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| 1 A man, there was–in the land of Uz, Job, his name,–and that man was blameless and upright, and one who revered God, and avoided 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 unto 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 a body of servants exceeding large,–thus was that man the greatest of all the sons 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 Now his sons were wont to go, and make a banquet, at the house of each one upon his day,–and to send and call their three sisters, to eat and to drink with them. |
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| 5 And so it was, when the days of the banquet came round, that Job sent and hallowed them, and rising early in the morning offered ascending-sacrifices according to the number of them all; for Job said, Peradventure my sons have sinned, and have cursed God in their hearts. Thus and thus, was Job wont to do all the days. |
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| 6 Now there came a certain day, when the sons of God entered in to present themselves unto Yahweh,–so the accuser also entered, in their midst. |
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 Yahweh said unto the accuser, Whence comest thou? And the accuser answered Yahweh, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and wandering about therein. |
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 Yahweh said unto the accuser, Hast thou applied thy heart unto my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a man blameless and upright, one revering God and avoiding evil? |
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| 9 And the accuser answered Yahweh, and said, Is it, for nought, that Job revereth God? |
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| 10 Hast not, thou thyself, made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? The work of his hands, thou hast blessed, and, his substance, hath broken forth 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, in very deed, put forth, I pray thee, thy hand, and smite all that he hath,–verily, unto thy face, will he curse thee. |
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 Yahweh said unto the accuser, Lo! all that he hath, is in thy hand, only, against himself, do not put forth thy hand. So the accuser went forth from the presence of Yahweh. |
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 came a certain day,–when his sons and his daughters were eating, and drinking wine, in the house of their eldest brother. |
Eating and drinking – Having a birthday party. PD26/37, SM523:1
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| 14 And, a messenger, came in unto Job, and said,–The oxen, were plowing, and, the asses, feeding beside them; |
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| 15 when the Sabeans swooped down, and took them, and, the young men, smote they with the edge of the sword,–and escaped am, only I alone, too tell thee. |
And the Sabeans – Instigated by Satan, as the context shows. R2189:4
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| 16 Yet was this one speaking, when, another, came in and said,–A fire of God, fell out of the heavens, and burned up the sheep and the young men, and consumed them; and escaped am, only I 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 Yet was this one speaking, when, another, came in and said, The Chaldeans, appointed three chiefs, and spread out against the camels, and took them, and, the young men, smote they with the edge of the sword; and escaped am, only I alone, to tell thee. |
The Chaldeans – Instigated by Satan. R2189:4
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| 18 Yet was this one speaking, when, another, came in and said,–Thy sons and thy daughters, were eating, and drinking wine, in the house of their eldest brother; |
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| 19 when lo! a great wind, came from over the desert, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they died,–and escaped am, only I 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 Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell to the earth and worshipped; |
Rent his mantle – "Many are the afflictions of the righteous." (Psa. 34:19) SM523:1
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| 21 and said–Naked came I forth from the womb of my mother, and naked must I return thither, Yahweh, gave, and, Yahweh, hath taken away,–The name of Yahweh be blessed! |
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 imputed folly unto 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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