Job 1:6-22

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Job’s Test of Faith – Personal Possessions

BACKGROUND NOTES

Who are the “sons of God” referred to in verse 6?
From this first chapter of Job, what do we learn about Satan?
The testing of Job’s faith may seem to be a contradiction of the truth written by James (1:13), “ . . . for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” Is this a contradiction?
God allows three primary sources to test our faith. What are they?
In addition to the loss of Job’s material possessions in his testing, what else was taken from him? Was there a limit to Job’s tests?
How did Job respond or react once he learned of his great losses (vs 20-22)?

The “sons of God” in this chapter refer to angels. We know from Scripture that all angels were created as good angels and as servants, and we see here that angels periodically report to God concerning their activities.
We learn that Satan is a personal being, not just an evil influence. We also learn that Satan is not in Hell, but is active and roaming about on the earth (1 Peter 5:8), and that he has access to the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).
The testing of Job’s faith is not a contradiction to the truth recorded in James 1:13. God allows Satan to test the believer even with temptation, but God does not directly tempt anyone to sin. Both James 1 and 1 Peter 1 address the testing of our faith to prove and strengthen our faith.
The three primary sources that God allows to test our faith are the world, the flesh and the devil. See 1 John 2:15-16, James 1:14, and Job 1 and 2, respectively, in this connection.
In addition to losing his material possessions, Job’s children and his health were taken from him. Beyond these losses, God’s protective “hedge” (v 10) limited Satan’s testing of Job.
After all that happened to Job, he did not blame God in the slightest way. Rather, Job fell prostrate and worshiped God. While he tore his robe and shaved his head, cultural signs of grief, Job also blessed the name of the Lord, showing us that grief and worship can be simultaneous acts in times of great loss.

Discuss the many characteristics of Satan that are given in the Bible. Consider how many of these characteristics came into play when Job was tested. Consider events and experiences in the life of your family, your church or in the world around you where these characteristics are demonstrated clearly.

Look closely at the five statements Job makes in verse 21 as part of his worship, and acknowledge the reality of each of the first four in your life. Then ask yourself the question, “Did I bless the name of the Lord the last time I was in the midst of a crisis of testing, and would I praise His name if God severely tested my faith in the future? Pray for a faith that has the strength of Job’s faith, one that will not falter when testing comes.

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’” Job 1:21