Lessons From Job
Part of my Bible reading plan was to read the book of Job in the span of 3 days. When you’re attempting to read 42 chapters of the Bible in a short time frame, you don’t have the luxury of stopping often, contemplating, and chewing on things. Sometimes it is good to read quickly and broadly, looking at key themes and big ideas.
Here are a few things I learned:
1- The Lord is providential
The reading of this book was very timely to a situation in my life where I was questioning God and His ways, and in many ways the following points are born from that meshing between my situation and this book. I was reminded God is good in his giving us the Scriptures. If we stay in it, He will meet us in the book. He will provide perspective changes, or conviction, or encouragements… at the right time. God is providential in his ways. So stay in the Bible.
2- How do we respond when we don’t get what we want?
Job 1:21- This is something Job works through. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord !”
You will not always get what you want in life. How you respond says a lot about your view of God.
3- Bad things happen to obedient people
Job 1:1- There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.
Do not believe the prosperity Gospel, that if you follow God everything in life will go well. You are not promised that. (See Jesus, Paul, Job, Peter…)
4- Good friends sit with us in darkness
Job 2:13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.
Job 13:5 If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do. [said Job]
Job 21:2 Listen closely to what I am saying. That’s one consolation you can give me.
Job 21:34 How can your empty clichés comfort me? All your explanations are lies!
Sometimes people need your words. Sometimes people need your presence.
5- Suffering is never an excuse for sin
Job 6:10- At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
6- It might not make sense
Job 12:13- But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.
7- God may test you
Job 23:10- But He knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
8- Open our hands to God’s ways
Job 23:13-14- But once He has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever He wants to do, He does. So He will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny.
9- God is wise
Job 28:23-26- God alone understands the way to wisdom; He knows where it can be found, for He looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens. He decided how hard the winds should blow and how much rain should fall. He made the laws for the rain and laid out a path for the lightning.
10- God cares
Job 35:13- But it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen, to say the Almighty isn’t concerned.
Job 36:5- God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding.
11- Gods Design is perfect
Job 38:2-3- Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
Job 38:4- Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.
Job 38:41- Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry out to God and wander about in hunger?
12- In humility, pour out your heart and open your hands to God
Job 42:3- You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.
God’s ways are mysterious. We are still to trust Him, for He is wise and loving. Open your hands to God’s ways in your life. He has His reasons.
13- we all die and the story goes on
Job 42:17- Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life.
You are deeply valuable to God, but his aims and goals do not rest on your shoulders. You will die. You will be lowered into the ground. And all that God longs to accomplish in this world will continue on. Your life is finite. Spend it well for the glory of your King, whatever comes your way in it.
Thankful for this book of wisdom,
Josh.
