1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:04,040 Speaker 1: Then Job arose and rent his mantle and shaved his head, 2 00:00:04,559 --> 00:00:08,959 Speaker 1: and fell down upon the ground and worshiped. Job won 3 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 1: twenty Dear God, when my character is tested like Job, 4 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: I thank you that my heart and character will be 5 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:24,079 Speaker 1: proven to be sincere and true. When troubles come upon me, 6 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:29,480 Speaker 1: I will not cower and walk away from you. God. Instead, 7 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:33,199 Speaker 1: I will press in more, knowing that you are the 8 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: source of my joy. In seasons of unrelenting blows, I 9 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:43,800 Speaker 1: will lift my hands and voice to the heavens. I 10 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:47,839 Speaker 1: will declare of your goodness, even when it doesn't make sense, 11 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:52,159 Speaker 1: because I know that all things are working together for 12 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 1: my good. Satan, I serve notice that you will not 13 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 1: rob me of my joy. You will not have my 14 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:04,240 Speaker 1: peace because I know that mind day of victory and 15 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 1: vindication draws near. I trust you God, Even when I 16 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 1: don't understand you, I will choose to put my faith 17 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 1: and trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen, Thank you 18 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:27,200 Speaker 1: for praying with us today. Continue your time with God 19 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 1: by listening to today's Bible story, brought to you by 20 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 1: Bible in a year dot com the Righteousness and Loss 21 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 1: of Job. And this story we dive into the poetic 22 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 1: story of Job, we learn about the cosmic dialogue between 23 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: God and the enemy. God boasts of the righteousness of 24 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 1: a man named Job. Job was a man of pure 25 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 1: heart and noble intention. He walked blameless before God and 26 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:11,840 Speaker 1: his family. His character would soon be tested to prove 27 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 1: to all mankind that it is possible to persevere despite 28 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:23,359 Speaker 1: gargantuan loss. Inspired by the Book of Job, Hello, I'm 29 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 1: Jack Graham. With today's episode of the Bible In a 30 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:30,320 Speaker 1: year Previously, we heard about the final days of Joshua's 31 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 1: life and how God blessed Israel with peace and many 32 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:37,720 Speaker 1: victories in battle, and gave them an ever expanding share 33 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: of the land that God had promised, the Land of Cana, 34 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 1: the Promised Land. Today we dive into the story of Job. 35 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:48,959 Speaker 1: The story of Job is one of God's faithfulness even 36 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:53,240 Speaker 1: in the face of the greatest adversity imaginable. As we 37 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 1: begin today, we'll hear the dialogue between God and the 38 00:02:56,240 --> 00:03:00,280 Speaker 1: accuser Satan, who challenges God to allow Job to be 39 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:03,239 Speaker 1: tested to see if he will remain true and righteous 40 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 1: and faithful. The message of Job has so much to 41 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:10,360 Speaker 1: teach us about the sovereignty of God and his ability 42 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:13,960 Speaker 1: to be steadfast and true no matter what pain comes 43 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:19,920 Speaker 1: our way. So let's begin with today's reading. The ancient 44 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 1: land of Ouze was a blossoming and blessed country before 45 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 1: the ages of kings and conquests. A man named Job 46 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:32,799 Speaker 1: dwelled in the land peacefully with his family. Job was 47 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: a man of noble character and pure heart. He was 48 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 1: wise in all his dealings and raised his family with love, affection, 49 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 1: and devotion. He lived in Ooze with his wife, seven 50 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:49,600 Speaker 1: sons and three daughters. Together with his servants, they cared 51 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 1: for his seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred oxen, 52 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: and five hundred donkeys. Each night, the family would hold 53 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 1: a feast and laugh with each other in joy. Job 54 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 1: was a truly blessed man and made sacrifices for his 55 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: family Every morning. Job would continually seek God in the 56 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 1: cool of the morning, and the two of them were 57 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: close in all his ways. In a different form of 58 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 1: space and time, near the shining presence of the Almighty, 59 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:24,839 Speaker 1: the accuser Satan appeared before the Lord, from where have 60 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:29,160 Speaker 1: you come? God asked? The two did not stand as equals. 61 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,800 Speaker 1: Satan was allowed to live, but only under the permission 62 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:36,719 Speaker 1: of God. I have traveled to and fro on the earth, 63 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:41,159 Speaker 1: seeking who may be led astray, Satan said. His tone 64 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 1: was slithery and his countenance was bitter. He looked at 65 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:49,599 Speaker 1: God with equal reverence and hatred. The Lord spoke, saying, 66 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 1: have you seen my servant Job. There is none like him. 67 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 1: He fears me, turns away from evil, and walks blamelessly 68 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:02,680 Speaker 1: before his peers. God's voice was elated with pride as 69 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 1: he spoke of his beloved Job. It made Satan writhe 70 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 1: where he stood, you caddle Job like an infant. Satan snapped, 71 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:14,479 Speaker 1: there is a hedge of protection over him miles wide. 72 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:18,479 Speaker 1: You blessed his work, his possessions, and his family. Take 73 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:21,960 Speaker 1: it away from him, and I promise he will curse you. 74 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 1: God's confidence in Job was unwavering. Do what you will 75 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 1: to him. I give you permission, only do not harm him. 76 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 1: Sir Satan departed from the presence of the Lord to 77 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 1: descend upon Job like a whirlwind. The day was drawing 78 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 1: to a close and the sun was setting over the 79 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:45,160 Speaker 1: land of Ooze. The warm summer breeze trickled in through 80 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:48,880 Speaker 1: the home of Job's oldest son. The entire family was 81 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: eating together enjoying music and laughter. The revelry continued, and 82 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 1: the sound of instruments and conversation drown out the noise 83 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:01,839 Speaker 1: of plunder happening a few hundred yards away in Job's fields. 84 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 1: A neighboring village swooped in and raided the live stock 85 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,839 Speaker 1: and killed the servants with the edge of their swords. 86 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 1: The bellows of stolen livestock and swords being driven through 87 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 1: servants chests were drowned out by Job's laughter. A servant 88 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:19,719 Speaker 1: came to tell Job of all that was taking place. 89 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 1: Sir Job left with his servant to go to the barn. 90 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 1: As they were running, another servant came and said, the 91 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 1: fire of God fell from heaven. Your sheep and servants 92 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:34,159 Speaker 1: were consumed in the pasture by a great wildfire. Job's 93 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 1: mind was beginning to unravel. He began to run towards 94 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:40,200 Speaker 1: the pastures, where he heard a clamoring in the distance. 95 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:44,240 Speaker 1: My lord, one of his servants yelled. The servant was 96 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:47,599 Speaker 1: running from the western edge of Job's property. He fell 97 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 1: at Job's feet, out of breath, saying, the Chaldeans are here. 98 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:54,160 Speaker 1: They have made a raid on your camels. I am 99 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 1: the only servant to survive. What is happening? Job thought 100 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: to himself. He paused, used for a moment, and the 101 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: eastern winds began to rage. Job could barely stand upright. 102 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:09,720 Speaker 1: The wind howled violently, and Job and his servants ducked 103 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:12,720 Speaker 1: for cover under a crack in the hill near the pastures. 104 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 1: Job heard a mighty crash in the distance, followed by screaming. Then, 105 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:20,760 Speaker 1: just as quickly as the wind had come, it vanished. 106 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 1: Job could hear one single faint scream in the distance. 107 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 1: He and his servants looked up from under the rocks 108 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 1: to see another servant running towards them. Job knew in 109 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 1: his heart what the man was going to say. Job 110 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: fell to his knees. As the servant grew closer. Everything 111 00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 1: slowed down for a moment. The servant's voice was muffled 112 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 1: in his ear. Lord, Job did not respond, my lord, 113 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 1: The servant yelled again. Job looked up. A great wind 114 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 1: just came in from the wilderness. It must have toppled 115 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 1: a beam in your son's house. I am sorry, but 116 00:07:55,840 --> 00:08:01,080 Speaker 1: they are all gone. Job did not respond to his servant. Instead, 117 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 1: he walked away back towards his home. He walked a 118 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 1: few hundred yards then fell on to his knees again. 119 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:12,559 Speaker 1: Job's tears released like a damn breaking. He yelled, tore 120 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 1: his shirt and drove his face into the ground. Job 121 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:19,160 Speaker 1: was weeping, but there was no bitterness behind his tears. 122 00:08:19,880 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 1: His face lifted towards Heaven as he said, I came 123 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 1: to this world with nothing naked, naked, I shall return. 124 00:08:28,560 --> 00:08:31,840 Speaker 1: The Lord gave, and now the Lord has taken away. 125 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:36,440 Speaker 1: Blessed be your mighty name, O God. Job stretched his 126 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 1: arms to Heaven. His tears streamed down his face as 127 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:43,960 Speaker 1: he praised God. Job's wife watched him from a distance 128 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 1: from their home, stewing in grief and bitterness. She hated 129 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:53,200 Speaker 1: him for his joy. Job's joy was complete in God. However, 130 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 1: he was not without grief. Job felt the loss deeply, 131 00:08:57,280 --> 00:09:00,760 Speaker 1: and his heart was shattered into millions of pieces. The 132 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 1: next day, Job stood over the wreckage of his children. 133 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:08,640 Speaker 1: Ash from the burnt fields made the sky dark. His family, riches, 134 00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 1: and property was destroyed. Dried tears and dirt caked his 135 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:16,920 Speaker 1: face as he stared at his dead children. Job resolved 136 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:20,080 Speaker 1: in his heart to not blame God, rather press into 137 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:27,240 Speaker 1: him his faith would be tested. Even Father. We opened 138 00:09:27,240 --> 00:09:30,680 Speaker 1: our reading today in God's word in a place called us, 139 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:33,199 Speaker 1: and we meet a man by the name of Job. 140 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:36,840 Speaker 1: He is the patriarch of a great and wealthy family, 141 00:09:36,920 --> 00:09:39,720 Speaker 1: and he has lived righteously before the Lord, and God 142 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 1: has blessed him immensely. The riches and blessings upon his 143 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:46,920 Speaker 1: life was a clear sign of God's favor and blessing 144 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 1: upon him. Job was a devoted husband, a loving father, 145 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:54,359 Speaker 1: and a godly leader in his family and in the community. 146 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:57,200 Speaker 1: He led his family in life and in the worship 147 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:00,520 Speaker 1: of God, offering sacrifices as a priest for his own family. 148 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 1: His devoutness and closest to God was visible to all. 149 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:09,560 Speaker 1: He knew God well, and yes, God knew him by name. 150 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 1: So here's the story. It happened. One day Satan, the 151 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:19,760 Speaker 1: accuser of the Brothers, appears before God. We often think 152 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 1: of Satan as being banished from God's presence, but God 153 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:26,160 Speaker 1: may allow Satan to come near him at his own request. 154 00:10:26,760 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: We also know that Satan has not banished to Hell 155 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 1: in this epoch of history, but rather he is alive 156 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:35,720 Speaker 1: and well in living on planet Earth. As Satan and 157 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 1: God converse, God brings up Job, his servant, his righteous 158 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:43,200 Speaker 1: service a man that fears God and turns away from evil. 159 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:48,360 Speaker 1: But Satan, the accuser, claims that Job only fears God 160 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:51,200 Speaker 1: because God has blessed him. God has given him everything, 161 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:55,120 Speaker 1: and that's why he loves God. He is so bold. 162 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 1: Satan is to challenge God, saying, if you took everything 163 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 1: away from him, he would curse God. God knows that 164 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 1: Job's faithfulness is real, so he gives Satan permission to 165 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 1: do as he will with Job. There was one condition, 166 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 1: and that he leaves the man himself alone, but beyond 167 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 1: that he could attack Job. Satan leaves, intent on embarrassing 168 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 1: God and destroying his most favorite servant. Job has no 169 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 1: idea what is about to happen, And then out of nowhere, 170 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:34,319 Speaker 1: it seems Job's world crumbles beneath his feet. Servants run 171 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:38,079 Speaker 1: to Job from every corner of his property and speak 172 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:43,240 Speaker 1: of one tragedy after another. His livestock, his servants, property, 173 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:47,320 Speaker 1: all destroyed, are taken away. Then the greatest tragedy of 174 00:11:47,360 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 1: all comes his own children. All ten of them have died. 175 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:57,359 Speaker 1: Job responds, like you and me, with an outward emotional 176 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 1: display of intense grief. He tears it is clothing. He 177 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:06,840 Speaker 1: shaves his head. He is broken, a man who seemingly 178 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:10,400 Speaker 1: has lost nearly everything in the span of one single 179 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:14,200 Speaker 1: terrible day. But then I want you to see what 180 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:17,720 Speaker 1: Job says in chapter one of the Book of Job, 181 00:12:18,280 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 1: Verses twenty and twenty one. He fell on the ground 182 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:26,200 Speaker 1: and worshiped, And he said, naked, I came from my 183 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:29,960 Speaker 1: mother's womb, and naked shall I return? The Lord gave 184 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:33,200 Speaker 1: and the Lord is taken away. Blessed be the name 185 00:12:33,679 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: of the Lord. What a testimony. Whatever happens, blessed be 186 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 1: the name of the Lord. The story of Job is 187 00:12:43,559 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 1: a difficult one to understand at times, but in the 188 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 1: midst of his tragedy, he exhibited the most extreme kind 189 00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:54,600 Speaker 1: of faith. Is the testimony of a man who knew 190 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:57,480 Speaker 1: that God is sovereign over all things and can be 191 00:12:57,559 --> 00:13:02,280 Speaker 1: trusted no matter what. Job's first response was one of 192 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:05,560 Speaker 1: intense grief and sadness, and yet in the midst of 193 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:09,199 Speaker 1: all the tears, he worshiped God. He looked to God 194 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:13,800 Speaker 1: for strength. God had given him everything he had. God 195 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 1: could choose to take it away, and he has. But 196 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:21,320 Speaker 1: in the midst of it, he praised God. It shows 197 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:24,840 Speaker 1: that Job's love for God wasn't dependent upon the things 198 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: that he had, his possessions or his blessings, but his 199 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:32,600 Speaker 1: love for God, his faith in God, was true and steadfast. 200 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:38,120 Speaker 1: Dear God, may we like job worship you in every 201 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:42,600 Speaker 1: circumstance of life, through the tears of tragedy or through 202 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 1: the joys of success. We know that you are worthy 203 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:49,680 Speaker 1: of all praise, and all honor and all blessing. We 204 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: can say, no matter what we face, blessed be the 205 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:56,440 Speaker 1: name of the Lord. And it is in this name 206 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:59,079 Speaker 1: that is above every name, the name of Jesus, that 207 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:03,200 Speaker 1: we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening today to the 208 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas, 209 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:11,080 Speaker 1: pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church. Download the Prey dot com 210 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:14,240 Speaker 1: app and make prayer a priority in your life. And 211 00:14:14,360 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 1: if you enjoy this podcast, share it with others people 212 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: that you love and care about, people who want to 213 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 1: know the Bible. Help them understand the Bible as well. 214 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 1: This podcast can make a huge difference in someone's life. 215 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 1: If you want more resources on how to tap into 216 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 1: the power of Jesus Christ in your life, then be 217 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 1: sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. This episode is 218 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: sponsored by Mediciae, an innovative healthcare solution for Christians to 219 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 1: save money without sacrificing quality