The Question of the Ages—Why?

Why Job?

Job 1:1-5 (NIV) – [1] In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. [2] He had seven sons and three daughters, [3] and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. [4] His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. [5] When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

1. The Background of Job

a. Job may be the first written book of the Bible.

b. The author of Job is unknown.

c. Job lived likely before the birth of Abraham.

d. The location of Uz is uncertain. (Genesis 10:23; Lamentations 4:21)

e. The prevailing doctrine of the day was retribution theology.

2. The Character of Job

a. Job was blameless.

b. Job was upright.

c. Job feared God.

d. Job shunned evil.

3. The Blessing of Job

a. Job had the perfect family.

b. Job had great wealth.

c. Job had great power.

d. Job had great fear.

4. The Faith of Job

a. Job was fervent in his faith.

b. Job was consistent in his faith.

c. Job was uncertain in his faith.