Understanding Job: God's Nature and Satan's Role
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the book of Job, which is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. Many people view Job as a story that portrays God as mean or unjust, but a closer examination reveals a different narrative. The book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible, written like a news report by Elihu, not Job himself. It centers around Job, a blessed man who faces severe trials not because God is punishing him, but because Satan is testing him.
The key to understanding Job lies in recognizing that God is not the one causing Job's suffering. Instead, Satan is the adversary who seeks to destroy Job. God allows this not because He desires Job's suffering, but because, at that time, there was no covenant between God and man to protect Job from Satan's attacks. This is a critical distinction that many miss, leading to a distorted view of God's character.
Throughout the book, Job's friends wrongly accuse him of sinning against God, which they believe is the cause of his suffering. However, God Himself rebukes these friends and Job for their misunderstanding. The longest rebuke in the Bible is found in Job, where God corrects their misconceptions about His nature.
The book of Job ultimately reveals the enemy's tactics and the limitations of human understanding without divine revelation. It shows that God is loving, kind, and just, and that any interpretation of the Bible that portrays God otherwise is a misinterpretation. As New Testament believers, we have the advantage of a covenant with God through Jesus Christ, who protects us from the enemy's attacks.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Character is Misunderstood in Job: The book of Job is often misinterpreted as portraying God as unjust or mean. However, a closer look reveals that Satan is the one causing Job's suffering, not God. God is loving, kind, and just, and any interpretation that suggests otherwise is a misinterpretation. [25:50]
2. Satan's Role in Job's Suffering: Satan had already set his heart on attacking Job, and God was merely stating a fact when He said that Job was in Satan's power. This was not God giving Satan permission but acknowledging the reality of the fallen world where Satan had authority. [37:14]
3. The Importance of Context: Understanding the context of Job is crucial. It is the oldest book in the Bible, written before the full revelation of God's character through Jesus Christ. This progressive revelation means that Job and his friends had a limited understanding of God's nature. [28:04]
4. God's Rebuke and Correction: The longest rebuke in the Bible is found in Job, where God corrects Job and his friends for their misconceptions. This rebuke highlights the importance of understanding God's true nature and not attributing evil to Him. [56:29]
5. New Testament Believers' Advantage: As New Testament believers, we have a covenant with God through Jesus Christ, who protects us from the enemy's attacks. We have the Holy Spirit, the blood of Jesus, and the armor of God, which Job did not have. This places us in a significantly different position than Job. [42:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:32] - Opening Prayer
[23:53] - Introduction to the Book of Job
[24:19] - Misunderstood Books of the Bible
[24:54] - Job: The Most Misunderstood Book
[25:24] - Misinterpretations of God's Character
[26:14] - Common Misconceptions About Job
[26:53] - Authorship and Context of Job
[27:39] - Job's Family and Blessings
[30:14] - Satan's Role and God's Question
[32:27] - Satan's Intentions Revealed
[34:39] - God's Question to Satan
[37:14] - Satan's Knowledge of Job's Protection
[40:35] - God's Statement of Fact
[42:11] - New Testament Believers' Advantage
[45:14] - Satan's Boundaries and God's Authority
[46:52] - Job's Misunderstanding of God
[56:29] - God's Rebuke and Correction
[01:03:00] - God's Will for Job
[01:07:03] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Job 1:6-12 (NIV)
> "One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, 'Where have you come from?' Satan answered the Lord, 'From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.' Then the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.' 'Does Job fear God for nothing?' Satan replied. 'Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.' The Lord said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.' Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord."
2. James 1:13 (NIV)
> "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone."
3. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
> "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Job 1:6-12, who initiates the conversation about Job, and what is the nature of the question God asks Satan? ([33:23])
2. What does Satan acknowledge about Job's protection and blessings in Job 1:10? ([37:14])
3. How does James 1:13 clarify the nature of God's involvement in temptation? ([35:30])
4. What does 1 Peter 5:8 reveal about Satan's activities and intentions? ([32:27])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that God asks Satan a question about Job rather than making a statement? How does this affect our understanding of God's character? ([34:39])
2. How does the context of Job being the oldest book in the Bible, written before the full revelation of God's character through Jesus Christ, influence the interpretation of Job's suffering? ([28:04])
3. What does the rebuke of Job and his friends in Job 38-41 tell us about God's view of their understanding and accusations? ([56:29])
4. How does the New Testament covenant through Jesus Christ change the believer's position compared to Job's situation? ([42:11])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you misunderstood God's character due to a difficult situation. How did that affect your faith, and what helped you correct that misunderstanding? ([26:14])
2. How can you be more aware of Satan's tactics in your life, as described in 1 Peter 5:8, and what steps can you take to protect yourself? ([32:27])
3. In what ways can you ensure that your understanding of God's character is based on the full revelation of the Bible, including the New Testament? ([28:04])
4. How can you support friends or family members who might be going through trials without wrongly attributing their suffering to God's will? ([54:48])
5. Considering the advantages New Testament believers have, such as the Holy Spirit and the armor of God, how can you actively use these resources in your daily spiritual battles? ([42:11])
6. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's loving and just nature, especially when facing personal trials or witnessing others' suffering? ([25:50])
7. What practical steps can you take this week to remind yourself and others of the true nature of God as loving, kind, and just, as revealed through Jesus Christ? ([25:50])
Devotional
### Day 1: Understanding God's True Character
Description: The book of Job is often misunderstood as portraying God as unjust or mean. However, a closer examination reveals that Satan is the one causing Job's suffering, not God. God is loving, kind, and just, and any interpretation that suggests otherwise is a misinterpretation. This is a critical distinction that many miss, leading to a distorted view of God's character. By understanding that God is not the source of Job's suffering, we can better appreciate His true nature and His love for us. [25:50]
Bible Passage: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt that God was being unfair or unkind to you. How does understanding that God is not the source of suffering change your perspective on that situation?
### Day 2: Recognizing Satan's Role
Description: Satan had already set his heart on attacking Job, and God was merely stating a fact when He said that Job was in Satan's power. This was not God giving Satan permission but acknowledging the reality of the fallen world where Satan had authority. Understanding Satan's role in Job's suffering helps us see that God is not the author of evil. Instead, God is sovereign and allows certain things to happen for reasons that may be beyond our understanding. [37:14]
Bible Passage: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel under attack. How can recognizing Satan's role in this help you to trust in God's sovereignty and seek His protection?
### Day 3: The Importance of Context
Description: Understanding the context of Job is crucial. It is the oldest book in the Bible, written before the full revelation of God's character through Jesus Christ. This progressive revelation means that Job and his friends had a limited understanding of God's nature. By recognizing the historical and theological context of Job, we can better understand the limitations of human understanding without divine revelation and appreciate the fuller revelation we have through Jesus Christ. [28:04]
Bible Passage: "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son." (Hebrews 1:1-2a, ESV)
Reflection: How does knowing that we have a fuller revelation of God's character through Jesus Christ impact the way you read and understand the Old Testament?
### Day 4: God's Rebuke and Correction
Description: The longest rebuke in the Bible is found in Job, where God corrects Job and his friends for their misconceptions. This rebuke highlights the importance of understanding God's true nature and not attributing evil to Him. It serves as a reminder that our human understanding is limited and that we must seek divine revelation to truly know God's character. God's correction is an act of love, guiding us towards a more accurate understanding of who He is. [56:29]
Bible Passage: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me." (Job 38:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a time when you misunderstood God's actions or character. How can you seek God's correction and guidance to gain a clearer understanding of His true nature?
### Day 5: New Testament Believers' Advantage
Description: As New Testament believers, we have a covenant with God through Jesus Christ, who protects us from the enemy's attacks. We have the Holy Spirit, the blood of Jesus, and the armor of God, which Job did not have. This places us in a significantly different position than Job. Understanding this advantage helps us to live with confidence and assurance in God's protection and provision. [42:11]
Bible Passage: "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit." (Ephesians 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: How does knowing that you have the Holy Spirit and the protection of Jesus Christ change the way you face challenges and spiritual attacks in your life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The enemy uses Bible to twist and pervert the image of God in the earth. He really does. He loves to take the Bible and twist who God is. And then what happens is people walk away completely twisted on their understanding about who God is. Does that make sense to anybody?" [26:14] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus is God in the flesh. Okay, I got one amen. Where y'all at? Come on, talk to me. Isn't that right? Jesus is God in the flesh. But they didn't have that advantage. They were completely being revealed as it went. And that is such a huge disadvantage to those people." [28:04] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God is not the kill, steal, and destroy God. It's the enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Fast forward it just over here to chapter 42. Then Job answered the Lord. This is at the end. Then Job answered the Lord and says, I know that you can do anything and no purpose of yours can be withheld from you." [01:00:00] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We have a savior, praise God. We have a mediator praying for us. No longer can Satan just appear before the throne. If he appears before the throne, Jesus is there praying on our behalf, saying, the blood of Jesus, the blood, that I shed is against you, Satan. The blood of Jesus." [01:04:31] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We have the power of the Holy Spirit, and we have the blood of Jesus all in our favor, and the devil is no match for us when we're walking with God, praise God. Amen? Amen. Don't ever let anyone tell you that the book of Job is about how unfair God is. That is not true." [01:05:54] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Whenever a book is interpreted through the eyes that God is not good, He's not merciful, He's not loving, He's not kind, He's not long-suffering, He's not patient, He's not gentle, He's not any of those things that the Bible says he is, then we have to look at it. We need to look at it and we need to look at what it's really saying." [25:50] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The purpose of the book of Job is to reveal the enemy and how the enemy works in people's lives. Christians have taken it and learned and thought this is how God is because of a misinterpretation. And it's so unfortunate." [38:50] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God's statement is a statement of fact, not permission. Satan already had permission because of the fall. Satan, I'm sorry, Job is living in Satan's kingdom. Come on, somebody. All right. Now watch. Here's what I want you to hear. Here, listen to it. Listen to it. You ready?" [40:35] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Job was in Satan's kingdom. Satan had legal right to attack Job. There was no covenant, there was no mediator, and there was no savior at this point in time. The principle of the book is to show you what the devil's desire is, not how God is unjust." [01:04:31] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Anytime you read any portion of the Bible on it, it perverts the character and the image of God. You've got to stop and study it and say, Lord, reveal yourself to me in this. Because I'm telling you, He's the same yesterday, today, and forever." [01:05:54] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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