►Job / chapters 1-42

OT/NT: Old Testament (1).
 
SECTION: Poetry Books (2).
 
TRADITIONAL AUTHOR: Unknown (multiple possibilities).
 
KEY FIGURES: Bildad (3), Elihu (4), Eliphaz (5), Job (6), and Zophar (7).
 
TIMELINE: As the Author is unknown, the time frame covered is unknown.

 
SUMMARY (b): The book of Job opens with a scene in Heaven where Satan (8) comes to accuse Job before God (9). He insists Job only serves God because God protects him and seeks God’s permission to test Job’s faith (10) and loyalty. God grants His permission, only within certain boundaries. Why do the righteous suffer? This is the question raised after Job loses his family, his wealth, and his health. Job’s three friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, come to “comfort” him and to discuss his crushing series of tragedies. They insist his suffering is punishment for sin (11) in his life. Job, though, remains devoted to God through all of this and contends that his life has not been one of sin. A fourth man, Elihu, tells Job he needs to humble himself and submit to God’s use of trials to purify his life. Finally, Job questions God Himself and learns valuable lessons about the sovereignty of God and his need to totally trust in the Lord. Job is then restored to health, happiness, and prosperity beyond his earlier state.

 
APPLYING JOB TO MY LIFE (b): The Book of Job reminds us that there is a "cosmic conflict" going on behind the scenes that we usually know nothing about. Often we wonder why God allows something, and we question or doubt God’s goodness, without seeing the full picture. The Book of Job teaches us to trust God under all circumstances. We must trust God, not only WHEN we do not understand, but BECAUSE we do not understand. The psalmist tells us, “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalms 18:30). If God’s ways are “perfect,” then we can trust that whatever He does—and whatever He allows—is also perfect. This may not seem possible to us, but our minds are not God’s mind. It is true that we can’t expect to understand His mind perfectly, as He reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Nevertheless, our responsibility to God is to obey (12) Him, to trust Him, and to submit to His will, whether we understand it or not.

CHAPTER SUMMARIES: Explore (0) chapter by chapter summaries!

 
COMING UP: Next up is the Book of Psalms (13)!
 

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All bible verse references linked herein are courtesy of Bible Gateway (a). The narrative (b) offered herein has been published with permission (c) and no monetary gain is being sought. Footnotes inserted within the narrative re-direct to Marion County Manna Project webpages (unless otherwise noted) for additional spiritual insight and reflection.

 
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If you're seeking additional info about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (0). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (0) (e) is the most rewarding, everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!

 
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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (0), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (0), Discipleship Encounters (0) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!
 
Modifications are welcome at [email protected].

 
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FOOTNOTES:
  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament
  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/poetry-books
  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bildad
  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/elihu
  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/eliphaz
  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/job-1
  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/zophar
  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/satan
  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/God-of-the-bible
(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/faith
(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/sin
(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/obedience
(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/psalms
(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city
(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor
(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies
(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education
(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
 
PAGE CREDITS:
(a) Bible Gateway, New International Version (NIV) Bible, accessed September 18, 2020, https://www.biblegateway.com/

(b) Survey of the Book of Job, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 11, 2021,
https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Job.html
 
(c) Copyright Policy, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 11, 2020,
https://www.gotquestions.org/about.html
 
(d) Videos, Milestones, Blogs & Poster, BibleProject, accessed September 29, 2020,
https://www.bibleproject.com/terms/#use
 
EXTERNAL RESOURCES:
(e)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020, https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html

Information offered herein has been generated for non-profit use.
 
Feel free to re-produce and distribute without monetary gain.
 
SPREAD JESUS.
 
 
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