Today's Reading:

Job 1
Job 2
Job 3
Job 4
Job 5 

 
In the Bible, Leviathan is an ancient chaos monster- a fire-breathing sea dragon that swallowed everything in its path. People looked at the storms and disasters, all uncontrolled chaos and labeled it. This was what happened with Job, one day he was rich with family and livestock and the next, fire, windstorms and death wipe it all out like a dragon barging through. It felt random and evil to Job. What was controlled, was that even though Leviathan- and all its chaos, wrecked through Job’s life, God was holding the reins. Satan literally had to ask permission before he could strike, and God set a limit. That was the hidden grace through the storm, the scary monster was on a leash, and the One who holds the leash never stops loving. Chaos looks like it is winning, but under the fierce reality, God will remind everyone who is really the boss of the dragon.  

Job was a real person living in Uz, he was called by name in Ezekiel 4 twice by God, and in the New Testament book of James, Job’s perseverance was mentioned. The entire book is a lesson on trusting God which takes place about 400 years after Noah and the flood. Job was a blameless and righteous man who honored God even when life fell apart. From the beginning, we get a prologue of who Job was and the conversation between Satan and God. Satan’s reasoning for wanting to test Job was because he felt the only reason Job was righteous was due to the abundant blessings in his life- Job did not have to suffer. Satan wanted to test Job and let him suffer to see if his character and godly manners changed. During this prologue there were a few key elements to remember:  

1. Job was righteous.  
2. God was in the presence of Satan (Habakkuk 1:13), while God is holy, He is aware of evil even in Satan’s presence.  
3. God brought up Job to Satan because He knows what was truly in Job’s heart and that he fears God (not scared of God, but in awe of God’s power and glory!). 

God had set out to prove that His believers and followers will keep their character in times of struggle. Who does God want to prove himself to? The angels, Satan, Demons and the people. In Job 1:6, “The angels came to present themselves before the Lord”, they had come to report to God of the ongoings in the earthly realm and spiritual realm. Through Satan, we understand they can “travel” back and forth between the heavenly and earthly realms. God also wanted His own character to be on display- his love, compassion and mercy on humans. God can and does limit the action of evil as noted when Satan left the presence of The Lord. Right away Job’s life had been turned upside down, his oxen and donkeys were stolen, his servants were killed, fire consumed his sheep, camels were stolen, and to top it off the house collapsed killing his sons, daughters. Job instantly fell to the ground (grieved) and went to God in worship. What is your first reaction after bad or horrific news- do you head to God? 

This did not satisfy Satan; he came back to God fully aware of what transpired with Job. Job lost everything- yet did not sin. God reminds Satan that Job “maintained his integrity”. Satan said it was not catastrophic enough, so God relented and told Satan to test Job again but to make sure and spare his life. Note, that Satan can only go as far as the Lord will allow him. Job was then inflicted with sores from head to toe and here came his wife chastising him- Why are you still righteous, look what you’ve lost- say a curse word, yell at God! Job’s response was a lesson for all “shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” Discipline helps us to grow spiritually closer to God.  

Today's Discussion question: 
When you get hit with really bad or shocking news, what’s your gut reaction? Do you turn straight to God in prayer or trust, like Job did at first? 

Click here to link to our Facebook group for discussion, questions, and additional content.