The Book of Job

Well, there's nothing quite like starting off the year reading the book of Job. (Remember that I am using a chronological reading plan...we'll be back in the book of Genesis a few weeks) As I begin to read the book of Job, I know why I tend to like "hanging out" in the church Epistles. But honestly, reading the book of Job is a perfect example of why a Christian needs to read and study the entire bible and not just read a book on its own, taking it out of the context of the entire Bible. This is my first and foremost rule when reading anything outside of the church epistles: You have to read everything through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. In fact, may I be so bold as to say, if you don't have an understanding of grace and what "it is finished" means to you, stay in the church epistles (especially Romans) until you do. I am not saying that we shouldn't read the Old Testament, there is much to learn in the Old Testament, you just have to read it in the light of the gospel of Christ. Otherwise confusion will set in and you will end up getting a very wrong opinion of the true nature of God. Serving God out of fear vs. serving God out of Love is what is at "steak" here! (I know how to spell stake..it's just that food theme that reoccurs every now and then) God does not deal with mankind in the same manner He did in the Old Testament, Christ changed everything!
Many people have said to me that they had read the book of Job when they were going through something really difficult in their life. Is that because misery loves company? I'm only in the beginning chapters, but I know how the book ends. Job gets everything back that he lost and he ends up with more than he began with. Granted, I haven't spent a lot of time in the book of Job, but it's obvious there is something much deeper here than meets the eye. Can you imagine someone seeking to know God, starting their search in the book of Job? So, with that in mind, as I am reading Job, here's what I keep in the forefront of my mind:
1. God is good, all the time. As I stated above, read everything through the filter of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Should I say that one more time? Ok. Read everything outside of the church epistles through the filter or in light of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. (I can't tell you how long it has taken for me to "undo" wrong teaching that caused me to get a wrong impression of God and totally HINDERED my walk of faith in a loving God).
2. In the book of Genesis, it clearly shows that mankind gave their authority and dominion over to Satan when they chose to listen and obey him, rather the creator and lover of their souls, God. Satan is clearly the author of evil, throughout the New Testament. So when you read a verse like Job 2:10 where Job says to his wife, "Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" you know that something is lacking in Job's understanding. The new Testament says in James 1:13 let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted of God', for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone."
3. In the Old Testament, Satan had not yet been exposed or revealed. People pretty much attributed everything that happened in their life to God, good or bad. Jesus Christ came to not only expose the devil for who he really is, He came to show us the heart and true nature of God toward His creation. So much so that He gave His own life to redeem us. That's the criteria we need to use when we find ourselves wondering if He Loves us.
4. If it's good, it's from God. If it's bad it's from the devil. (That's a quote from a favorite Bible teacher of mine, Andrew Wommack. You can check out his teachings on his website: http://www.awmi.net/ )
I will continue to read the book of Job, but know that my heart is in the books of the New Covenant, primarily the Church Epistles.

Ok, just so you will believe that I actually have read the first 13 chapters of Job, here are some verses that stood out to me:
Chapter1:20 - After the news of losing his entire family: Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped. Hey, maybe I could just stop here and call it a book. That pretty much sums up Job's heart toward God, doesn't it? Never mind...I'll forge on.
Chapter 2:10 - After the news of losing his entire family and being smote with sores over his entire body: In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Chapter 3:25 - After Job laments that he was ever born: for the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. Fear and dread does not mix well with faith. I know this from personal experience.
Chapter 4:17 - Job's friend Eliphaz says to him: Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? To which I say: only through accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ - we have our redemption in Him, there is no other way.
Chapter 5:15 - Eliphaz still speaking to Job: But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth. The bible, OT and NT has much to say about our mouth and the power of our words.
Chapter 6:14 - Job speaking to his "friends": "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. I just really liked that verse. I like being kind to people.
Chapter 7:17 - Job still speaking: What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him...I've often wondered that same thing and I'm sure glad I don't get what I deserve. I get what Christ deserves. Meditate on that.
Chapter 8:7 - Bildad speaking to Job: And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great. I like to prophesy this verse over our business. :o)
Chapter 9:2 - Job speaking: Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God? Read the book of Romans for the answer to this question.
Chapter 10:12 - Job speaking to God: You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit. He's got that part right, the next two verses, not so much.
Chapter 11:12 - Zophar is speaking, the subtitle in my Bible says: Zophar Speaks: You Deserve Worse....now that's a true friend (not). But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man! So, I guess what Zophar is really saying is he's not going to be getting understanding any time soon.
Chapter 12:1 - Job speaking again to his "friends": "No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you...apparently Job still has some fight left in him.
Chapter 13:5 - Job still speaking: Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom. Good words to remember before giving someone advice and you don't know what you're talking about.

Well, there you have it. I'm caught up with my reading through Jan. 6th. I think I am going to listen to some commentaries on the book of Job. I just looked up at that last verse in 13:5 and hope that no one is thinking that about me and this blog.
Be blessed this day in the Lord! Thanks for reading and feel free to comment. Be kind.