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E  H E D G E       No 8  Job―Inside a Hedge

Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land (Job 1:9,10).

Have You Not Made a Hedge?

There was a hedge! Truly, truly there was a hedge. And until God took it down, Satan had no access to get to Job. The hedge being referred to here is a symbol, of course. We are not talking about real bushes with thorns and brush with mounds of dirt. We are talking about a wall of protection.

Satan says to God, “You have built an hedge (a wall).”

Truth No 1: Who built the hedge? God.

Truth No 2: With God's hedge in place, Satan could not

     a) touch the person of Job

     b) touch Job’s house

     c) touch any of Job’s stuff (possessions)

     d) stop the blessings coming from God upon the work that Job did with his hands

     e) stop the increase coming from God upon everything that Job touched (so to speak)

With that protecting hedge around him, Satan could only exclaim, “Unfair! I can’t get to him!”

So Satan challenged God to take down the hedge. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face (Job 1:11).  Put forth Thine hand now,  meaning, "God, please take down the wall, and let me at Job, and he will capitulate in a heartbeat. If You will cut down the hedge―I’ll show You what Job is all about."

Truth No 3 God knew about the hedge around Job--He put it there.  

Truth No 4 Satan knew about hedge around Job--he could not breach it. 

Truth No 5 Did Job know about the hedge around himself? Yes. Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? (Job 3:23). Job knew he was hedged in. He enjoyed knowing it. Job basked in the sun of that protection.

Only Job?

Did Job have the benefit of a hedge while others around him may not have had the 

same? Is there a hedge of safety built around some of God's people while others have 

to go through life without such a protecting hedge? Are some of God's people put safely 

in a tower while others have to shelter on the ground? [This is a reference to another 

Bible symbol similar to the hedge―the tower. The name of the Lord is a strong tower: 

the righteous runneth into it, and is safe (Prov 18:10).

Hedge

Question: In one word―what was that hedge around Job (and us)? 

Answer: Obedience. 

10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. 12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food (Job 23:10-12).

vs 10 God knows how I act―He knows my ways.
vs 11 My feet keep to the path He has set before me.

         I do not veer to the right or the left.
vs 12 I have never turned aside from His 10 Commandments.

         I consider the words from His mouth more important to me than even my 

         necessary food.

As long as Job maintained this attitude toward God and His Law of Commandments, Satan found him impregnable and impenetrable. This was his hedge. Satan had tried hundreds of times to knock Job off his feet, but he had not been unsuccessful in any attempt.  Job was committed to God and His ways. Nothing Satan held before him was an inducement. An enticement. An incentive. An attraction. A temptation. A bait. A lure. A pull. A draw. An impetus. A motivation. A stimulus. A carrot. A bribe. Job was settled 

        in God’s truth, 

        in God’s ways and 

        in God’s Law.

Job’s Experience Must Be Our Experience

Each of us must have the Jobian Experience of being invincible and impregnable to the sophistries and temptations of Satan. The purpose of the Book of Job is to teach each one of us how to do just that.

In our own little sphere each one of us must have that same experience of faith. Each of us must come to that point where Satan cannot molest us even though he may try. Regardless of how hard he may try.

Hedge = Law

So far from making arbitrary requirements, God’s law is given to men as a hedge, a shield. Whoever accepts its principles is preserved from evil (Ellen White, Education, page 76).

Hedge = Obedience

The happiness of man is found in obedience to the laws of God. In obedience to God’s law he is surrounded as with a hedge and kept from the evil (Ellen White, Sons and Daughters of God. page 66).

Two Hedges, in Fact

God has provided two hedges for our safety: To this people were committed the oracles of God. They were hedged about by the precepts of His law, the everlasting principles of truth, justice, and purity. Obedience to these principles was to be their protection, for it would save them from destroying themselves by sinful practices. And as the tower in the vineyard, God placed in the midst of the land His holy temple (Ellen White, Christ’s Object Lessons, page 287).

The Two Hedges (Summary)

      ❶ His Law

      ❷ His temple (Sanctuary)

Conclusion

11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. 12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food (Job 23:11-12).

I want to walk in His steps and keep His ways. I want the words of His mouth to be more valuable than my necessary food.

Don’t you?

Please send questions or comments to Will Hardin at P O Box 24 Owenton KY 40359.

No 7 Devil on a Chain

Any commander losing a war (and who yet remains alive) should reasonably expect limitations and restrictions to be placed on his whereabouts and movements. And so, Lucifer (Satan) has faced restrictions of his freedom to act as he chooses and to move about as he chooses since the loss of the war. Satan’s activities were severely restricted by Jesus Himself (or Michael―when Jesus is in His role as Warrior and Commander of Heaven’s armies). Notice some of these restrictions. Notice also that the Bible uses the imagery of the Devil being restricted by a chain (see Restriction No 7 below).

Restriction No 1
Lucifer (Satan) may have wished to remain in heaven. However, he was made to leave. After losing the war to Michael, Satan was expelled to this earth. 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth (Rev 12:7-9).

Restriction No 2

Satan would invent means to annoy the heavenly angels, and show contempt for his [God's] authority. As he could not gain admission within the gates of Heaven, he would wait just at the entrance, to taunt the angels and seek contention with them as they went in and out (Ellen G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 1, p. 30).

Satan could only come back inside the Courts of Heaven under certain terms. That being he had to come before Michael Himself. Satan did not have free run of the Courts. And being made to stand in the presence of God was uncomfortable for him, I’m sure. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night (Rev 12:10).

In the account of Job, does Satan intrude into heaven at will? Does he come as an 

uninvited quest? The Bible gives us no definite answer. Was he periodically summoned to appear before the Courts of Heaven--whether he liked it or not? Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them (Job 1:6). Could it be that Satan was required to be present at regularly established intervals to answer to his affairs on earth? (It's somewhat akin to having to appear before one's Probation Officer, if for no other reason, than to show that he was still present and still chained, so to speak).

Restriction No 3 

Upon arrival to earth (after having been cast out of heaven), Satan was chained to a tree

(figuratively speaking)--the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Only at this point could he tempt the new beings created for earth--Adam and Eve.

Angels of God visited Adam and Eve, and told them of the fall of Satan, and warned them to be on their guard. They cautioned them not to separate from each other in their employment, for they might be brought in contact with this fallen foe. If one of them were alone, they would be in greater danger than if both were together. The angels enjoined upon them to closely follow the instructions God had given them, for in perfect obedience they were safe, and this fallen foe could then have no power to deceive them. God would not permit Satan to follow the holy pair with continual temptations. He could have access to them only at the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, Volume 3, p. 39).

Restriction No 4 

Upon the fall of Adam and Eve at the tree, Adam having forfeited his dominion of the earth, Satan did become ruler and prince of this world. Yet in the same moment, he would learn he was doomed. And still chained, only now to a planet―not a tree. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Gen 3:15).

Restriction No 5 

The Book of Job teaches that Satan can do nothing against Job except as he asks permission and that permission be granted. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand (Job 1:12). And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life (Job 2:6). The principle still applies today. Satan can only work against God’s people under God's watchful eye and within God’s strict limitations. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (I Cor 10:13).

Bad things happen. The WHYS of it all, we may never understand. Sometimes we never accept. We may remain assured, however, that we are the apple of His eye (Zech 2:8), and that His tender care is always present even in the painful and dark moments Satan drags us through.

Very great troubles are coming upon the world, and the powers of Satan are stirring with intensity the powers from beneath to work suffering, disaster, and ruin. His work is to create all the misery upon human beings that is possible. The earth is the scene of his action, but he is held in check. He can go no farther than the Lord permits (Ellen G. White, That I May Know Him, p. 284).

Restriction No 6
Jesus cried, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost (John 19:30). In addition to the wonderful salvation gained for us in this moment, other wonderful things occurred in the universe. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night (Rev 12:10).

Satan saw that his disguise was torn away. His administration was laid open before the unfallen angels and before the heavenly universe. He had revealed himself as a murderer. By shedding the blood of the Son of God, he had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings. Henceforth his work was restricted. Whatever attitude he might assume, he could no longer await the angels as they came from the heavenly courts, and before them accuse Christ's brethren of being clothed with the garments of blackness and the defilement of sin. The last link of sympathy between Satan and the heavenly world was broken (Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, p 761).

Restriction No 7
While Satan may wish to escape this planet in the end of time, he finds himself still chained by circumstances. 1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season (Rev 20:1-3). Satan is still bound to this planet. And when loosed a little season, he still can go no further than this planet.

I heard shouts of triumph from the angels and from the redeemed saints, which sounded like ten thousand musical instruments, because they were to be no more annoyed and tempted by Satan and because the inhabitants of other worlds were delivered from his presence and his temptations (Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 290).

Restriction No 8
As he has so freely taken the lives of untold millions, he will lose his own life in the lake 

of fire. 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:7-10).

God in Charge
I like the way the Book of Job presents Jesus as being in charge of the affairs of heaven and earth. The Lord initiated the interaction between He and Satan by asking a question of Satan. Satan must then respond. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? (Job 1:7 and repeated in 2:2). Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it (Job 1:8 and repeated in 2:2).

Jesus is still the One asking the questions. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (Job 1:8). 

Jesus is not afraid to face Satan head-on. And through the remainder of this interaction, Jesus is still the Protagonist. He is still the One in charge. Jesus is still acting proactively. Satan never has the upper hand. Satan never towers above Christ. 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord (Job 1:9-12).

God is Still in Charge

Satan described his activities as "walking up and down" on the earth. Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it (Job 1:7). Notice the Bible uses the same verb (walk) in describing Satan's activities on earth today. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8).

The Bible assures us in the following verse that we may escape this adversary. Whom resist stedfast in the faith (1 Pet 5:9). 

I wish to be stedfast in my faith. Don’t you?

Please send questions or comments to Will Hardin at P O Box 24 Owenton KY 40359.

 No 6  Job and Jesus―Lives in Parallel

While the story of their lives may parallel, they are not identical. A man can never equal God. Job will always be a sinner. Jesus will always be the sin-pardoning Saviour. While Job may be declared righteous in his sphere, his righteousness comes from the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Job’s righteousness was lent to him―ascribed to him―righteousness was not inherent within Job himself.

God will ever be the Source of Righteousness―man the receiver. The same with perfection. While God may declare Job to be perfect, his perfection was not that of Christ. The sun (Jesus Christ) is the source of earth’s light. The moon (Job) only reflects the sun’s light. Likewise, a type is never the anti-type. They only resemble.

                           Both had Wonderful Lives Going On

Both Job and Jesus had wonderful lives going on. This statement begins a multi-part parallel of their lives.

Job was wealthy in lands and livestock. He was a respected leader in his community. A family man. But his greatest wealth was measured spiritually. As he was well-regarded by men on earth, he was highly-esteemed in heaven.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. 4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually (Job 1:1-5).

Jesus was fully God and co-equal with the Father. As the One who did the handiwork in the creation all things, Jesus was the adored Son of the Father. With the Father, Jesus was recognized as the Supreme Being of the Universe and was worshipped by all creation. The whole host of heavenly angels and the beings of the unfallen worlds delighted to praise Him. They reveled in the tender love and sustaining care shown to them continually and without fail. The bond between the Members of the Godhead was reflected in the bond between creature and Creator.

Both Job and Jesus had wonderful lives going on until . . .

Satan Forcefully Thrust Himself into the Lives of Both

In one fell swoop, Job lost much of the substance of his life. 7,000 sheep. 3,000 camels. 500 yoke of oxen. 500 she-asses. A very great household. Servants. Shepherds. Hired hands. Job lost his family (except his wife). 10 wonderful children destroyed. Then his high-level health and wellness was reduced to pain and misery. Constant. Continual. Unrelenting. For a moment, of that spirit which he could retain, he exclaimed, 

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21). What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10). In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly (Job 1:22). In all this did not Job sin with his lips (Job 2:10).

Jesus met the intrusion of Lucifer (Satan) head-on with the plan of salvation foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Pet 1:20). This plan was based on love―for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world (John 17:24). This intrusion resulted in a controversy which has extended from heaven to earth and yet progresses to this day. 

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Rev 12:7-9).

Satan was defeated at the cross of Calvary, and will ultimately, completely and finally be destroyed at the end of the 1000 years prophesied in Revelation Chapter 20.

Forcefully

Job’s wonderful life was forcefully taken from him―he was robbed. However, Jesus voluntarily surrendered His wonderful life―He was not robbed of His glory in heaven. Job did not choose his predicament. The Son of God did.

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:6-10).

Naked―from his Mother’s Womb

In his moment of trial, Job wished he had never been born―that he had never come from his mother’s womb. Jesus, however, unequivocally declared that for this purpose He had come to be born of a woman:

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour (John 12:27). These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee (John 17:1). He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1John 3:8). 

One Common Tie between the Two

                  [ Job ]      [ Jesus ]

                                                                 ↘                                ↙

                                                              ↘                   ↙

                                                                     ↘      ↙

Three Men on Camels―to Job

While Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar were not following a star to find Job in Uz, it is reasonable to picture them riding on camels--the common mode of transportation in those days.

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him (Job 2:11).

Three Men on Camels―to Jesus 

Traditionally, we speak of three wise men (their actual number is not given in Scripture) also pictured as riding on camels following the star to find Jesus.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him (Matt 2:1,2).

Three Men on Camels―to Jesus―Brought Gifts

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh (Matt 2:11).

He who never slumbers nor sleeps was watching over His beloved Son. He who had rained manna from heaven for Israel and had fed Elijah in the time of famine provided in a heathen land a refuge for Mary and the child Jesus. And through the gifts of the magi from a heathen country, the Lord supplied the means for the journey into Egypt and the sojourn in a land of strangers (Ellen G White, Desire of Ages, page 65).

Three Men on Camels―to Job―Brought Words

Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar did not bring gold, frankincense or myrrh. They did bring something which would become of inestimable value to Job's spiritual well-being. They brought words. While it was scathing, outrageous and scandalous how they presented those words to their hurting friend, yet those very words would begin a stream of thought in Job's mind which turned his thinking around. While they were given to shock and sting, Job would become grateful for them.

Please send questions or comments to Will Hardin at P O Box 24 Owenton KY 40359.

 

No 5 Where are We Going? What Will I Offer?

How do you memorialize someone who is already one of the most memorialized persons in history? Some 15,000 books have been written about Abraham Lincoln. More books have been written about Lincoln than any other person in history with the exception of Jesus Christ. And new books keep coming off the presses about both of them. Why do we need more? Because enough cannot be said about the greatness of their lives and the contribution each has made (in their respective sphere).

Why Another Blog about Job?

The same may be said regarding Will Hardin's new blog on the Book of Job―why do we need another one? The answer is the same. Because of the greatness of Job's life and the contribution he and his book have made to mankind.

I would not be writing a blog on Job and his book if I did not feel I had important things to say. I look at Job a bit differently than many. This blog will express those views.

What's New? What Will be Different?

What follows is by no means an outline of the studies that will be forthcoming. What follows does highlight some of the areas of emphasis. More will be said regarding each point, of course.

1. Suffering

It's not so much about suffering. While the Book of Job readily answers the WHO causes suffering (maybe more clearly than elsewhere in Scripture), it's not as much help beyond that. It's not the most helpful book to direct someone to who is suffering and hurting. Oftentimes, one ends up crying right along with Job and shouting out similar exasperations as he did. We learn more about suffering when we look to Christ's sufferings than when we read the Book of Job. Job's suffering does have many similarities with Christ's experience.

Having said this, many people still find the Book of Job to be helpful even though his story does not fit their own personal story. We all can identify with the "Why me?" part of his story.

2. Self-righteousness 

It's not about self-righteousness. Many Bible students and scholars berate Job for his despicable self-righteousness. They assert that God allowed all this evil (Job 2:11) to come upon Job to take him down a notch-or-two from his high pedestal of self-ordained righteousness. Hardly the case.

3. It is about Christ

Job is a type of Christ. Job's experience gives us deep insights into Christ's life. Illustrative of this point might be, for example, that in their hour of trial, both were spit upon.

Job―They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face (Job 30:10).

Jesus―Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him; and others smote Him with the palms of their hands (Matt 26;67).

Another example: both felt that God had deserted them.

Job―Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; When His candle shined upon my head, and when by His light I walked through darkness; As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me (Job 29:2-5).

Jesus―And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me? (Matt 27:46).

4. Control over Satan

The clear message is that God has absolute control over Satan―in the affairs of our lives individually and in the affairs of our world today. Satan would rather we not know this truth.

5. For the People of the Last Days of Time

The people of the very last days will be scouring their memories to be assured that they have confessed all known sin in their life. Job recounted all the categories of possible sins he may have committed (and for which he felt God must now be rejecting him). What stayed Job’s heart true to God will stay our hearts true to God. For Job--God appeared not to be there. For the people of the very last days of time--Jesus appears to not be there. The Book of Job, possibly, provides more benefit to the last generation than for any previous generation.

6. Prophecy
As for Job, so for the people of the last days, the gift of prophecy was manifested in their hour of trial. For Job -- Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it (Job 13:1). For the last day people -- And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My spirit (Job 2:28,29).

7. What was It that Really Opened Job’s Eyes to Truth?

8. Damaged Faith
The Book of Job will help repair our faith as we look to our Redeemer. And all along our paths, the enemy of our souls--as a hungry lion keeps trying to rip, tear and chew up our faith.

9. Job’s Ladder
Job climbs out of the “slough of despond” (from Paul Bunyan’s, Pilgrim’s Progress) to the heights of glory. Each rung up from despair to joy builds Job’s Ladder. Akin to Jacob’s Ladder,
the steps upward to joy are usable for anyone “at the bottom” looking up and desiring to go up. Every step upward brought relief. Once he had reached the top rung, he was enjoying the highest experience in the things of God he had ever known. Together we will build his ladder (useful for every one of us).

10. Following God is Fun

Loving God and being right with God were so rewarding that Job was unconscious of his righteous walk with God. God reveals the kind of trust He wishes for each of us to enjoy and experience daily.

11. Mrs. Job was a Wonderful and Loving Wife--I Like Her!

12. The Subject of Judgment is Prominent in the Book
To best understand the role of mediator--be one!

13. Church Fathers 

Why the Church Fathers like the emphasis on the Church Fathers in the Book of Job.

14. How to Run a Universe

The Book of Job provides a short course on how to run a universe.

15. Finally, if you have followed me to this point, I now give the greatest benefit of the Book of Job. It is one of the most sublime studies of the Character of God. The study of Job reveals Who God is.

It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth (COL415).

My purpose for this site is to do my part in removing the misapprehension and misunderstanding of God. I want to be an illuminating influence in making His character of love known.

Will you stay with me through these studies?

Please send questions and comments to Will Hardin at P O Box 24 Owenton KY 40359.

 

No 4  The First Book is for the Last People

I accept the old-school thought that Job was probably the 

first Bible book written. Being archaic does not discount its 

relevancy for today. The Book of Job has more to say about 

the universe than any other book in the Bible. It is followed 

closely by David’s Psalms. Both of these men were on a 

quest to find God. And in their search they discover more 

about the heavens, worlds, stars and constellations than the 

other writers combined. They discover how nature works and 

natural law guides. There is much space-age stuff in their 

books to compete with any marvelous comic book and 

today’s nether-world movies.

For Job, there was a lot of backward turning--to the “good 

ole days”--and how it used to be. But it may fairly be said 

that from the days of his calamities, Job spent a lot of time 

walking around in his future as well as he did looking in his 

past. We can do that as well. Time becomes inconspicuous 

when searching for God.

Looking for God 

Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash

Earth becomes very small when looking throughout the 

universe for God. Job talked as readily about Arcturus, 

Pleiades, and Mazzaroth as he did sand, water and air. 

The immensities of the universe was the setting for Job’s 

search. Somewhere out there was God, and Job was 

determined to find Him (again). That word again (ending 

the last sentence) will have rich meaning as this study 

continues.

 

Sometimes it’s harder to find something you’ve lost the 

second time. Sometimes it’s easier. It’s either vastly harder 

or vastly easier, it seems. For Job it was harder. It usually is 

that way when you are hurting. Physically. Mentally. 

Spiritually. But he does find God!

The Last of Time

I am going to suggest that it will be harder for the people 

of the last days of time. Why? Because never a genera-

tion will hurt like that generation will hurt. Physically. 

Mentally. Spiritually. The depths of Job’s hurt, in his day, 

may be likened unto their hurt in the day coming. Theirs 

is also the generation that is least likely to look up and 

see the Big Dipper and to know the difference between a 

star and a planet in the night sky. And why in the world is 

there such a creature as a duckbill platypus and a dung 

beetle? 

Send questions and comments to Will Hardin at 

P O Box 24 Owenton KY 40359.