Summary: Many thanks to my dear friend Jim Miller who is in heaven now for this outline. The reasons why God allowed Job to suffer as he did and the same reasons apply for us today

JOB 1:6-12 "WHY DID GOD LET JOB SUFFER?"

A) The very name of Job means persecuted! * Oldest book in the Bible, written by Moses.

* The days of Job were probably about the time of Abraham! * Job was a very wealthy man!

* Numerous children and abundant livestock were symbols of wealth in that day.

B) He had 10 children, 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen & 500 girl donkeys!

* God richly blessed Job and Job was the greatest of all the men of the East - v.1-3

C) There are some reasons why God allowed Job to suffer!

* The word "suffer" means to have pain, grief or injury, to experience harm or loss.

* I don’t know of anyone who suffered more than Job did other than Christ!

* Let me tell you why God let Job suffer the things that he did:

(1) TO SILENCE SATAN! * v.6-8 God questions Satan! * Rev.12:10 " ... accuser of ..."

* Job is not aware of the fact that a conference has taken place concerning him!

A) In v.7 compared to 1 Pet.5:8 * When do lions roar? * When they’re seeking prey?

* No! They sneak upon them & kill them, then they roar! * Satan is like that!

B) v.8 "Perfect" not in the sense of being sinless, but ... being devoted to God ...!

* "Upright" means straight! * He was morally right with God and man!

* "Feareth God" means reverent! * "Escheweth evil" means to depart, get away from!

C) In v.9-11 Satan answered God! * Job, his family, and property were hedged about

by the special care of God! * The hedge here ... are angels! * Ps.34:7 "The angel ..."

* We may not see the angel that encampeth ... but the devil does!

* Satan cannot get to us until God allows him to!

D) So, in v.12 God turns the devil loose on Job! * v.13 - The suffering begins

* 1st: Loss of property - 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen & 500 donkeys were

all stolen or burned up with fire from heaven!

* The richest man in the East had, in one day, become bankrupt!

E) 2nd: Loss of family - 7 sons & 3 daughters, all killed by a tornado!

* Now, look at v.20-22! * Job worshipped God, he didn’t get bitter at God!

F) Now, look in 2:4-8 ... Job lost his health! * He was covered with a dreadful disease!

* Satan touched every inch of Job’s body! * His entire body was one big sore!

* If there wasn’t something supernatural about faith in God, Job couldn’t have survived .......!

G) Then, loss of position! * He has been stripped of everything but his life!

* The greatest man of the East has now become the most loathsome object in the East!

H) Loss of sympathy - v.9! * "Integrity" is honesty, upright, sincerity!

* His wife, the only comfort left him, turns out to be a canker!

* She can’t understand faith in God in circumstances like these!

* The devil’s last weight to break the back of Job’s integrity!

I) But v.10, Job kindly rebuked his wife! * Don’t be too hard on her .......!

* Now, here’s my point, Job suffered in order to silence Satan!

* Satan speaks no more after v.7 of Chpt.2! * James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore ......."

J) "Submit" means to yield, surrender! * "Resist" means do not yield, do not surrender!

* Don’t give into him! * Satan can’t lead us into sin against our will!

(2) SO JOB MIGHT SEE GOD! * Look at Job 42:5 "I have heard of ... mine eye seeth thee."

* Keep in mind, Job didn’t have the Book of Job to help him understand!

A) So, put yourself in his shoes for a few moments!

* Job could only guess why he was going through so many trials!

* He might not understand why, but he believed in his God!

B) Everyone sees God in suffering! * Some blame God, curse God ,

* Some get angry at God, and some pout and wont talk to God! * Job saw God!

(3) SO JOB MIGHT SEE HIMSELF! * Job 40:4 * Job 42:6

* Suffering will make you look at yourself! * Lk.15:17 "And when he came to himself ......."

A) It will produce humility! * See yourself and be humble!

* Isa. 6:5 "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the king, the

Lord of Hosts."

(4) SO JOB WOULD PRAY FOR HIS CRITICS RATHER THAN LASHING OUT!

* Look at Job 42:10 * God blessed him with twice as much!

A) v.12 - 14,000 sheep, 6000 camels, 1000 yoke of oxen, 1000 donkeys!

* v.13 - God gave him 7 more sons and 3 more daughters!

B) God blessed him when he prayed for his friends or critics!

CLOSE

A) Satan has been defeated! * He is a defeated foe!

* God allowed Job to suffer for a reason! * He allows us to suffer for a reason!

B) To silence Satan, To see God, To see himself, and Pray for his critics!

* God knows what you’re going through and what the future holds!

* Trust God the way Job did! * James says we have heard of the patience of Job!

C) And that God is very pitiful, and of tender mercy! * God loves us!