Introduction to Job

WISDOM: THE FOUNDATION

The Book of Job

In the Old Testament there are books that give historical accounts beginning with humanity and then narrows down God's dealing with mankind to books of His covenant relationship with the Jewish people. There are also psalms written in poetic form that give some emotional responses to the events of life and their impact on us. Books of prophecy give warnings and entreaties as well as insights into the future that take us all the way to the time when there will be "a new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." Then there are books that give insight into daily living with practical instructions regarding living by faith in God. A few of the psalms do this as well. Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are these books written for our learning regarding wisdom in everyday life. Wisdom is the knowledge of what is true and right, linked with just judgments as to what actions to take.

Wisdom presented in Proverbs is optimistic and basically encouraging when acted upon with the understanding that faith in God is genuine. Ecclesiastes is a pessimistic account by Solomon of things "under the sun" with only a human perspective. It is a negative look at many aspects of life to remind us that everything we see is only temporary. "The things which are seen are temporal. The things which are not seen are eternal." We need both views because life is complicated. We live in a temporal world, but need to conduct life in view of eternity. That is why the book of Job is so essential. Even though we have strong faith in the One true God, that does not mean that our life will be easy.

Job probably lived in the time of Isaiah and some of the prophets who could look ahead and see what lay beyond the temporary prosperity of the Jews. People in Old Testament times looked at material things they accumulated as evidence of God's pleasure with them. If they were poor, or lost what they had, to those people they would consider that person had displeased God. But it was not only in ancient days people thought life should be good and easy as a sign of God's pleasure and blessing - it is the same with many today. Many people think if we do not always triumph over difficulties, sicknesses and win the battles over our enemies, then God is not real or not to be trusted. Many will say when things go wrong, accidents or sickness happens, or family life isn't what we had hoped, "Where is God now? If there is a God, why did He let that happen?"

The book of Job teaches us that the righteous do not always win in life, and the wicked do not always fail. But whatever way things go for us, there is no reason for us to abandon our faith. A life submitted to God does not mean we will know the reason for things, nor do we have the right to know. We are children in the family of God. He is omniscient, He is omnipotent and He is omnipresent, so it is enough for us to accept the fact that He is in control of all events and the outcome of the events. Our limitations of strength and knowledge does not change His sovereign will or the fact that faith pleases Him in every situation in which we are found.

There are many ways we can be strengthened in faith. "The trial of faith" is more precious than gold. "The word of faith" that we have experienced and preach does not change. A life of faith can be satisfying even when lived under the worst of conditions and full-blown tensions from all that is going on around us. Not everything will be fully understood by our finite minds. Nor do the difficulties and trials of life earn some special treatment for us. Psalm 73 explores the injustice that seemed so blatant, and no answer was given. But when the psalmist acted in faith and went into the "sanctuary of God," then He understood and saw the big picture of things. He had to deliberately face his doubts, go to the Lord with them, and then he found out what was the meaning of his life. When we go into God's presence, then we can begin to see what our natural being cannot perceive.

Life is not just "eat, drink, and be merry." Life is a testing time and a training time for our service for God now and in the future. Job had prestige, possessions and a lot of people in his life. He had a large family and friends. Yet when everything was stripped away in a very short time, all he had left was his foundation of faith.

Prosperity deceives us because it can go as fast as it comes. When everything but God is gone, what do we do then?

People may try to help us, and we appreciate their interest. Our emotions may be shattered to the extent we live in a condition of guilt and depression. None of that is an answer to the need we have of wisdom. Real faith in God is solid enough, and founded deeply enough on the sure word of God, that when all we had or claimed as our own is gone, we turn again in confidence to Him who fills us with His fullness. When that happens, there is grace given for grace needed. There is strength from God to meet our lack of strength. Even to our little faith, more faith is added when we return to the Lord our God. God is enough for us even when all else is gone. It is easy to say that when we have plenty, but when all we have is empty hands, we must lift them up without wrath or doubting.

We may never in our lifetime know the reasons for times of trial and testing, but our faith is in the Living God. The journey through the book of Job gives us the understanding we need for daily living in times of extreme trouble. Hardships, so-called friendships and pain test us in ways no one but God can help. No matter what happens, we must trust our Gracious Father. The book of Job will help us learn the practical reasons for tribulation which worketh patience. And patience has the work of maturing us so that we lack nothing of that which is truly important.

Where does wisdom come from reaching across the ages? There are warnings we hear from prophets, and truth from sages - The wisdom we need comes from the highest of all persons and places - "Have you considered My servant Job?"

How do we use the wisdom that comes from God? Day to day we are to conduct our lives in this ungodly world - As those who love Jesus Christ, and know Him as Savior and Lord - "One that fears God, and eschews evil!"

What effect does such wisdom have on daily life? The practice of God-given wisdom gives holy light - We can live in quiet peace in the middle of a world of strife - "When we rise early in the morning and offer burnt sacrifices."

"Father, as I read through this book of Job, help me to lift my eyes above the scenes of earth and the suffering of mankind to where Thou art carrying out Thy plans and purposes in the life of Thy servant both in suffering and victory, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."