Life Lessons from the Book of Job: Chapter One
Are there certain books of the Bible that you really struggle to read? Many people will probably say Leviticus, Deuteronomy, or Revelation. For me, the biggest struggle is reading the book of Job.
Almost every time I have read the Bible, I saved Job for last. Maybe I should start reading it first. I really think the reason I find it difficult to read is all of Job’s friends’ bad advice.
Well, I am now starting the book of Job with much prayer. So far, as I read Job chapter one, I found so much application for our daily lives that I wanted to share.
Let’s dive into Job chapter one and see what the Lord has for us.
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Life Applications and Lessons from the Book of Job
One of the messages that can be seen throughout this book of the Bible is that everyone has struggles in life. There are times when bad situations could be discipline, but that is not always the case; Job is proof of that.
We cannot begin to think that we know why someone goes through hard times. We do not know the Lord’s thoughts. Let’s be careful not to judge or make assumptions.
Job 1:1
“There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of complete integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil.” Job 1:1
- This wasn’t just Job’s reputation, it was his true character.
- A reputation is what others think about a person.
- Character is who the person truly is.
- Reputation and character don’t always match up for a person.
- You can have a good reputation with people but deep down not have good character.
- There are times people have a bad reputation, but it has nothing to do with their character. It could be rumors or false accusations.
- In some cases of new Christians, they may have a reputation of some sort and make a true change. The unfavorable reputation may stay with them for a while until they “prove themselves.”
- As much as we all want a good reputation (and that is important for our witness), our true character is what really matters. The Lord sees our character!
In Job’s case, his reputation and his character matched up. This is truly who he was, and the people around him knew it.
Job 1:5
“Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular practice.” Job 1:5
- Job was spiritually minded when it came to his kids.
- His children must of had everything they needed since Job was a wealthy man, but he was concerned for their spiritual condition.
- Everything we have in this lifetime is temporary, except for our salvation. This should be our main focus for our children – their relationship with the Lord for their eternal life.
Job 1:6-7
“One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord asked Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’
‘From roaming through the earth,’ Satan answered him, ‘and walking around on it.’”
Job 1:6-7
It is important to see what Satan does here. He is doing the same things even now. If we are aware of his tactics, we can spiritually protect ourselves.
Job 1:8
“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.’” Job 1:8
- The Lord was proud of Job. He knew his heart and who he truly was – a man of perfect integrity!
- I want to live my life in a way that makes the Lord proud of me.
- When I think about it from an earthly standpoint, I never wanted to disappoint my parents. How much more should we have these feeling about our Heavenly Father?
Job 1:13-19
“One day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and reported, ‘While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing nearby, the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!’”
“He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported, ‘God’s fire fell from heaven. It burned the sheep and the servants and devoured them, and I alone have escaped to tell you!’”
“That messenger was still speaking when yet another came and reported, ‘The Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!’”
“He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported, ‘Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house. Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people so that they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you!’” Job 1:13-19
- Satan started with Job’s possessions, then he moved to his business and livelihood. He ended with Job’s children.
- Taking out all of Job’s children was a hard blow for Job.
- Losing a child comes with a grief like no other. As many of you know, we lost our son a few years ago, and it is not something you ever really get through. I have people on my personal prayer list who have lost two and even three children. Devastating – I can’t even imagine!
- As we continue reading, we will see that Job knew that the only way to find comfort would be through the Lord.
Job 1:20-21
“Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying:
‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will leave this life.
The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.'”
Job 1:20-21
- As hard as his circumstances must have been, Job kept the right mindset. Everything we have here on earth belongs to the Lord.
- The Lord blesses us and lets us manage or be stewards of His belongings.
- We are given the privilege to take care of the Lord’s things, even His children.
Continuing in the Book of Job
As I mentioned earlier, I normally struggle to read Job. As I have made it a matter of prayer, the Lord is speaking to me through this book of the Bible. He even gave me a lesson and the opportunity to put it into practice this week!
I sincerely ask for your prayers as I read the book of Job. I am praying that I continue to see lessons the Lord wants me to see with each day’s reading.
Life Applications and Lessons Resources
If you are trying to get started with a daily Bible plan, see Simple Bible Study Ideas for Spiritual Growth. I hope these tips will help you like they have helped me.
These are a few of my favorite Bible study resources:
- She Reads Truth Bible
- Composition Notebook
- Black Pens – These are fine point and work well in Bibles.
Fun Gift Idea of Biblical Life Lessons
If you have joined me recently, these daily life applications from the Bible are examples of some of the comments I am writing in the Bibles I am giving to my grandchildren when they graduate from high school. Click here to see the post where I explain this eternal gift idea. I want to give them all the resources I can to use in today’s world!
As we read through His Word, I pray that we will see how It applies to us. Let’s seek His instruction and put it into action.
Please share any encouragement and lessons you learned this week as you read the Word of God. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Related Posts
1 – Life Applications and Lessons from Ruth Chapter 1
2 – Life Applications and Lessons from Ruth Chapter 2
3 – Weekly Applications: Job
4 – Life Applications from the Book of Job
Until next time,
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“From one Man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.” Acts 17:26
(New Testament)
