Job 1

Verses 1-4

• Job was very wealthy, and his wealth is not denounced. In fact, God blessed Job even more in his latter days (Job 42:12-15). Know that God is okay with us being wealthy, so long as we are not snared in a love of money (1 Timothy 6:9-10). 

  • Gain wealth, but keep your heart on God (Psalm 62:10). How so? Keep your mind focused on doing what pleases God with you time and resources. Serve others first! (Job did this well; see Job 29:12-16).

• Aside from his great wealth, Job was truly obedient to God. He, like any other man, had sin, but he conducted himself blamelessly before others. All the people around him knew him to be a righteous man.

  • This is important because it assures us that Job's adversities did not come upon him because of some particular sin of his own. 

  • We learn that hardships come to us all, and sometimes with no explanation. Trust God in all situations, and understand that some hardships are allowed for reasons that we will not understand.

Verse 5

• Notice that Job was always concerned for the spiritual state of his children. As a godly parent should, he interceded for his children and was always attentive to them. He did not assume that they weren't sinning just because he didn't see them do so. He prayed for their sins to be covered even if he did not see them in sin.

• • If you're a parent, diligently pray for your children. And don't wait until after your children are in sin before you will pray for them, teach them, and correct them. In the heart, at least, all people have sin. Know this, pray, and teach your children early!

Verse 6

• Verse 6. Angels are spoken of here and in a heavenly council, and they're named as sons of God. And Satan, though a fallen angel, can still appear in heaven with them.

  • Understand that all angelic beings, whether obedient or fallen, can come and go from heaven as they please, but those who are fallen appear there as outcasts, since they are not welcomed as citizens. 

    • Satan, in particular, when he goes to heaven, for certain reasons can also be violently cast out of heaven (Luke 10:18).

    • One day, Satan and the demons will not be able to enter heaven any longer (Revelation 12:7). 

Verses 7-12

• Satan's intentions, often, when he enters heaven, are to accuse man and to seek permission to harm us in some way (Revelation 12:10). God is in control of limiting Satan's actions to make sure that we do not suffer something we aren't ready for (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

• God will bless us at times, and at other times He will allow us to endure adversity. Both are appointed by Him (Ecclesiastes 7:14-15).

• Understand that Satan cannot act independent of God's authority. Take comfort in knowing that God is still in control even when hard things occur.

Verses 13-19

• Know that Satan is able to incite physical attacks from people (verse 15,17), he is able to bring fire our of thin air (verse 16), and he is able to controls some of the weather, like strong wind (verse 19). God allows or prohibits the devil from doing these things. Not all natural phenomenons like these are from the devil, but definitely some. Either way, God is in control.

  • During the end (the Great Tribulation) the devil will be allowed to cause such great signs and destruction again (Revelation 13:13).

Verses 20-22

• When Job heard of all that happened to his wealth and his family, he did nothing but worship God. We can learn from this.

• Even though Satan had attacked him, Job acknowledged that God was in control, and had allowed the attack to happen. In this way, God gave and then here took away. And verse 22 tells us that what Job said here was not wrong.

  • And remember, God won't allow us to suffer what we're not ready for (1 Corinthians 10:13). God allowed Job to suffer such great calamity, in part, because he had faith great enough to endure it, and it all strengthened him in the end.

    • Be thankful that God allows hardships that will bring growth to you! He never intends for your faith to be destroyed.

  • There is no wrong is saying that God has” taken away” when calamities occur. God is responsible in an indirect sense. Satan is the attacker, and God allows him to attack. God allows these attacks for good reasons that matter for eternity. Simply trust this.

• When you go through hard times, worship God! Trust His will in all circumstances, and know that hard times still serve God's purpose and plan for your life.