Job ... in Genesis?

We find the book of Job in the middle of our Bibles so we don't often think of its proper place in Biblical History. It likely took place around Genesis chapters 11-12 or so. His wealth was measured in livestock and not gold or silver, he was the priest of his family and made burnt offerings on their behalf.

In Job chapter 1 we find Job going about his business and we find satan "going to and fro in the earth." It reminds me of 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

Of special encouragement to me today is the fact that it was GOD, in verse 8, who called Job "a good and an upright man, one that feared God and avoided evil." So this was not Job's estimation of himself, or the author of the book of Job's estimation of Job....it was God's estimation of Job.

And so today, satan is still gong about seeking those who he can trip up, stumble and cause to shipwreck their lives. BUT our faithful God has provided all we need to stand in this evil day.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the LORD ,
and in the power of HIS might.
Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil." Eph 6:10-11

I am so grateful for HIS provision in my life today.

Job …. “there was a man….”

Before I get to some thoughts from the book of Job, I will tell you that I am enjoying 6 of my precious grandkids today. Lydia and Sydney are just finishing up a “gramma” lunch which consisted of frozen pizza, french fries, cheese sticks and nutritious yogurt! Samuel and Alyssa are playing a game of Battleship and Chloe and Cody are playing a game of Candy Land with Jeshanah. It is so much fun being a gramma to these kids. It keeps me on my toes……both physically and spiritually…..for these children need the prayers and influence of godly grandparents.

Which brings me to some thoughts on the book of Job from this morning.

We read, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and enschewed evil.” We can see that Job was likely ‘perfect’ because he feared God. He was likely ‘upright’ because he enschewed or avoided evil. Wow! What a challenge for me to be daily fearing God and avoiding evil. Was thinking…how do I do this from day to day?

To ‘fear God’ is to have

* the acute awareness of the presence of God & His power that produces in me a sense of awe and calls forth from me honor, respect

and reverence. I want to properly ‘fear’ God in all of my life. I need to be daily in His presence acknowledging His attributes, reveling in His majesty and trusting in His power.

Don’t Mess with God’s Chosen People

Still meditating in the book of Esther.  Thinking these past few weeks about God’s special affection and love He had toward “His Chosen People” and the very special love and affection He has toward you and me!

Exodus 19:5 says to the nation of Israel, “Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar (or special) TREASURE unto Me above all people.” and Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.”

Over and over in the Word we see the LORD God protecting His Chosen People, the Jews. Many, thru the ages, have tried to exterminate them. The Pharaoh in Moses’ time tried to get rid of them by having the midwives kill all the male babies that were born.  Of course the midwives feared God and did not obey this. (Exodus 1:15-21) Then Pharaoh tried to get rid of them by having all baby boys thrown into the river (Exodus 2:1-10) and Moses’ mother, Jochebed, built Moses a little basket and he was “drawn out” of the river by Pharaoh's own daughter and one day became a deliverer to the Israelites.  We have seen in recent history, the Holocaust, where Hitler tried to exterminate the Jewish race. Here, in the book of Esther, we find wicked Haman endeavoring to exterminate the Jewish race.  However,  Mordecai knew that the Jews were under special protection from God.  So sure was Mordecai of this fact that he said to Esther, “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, (meaning if you are not willing to risk your life and go before the king right now) then shall there enlargement (help) and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place…” (Esther 4:14) Mordecai knew that no man or no nation could lay its hand upon God's Chosen People. His faith was sure….his resolve was steadfast. 

What a thrill and a comfort it is for me today, as a blood bought believer, to enjoy that same special place of protection. To know that He valued and loved me…..me….enough to send His Beloved Son to pay the penalty for my sin.  And now, because of that work on the cross, He sees me as a special treasure!!

May our faith in His beloved Son be sure……and may our resolve be steadfast……HE LOVES US WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE!  AND NOTHING COMES INTO OUR LIVES WITHOUT FIRST BEING SIFTED THRU HIS LOVING HANDS. No one can mess with us……..that He does not see and know and care!  His love truly is amazing!

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,

a peculiar people (special)…..which in time past were not a people,

but are now the people of God…”

1 Peter 2:9-1