Bible Pathway - June 15, 2011
Read Job 1
Highlights:
A great godly example, Job acknowledges God as his Source of wealth and family (Job 1:1-5). God allows Satan to attack Job (1:12 — 2:9). In pain, Job curses the day he was born (chap. 3), while his friends offer "advice" (chap. 4).
We are startled to find Satan in the presence of the Lord. But 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 (Job 2:1). He was there to slander and accuse a man who was perfect and upright, one that feared God, and eschewed (avoided) evil (1:1,8; 2:3). Satan, the accuser of our brethren (Rev. 12:10), later used Job's "friends" to criticize, belittle, and discourage him.
Who can understand the heartache and sorrow of Job — the servant of the Lord who was stripped of family, possessions, and health? This suffering was not a misfortune or bad luck; nor was it punishment from God, as Job's friends supposed. All of Job's sufferings were the attacks of Satan, but God allowed them in order to bring Job into a closer relationship with Himself.
Job's wife was no encouragement, for she found fault with God for all their problems. She told Job: "You may as well curse God, and die (Job 2:9). She too forfeited her opportunity of imparting the tender love of God — of ministering comfort in Job's suffering and strengthening his confidence in God.
Only through submission to God could she obtain the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. . . . Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord (I Pet. 3:4-6). A Sara will be a faithful helpmeet to her Abraham even when she is not clear as to why he is having problems. I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. . . . Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man (I Cor. 11:3,9).
Spiritual victories do not just happen; they are dependent upon one's faith in God. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). Apart from the indwelling power of His Spirit and His Word, all efforts to live a victorious Christian life are doomed to failure. To remain faithful in the midst of trials, we must develop a love for the Word of God which creates a confident faith in Him. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God. . . . and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:13,17).
Thought for Today:
Lord, who shall abide in Thy Tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that . . . honoureth them that fear the Lord (Ps. 15:14).
Christ Revealed:
In the conversation between Satan and God Almighty (Job 1:6-12). We can see the meaning of Christ's warning to Peter that Satan wanted to sift him as wheat (Luke 22:31). It is comforting to know that Satan cannot test us beyond the will of God.
Word Studies:
1:1 eschewed avoided; 1:20 rent more; mantle robe; 2:8 potsherd piece of broken pottery; 3:16 untimely birth stillborn; 3:24 roarings grief, groanings; 4:2 assay attempts; 4:4 upholden helped, upheld.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Rep. Richard Larsen (WA) and Rep. Adam Smith (WA) • Country: Lesotho (2 million) within the east-central part of the Republic of South Africa • Major languages: Sesotho and English • Limited religious freedom • 43% Roman Catholic; 30% Protestant; 6% ancestor worship, divination, and spirit-possession cults • Prayer Suggestion: Intercede in prayer for others (Num. 14:13-19).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
Acts 2:21
