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| 1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and this man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God and abstained from evil. |
There was a man – There is no cause to doubt that such a man did live and pass through the experiences related. R1505:3
The exact time in which Job lived we do not know, but we think we are justified in supposing that he did not live during the Law dispensation. Q552:6
Possibly a contemporary of Abraham and Melchizedek. PD26/37, R1505:6, R5401:6
Land of Uz – Evidently in Arabia, possibly not far from Palestine. R1505:6, R5401:6
Whose name was Job – Classed with other holy men in Ezekiel 14:14 and James 5:11, which would not be the case if this narrative were merely a parable. R1505:3; Q793:2
His experiences are typical of the fall and rise again of humanity. PD26/37; R584:1, R5403:6, R5803:4; Q793:2
Was perfect – So was man at first in the divine likeness and favor, with all things subject to him (Psa. 8:4-8). R5403:6
He walked before God with a perfect heart. R4667:1
Upright – Appreciated justice. R5401:6
Feared God – Reverenced God. R5401:6
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| 2 And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters. |
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| 3 And his substance was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and very many servants; and this man was greater than all the children of the east. |
Great household – Numerous servants. R5401:6
This man – A merchant prince of great wealth who carried on a very prosperous traffic. R5401:6
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| 4 And his sons went and made a feast in the house of each one on his day; and they sent and invited their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. |
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| 5 And it was so, when the days of the feasting were gone about, that Job sent and hallowed them; and he rose up early in the morning, and offered up burnt-offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. |
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| 6 And there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah; and Satan came also among them. |
Sons of God – Angels. R315:3, R1005:1, R2843:5
And Satan – Whose very existence is now denied by many. F609
Unlike the flesh or the world, Satan is the only wilful, intelligent plotter in opposing righteousness and truth in humanity. F612
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| 7 And Jehovah said to Satan, Whence comest thou? And Satan answered Jehovah and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. |
Said unto Satan – Job knew nothing about this, else he would have known that Satan was afflicting him. R452:1*
Satan answered – This account of Satan's conversation with God concerning Job should be considered as allegorical-- like "Pilgrim's Progress." R5401:3, R1507:4, R1779:5
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| 8 And Jehovah said to Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and abstaineth from evil? |
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| 9 And Satan answered Jehovah and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? |
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| 10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is spread abroad in the land. |
An hedge about him – "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him." (Psa. 34:7) R4227:6
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| 11 But put forth thy hand now and touch all that he hath, and see if he will not curse thee to thy face! |
Put forth thine hand – Permitted for the purpose of displaying to the world the integrity and faithfulness of Job. R452:1*
As the Lord gave the Adversary permission against Job, so Satan will gain liberty in the impending hour of temptation. R4227:6
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| 12 And Jehovah said to Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy hand; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah. |
In thy power – In his dealings with mankind the Lord has allowed Satan to be the willing medium through whom the penalty of sin should be meted out. R452:4*
Satan cannot afflict God's children beyond the penalty for sin without God's permission, and that only where it will result in greater good to the subject and greater glory to God. R452:4*
Satan has "the power of death." (Heb. 2:14) R452:4*
Satan's power, like that of a hangman, is a delegated power. E449
Put not forth – Satan must have permission from God to execute the death penalty. R265:6
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| 13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother, the firstborn. |
Eating and drinking – Having a birthday party. PD26/37, SM523:1
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| 14 And there came a messenger to Job and said, The oxen were ploughing, and the asses feeding beside them; |
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| 15 and they of Sheba fell upon them and took them, and the servants have they smitten with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped, alone, to tell thee. |
And the Sabeans – Instigated by Satan, as the context shows. R2189:4
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| 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped, alone, to tell thee. |
The fire of God – Probably a bolt of lightning, caused by Satan. R1800:1, R2189:4
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| 17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels and took them, and the servants have they smitten with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped, alone, to tell thee. |
The Chaldeans – Instigated by Satan. R2189:4
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| 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother, the firstborn; |
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| 19 and behold, there came a great wind from over the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they died; and I only am escaped, alone, to tell thee. |
A great wind – A cyclone or tornado, raised up by Satan. R1800:1, R3324:5, R2189:4
In a sense Satan is prince of the air power--literally. R1684:4, R1800:1
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| 20 And Job rose up, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshipped; |
Rent his mantle – "Many are the afflictions of the righteous." (Psa. 34:19) SM523:1
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| 21 and he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah! |
Naked came I – It is a favor from God that we have life at all. R5418:1
We know that we have no rights whatever. All we can do is call upon the Lord's mercy. R5418:4
Shall I return – Death, corruption, touches everything earthly under present conditions, no matter how careful or thoughtful the provision. R4567:1
The LORD gave – We have nothing that is really our own. R5418:1
All that we have should be regarded as a gift from God, whether it be much or little. R5417:3
The LORD hath taken – He realized that all he had possessed belonged to God. R5418:1
Similarly, we can take, in perfect submission, whatever experiences God permits. R5418:5
Job had no claim on everlasting life, though he had a hope of it. R5418:1
Even though those who are being "sifted" have been very dear to us, it is for us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. R4483:5
Blessed be – There was no spirit of rebellion in a heart out of whom came such loving words of submission, and that without a clear vision of the divine wisdom in permitting them. R1937:4
God has provided for a future life beyond the tomb, a resurrection. R4567:1
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| 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor ascribed anything unseemly to God. |
Sinned not – Job was very careful not to sin with his lips. R1937:3
Nor charged God – Having the deep-rooted conviction that God was his friend and would in the end protect him, though evil, for a time, might seem to prevail. R452:1*
Foolishly – With being the author of his calamities. R1684:4, R1800:1
He did not charge God with injustice. R5803:4
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