Job Preview

DAVID BAIRD

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Chapter one

Chapter 1 - Behold He is in Your Hand

Itrust we can say with great confidence that no other book in the Bible is viewed with greater perplexity than the book of Job. I have heard many views on various aspects of Job in an attempt to unlock the inherent mystery which exists in the pages of this book. Some of the interpretations seemed somewhat plausible.

However, everything I heard still left me with more questions than answers. The perspectives I heard neither settled peacefully in my heart nor unequivocally lifted the veil from this book. If the truth were known, most of what I heard created more doubt, confusion and fear. The viewpoints expressed by men desperately trying to make sense of Job would seldom, if ever, blend into the context of New Testament grace and faith in Christ.

I have heard many teachings on particular aspects of Job for the purpose of instruction or emphasizing a certain point and this certainly has merit. However, the “big picture” and overall mystery of Job still remained elusive. Therefore, I did as most of us have done, which is simply avoid the confusion and seeming contradiction Job engendered in the body of Christ and pushed it aside.

What About Job?

Job stands out like the proverbial “sore thumb” from all other books in the Bible. We have all heard preachers use it to explain everything from horrific car accidents to debilitating diseases. I even heard it referenced to make sense of the murder of an innocent mother and unborn child.

I recall an incident over 40 years ago where a young pregnant mother was murdered by her husband. The husband had gone to great lengths to make it look like an accident but was later convicted. At the funeral, the preacher’s main thesis was “What about Job” in an effort to comfort the family and explain the reasons behind this terrible tragedy. He used the story of Job in an attempt to make some kind of connection with the suffering of Job and this terrible event. For, as we know, Job’s children were killed as the result of a great storm. He concluded his sermon with the message that God is sovereign and some things we just do not understand.

I was just a young man at the time and was doing my best to find my way with God. I had heard all this kind of thing before, but something deep inside of me began to resist these viewpoints. I knew these mysterious, fatalistic conclusions were not right. However, this was the status quo doctrine used in trying to make sense of Job. This was the accepted logic throughout the body of Christ. Job was viewed, quite simply, as a book that depicts the mysterious sovereignty of God and He might just ruin your life just to test you. Presently, the more accepted viewpoint is that God will not personally ruin your life but simply “allows” your life to be ruined. This clarification concerning God “allowing” bad stuff to happen always made me feel so much better (sarcasm intended).

My Spirit was rejecting these concepts but my mind had no place else to go. I had no other explanation or argument to refute this accepted perception. All I possessed was this deep conviction that something was extremely wrong with this traditional interpretation of Job that has been passed down for generations.

On the way home from the funeral, I voiced my dissent to two people riding home with me. My questioning became the catalyst to vehement opposition. They defended with great zeal this traditional viewpoint of Job that is etched in church doctrine. Is it not puzzling that this mysterious, sovereign, fatalistic perception is so deeply defended by religious tradition? The book of Job is the origin of so many doctrines of the sovereignty of God and how he allows various forms of suffering on His children.

However, it is understandable, after carefully reading the book of Job, that any reader could come to these same conclusions. Without the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit shedding the light of revelation upon this book, we are certainly vulnerable to use it to explain why “bad things happen to good people”. Instead of the book of Job bringing hope and answers, it is used to galvanize fatalism and engender hopelessness with unsolvable mysteries.

When something happens that we do not understand, the inevitable question is soon to be heard - “What about Job?” Is this all God intended for this book to be to the Church? Is it to be an impenetrable fortress for the religious leaders of our time who espouse it as the quintessential standard that defines the sovereignty of God? Is Job beyond our understanding? Is it indeed proof that God might just do something that makes absolutely no sense just to prove His sovereignty or to test us?

I have some wonderful news! The book of Job has a magnificent and distinctly clear message to the church. I no longer avoid the book of Job but rather embrace it every day. Job has become one of my favorite books in the Bible. You might say, “Impossible! How could a book so full of misery and death be anyone’s favorite?”

As you read, you may very well come to the same conclusion. The book of Job is one of the most vivid and powerful books in the Bible. Job does more to reveal the love of Jesus than could be imagined. No longer does the book of Job stand out like a “sore thumb” but rather rests beautifully in the context and order of God’s plan of redemption for mankind through Jesus Christ.

Poetry, Prose and Praise

My daughter Brittany, upon reading Job for the first time, added the following perspective:

Amongst the exposition, climax and resolution of this Bible story, lies a literary work that is expertly written in verse and in prose. Certain phrases, syntax and diction boast an emotionally connected writer that is keenly aware of the myriads of emotions that assault the senses in the midst of suffering. These phrases are blended into the work in order to praise the work and heighten the depth of the language. Consider the language in a new light as you consider the position of this book on the true intent of the story of Job. In addition, a plethora of rhetorical questions are spouted randomly throughout this book in order to come to a conclusion together. Ironically, Job asks many questions throughout his plight. It is in honor of that style of writing that this book adopts. Read the questions and allow the answers to be birthed in your spirit. Ponder the meaning and pray for the words in this book to become life to you.

Types and Shadows of Christ

One day years ago it was mentioned to me that some have suggested that Job was a type of Christ. Upon hearing this, something powerful hit my spirit and I was completely captured by this concept. I immediately located my Bible and proceeded to read the book of Job. I began to be illumined in a miraculous way. The things that were becoming real to me were simply astounding. For the next several weeks, it was my joy and pleasure to explore this wondrous book of Job with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The thought that a foreshadowing of Christ could reside in the book of Job was now deep in my consciousness. The foundation with which I was now reading Job was the work of redemption. I was looking for Jesus in the book of Job. Would I be remiss in looking for Jesus in this writing? As a matter of fact, if we cannot find foreshadowing’s of Christ in an Old Testament book then we are not looking very hard because He is there.

A precedent has been set for Jesus to be revealed in the pages of the Old Testament. The purpose of the Old Covenant is to point us to Christ. The books of the Old Testament repeatedly offer types and shadows of Jesus and New Covenant revelations. Moses and the Prophets all foretold of Jesus and the work of redemption. Philip found Nathanael and said to him,

“We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45).

In Genesis , the first prophetic reference of Christ is introduced.

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15).

Is it not grand that the Father had a remedy for our disobedience before it ever happened. Is it not also beautiful that our entire walk with God is based on us screwing it up and Him fixing it! There is NOTHING that you have done that will keep the fulness of Christ from coming forth with all that He has planned for you. Jesus has made sure of this truth.

“Her Seed” speaks of the lineage of Mary spoken of in Luke 3 (whereas Matthew 1 speaks of the lineage of Joseph). The reference to the serpent is obviously representative of Satan. The crushing of his head is the defeat of Satan. The bruising of the heel is the suffering of Christ that took place in this destruction of Satan. Isaiah 53:4 He was bruised for our iniquities.

Other Old Testament references that are inarguably recognized as types and shadows of Christ include but are certainly not limited to:

•The story of Joseph in Genesis 37:17-36 tells how Joseph was thrown into the pit by his brothers but later ascended to a place of rule in Egypt. This is recognized by many to be a type of the death and resurrection of Christ.

•Moses left the comfort of Pharaohs palace to suffer hardship with his Hebrew brothers. Moses signifying and foreshadowing the Word leaving His place with the Father and being made flesh to become like us in every way.

•In Leviticus and Numbers, there are over a dozen references to the sin atoning sacrificial lamb. Specifically, in Numbers 21:8-9, the serpent was raised upon a pole for the children of Israel to look upon and be healed. This story is generally accepted as a type of Christ when He took our sins upon his body and became sin for us.

•In Joshua 2, Rahab, the harlot, attached a scarlet robe to her window to help the Hebrew spies escape. The scarlet robe representing the blood of Christ shed for us and providing safety and a way of escape.

•Psalm 22 foretells of the death of Jesus with specific clarity while Isaiah 53 depicts vividly the death of Jesus and what it means to us.

•The story of Jonah is recognized as a type of Christ. Jesus Himself references Jonah and identifies it as a type of His future experience in the grave.

These are just a few of the more recognized types and shadows of our Savior. With this in mind, could it be possible that Jesus resides in the pages of Job? Looking for Jesus in the book of Job is an exciting proposition and will change everything you have ever heard about the book of Job. Let’s begin our journey into this possibility with Job 1:1-8.

Perplexing Conversation

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. (Job 1:1-3

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ So Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.’ Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?’ “ (Job 1:6-8)

What could possibly be going on in this conversation between God and Satan? Satan comes to God from roaming about the earth. This is not unusual for the Devil. We know that Peter states in 1 Peter 5:8 to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Would Satan’s motivation be any different in this case? I think not. Satan is always looking for someone to devour. I think you will agree that of all among us, God would be keenly aware of Satan’s true intention. Yet God makes a most puzzling statement, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” It’s as if God is pointing out Job to Satan as if he is the prize trophy. It appears almost as if God is baiting a trap.

“So Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face’ “ (Job 1:9-11).

It now becomes obvious that Satan knows exactly who Job is and has detailed knowledge of every aspect of his life. Can we not conclude from Satan’s words that it is obvious that Satan has tried, probably on several occasions, to strike Job. We know this because Satan mentions the hedge that he has most certainly tried to penetrate. I am sure Satan is perplexed at God’s reply to him. Satan knows full well that God knows all things. God is also privy to Satan’s true intentions. Satan is aware that God knows of his attempts to penetrate Job’s hedge of protection. So knowing all of this why would God reply in this way? The next verse gives us some insight into this question:

“And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord” (Job 1:12).

Why Would God Respond In Such a Manner?

The answer to this question will reveal the first indication that we are about to embark on the most vivid depiction of the work of the cross illustrated in all of the scriptures! Satan asks God to tear down the hedge and strike everything Job possesses and God’s reply is… Behold. According to the Strong’s Concordance, the word Behold simply means to look or see. God says, “Look, everything he has is in your hands.” Is this some kind of test as some have suggested? Did Job do something wrong to deserve this and was already open and vulnerable to Satan. This perspective has been suggested by many in an effort to try to explain and understand Job?

Satan comes into the presence of God from roaming the earth seeking someone to devour and God virtually invites Satan to try his hand on Job. This is a man whom by God’s own words is blameless and there is no one on earth like him. What are we to possibly conclude from these words?

The New Testament describes a loving, merciful father who is accessible and forgiving. The work of the cross afforded us a direct connection to a loving father through the death, burial and resurrection of God’s son. It is said in the New Covenant that Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. How can you possibly make these statements co-exist with the Father of our New Covenant?

Now let us view all the things that cam upon Job. We will deal specifically with these things in the upcoming chapters:

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the []Sabeans []raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and []consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from []across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 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.”

22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Two Opposing Viewpoints

There has been one main school of thought as to explain the contradiction between the New Testament account of Jesus as redeemer and the Old Testament retelling of God offering Job to the Evil One. This interaction between God and Satan has been the foundation with which theologians have concluded that God is sovereign. They use the first chapter of Job to prove the all-consuming “God Allows” doctrine that permeates most of the church today. This belief maintains that ultimately if something happens to you, then God allowed it for some mysterious reason. They declare that God is in control. I have heard even renown preachers say, “Satan cannot do anything to you unless it first goes through God.” Again, they will add, “God does not bring the affliction, but He allows these things.” The “Allow Doctrine” is the great catch 22 for everything we do not understand. The entire book of Job and particularly this specific segment of scripture is the foundational benchmark for this belief along with Romans 8:28… All Things Work Together for Good.

A second and opposing argument rises from another segment of the church based on James 1:13…

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

This passage of scripture refutes without reservation the notion that God allows evil things to take place in our lives. It states that God is not the author or even the doorkeeper of adversity in our lives. It proclaims that God does not tempt, test or try any man. It seems this second school of thought is in alignment with the redemptive story of the cross and is in harmony with the New Testament.

Ok… But What Are We Going To Do With Job?

If you adhere to this statement in James and believe God does not “Allow” these afflictions, at some point you are going to have to deal with the mystery of Job. Because it certainly does appear that God “Allowed” all this suffering on Job.

Since we hear this phrase so often in religious circles, "God did not cause the issues but He allowed them". Let's dissect this statement. It sounds so religiously true and whoever said this first eons ago most certainly thought they had stumbled upon a profound truth. To attach this characteristic to God is laughable at best. Why don't we superimpose this truth on our own earthly Fathers and see how it passes that test.

For those who are parents consider this: You are out having a peaceful afternoon with your children when you suddenly see a snake approaching your child. You have ample time to rescue your child and bring them to safety but instead you decide to "allow" the snake to bite your child because you know, though they will suffer, they will eventually be ok. Or let's say you are at the playground and some bully begins to harm your child. Would you stand idly by and let it happen or would you "Allow" it? If you have the ability to stop an action and you don't then you are complicit and are just as responsible as if you caused the issue.

Have we not heard of many cases where parents were charged with negligence and imprisoned for "Allowing" their children to be vulnerable to danger? Yet, are going attribute this same characteristic to God? No earthly Father or Mother would ever "allow" any harm to come to their children unless they are mentally ill.

Now, of course, reaping what one sows is an entirely different matter. We cannot make our children choose wisely all the time and as they grow their own will is theirs to choose. If they choose unwisely and reap the consequences then there is nothing you can do as a parent. If one is interpreting God "Allows" as the freedom to express their will then of course God Allows as we are not puppets. I trust we can easily distinguish between the abuses of the God "Allows" doctrine and those of the laws of sowing and reaping.

Second View of Why These Calamities Befell Job

There is a second widely accepted interpretation that claims Job was the source of his afflictions. This viewpoint suggests that he was already in the power of Satan because of his fear and wringing of the hands over his son’s possible sins (Job 1:5). Job offered sacrifices each day just in case his sons had sinned. He lived in fear that he would lose all that he had. Later in Job 3:25, it was proclaimed by Job himself that “What I have feared has come upon me.” This argument insists that because of Job’s fears, he was opened to Satan’s barrage. In other words, it was his own fault. He was reaping the harvest of his own fears.

I submit to you that both of the above viewpoints are erroneous. The first viewpoint that God allows all this evil invalidates the entire New Testament and is so dangerous that it can cost you your life. The opposing perspective, that it was Job’s fear that brought all the calamity, reduces the book of Job to such a trite interpretation void of any life changing illumination of Christ. It prevents us from seeing the depth and beauty that Job contains. It dismisses the life-changing revelation contained in the book of Job that far surpasses anything we could have imagined. The freedom and beauty that the Father intended Job to be to the church is lost in this vastly over-simplistic, incomplete view.

Why can this viewpoint that fear was the cause of Job’s suffering not be possible? First, let’s look at the perspective that Job’s fear put him in the hands of Satan and God had nothing to do with giving Job over to Satan.

If Job was already in the hands of Satan prior to this conversation with God then it was news to Satan. If you will allow me to summarize Job 1: 9-10 in my own words, Satan is saying to God, “Have I considered Job? What? Are you kidding me? I have tried to destroy him, his household, and everything he has, but you have got this hedge around all that he has.”

God Gave Job Over to Satan

It is absurd to think that Satan was unaware that Job was vulnerable to him and that Job was already in his hands. The view that Job, through his own fears had broken the hedge and was now fully exposed to the attacks of Satan. Are we to truly believe Satan was oblivious to Job’s hedge being down and it takes God to point this fact out to Satan? Yet this must be accepted for this viewpoint to be valid.

However, there came a time when the hedge was removed and Job was given over to Satan. That moment came when God says, “Behold”. In Job 1:12, God says, “Behold, all that he has is in your power.” Virtually 90% of all Job translations use the word “behold” to communicate “look” or “see” my servant Job. The NIV version uses the phrase “very well” when describing God’s response to Satan’s request for Job. “Very well” might be a little excessive use of translation license, but nonetheless, it is clear that God gave Job over to Satan. Clearly, he was not already in the power of Satan.

There was unquestionably a hedge around Job. Satan openly says that he has tried to penetrate this hedge but obviously cannot up to this time. Therefore, he was not in the hands of Satan prior to this conversation between God and Satan. In addition, what are the proponents of this view going to do when God clearly tells Satan later, “Only upon himself put not forth thine hand.” Was Job’s body already in the hands of Satan here also? If so, then why does Satan have to ask for Job’s flesh later? God is clearly stating that he is not letting Satan have Job’s flesh during the first conversation. Did Job’s fear open himself up to the total ruin of his family and finances but not quite enough fear to also include his flesh? Yes, I am being sarcastic in case you did not pick this up. This viewpoint that Job’s fear put made him open to Satan simply does not add up. Yet later God indeed does give Job’s flesh over to Satan clearly establishing that it is God who is giving Job’s body over to Satan.

It Was Job’s Own Fault?

This doctrine that it is Job’s sin and his fear that is at the root of his destruction is a desperate attempt to make these events fit the narrative that Job was already in the hands of Satan. Resistance to these views is vital because they have kept us from seeing the real truth and beauty of Job. If the perspective that all this tragedy came upon Job because he feared and opened himself up to Satan is true, then why does God say that Job is blameless and there is no one on earth like him? These two concepts cannot co-exist.

You simply cannot have it both ways. Surely God knows that Job is wringing his hands in fear. Surely God knows that Job is making sacrifices in fear and is living a life that is making him open to attacks by Satan. And even if this was all true do you think that one’s fears would deserve or open them up to such a massive barrage of death upon their lives? If this is the case then there is not much hope for any of us.

In the midst of all of this God calls Job blameless in Job 1:8,

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

The King James Version uses the word “perfect” which is translated to literally mean just what it says, “perfect or complete”. God not only says that Job is blameless but also says that he “fears the Lord”. So God proclaims Job perfect and one who walks in the fear of the Lord. In this context, the word “fear” means reverence and respect as I am certain you are already aware.

There are numerous promises to those who fear the Lord. All of these promises promote peace and protection. None of these promises suggest that as a result of reverence that God will turn you and your household over to Satan to be ruined at every conceivable angle, but this is exactly what happened to Job.

Let us take a look at just a few of the promises in the scriptures associated with those who fear or reverence God. These are just a few of the promises extolling the benefits and results of the fear of the Lord.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

“In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge” (Proverbs 14:26).

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27).

“Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net” (Psalm 25:12-15).

“The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them” (Psalm 34:7).

“The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil” (Proverbs 19:23).

I chose Proverbs 19:23 last as an exclamation point on the promises of the “fear of the LORD”. Look at these promises that Job should be receiving. He shall dwell in prosperity. His children will have a place of refuge. You will be turned away from death and not given over to death?

Things are just not adding up for the perspective that Job was the cause of his own demise. The point is that if we are to believe Job was in the hands of Satan because of his own behavior; how do you reconcile the fact that God states unequivocally that Job was perfect, blameless, feared God and shunned evil? Are the promises of God a lie? If we are to believe that Job’s own behavior gave him over to Satan then the only conclusion that can be drawn is that God’s promises are simply not true.

With this in mind, we cannot believe either of the two accepted interpretations of Job that have been passed down for decades and even generations. The belief that God, in His mysterious sovereignty, allows our lives to be savagely destroyed for our eventual good is simply ridiculous. This belief system only perpetuates bondages and sorrow. When difficulty comes to our lives we cannot explain, instead of gravitating toward the overcoming life of Christ, many identify with this theological dogma of death to explain their circumstances.

Our alternative is to accept the second viewpoint that a blameless man who fears God and shuns evil was already in the power of Satan. Neither of these perspectives accurately interpret the true message of Job and uphold the victory that is our inheritance through the cross.

Friends?

The following is the most important truth that shreds the idea that Job’s belief system or any of his actions are the root cause of these horrific things coming upon him. This concept is precisely the exact argument of the three friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar who visit with Job in the midst of his suffering. This idea that Job is the cause of him being vulnerable to these assaults was argued in virtually the entire book of Job by the three friends.

After the incessant accusations by the three friends that it is Job's sins that have caused all of this calamity, both God and Elihu severely chastise the three friends for these same accusations. The three friends are blatantly told by God their claims that the origin of Job’s trials lie within Job himself are false. We will look intently at both God and Elihu's response to Job later. Also, as we will see, God astonishingly declares that Satan incited God to ruin Job for no reason! This further debunks the notion the root of Job’s vulnerability to Satan was caused by Job himself.

Therefore, we cannot explain away Job by the idea that God “allows” Satan to wreak havoc in our lives to build our character. Nor can we dismiss the beauty of Job with arguments that “what he feared came upon him” or that Job’s behavior put him in the hands of Satan.

It Pleased the Lord to Bruise Him

Some may say at this point, “Ok…since everyone else is wrong, why don’t YOU tell us the “Real Truth” (sarcasm interjected). I can assure you I do not mean to have an “I’m right you’re wrong” spirit about this most important subject. However, when you seek out answers and the Holy Spirit inspires a higher truth that sets the captives free... you must speak.

So what is the real truth? Why did God point out Job to Satan? Why did He give a blameless man over to be brutally afflicted? There can only be one reason. This reason unveils the true revelation in the book of Job.

The book of Job is a portrayal and foreshadowing of God the Father giving over His Son to become the eternal sacrifice for us!

THIS… is the thesis of this book and foundation with which Job can be understood.

When examining the life of Jesus, we learn that He lived year after year upon the earth with no evil befalling him. When the storms tried to destroy the boat, Jesus simply spoke “peace be still”. When the religious leaders of the day tried to stone Him, Jesus passed among their midst. There was a hedge about Him where no evil could befall Him. Even when Judas betrayed Him and brought the soldiers to arrest him Jesus responded, Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? However, there came a day, in the fullness of time, that God the Father gave His only begotten Son to become the lamb to be slain. Every part of his being, body, soul and spirit, were given willingly to the ravages of satanic fury. The hedge was removed and the lamb was violently assaulted.

Likewise, the hedge was about Job, but there came a day where the hedge was removed and Satan was invited to destroy Job. I am reminded of Isaiah 53:10-11, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When you make His soul an offering for sin...” Can you recount to me any other instance in the Word of God quite like this one depicted in Job? An instance of a blameless man who fears God and shuns evil becoming consumed by the devil occurs in only one other place. That place is when God gave His only Son to be the sin offering for all of mankind.

The Devil made me do it!

“Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.’ Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause’ “ (Job 2:3).

This is without a doubt one of the most perplexing statements in the entire Bible. God actually states that Satan incited God to destroy Job. Then God adds to this incredible statement, “without cause.” This statement by God also completely destroys the notion that Job’s own actions opened the door for Satan to afflict him, “although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause’ “ God opened the door to Satan and did so even though Job was blameless, feared the Lord and there was none like him in all the earth.

I just want to take a moment to pause and let this sink in to your thinking. Can you believe this statement actually exists in the Bible? God ruins a blameless man for no reason and claims He did not want to cause any harm to this man. God declares that Satan incited Him take down the hedge and for calamity to be sent upon His possessions and family. I would say this is the ultimate “devil made me do it” story (for those old enough to remember the Flip Wilson routine in the 70‘s...and yes…I am indeed old enough to remember).

How are we to truly understand such a puzzling words spoken by God? How could Satan incite God to ruin blameless Job? How are we to reconcile these things with the loving Father that we know? We do so by rightly dividing the Word. The Word is divided by the cross of Christ. We must see through the lens of the cross. We must divide Old and New Covenant.

I ask again, how could Satan incite God to ruin Job? Satan did so in the Garden of Eden. There he tempted man to sin and stole his authority in the entire earth. At this moment we hear the first prophetic mention of the coming savior: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15) It was at this moment that God was incited by Satan to lay the sin of mankind upon the shoulders of a blameless, innocent man whose name would be Jesus.

Please think long and hard about the way Job has been interpreted in the past and now open your minds to a different perspective of what God intended for Job to be to you and me. Where in all of the scriptures can you make these statements that we have just read fit in the light of our redemption in Christ? The fact is you cannot! However, we have volumes of commentary trying to make sense of the events of Job outside the context of the work of the cross. The result is a myriad of incomplete, disorientating theologies that only perpetuate confusion. It has led to a religious malaise of double talk and Christian psycho-babble to which some use to explain their circumstances.

What is God trying to say to us? Is He saying what so many theologians have tried to make us believe? God may “allow” horrible things to take place in your life to “test” you? Is he saying that God knows best” and some things we just can’t understand? The real meaning and revelation of the book of Job is so far beyond these twisted, weak interpretations that lead to confusion, oppression and ultimately death.

If Job is to be viewed as an inspired work of scripture and its purpose is to validate the “God allows” doctrine, then we have no foundation whatsoever to base our faith. Because no matter what takes place in your life you will have the haunting phrase “What about Job” always sabotaging your faith. Such is the case in so many Christian lives across the world. This doctrine has perpetuated in pulpits, bookstores, radio, film, etc. for centuries.

Satan Asks for More

“So Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!’ And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life’ “ (Job 2:4-6).

The word “behold” appears again in verse 6. God has just stated that He was incited by Satan to ruin Job without any reason. Now, unbelievably, Satan asks for more and God says again, “Behold...he is in your hand?” This is madness! Can you still possibly believe this is representative of the sovereignty of God? Something much higher and meaningful is taking place which supersedes erroneous, antiquated doctrines that dilute the cross.

Devastation kept coming, “wave upon wave”. Everything physically, emotionally, psychologically that could be thrust upon a man was overwhelming Job. The most diabolical afflictions that could be conceived were thrust upon him. Likewise, from the arrest in the Garden to the three days in the grave, Jesus experienced every possible death that could be put upon man as a result of sin. In the same manner as a foreshadowing of the cross, God surrendered Job to Satan and added that, “Everything he has is in your hands.” For our redemption to be complete everything of Jesus had to be given over to Satan. This was necessary so that there could be no death that He has not already tasted on our behalf.

Shall We Accept Good from God and not Trouble?

“So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes. Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!’ But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:7-10).

I emphasize this segment of scripture because many people take this saying as well as the entire book of Job, to justify that God “allows” things to happen to people. After all, it’s right there in black and white, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Using Job and, specifically this portion of scripture, to validate this view demands an explanation.

First, if we use Job and this portion of scripture to support our doctrine that God in His infinite wisdom and unquestioned sovereignty brings both good and trouble then you must also agree that we accept the context in which these words were spoken. If you adhere to such thinking then you must embrace the following: your children and servants (employees today) can be brutally murdered or swept away by storms, everything you own can be taken from you and utterly destroyed, you can be stricken with boils from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. All of this happens to you and you are ready to say, “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” Most importantly, you must say that God may allow all of this upon a blameless, innocent man for no reason! A man of whom it is said by God, “there is no one on earth like him!” Is this not the context with which these things are written? How can these statements rest in the context of our redemption in Christ?

We could not help but think that if Job were blameless and these horrific events unfolded nonetheless, then this calamity could also be our experience. Or that if we are having issues with fear that this could open us up to Satan’s attacks - then we are all doomed.

So how do we view these words of Job? “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” is a foreshadowing of the substitutionary work of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane when he proclaimed,

“Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.’ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.’ “ (Matthew 26:38-39).

“…O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42).

In Matthew, Jesus was about to become the sin offering and be judged as a sinner even though He was blameless. He was to accept every hellish, damnable thing that could assail mankind though He deserved none of those things. He accepted trouble of every kind willingly on our behalf. Jesus is saying, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Jesus took the cup of death for us. Likewise Job is the foreshadowing of a blameless man accepting trouble that he does not deserve.

Before we leave this phrase, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble”? let us take a closer look at this question.

The word “trouble” in Job 2:10 is translated “evil” in the King James Version. It is translated from the Hebrew word ra’. Strong’s defines ra’ as bad, disagreeable, malignant, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery), distress, adversity and calamity.” Job states, “shall we accept good from God and not evil?” (distress, adversity, calamity, unhappiness and misery) This is one of many scriptures that are used to support a face value interpretation of Job’s words. Let’s review other scriptures regarding this notion of trouble.

Promises To Keep Us From RA’

In the following scriptures every place you see the word translated harm, evil or trouble it is from the Hebrew ra’.

“No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil” (Proverbs 12:21).

“Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling” (Psalm 91:9-10).

“The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil” (Proverbs 19:23).

The NIV version uses the term “untouched”.

“The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble” (Proverbs 19:23 NIV).

Job 2:10 says, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” However, in these other scriptures it clearly states than no ra’ will befall those who fear the Lord. God Himself says in Job 1:8 that he was “…a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Yet all kinds of evil befell him and God later says, “for no reason.” In other words, there was nothing that Job did to deserve this ra’.

Is God contradicting His own promises? Is God a liar? Certainly not! These things are just not adding up. Job should have received the result of his blameless life. Ra’ should not have had access to him. I am purposely challenging the dogma that we have accepted through years concerning Job. Beyond it being the seed of so much misunderstanding, confusion and unbelief, it has buried the real truth of the book of Job.

So what is the real truth of the book of Job? Of all the writings of old why was this book included as holy scripture? One could certainly argue that so many other writings that were not included would have made more sense than this seemingly confusing writing full of unrelenting pain and misery.

There is one reason and one reason only the book of Job was vitally placed in the Holy Bible and it is this:

The book of Job is a magnificent portrayal of the most finite aspects of our redemption obtained in the work of the cross! It is the most vivid and descriptive account of the death of Christ offered in all of the scriptures.

There are only two places in all of the Bible where ra’ is thrust upon a blameless man. One, when God willingly gave Job over to the ravages of Satan and two, when God gave His only Son to be made sin and experience death at the deepest level of human existence.

Now let us move forward with far more astounding evidence that Job is the definitive, finite depiction of the death of Jesus. Vividly illustrating this truth more than in any other place in all of scripture. More importantly, let us now look deeply into how this understanding can change our lives at the very core of our being…forever.

The mysteries that lie hidden in the book of Job are simply astounding and offer deep insight into our Great Salvation brought to us at the death and resurrection of our Savior.