2. Job: Some basic lessons we can learn about Satan, God, our Friends, and Ourselves.

3. Job: The Basic Story Job was an upright man, 1:1 He was also prosperous, 1:2-3 And he was conscientious, 1:4-5 Probably because of these things, he became the object of Satan’s attention and efforts, 1:6-12 Satan brought both financial and familial calamity upon him, 1:13-19 Job remained faithful, 1:20-22 But Satan wasn’t giving up, 2:1-6 And redoubled his efforts, 2:7-8 Even Job’s wife gave up, 2:9-10a And his friends didn’t know quite what to do, or say, 2:11-13 But Job remained true, 2:10b

4. Job: The Rest of the Story… Job cursed the day of his birth, and questioned why these things happened to him, 3:1-26 Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar proclaim that Job’s suffering is surely a result of sin, chps.4-25 But Job denies this and proclaims his innocence, chps.26-31 Elihu, though previously silent, in anger speaks condemningly against the three friends and Job, but in defense of God, chps.32-37 Finally, God speaks, chps.38-41 And Job confesses his questioning of God and repents, 42:1-6 God rebukes Job’s three friends, and restores and blesses him, 42:7-17

5. Job: Lessons We Can Learn About… Satan: There are few limits to what he can and will do to destroy your faith in God. Destroy your possessions, 1:13-17 Kill your loved ones, 1:18-19 Afflict your health and physical well- being, 2:6-9 Lie- even to God Himself, 1:9-11; 2:4-5

6. Job: Lessons We Can Learn About… Family & Friends: They often don’t understand suffering & hardship. To them, suffering = sin, 4:7-8 And therefore, suffering = God’s punishment, 4:9; 8:1-4; 11:1-6; 33:8-12 Elihu seems to think so too, 33:27b-28; 34:10-12,21-27; 35:2 But at least recognizes the potential benefits of suffering, 33:29-30

7. Job: Lessons We Can Learn About… Ourselves: We never know how much we can take until we’re called upon to bear more than we think possible, 1:10-19; 2:3-10 We can love & serve God for who He is, or for the ‘good things’ He provides, but only one is true faith, 1:10, 20-22 Satan can take away everything but our faith and integrity- these cannot be ‘lost’ or ‘taken,’ only given away, 2:3,10 (see also chp.31)

8. Job: Lessons We Can Learn About… God: Obviously, at times He will allow even the upright and faithful to be tested- even severely, 1:8ff; 2:3ff He created us, and knows us even better than Satan does, 1:12; 2:3 He, nor His ways, should be questioned, 38:1-2ff; 40:1-2ff; 42:3 He is eminently just, righteous, and forgiving, 42:7-17

9. Job: Concluding Lessons We Can Learn About… Life: God controls it, and no purpose of His can be withstood, 42:1-2 We don’t have to know it all, just know Him who does, 42:3-4 Faith comes by “hearing,” 42:5a, but is perfected by “seeing,” 42:5b So when things are really bad, “see” God’s controlling power, trust it and Him, and “retract” and “repent” as necessary, 42:6!