God. We know this because later in the book Job had 3 friends visit and they had discussions about God.
The land of Uz had an agricultural ecomony, just as it did in Canaan with Abraham
If we could sum up the book of Job in 3 words it would probably be life is difficult.
Start by reading Job 1:1
Job was blameless which means without fault, innocent
Upright, this is describing his relationship with others. meaning upstanding, honest – straight forward, he handled his business dealings with integrity, keep his word, and dealt fairly with others, as a result he was respected by those around him. .. The word upright in Hebrew translates to mean straight.
He was blameless by humans this doesn’t mean sinless before God.
Romans 7:25 Paul knew what he was suppose to do and not suppose to do, Paul couldn’t go through life without sin and we cant either, 1john also tells us that if we say we are sinless, we are wrong. Therefore he wasn’t.
Psalm 101:6 “my eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land that they may dwell with me, he who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister me”
--feared God –
• Proverbs 111:10 & 9:10 tells us that he fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
• Proverbs 1:7 Beginning of knowledge
So this tells us that he was wise, and knowledgeable, he respected God.
Fearing God also tells us that Job had the right relationship with God and was motivated to turn away evil, or overcome temptation.
How can we today turn away from evil? this would mean not partaking in ungodly discissions or when that filth is on TV that is ungodly, you turn it off - Psalm 101:3 ‘ I will set no thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away it shall not fasten its grip on me’
Job reverenced god, God was His front and center.. just as he should be for us
READ 1:2
What does the #7 mean in scripture?
Completeness. 7 sons show us that Job was complete. Mideast during this time it was a sign of Gods blessing.
(we will discuss his children later on)
Read 1:3
Being that the Economy in Uz was an agricultural based economy, a persons wealth was shown by their livestock. Job was well to do. Today he would be equivelant to Bill Gates Donald Trump Oprah.. all in one.
Lets breakdown the riches, in todays time, US Currency.
7,000 sheep x $250.00 each = $1,750,000.00
--Jobs having sheep he probably sold wool and the sheep provided food for him
3,000 camels x $5000.00 each = $15,000,000.00
--Here locally I know they are rented for 1 night at $500.00
Jobs having such a large amount of camels tells us that it was kind of a trucking business, he probably ran caravans for hire as well as they were his personal mode of transportation.
500 yokes of oxen, it takes at least 2 oxen to make a yoke, so
1,000 oxen x $4000.00 each = $4,000,000.00
500 female donkies x $500.00 each = $250,000.00
Female donkies are worth more still today they are a pack mule if you want to call it that, back then they were worth more because they were the delicacy of the day – donkey milk.
Total Liquid assets in Livestock mentioned; $21,000,000. 21 million dollars.
So we have established that Job is very wealthy, he has 10 children.
Read vs 4.
Verse 4 being that the siblings are eating and drinking together, # they get along, #2 they are obviously grown, which means no diapers no toddlers going around. They were in a time of celebration. Job had it made. There was no one criticizing him because he was a good man, and there was nothing to criticize.
READ VS.5
By offering 10 burnt offerings for each of his children, that tells us that he had a deep concern for their hearts, concerned that they may have a bit of disobiediance in their hearts. Job was spiritually sensitive, not just with his own life but with his childrens. A praying father. A faithful man. He had concerns valid upstanding concerns for the hearts of his children.
Now verse 6, if this were a theatrical performance.. the curtains would close and there would be a pause. The entire scene changes. Verses 1-5 are full of Jobs blessings, good news, and a great life.
Read vs 6.
Job knows nothing about what is going on. Similar things happen in our life as well. When were not aware of it, God is carrying out a plan that would amaze us and occasionally, shock us. God is permitting things to get underway that we don’t know about that we don’t expect. Without Jobs knowledge, something is happening in the heavenlies.
Lets look at something here:
Verse 1:1 starts with ‘there was a man.
Now look at verse 1:6 ‘there was a day’
There was a man who lived on earth, there was a day in the throne room of God.
Between these verses we are taken from the familiar day to day life on earth , to the unfamiliar scene of God in heaven.
In verse 6, the sons of God came to present themselves .. who is this talking about?
-his angelic servants.. angels.. they came to present themselves before Him, to tell him what they have observed and get new orders. Some philosphers think that this was a band of angels that were protecting Job.
-why do you think they are referred to as sons of God?
In translations both Hebrew and greek the sons of God are Jehovahs messengers.
-He is THE FATHER TO THE SPIRITS, He is the Father to mankind as well however man is linked to the human body, where angelic beings arenot they have nothing to do with sin. In resurrection we.. Luke 20:36 “for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of resurrection”
Now, what do you think about Satan presenting before God?
- Satan can still have access to God, He walks the earth as well. However, Satan has went to God for permission. He is conversing with God.
- Revelation 12:7-12 tells us that Satan will be cast out of heaven and earth and bound to hell for 1000 years, then will be out for tribulation and then receive his eternal retribution.(rev 20:10)
This is such a picture of how great Gods patience are. He has tolerated Satans schemeing and even let him tempt our first parents adam and eve, then He is still on his accusing destroying path. To think that even Satan, must go before the throne of grace even before battering and torchering us.. we have a big soverign God.
The Hebrew text identifies, Satan in this verse HAA-SahTahn meaning ‘the satan’,
What does it mean? SahTahn is a Hebrew word, it’s a verb form word, meaning to be adversary, to resist. Therefore we get the accuser or adversary. Satan accuses Gods people day and night.
Satan is that little red devil with the pitchfork that we picture in our head. He is the most attractive brilliant powerful archangel that God ever created. HE hasn’t lost his brilliance, power or appealing beauty. Satan likes to work behind the scenes, because he is invisible, doesn’t mean he is not real. We will see in later scripture, he has personality. He is in constant commitment to destroy Gods people and oppose Gods plan.
Vs 7.
God asks Satan from where does he come, God knew for he is omniscient (allknowing) God knows everything. It could be worded for our understanding ‘tell me what you’ve been about, whats been going on?”
Satans answer is brief. “roaming the earth’ he moves all about the earth as do his demonic forces, he has random access to wherever he wishes to go. The earthly elements that hold us in do not effect him he is supernatural. He can move from asia to America instantly. When he says ‘ive been roaming around the earth” he means that, literally.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Devastation..Disappointment
How often in our lives are we devastated? Disappointed?
Everyone has experienced some state of disappointment, some sort of being devastated. The scariest part of being in this is it can lead us into despair, depression, and sin. Yes sin. We are so involved in our despair our pain that we look for outlets for comfort, we get caught up in our own situations thinking that we just cant get through this.
God is in control. God has a plan. He already knows the path you will chose for your life, its no surprise for Him. As I study Job, bless his heart, he did nothing to deserve pain or despair, matter of fact he did the opposite. He was righteous and obiediant to God. Satan approached God, God gave Satan permission to test Job. He lost his family, his wealth, even his health. One thing Job did that in our trials and devastations in life we rarely do, Job continued to trust God. He didnt allow the gloom and doom to get the best of Him, and God rewarded Him. Double.
Most of the time when we come to the cross roads in life of these trials we give in to the trial, it gets the best of us. We lose the courage to trust that God is still in Control and that He is able to pull us through. Before long, we easily can find ourself in so much sin... Our God is a compassionate God, He doesnt harbor anger as we do and :HE is forgiving. Micah 7:18-19 tells us just that.
Psalm 126 tells us that what we sew in tears we will reap in sheaves of joy.
We have to move past our devastation or disappoinments, go toward where God wants for you to be. Dont loose focus that God is God. He is the Almighty, the Maker of all things, Higher than all others.. He is not just some person that we can throw around. He is KING. We have to stopped whining around get up and do something about our devastation. Start by asking Him what He desires for you to do, where He wants for you to start. God blesses our obiediance. But we cant simply pick Him up when its convienant. We must trust in God, rely on Gods promise.
We are not worthy of Gods abundant grace and Mercy and often when God tries to bless us we just find ourself in disbelief, just like David. 2 Samuel 7 27-29 David confesses to God and finally has the courage to recieve what God is offering him.
Go to God, confess to Him where you have fallen short, ask Him to open the eyes of your heart so that you can hear what you can do for Him.
God blesses Obiediance. Make a choice to walk past your disappointments, have the courage to get up, and walk.
Everyone has experienced some state of disappointment, some sort of being devastated. The scariest part of being in this is it can lead us into despair, depression, and sin. Yes sin. We are so involved in our despair our pain that we look for outlets for comfort, we get caught up in our own situations thinking that we just cant get through this.
God is in control. God has a plan. He already knows the path you will chose for your life, its no surprise for Him. As I study Job, bless his heart, he did nothing to deserve pain or despair, matter of fact he did the opposite. He was righteous and obiediant to God. Satan approached God, God gave Satan permission to test Job. He lost his family, his wealth, even his health. One thing Job did that in our trials and devastations in life we rarely do, Job continued to trust God. He didnt allow the gloom and doom to get the best of Him, and God rewarded Him. Double.
Most of the time when we come to the cross roads in life of these trials we give in to the trial, it gets the best of us. We lose the courage to trust that God is still in Control and that He is able to pull us through. Before long, we easily can find ourself in so much sin... Our God is a compassionate God, He doesnt harbor anger as we do and :HE is forgiving. Micah 7:18-19 tells us just that.
Psalm 126 tells us that what we sew in tears we will reap in sheaves of joy.
We have to move past our devastation or disappoinments, go toward where God wants for you to be. Dont loose focus that God is God. He is the Almighty, the Maker of all things, Higher than all others.. He is not just some person that we can throw around. He is KING. We have to stopped whining around get up and do something about our devastation. Start by asking Him what He desires for you to do, where He wants for you to start. God blesses our obiediance. But we cant simply pick Him up when its convienant. We must trust in God, rely on Gods promise.
We are not worthy of Gods abundant grace and Mercy and often when God tries to bless us we just find ourself in disbelief, just like David. 2 Samuel 7 27-29 David confesses to God and finally has the courage to recieve what God is offering him.
Go to God, confess to Him where you have fallen short, ask Him to open the eyes of your heart so that you can hear what you can do for Him.
God blesses Obiediance. Make a choice to walk past your disappointments, have the courage to get up, and walk.
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