1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
God's report card said Job's conduct was obedient, business under control, He knew God's Word and purposely made up his mind with intent to stay away from anything evil.
2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
Having children was an indicator that Job was blessed and prosperous.
3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
7000 sheep
3000 camels
500 oxen
500 she asses
Job had a huge household
The richest man in the east
Today Job's cattle alone would be worth approximately 56,000,000$
This does not account for his land and property and other assets.
4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
The sons are close. Each time one had a birthday they would throw a big feast serving food and wine. The three sisters were invited. The sons had the feast on his day, the sister showed up to enjoy it, but it is not recorded that they had a feast for their birthdays.
5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Job was not invited to the party or Job just wanted his children to have their own time. However, Job called his family in and offered a sacrifice for each of them. Job knew that his sons perhaps displeased God in their hearts and he wanted God to forgive them for what may have gone wrong.
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.
The sons of God presented themselves to God and Satan came with them. The enemy is attracted to the Word of God. He would like to find easier ways to interrupt or condemn those who show up for the Word of God. If the enemy comes into God's presence, we should beware of him poking around in our lives as well. Know the difference in who is in your presence. It will be more for us than those who are against us.
7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
God asked Satan where have you been? Satan responded that he had been going to and fro in the earth and walking up and down in it. Satan had been going from side to side and up and down. I visualize the cross. Satan's main objective is to stop the plan of what he knew would destroy him eternally. If the main objective of the devil is to destroy the Word of God, should we not see what is so interesting about what he wants to destroy? If the enemy loves hanging around the Word, should we stop to see why he is so nosey?
8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
God asked Satan had he thought about Job? Then God described Job to Satan. He is perfect, upright, fears God, and hates evil.
9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
Then Job asks God does Job fear you for nothing? God asked Job a question and Satan replies with a question.
10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
If Satan did not know Job he knew God. If Job has all that, then I know you have him protected. Satan knows who is like God. He spends plenty of time doing what he can to distract any man from his presence.
11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Satan said I know men. If you take his stuff, he will turn on you. Who is the devil talking to? The Word of God. And when the devil speaks, he tells lies.
12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
God told Satan who Job was and he meant it. He said all that belongs to Job you have permission to put your hand on it except Job. Again, God meant that. Satan understood God's permission and left the presence of God. It seems he left hurriedly to do as much as he could to prove God wrong. What a waste of time Satan!!
13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
Seem as if this is the older brother's birthday. They are celebrating as usual. They were eating and drinking wine and having a good time.
14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
The feast must have been an all-day festival. The messenger brought a message to Job saying, the oxen were at work and the asses were feeding themselves beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
In the middle of the day while some were working and some were at a feast the enemy came in and took the oxen and asses and killed the servants.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
The same day, another messenger interrupted and said, all the sheep and the servants are burned up and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Another messenger came to add to the problems of Job. Job's camels are stolen by the Chaldeans and they also killed the servants as well.
What is prompting these people to do as they did or are doing at this time? Since the enemy has been roaming the earth, it seems as if these people are already under the influence of Satan in what they are doing. The evil in the hearts of men is evident. I am sure they understood the devistation of what Job is experiencing, but yet they add fuel to the fire to Job's seemingly demise.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
Seemingly on the same day, Job's sons seem to be unaware of the devistation of what is going on because they are still eating and drinking up until now.
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Here we see all of Job's sons are dead and apparently his daughter too, because the messenger states he is the only one left alive to bring Job this message.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
Job must have been in a position of sitting. After hearing the death of his sons, Job got up and showed his hurt and sadness and fell down to the ground and worshipped God.
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
In order to respond as Job did, Job had to have a steady practice of meeting and getting to know God to be able to say what he just stated.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Having lost all, Job did not blame God. He held to his integrity of knowing his God.
My Minute Song
Job 1
Now listen to the story of a man named Job
He heard God speak and did what he was told
And then one day as he living as he should
Sons of God and Satan before God they stood
And God asked Satan where have you been?
He answered, walking in earth and roaming
Then God said have you thought about Job?
Get ready to hear how this story unfolds.
Satan told God Job is protected
Remove all his things and he will forsake ya
Don’t touch Job but take your best shot
Many may leave but Job will not
Satan left God and made his move
He did everything that a devil would do
He destroyed his good and not much was left
But Job never sinned and his vows he kept
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