THERE WAS A MAN

JOB 1:1-12

INTRODUCTION

Each one of us knows the reality of hardship and crisis. Some of you have experienced some of the obvious tragedies that follow those who live in this world. There is conflict all around us, we notice this conflict every day. Death, disease, warfare, hardships, pain, sorrow are all obvious and clearly seen by everyone who lives in this world.

There is however an area of conflict that goes on around us and within us that we cannot see. This conflict happens in the spiritual realm. We are all engaged in spiritual warfare if we realize it or not. In this invisible war, there are many causalities. In this text, the veil is pulled back just a little, we are allowed to see a glimpse of the spiritual warfare that occurred in Job’s life. We are allowed to see events that occurred in heaven. When trials come our way, we always seem to forget that God is behind our hurts and that God has a plan in our pain. This passage reminds us that God is sovereign, He is in control. Let us trust God no matter what happens.

Let us learn:-

I.  AN UNLIKELY CANDIDATE (V.1-5)

1. Jobs character (v.1)

• Job was a man of purity, integrity and holiness.
• Job was a man who feared God.
• Job was a man who lived above reproach, no one could make an accusation that would stick.

1. Job Commodities (v.2-4)

• Job was a wealthy and blessed man
• God had blessed Job with riches and a large loving family

1. Jobs Commitment (V. 5-6)

• Job was a priest over his family.
• Job loved his children, he prayed for them daily.
• Job offered sacrifices to atone for their sins. He was committed to God and his family.

1. Job was a man of Consistency (v.6)

• Job was not a part-time believer. Hi lived holy every day.
• Job avoided sin, He sought God for others, and He was a great intercessor.
• He always grew his relationship with God in total fellowship with Him.
• All these things made Job an unlikely candidate for trouble and suffering. According to many, people suffer for the wrongs they have done (Job 2:9, 4:7, 8:1-6, 15:1-6)
• It is true sometimes we suffer because of our sins and foolish decisions.
• We also suffer because of the sins and foolish decisions of other people.
• But other times we suffer for the glory of God (John 9:1-3; 11:4)

II.  AN UNSEEN CONFLICT (V. 6-12)

1. A Heavenly Assembly (V.6)

• The angelic beings make an appearance before God’s throne.
• They are there to give an account of their service to God.
• Even Satan appears before God as the judge of all.
• Satan the most ungodly being stands before God.
• Satan’s other names, Abaddon-Accuser, Angel of the bottomless pit, Angel of light, Antichrist, Apollyon, Beelzebub, Belial, the devil, the dragon, enemy, the evil spirit, the father of all liars, the god of this world, Lucifer, the serpent etc.

1. A heavenly acknowledgement (v.7-8)

• His presence is acknowledged by God.
• God calls Satan to account for his activities.
• Satan is not God, he is limited, created being, notice God speaks first (1:7, 2:2) who speaks last (1; 12, 2:6), who leaves heaven? (1:12, 2:7)

1. A Heavenly Accusation (v.9-12)

• Satan is the adversary- He stands in opposition- he tells God that Job serves Him because God has paid Job to be holy.
• He tells God that if God were to remove His hand from Job’s life, Job would turn his back on the Lord.
• Satan is the accuser but we have an advocate (Rev.12:10, I John 2:1)

III.  AN UNBELIEVABLE CRISIS.

1. The scope of this crisis (V.14-17)
2. The sorrow of this crisis (v.18-19)
3. The source of this crisis- was to drive Job away from God. (Romans 8:37-38)

IV.  THE UNRELINGUISHED CONTROL (V.6-12, Rom.8:28-29)

1. God was the initiator (V.7)
2. God was the instigator (V.8)
3. God was the inhibitor (v.12)- God set the limits.

V.  AN UNFAZED COMMITMENT (v.20-22)

1. Job’s reaction- He shaved his head, he tore his garments
2. Job’s response- He blessed the name of the Lord.
3. Job’s realization- Job understands that everything he ever had, come to him from the hands of God. (I Cor.15:10)

CONCLUSION

• The invisible war is being waged around us today.
• Satan works to undermine our faith.
• Our response should be; just keep walking with the Lord in spite of what happens to us.