The Book of Job

“Does Job Fear God for Naught?”

Lesson #3 for October 15, 2016

Scriptures: [Job 1&2; 1 Corinthians 4:9; Genesis 3:1-8; Philippians 4:11-13; Matthew 4:1-11; Philippians 2:5-8][1].

1.    In the first two chapters of Job, we learn of a dimension of reality completely outside of anything we know here on this earth. How could we know anything about councils in heaven? There is a war going on in our universe; whether we recognize it or not, we are a part of it.

2.    That war which began in heaven has come down to this earth because we read in Revelation 12:12 (GNB): “And so be glad, you heavens, and all you that live there! But how terrible for the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to you, and he is filled with rage, because he knows that he has only a little time left.”

3.    Have you felt Satan’s rage? In what ways?

4.    Read Job 1[2]. Job was living an idyllic life. Everything seemed to be going well for him. But, completely unknown to him, he was being discussed in the councils of heaven. No doubt, Satan had done everything he possibly could to get Job to sin even before that day. But, then Satan appeared before the heavenly council, and God asked him an uncomfortable question: “Did you notice my servant Job?” (Job 1:8, GNB) Of course, Satan and God both knew the story of Job. But, in order to save face before the “sons of God,” Satan accused God of showing favoritism to Job and claimed that was the reason Job served God.

5.    God proceeded to give His judgment of Job. Satan also made a judgment about Job; but, Satan’s judgment was going to be proven to be wrong. Satan chose to accuse God and Job of not playing fair. In his exceeding selfishness, Satan believed that Job was like himself! He claimed that if God would stop protecting Job, Job would curse God to His face. So, the question: Was it true that Job was just a fair-weather friend of God? Or, did Job actually love God as his best Friend because that was the right thing to do? And because he had come to know God very well? Did God visit Job? He had no Bible, no pastor, no church, etc.

6.    Why do we serve God? Do we serve Him because it is the right thing to do? Do we serve Him because we appreciate His character and what He has done for us? As sinners, our motives are never perfect; but, can we get to know God well enough so that, like Job, our trust and faith in God cannot be shaken?

Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads-it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved-just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may know what is coming (MS 173, 1902).—Ellen White, 4SDABC 1161.6. [Bold type is added.]

7.    Read Job 1:13-22[3]. Wouldn’t you have had a heart attack right there? Do you think Satan was surprised to see Job’s response after completely wiping out his wealth and destroying his children? Did Satan and his evil cohorts enjoy that rampage of destruction? Weren’t they quite certain that Job would give up?

8.    What does it mean to “charge God foolishly”? The Good News Bible translates that passage, “Job did not sin by blaming God.” (Job 1:22) As we know, God’s government is based entirely on love. God Himself is love. (1 John 4:8,16) God asks only a response of love in return. He gives us freedom of choice. As we noted in our last lesson, He refuses to compel or force anyone to love Him. In fact, He “cannot” force anyone to love Him because that would be contrary to His character. God wants us to serve Him because it is the right thing to do. (See COL 97.) What does that imply? God never asks us to do anything or to believe anything that is not ultimately for our own best good. Do we really believe that? Do we think of that every time we are tempted by the Devil? We should absolutely reject the principles of Satan’s government.

Satan insinuated that Job served God from selfish motives.... He attempted to deny that true religion springs from love and an intelligent appreciation of God’s character, that true worshipers love religion for its own sake—not for reward; that they serve God because such service is right in itself, and not merely because heaven is full of glory; and that they love God because He is worthy of their affection and confidence, and not merely because He blesses them.—The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, 500.13.

9.    Read Job 2:1-3[4]; compare Job 1:6-8[5]. Once again, the council in heaven met. Both Satan and God knew that God was right about Job so far and that Satan was wrong. But, Satan wanted to take the battle up another notch. He wanted to attack Job physically. And incredibly, God gave him permission to do that, short of killing Job. If Job were killed, then the experiment would be over, and neither side could prove its point.

10.    Were the “sons of God” who gathered for that counsel already aware of the story of Job? Were they not keenly interested in that battle between God and Satan over who was telling the truth? If they were not aware of Job’s case before the first council, they certainly must have been aware after that. Remember that this earth is the theater of the universe. (1 Corinthians 4:9)[6]

11.    God would not allow Satan to kill Job although Satan would probably like to have done so. But that, of course, would have finished the demonstration. By that time, the case of Job had become a universe-wide issue! What do we know about councils in heaven? (Daniel 7:10; Revelation 12:7-9)[7]

12.    So, how do you think Satan felt about being repeatedly defeated and proven wrong before the entire universe? How do you think the “sons of God” viewed the activities of Satan and his associates during that experiment?

But the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe. To this result of His great sacrifice-its influence upon the intelligences of other worlds, as well as upon man-the Saviour looked forward when just before His crucifixion He said: “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto [69] Me.” John 12:31, 32. The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of the law of God and would reveal the nature and the results of sin.—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets 68.2-69.0. [Bold type is added.]

13.    In the book of Job, we are going to see that Satan’s charges against Job and against God were repeatedly proven to be false. Job’s responses to Satan’s attacks must have stunned Satan and his angels. It was an amazing testimony before all who were aware of it. How did Job develop such a relationship with God that he was able to withstand all that we read about in Job 1&2? How many “Jobs” do you think there are in our world today?

14.    And it is not only the attacks in Job 1&2 that are incredible; his closest friends continued to attack him through most of the rest of the book!

15.    Is the case of Job so unusual that it is way beyond our personal experiences? Or, can we learn something about our own battles with Satan from Job’s experience? Consider James 1:13-15. Where do most of our temptations come from? Very few of us end up being the focus of a conversation in heaven because we are so righteous.

16.    Further along in the book of Job, we are going to learn that in addition to all his sores, even his breath was offensive. Read Job 19:17[8] (GNB): “My wife can’t stand the smell of my breath, and my own brothers won’t come near me.” Do you blame any of them? Think of all the tragedy his wife went through.

17.    Could a book be written about the trials of Job’s wife? Did she listen to all the accusations of Job’s three friends and later of Elihu?

18.    Did any of the people who suffered or died in the book of Job do so because of their own sins? No! They were all sinners; but, they had not committed some horrific sin or sins that would have warranted their deaths. That is another proof that sin has bad consequences even for people who have not been the direct cause of the tragedies themselves. Sin kills and damages innocent bystanders. How often do drunk drivers kill innocent people?

19.    Read [Job 2:3 and Job 2:9][9]. It is interesting to notice that God and Job’s wife both said that he was “still as faithful as ever.” But, Job’s wife then went on to tell him to give up and curse God. By contrast, God commended him for his faithfulness! The word faithfulness is also translated “integrity” and “blameless” in Job 1:1 and Job 1:8.

20.    In her grief and discouragement and probable depression, Job’s wife had become an agent of Satan! And what was Job’s response? Read Job 2:10[10]. This verse is a key to much of the rest of the book. Compare Philippians 4:11-13[11]. Do we expect God to put a hedge around us? Do we believe that in this world of sin we should only receive good and not bad? Both Job and Paul proved that they could face almost any condition through the strength of Christ. Job had already shown that his faith was genuine. He was going to serve God no matter what came his way.

21.    Satan has been so successful with the human race that we are all sinners. He had managed to tempt Adam and Eve and caused their downfall even in the Garden of Eden. Every one of their descendants has followed their example. Surely, he thought, he could find a way to cause Job to sin.

22.    While Satan is not mentioned explicitly through the rest of the book, he certainly did not give up his attacks on Job. As we already know, he began his work through Job’s so-called friends who accused Job of many completely outrageous things!

23.    Read again Job 2:3-9[12]. How can we develop the kind of relationship with God that Job had? Will the 144,000 who live through the final plagues and the final events of this earth’s history need that kind of a relationship? Satan will be desperate to prevent it.

24.    Do we worship and serve God only because He blesses us? Or, do we love Him because we have come to know Him well enough and understand His character and His government well enough that we refuse to be deceived by Satan?

25.    Read [Job 1:22 and 2:10][13]. Are these two expressions equal? In any case, Job did not sin by actions or by words.

26.    We are not trying to imply by any of this that Job was not a sinner. Job needed his Savior just like all the rest of us, not primarily because he was born in sin-although that is true-but because he sinned frequently himself. (Romans 5:12) In 1 John 1:10 (GNB), we are told: “If we say that we have not sinned, we make a liar out of God, and his word is not in us.” Romans 3, especially Romans 3:23, makes it very clear that we are all sinners.

27.    How would you compare the temptations and trials of Job with those of Jesus Himself?

28.    Read Matthew 4:1-11[14]. Job’s trials were quite different from the temptations of Jesus. Satan was able to tempt Jesus on a completely different level than any ordinary human could be tempted because Jesus had the ability to exercise His divine authority and power if He chose to do so. Job, of course, was never tempted to turn stones into bread. But, both Job and Jesus completely rejected Satan’s approaches and his temptations. After making his claims and accusations as recorded in Job 1&2, Satan apparently disappeared. However, he actually began to work through Job’s friends. After the temptations of Jesus, Satan had to leave Him because Jesus commanded him to do so. Can we tell Satan to get behind us and to leave us?

29.    So, what was Jesus’s greatest temptation? He was willing to die for us even though He was tempted to believe that doing that might separate Him permanently from His Father. (See DA 753.2[15].) Does it really trouble us to think that we might be separated from God?

30.    Read Philippians 2:5-8[16]. Could we actually develop the attitude that Jesus had? If so, how is that possible? The more we can think and act like Jesus, the better it will be both now and for eternity.

31.    There is an interesting phenomenon in these first two chapters of Job. The word translated as curse or insult in [Job 1:5; Job 2:9; and Job 1:11][17] is actually the Hebrew word for bless. Why is that? The Hebrew word comes from the root brk and is used all through the Bible for bless. It is the same word used in Genesis 1:22 when God blessed the creatures He had made. It is also in Psalm 66:8 (NKJV): “Oh, bless our God, you peoples!” So, why would a word that means “bless” be translated as curse? Clearly, it would make nonsense out of the context if it were translated with the word bless instead of curse. It is probable that this is a sarcastic euphemism. In writing the book of Job, Moses may have felt that he could not use the word God and the word curse in the same sentence.

32.    As long as we live here on planet earth, we must constantly be aware of the great controversy going on around us and in us. There are times when the things which happen to us may be a part of the great controversy and we not even know it. Think of the story of Job. God will be faithful no matter what.

33.    So, why was Job so faithful through all of his experiences? God was Job’s best Friend and Job refused to curse his best Friend. Does the story of Job inspire you? Does it scare you? Do you think God’s people at the end of time will suffer less than Job did? At the end of this world’s history, Satan will be desperate.

34.    What similarities are there between these experiences of Job and the temptations of Jesus Christ?

1.    Both were tempted to the limit. Jesus, of course, actually died.

2.    Satan was determined to get each of them to sin. But, in both cases, he failed.

3.    Both of them stood firm under the most difficult of circumstances and proved that God was right in His judgment and claims about them and that Satan was wrong.

4.    They each suffered not only enormous physical pain but also the pain of being basically rejected by those who should have loved them and supported them.

5.    Jesus’s greatest fear was that He would be eternally separated from His Father. Job’s greatest worry was that God was no longer communicating with him.

6.    Job was abandoned and accused by his best friends. Jesus was deserted and betrayed by His closest friends.

35.    We have learned about councils that met in heaven and Satan’s accusations against God and Job. How many councils did Satan have with his evil angels to discuss ways in which they could get Job to sin? Think of the greatest possible temptations in your own experience. Do you think Satan failed to use every method he knew of to get Job to sin? Did Satan ever give up on Job?

36.    In light of what we read in Job 1&2, would you say that God was a greater friend of Job than even his wife? Job refused to curse his best Friend.

37.    Like Job’s, most of our temptations are not on a theoretical or even theological level but rather are on a very personal one. He had every reason to give up on God and die. But, he did not. Does that give us courage to stand up under every kind of adversity?

38.    It should be clear already in our study of the book of Job that the main issue is God’s character and His capacity and ability to correctly judge others. Satan wanted the universe to believe that God had misjudged him. He was desperate to prove that God’s judgment was faulty in one way or another. But, he failed. He wants us to believe that God is a Tyrant who manipulates human beings by whatever means, whether fear or even bribery, into submission and obedience. By getting to know God well enough, can we be fully convinced that He is a loving heavenly Father who was willing to die to prove the truth of His claims and the falsehood of Satan’s accusations? What kind of a God do you worship?

39.    How would you respond if your family members and all of your closest friends began accusing you of being a terrible sinner? How often are we asked to stand “singly and alone” in defense of our faith? (See 5T 707.2.)[18]

40.    In our minds, each one of us has a picture of God that we worship. We do not worship God as They actually are because we could not even begin to understand all that could be known about Them. We worship God as we understand Them to be.

41.    The Bible describes God using many metaphors. He is called a Shepherd (Psalm 23:1[19]), a Judge (Psalm 7:11[20]), a Father (Psalm 89:26[21]), a Rock and a Fortress (Psalm 18:2), and even a Warrior (Psalm 78:65-66)[22]. There are many other things that we learn about God from other places in Scripture. But, Satan is determined to distort our picture of God. If your image of God is static and not growing over the years, are you worshiping an idol?

42.    Can you even imagine going through a Job-like experience? What if you lost all your possessions and all of your children in a short period of time and your friends told you to curse God and die? Could you survive such a trial?

43.    Think of how many different theological issues are raised in Job 2. Satan is clearly the accuser not only of us but also of God.

44.    One of the questions that the first two chapters of Job raise is what kind of access Satan had and has to God and to the rest of the “sons of God” throughout the universe. Read [Job 1:6; 2:1; Luke 10:18; and Revelation 12:3,7-9][23].

45.    By whatever means Satan is able to get the attention of God and the rest of the sons of God, it is amazing that he is allowed to make his accusations freely before all of them.

46.    What is implied by Revelation 12:7-9 where it says that Satan was cast down to this earth? We need to remember at least two facts that might help us to understand this:

1.    God is omnipresent. So, wherever Satan is, God is there and can dialogue with him.

2.    We believe that God hears our prayers. Therefore, He can also certainly hear any accusations made by Satan, no matter where he is.

47.    Read Job 1:6; 2:1[24]; and compare Zechariah 3:1[25]. It seems that Satan had free access to heaven up until the time of the ministry, life, and death of Jesus. Now read [Luke 10:18 and John 12:31][26]. In what way was Satan “cast down” at that time? Ultimately, of course, during the millennium, Satan will be confined to this earth because no one will listen to him. (Revelation 20:1-3)[27] What kind of “chain” could you use to “chain up” or restrain the Devil?

48.    In what ways does God impose limits on Satan? He was certainly limited to the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden.

49.    In our day, is God gradually withdrawing His limitations on Satan and His protection of this earth and possibly us? Is that why so many terrible things are happening around us?

50.    Read Revelation 14:7[28]. There is an interesting ambiguity in this verse. When it mentions the “hour of His judgment,” is it talking about: 1) God’s judgment of us? Or, 2) Our judgment of God? In the context, it seems clear that both are implied. Compare Romans 3:1-4[29].

51.    Satan himself will finally be forced-by circumstances-to bow and acknowledge that God was right. (Philippians 2:10-11[30]) Are you glad that we here on planet earth have become the theater of the universe? (1 Corinthians 4:9[31]) What questions will you have for Job, his wife, and his children-both the first ten and the second ten-when you meet them in heaven?

1-Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. Now that man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters 3 and his possessions were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 female donkeys, and a very large household. That man was the greatest of all the people of the East.

4 Now it was customary for his sons to hold a banquet, each on his own day in his own house. They would send to invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When the round of banquet days was completed, Job would send for them and consecrate them. He would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings, according to the number of them all. For Job said, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did everyday.

The Adversary Tests Job

6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before ADONAI, and the satan[a] also came with them. 7 ADONAI said to the satan, “Where have you come from?”

The satan responded to ADONAI and said, “From roaming the earth and from walking on it.”[b]

8 ADONAI said to the satan, “Did you notice my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth—a blameless and upright man, who fears God and spurns evil.”

9 Then the satan responded to ADONAI, saying, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have you not made a hedge around him, his household, and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and strike everything he has, and he will certainly curse You to Your face!”

12 Then ADONAI said to the satan, “Everything he has is in your hand. Only do not extend your hand against him!” So the satan departed from the presence of ADONAI.

13 One day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job, saying, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing near them, 15 when the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword—I alone escaped to tell you!”

16 While this one was still speaking another came in and said, “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and has burned up the sheep and servants—it has consumed them, and I—I alone—escaped to tell you!”

17 While this one was still speaking another came in and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and raided the camels and took them all away. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”

18 While this one was still speaking another came in and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine at their oldest brother’s house 19 when suddenly a mighty wind came from beyond the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it collapsed on the young people and they died. And I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”

20 Then Job got up, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 Then he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

and naked I will return there.

ADONAI gave and ADONAI has taken away;

blessed be the Name of ADONAI.”

22 Through all this, Job did not sin nor did he cast reproach on God.

Job 2:2 Again the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before ADONAI, and the satan also arrived among them to present himself before ADONAI. 2 ADONAI said to him, “Where are you coming from?”

The satan answered ADONAI, “From roaming the earth and from walking on it.”

3 Then ADONAI said to the satan, “Have you noticed My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and spurns evil. And he still holds firmly to his integrity, though you incited Me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

4 The satan replied to ADONAI saying, “Skin for skin! A man will give up all he has for his own life. 5 But now, stretch out Your hand and strike his bone and his flesh, and he will certainly curse You to Your face!”

6 ADONAI said to the satan, “Very well, he is in your hand—only spare his life!”

7 So the satan departed from the presence of ADONAI, and afflicted Job with painful boils, from the sole of his foot to the top of his head. 8 He took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes.

9 Then his wife said to him, “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

10 He said to her, “You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Should we accept the good from God and not accept the bad?”

Through all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Three Friends Sit Shiva

11 When Job’s three friends heard about all this calamity that had come upon him, each of them came from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite. They met together to come and mourn with him and to comfort him. 12 But when they saw him from a distance they did not recognize him, and they raised their voices and wept. Each one tore his robe and threw dust into the air onto their heads. 13 Then they sat with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights. No one spoke a word to him because they saw that his pain was very great.

1 Corinthians 4:9 For it seems to me that God has put us, the emissaries, on display last of all—like men sentenced to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people.

Genesis 3:3 But the serpent was shrewder than any animal of the field that ADONAI Elohim made. So it said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from all the trees of the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “Of the fruit of the trees, we may eat. 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat of it and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 The serpent said to the woman, “You most assuredly won’t die! 5 For God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 Now the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a thing of lust for the eyes, and that the tree was desirable for imparting wisdom. So she took of its fruit and she ate. She also gave to her husband who was with her and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made for themselves loin-coverings. 8 And they heard the sound of ADONAI Elohim going to and fro in the garden in the wind of the day. So the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of ADONAI Elohim in the midst of the Tree of the garden.

Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need—for whatever circumstance I am in, I have learned to be content. 12 I know what it is to live with humble means, and I know what it is to live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment—both to be filled and to go hungry, to have abundance and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Messiah[a] who strengthens me.

Matthew 4:4 Then Yeshua was led by the Ruach into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. 3 And when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are Ben-Elohim, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 But He replied, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”[a]

5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on the highest point of the Temple. 6 “If You are Ben-Elohim,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written,

‘He shall command His angels concerning you,’[b]

and ‘upon their hands they shall lift you up,

so that you may not strike your foot against a stone.’”[c]

7 Yeshua said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put ADONAI your God to the test.’”[d]

8 Again, the devil takes Him to a very high mountain and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”

10 Then Yeshua says to him, “Go away, satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship ADONAI your God, and Him only shall you serve.’” [e] 11 Then the devil leaves Him. And behold, angels came and began to take care of Him.

Philippians 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves, which also was in Messiah Yeshua,

6 Who, though existing in the form of God,

did not consider being equal to God a thing to be grasped.

7 But He emptied Himself—

taking on the form of a slave,

becoming the likeness of men

and being found in appearance as a man.

8 He humbled Himself—

becoming obedient to the point of death,

even death on a cross.

2-Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. Now that man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters 3 and his possessions were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 female donkeys, and a very large household. That man was the greatest of all the people of the East.

4 Now it was customary for his sons to hold a banquet, each on his own day in his own house. They would send to invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When the round of banquet days was completed, Job would send for them and consecrate them. He would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings, according to the number of them all. For Job said, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did everyday.

The Adversary Tests Job

6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before ADONAI, and the satan[a] also came with them. 7 ADONAI said to the satan, “Where have you come from?”

The satan responded to ADONAI and said, “From roaming the earth and from walking on it.”[b]

8 ADONAI said to the satan, “Did you notice my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth—a blameless and upright man, who fears God and spurns evil.”

9 Then the satan responded to ADONAI, saying, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have you not made a hedge around him, his household, and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and strike everything he has, and he will certainly curse You to Your face!”

12 Then ADONAI said to the satan, “Everything he has is in your hand. Only do not extend your hand against him!” So the satan departed from the presence of ADONAI.

13 One day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job, saying, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing near them, 15 when the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword—I alone escaped to tell you!”

16 While this one was still speaking another came in and said, “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and has burned up the sheep and servants—it has consumed them, and I—I alone—escaped to tell you!”

17 While this one was still speaking another came in and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and raided the camels and took them all away. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”

18 While this one was still speaking another came in and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine at their oldest brother’s house 19 when suddenly a mighty wind came from beyond the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it collapsed on the young people and they died. And I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”

20 Then Job got up, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 Then he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

and naked I will return there.

ADONAI gave and ADONAI has taken away;

blessed be the Name of ADONAI.”

22 Through all this, Job did not sin nor did he cast reproach on God.

3-Job 1:13 One day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job, saying, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing near them, 15 when the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword—I alone escaped to tell you!”

16 While this one was still speaking another came in and said, “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and has burned up the sheep and servants—it has consumed them, and I—I alone—escaped to tell you!”

17 While this one was still speaking another came in and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and raided the camels and took them all away. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”

18 While this one was still speaking another came in and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine at their oldest brother’s house 19 when suddenly a mighty wind came from beyond the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it collapsed on the young people and they died. And I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”

20 Then Job got up, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 Then he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

and naked I will return there.

ADONAI gave and ADONAI has taken away;

blessed be the Name of ADONAI.”

22 Through all this, Job did not sin nor did he cast reproach on God.

4-Job 2:2 Again the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before ADONAI, and the satan also arrived among them to present himself before ADONAI. 2 ADONAI said to him, “Where are you coming from?”

The satan answered ADONAI, “From roaming the earth and from walking on it.”

3 Then ADONAI said to the satan, “Have you noticed My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and spurns evil. And he still holds firmly to his integrity, though you incited Me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

5-Job 1:6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before ADONAI, and the satan[a] also came with them. 7 ADONAI said to the satan, “Where have you come from?”

The satan responded to ADONAI and said, “From roaming the earth and from walking on it.”[b]

8 ADONAI said to the satan, “Did you notice my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth—a blameless and upright man, who fears God and spurns evil.”

6-1 Corinthians 4:9 For it seems to me that God has put us, the emissaries, on display last of all—like men sentenced to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people.

7-Daniel 7:10 A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him.

Thousands of thousands attended Him

and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.[a]

The court was seated,

and the books were opened.[b]

Revelation 12:7 And war broke out in heaven, Michael and his angels making war against the dragon.[a] The dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they were not strong enough, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down—the ancient serpent, called the devil and satan, who deceives the whole world.[b] He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

8-Job 19:17 My breath is repulsive to my wife;

I am loathsome to my children.

9-Job 2:3 Then ADONAI said to the satan, “Have you noticed My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and spurns evil. And he still holds firmly to his integrity, though you incited Me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

10-Job 2:10 He said to her, “You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Should we accept the good from God and not accept the bad?”

Through all this Job did not sin with his lips.

11-Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need—for whatever circumstance I am in, I have learned to be content. 12 I know what it is to live with humble means, and I know what it is to live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment—both to be filled and to go hungry, to have abundance and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Messiah[a] who strengthens me.

12-Job 2:3 Then ADONAI said to the satan, “Have you noticed My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and spurns evil. And he still holds firmly to his integrity, though you incited Me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

4 The satan replied to ADONAI saying, “Skin for skin! A man will give up all he has for his own life. 5 But now, stretch out Your hand and strike his bone and his flesh, and he will certainly curse You to Your face!”

6 ADONAI said to the satan, “Very well, he is in your hand—only spare his life!”

7 So the satan departed from the presence of ADONAI, and afflicted Job with painful boils, from the sole of his foot to the top of his head. 8 He took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes.

9 Then his wife said to him, “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

13-Job 1:22 Through all this, Job did not sin nor did he cast reproach on God.

2:10 He said to her, “You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Should we accept the good from God and not accept the bad?”

Through all this Job did not sin with his lips.

14-Matthew 4:4 Then Yeshua was led by the Ruach into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. 3 And when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are Ben-Elohim, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 But He replied, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”[a]

5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on the highest point of the Temple. 6 “If You are Ben-Elohim,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written,

‘He shall command His angels concerning you,’[b]

and ‘upon their hands they shall lift you up,

so that you may not strike your foot against a stone.’”[c]

7 Yeshua said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put ADONAI your God to the test.’”[d]

8 Again, the devil takes Him to a very high mountain and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”

10 Then Yeshua says to him, “Go away, satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship ADONAI your God, and Him only shall you serve.’” [e] 11 Then the devil leaves Him. And behold, angels came and began to take care of Him.

15-DA 753.2

Satan with his fierce temptations wrung the heart of Jesus. The Saviour could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal. Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father’s wrath upon Him as man’s substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God. {DA 753.2}

16-Philippians 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves, which also was in Messiah Yeshua,

6 Who, though existing in the form of God,

did not consider being equal to God a thing to be grasped.

7 But He emptied Himself—

taking on the form of a slave,

becoming the likeness of men

and being found in appearance as a man.

8 He humbled Himself—

becoming obedient to the point of death,

even death on a cross.

17-Job 1:5 When the round of banquet days was completed, Job would send for them and consecrate them. He would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings, according to the number of them all. For Job said, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did everyday.

Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

Job 1:11 But now, stretch out Your hand and strike everything he has, and he will certainly curse You to Your face!”

18-5T 707.2

I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested they knew not their great ignorance. And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe; but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth. Certain it is that there has been among us a departure from the living God and a turning to men, putting human in place of divine wisdom. {5T 707.2}

19-Psalm 23:1 A psalm of David.

ADONAI is my shepherd, I shall not want.

20-Psalm 7:11 My shield is God—

Savior of the upright in heart.

21-Psalm 89:26 I will also set his hand over the sea,

his right hand over the rivers.

22-Psalm 78:65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,

as a warrior shaking off wine.

66 He beat back His foes,

23-Job 1:6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before ADONAI, and the satan[a] also came with them.

2:12 Again the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before ADONAI, and the satan also arrived among them to present himself before ADONAI.

Luke 10:18 And Yeshua said to them, “I was watching satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Revelation 12:3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: a great fiery red dragon that had seven heads and ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads.

,7-9

24-Job 1:6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before ADONAI, and the satan[a] also came with them.

2:2 Again the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before ADONAI, and the satan also arrived among them to present himself before ADONAI.

25-Zechariah 3:3 Then he showed me Joshua the kohen gadol standing before the angel of ADONAI and the satan[a], standing at his right hand to accuse him.

26-Luke 10:18 And Yeshua said to them, “I was watching satan fall like lightning from heaven.

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world! Now the prince of this world will be driven out!

27-Revelation 20:20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon—the ancient serpent, who is the devil and satan—and bound him for a thousand years. [a] 3 He also threw him into the abyss and locked and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed. After these things, he must be released for a short while.

28-Revelation 14:20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon—the ancient serpent, who is the devil and satan—and bound him for a thousand years. [a] 3 He also threw him into the abyss and locked and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed. After these things, he must be released for a short while.

29-Romans 3:3 Then what is the advantage of being Jewish? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. First of all, they were entrusted with the sayings of God. 3 So what if some did not trust? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 May it never be! Let God be true even if every man is a liar, as it is written,

“that You may be righteous in Your words

and prevail when You are judged.”[a]

30-Philippians 2:that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow,[a]

in heaven and on the earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue profess that Yeshua the Messiah is Lord—

to the glory of God the Father.

31-1 Corinthians 4:9 For it seems to me that God has put us, the emissaries, on display last of all—like men sentenced to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people

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