The Strand Study Bible

JOB JOB and to enjoy the moment that our labors bring us (Eccl 2:24 & 3:13,22 & 5:12,18-19 & 8:15). However, too much feasting (vs 4,13) can lead to too much focus on the temporal, which can lead to sin. Thus Job offered burnt offerings ( Lev 1:2 ) unto the LORD in order to maintain daily fellowship with Him. 1:7 SATAN has a variety of names and titles that he goes by. For example: 1. Abaddon (meaning, destruction - Rev 9:11) 17. God of this world (II Cor 4:4) 2. Accuser of the brethen (Rev 12:10) 18. King (Rev 9:11) 3. Adversary (I Pet 5:8) 19. Liar (Jn 8:44) 4. Angel (Rev 9:11) 20. Lucifer (Isa 14:12) 5. Angel of light (II Cor 11:14) 21. Murderer (Jn 8:44) 6. Angel of the bottomless pit (Rev 9:11) 22. Old Serpent (Rev 12:9) 7. Anointed cherub (Ezk 28:14) 23. Prince of the Devils (Mt 9:34) 8. Apollyon (meaning, destruction - Rev 9:11) 24. Prince of the Power of the Air (Eph 2:2) 9. Beelzebub (Mt 12:27) 25. Prince of this World (Jn 14:30) 10. Belial (II Cor 6:15) 26. Roaring Lion (I Pet 5:8) 11. Devil (meaning, to malign; to accuser) Rev 12:9) 27. Satan (Rev 12:9) 12. Dragon (Rev 12:7,13 & 13:2,4 & 13:11 & 16:13) 28. Serpent (Gen 3:1 & Rev 12:14) 13. Great Dragon (Rev 12:9) 29. Star (Rev 9:1) 14. Great Red Dragon (Rev 12:3) 30. Tempter (Mt 4:3) 15. Enemy (Mt 13:39) 31. Thief (Jn 10:10) 16. Evil (One) (Lk 11:4) 32. Wicked (One) (Eph 6:16) NOTE – R.I. Humberd in Satan described our foe to perfection when he said: 806 1:11 Satan’s desire is to tempt man into “cursing” God, thus charging (or, blaming) God foolishly. Eventually Satan succeeded in deceiving both Job (Job 3:1,11,23 & 6:4 & 13:24-28 & 16:9 & 31:35 & 32:1-2 & 34:5,9,35-37) and his wife (Job 2:9) into blaming God for their circumstances. 1:12a In other words: God said to the Devil, “Ok ( Behold ), I’m willing to perfect (mature) Job a little more. Have at him.” 1:12b Unbeknownst to us, the sooner we are crushed ( all that he hath is in thy power ) the sooner God can use us. David Jeremiah, Senior Pastor at Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego California, once noted: Before God greatly uses any man, He crushes him. I used to pray that I could be the exception, but I have discovered that there are no exceptions. 2 1:14 You know the story. In Job chapter one Job was minding his own business down on earth when all of a sudden word had come to him ( And there came a messenger unto Job ) that he had lost his wealth (vs 15-17) and his children (vs 18-19), all in one day. How did he react to the news? He reacted just like God said he would react –like “ a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil ” (vs 8,20-22). Then, in chapter two, Satan was allowed to take away his health (Job 2:1-7), and still Job retained his integrity (Job 2:9-10). Job was a man of immense spiritual character. Unfortunately, Job failed to maintain that integrity in chapter three. His failure to remain the spiritual giant that he was came when God decided to remove His presence from Job’s life for a time (Job 7:1-3). NOTE – There are two times in a believer’s life when God becomes silent and disappears for awhile: 1. When He is “trying” us to see if we will still trust His promises, even when we fail to feel His presence ( II Pet 1:19 ) 2. When He is “tired” of the way we are living (I Cor 5:1-5) 1:15 The Sabeans came from Sheba (Job 6:19), a descendant of Shem (Gen 10:28). Satan used three different weapons in his arsenal to try and destroy God’s purpose, as well as Job: (1) People (Job 1:15,17), which can include Christians (Mt 16:21-23); (2) Nature (Job 1:16,19); and (3) Sickness (Job 1:2,7). 1:21 Control is an illusion ( the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away ). Learn to let go of control. NOTE – What a summit of faith! Job not only rent his clothes and shaved his head in an act of humility (all artificial additions of clothing and hair were removed as possible sources of pride), but he recognized God’s control/ownership ( the LORD hath taken away ) of his kids (Gen 33:5). 2:3 God will hold every free-willed creature ever created responsible for his/her actions ( although thou movedst me against him ). The GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT will be proof of that (Rev 20:11-15). Meanwhile it is vital that we understand that God’s nature is such that He Himself cannot commit evil ( Lam 3: 31- 33 ), even though He allows free-willed creatures who choose to do evil to exist ( Gen 2:9 ). James 1:13 says: “ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man :” For now we only know part of the reason why God permits suffering. One day we will see clearly, however, and God will be vindicated. 2:4 The great Accuser argues, “ Skin for skin ” (even Satan knows that when it comes to survival, everybody is on their own). 1 Humberd, R.I. Satan . R.I. Humbred, 1945. Print 2 Brewer, Vernon. Why? , Forest, VA, World Help, 2006. Print. All was good until a creature from another order of beings entered our realm and led our first parents into disobedience to their God… Satan’s power is inconceivable, and he uses every ounce he can muster, to thwart the purpose of God in the human race, and as he walks to and fro in the earth, he leaves a path of misery and woe that is mountain high. 1