January 1, Reading 2 – Job 1:1-2:10

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Job is cast in the format of a historical drama. It deals with the problem of pain, of suffering, of terrible tragedy. How am I to react towards God when these things happen? Is He to blame?

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, when You came to earth, You preached for us to repent because the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Please may Your kingdom come Lord God.

“The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

There is a great deal going on in this passage! This is one of the few places in God’s word where we get a real view in the heavenly council – A place where Satan came and spoke with God.

God is sovereign. Nothing happened to Job outside of His purpose and will.

Satan is at work against God’s people.

But Satan cannot act except within the authority God grants.

This can be a hard word for us.

Presumably Job did not have an open lens into this heavenly exchange. God’s purposes and plans are not always revealed to us His people.

Job feared God and turned away from evil – Why would terrible things happen to him?

We have the example of Job as we ourselves today struggle and wrestle through our responses and behaviour.

“In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”

Let us be encouraged and convicted in this.

* Faithful God,

As we start a new year – Please Lord show us from Your word today what You want for us to know.

Please write Your word on our hearts, that we might not sin against You.

Please sink us in our own selves, and raise us in You.

More of You, less of us!

Amen.