When The Righteous Suffer ~ Book of Job Study, Broadcast Transcript from August 9, 2020

Good Morning and God Bless each one of you today!  Thank you for joining me on today’s ROF Ministries Broadcast.  I must say I am so very excited to fellowship with you all and begin a new study on our journey together!  The Lord was pressing upon me to do something I have never done before – study the Book of Job with you all, together, as a family.  Since the kids will be going back to school this upcoming week, the timing could not be more perfect to free up more of my time for us to spend together.  So this is what we are going to do, Lord willing – We will study the Book of Job on Sunday mornings, chapter by chapter and then have our regular type broadcasts back on Wednesdays like we used to until this whole coronavirus thing started and I was thrust into homeschooling.  We will just take a wait and see approach, it seems everything is extremely temporal at the moment – but as it stands today, this will be our plan.

This is going to be fun – because the Book of Job is quite new to me too in so many ways!  I’ve read it – but I’ve never studied it, so we will be learning and sharing together, for which I am most excited about!  Most of you are probably way more advanced than I am with this book, so I encourage you to share as often and as much as you are being led too! 

Now, before we get started, some people may not like I how I study the Word, because when I study to apply the word in my life – I use it to measure myself.  When I read our Father’s word, I ask Him to correct me, mold me and transform my heart into the reflection of Jesus.  He says His people do not “lay to heart” His word… Meaning they do not judge their hearts according to what pleases Him.  I just wanted to throw that out there and point you to the exit signs in case this sort of studying makes you uncomfortable.  Oh that sounded so silly – of course the Word is uncomfortable to the flesh…  Well you know what I mean – lol – we hold no one prisoner here, but all are welcome to the table to dine with us on the Word of God.  Amen.

The Word of God to me is an instruction manual on how to be more Christ like and when eaten of, it changes and purifies your heart so I read it as such – not to offend anyone but myself really. lol

So when we study, feel free to share and be vulnerable and transparent and I will do the same.  We can discuss our shortcomings and our successes since finding Jesus and how He is molding us into His New Creature.  Remember we are overcomers – present tense – actively in the moment of overcoming!  As we read and apply the Word, I will check chat often to see what you all are sharing to keep this interactive.  There may be times where you will see certain events spoken of then happening now – please share those too!  We can go as slow or as quick as the Holy Spirit leads in this, we have nothing but time.  Lol

I titled this study we are doing JOB – WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER, but today’s sub-title is:

The Lord Gives and He Takes Away.

I know… I am little too detail oriented aren’t I?  J

Let’s Pray ~

Heavenly and merciful Father, it is with a grateful and hungry heart we come before You today and ask that You would divinely feed our hearts with the measurement of Your truth written for the nourishment of our souls.  We ask You to guide, correct, conform and encourage us and to unify us with Your precious Son Jesus.  Your servants are listening today, teach us Lord, fill us with manna from Heaven in Your word to sustain us during these days in which we currently live.  Amen.

 So get your Bibles out and lets start in Job Chapter 1:

1There 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.

Job was perfect & upright – He feared God – Hated evil, the components of one deemed righteous

² And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

Job had 9 children who were his direct descendants and a wife

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.

Job was a very prosperous man financially and generational, by the World’s standards admired by others, anyone peering into Job’s life from the outside would have desired what he had I am sure.

⁴ And his sons went and feasted in their houses, everyone his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

All of Job’s children liked to party – We even see that today, children departing from how they were raised or even being spoiled, lack of discipline in the home, living extravagant lifestyles – turning out to be not at all like the mother or father who raised them…. Sparing the rod and spoiling the child comes to mind – which breaks rebellion.  Saying no to a child takes way more strength than giving in all the time.

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 knew his children were in rebellion against God, so he prayed earnestly for them continually.  He knew by their actions of sin they had cursed the Lord in their hearts.  We do that too sometimes, don’t we?  We make a choice to sin, knowing it is not pleasing to the Father.  Which is why we are so very grateful He is merciful and gives us the gift of repentance and time to embrace it.

⁶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

These Sons of God are simply angels – they went before the Lord (probably for a command or assignment I would imagine) and satan was with them before God.

⁷ And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Interesting how the Lord spoke to satan, asking him why he came before Him?  At that time, the enemy was allowed to approach the Throne of God even though he was cast down to Earth already.  It says he was going to and fro all over the Earth.  He obviously was having a hard time finding any of God’s children to torment – now isn’t that interesting?  He wasn’t seeking to devour or irritate or torment the lost and unrighteous – only the Father’s children. 

⁸ 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?

So to answer satan the Lord Himself pointed out Job to him saying – Have you considered Job?  He is a perfect and upright man, he fears God and hates evil – there is none like him on Earth. Remember our study on being perfect – it means surrendered.

Now… this give us pause doesn’t it?  Talk about being thrown under the bus… Again it was the Lord who not only gave satan permission, but pointed him in the right direction of Job.  A divine set-up indeed.

⁹ Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

Even satan was suspicious, I believe by what he asked the Lord – Does Job fear God without a reason? 

In other words pointing out – Job fears God, but has not been tested when things were not prosperous for him.  Prosperity without a test makes you shakable… Wow

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.

Satan is so nosey – but notice he had to ask some things that he already had observed about Job – 1. Job had a hedge around him, his house and that he attained was under his covering 2. That the Lord had blessed the work of his hands so much all he owned was at an increased level.  Which was the divine set-up we just mentioned… Job had ego, pride and entitlement still within him due to the work of his own hands.  In other words he likely believed he deserved to live the life he was living.

¹¹ But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

This verse almost sounds as if the enemy is practically trying to tempt the Lord, he was definitely trying to provoke Him by doubting Him, forgetting He is all knowing.  He said – put your hand upon him to suffer by touching all he has and he will then curse You to Your face. 

We know people like this don’t we?  Those who are with the Lord only when things are going their way and when it isn’t – they will complain in their hearts or to others about the Lord.  As a matter of fact, I have been very guilty of this very thing myself at times – which now I am so very grateful for the conviction of the Holy Spirit to lead me out of my evil ways, if I would have stayed on that course, I would have been doomed there is no doubt in my mind about that.  But thankfully when conviction comes upon us – we see the error of our ways and have strength in Jesus to overcome all the unholiness which still resides within us.  Mercy is the bridge, but not a place to dwell.  Meaning, He is merciful as we learn to surrender – but His plans are much greater for us than to just remain unchanged in the heart and mind.

Boasting on how much we have, no matter what it is, is prideful in nature – it hurts the hearts of those less fortunate and tempts the Lord to humble us so that we see all that we have was granted by His hand – having nothing to do with our own works or entitlement. 

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.

I love this verse – it shows the Sovereign power of our Lord over our lives and that nothing evil can touch us without His permission, and yet, the Word is a double-edge sword…

This verse is very sobering, isn’t it?  Our Lord actually handed over power to the enemy for all that Job possessed – with one exception, Job himself.  Talk about a divine set-up.  It was then the Lord basically gave satan a commanded permission and he departed from the Lord’s presence.

¹³ And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

Again the Lord notes Job’s children were not sober – that’s interesting isn’t it?  Drunkenness places us in very compromising positions, doesn’t it?  We do and say things we normally wouldn’t because our guard is down.  There has never been a more pertinent time in history to stay alert, awake and sober, that I can personally remember.  And remember – many things we absorb can make us drunk… That woman who rides the beast is actually drunk with the blood of the saints – fierce anger can made someone drunk by shedding of innocent blood – just a side note.

¹⁴ And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

¹⁵ And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

His flocks were wiped out by thieves along with all the servants except one messenger.

¹⁶ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Fire fell from Heaven and burned up all the sheep and servants who tended to them.  Do you find this interesting that the sheep were separated out from among the rest of his vast array of animals and they were consumed by fire from Heaven?  Seems like an allegory to what is to come in the future, doesn’t it?  We know Jesus comes as a consuming fire to burn up all that which is not grounded in Him and His nature.

The Lord is reminding me of something He told me many years ago…  Saying – Glean wisdom from the Old Testament but walk out the New.  Its amazing how the old points to Jesus continually, preparing the way for the Lord.

¹⁷ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Another enemy of Job’s came and stole his camels (transportation) and slaughtered their servants with the sword.  Again, only 1 escaped.

¹⁸ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

¹⁹ And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Again it mentions Job’s children were eating and drinking – that’s three times now, isn’t it?  So it definitely is important — but anyway, a mighty wind (Holy Spirit??)  struck the house and it fell upon them and killed them.  It could also be a tornado – but I am curious because in Acts the Holy Spirit is called a mighty wind. 

Did you notice in each situation only 1 messenger remained to give witness to Job as to what had occurred.  That is really interesting too!  I love how the Lord keeps every I dotted and T crossed, leaving nothing out for us to explore and learn more about His ways.  Each time 1 escaped…

²⁰ Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

I just cannot imagine what shock Job must have been in.  Remember, he did not even know all this was coming upon him, let alone being released by the Lord – we as observers get to see the whole story – but Job only witnessed his own side, what was happening to him. 

Somehow he managed to pull himself together to stand up, surrendered, laid naked and bare, falling to the ground and did what?  Worshipped the Lord on High. 

I must admit, I am not sure so sure I would be like Job in that instance.  He lost everything – but the heartbreak of losing your children like he did – no matter how rebellious they are – would weaken most to the core, regardless of how much faith you had professed, I am not sure I would be even remotely as righteous as Job – no, not at all.  I know I wouldn’t, who am I kidding?  Just being honest here and before you speak…. Be very careful what you proclaim in this moment in your heart, let alone come out of your mouth. 

When we boast on ourselves having great faith…  Get ready for a whirlwind, I’m just sayin… I learned that lesson the hard way.  Almost daily I minister to people, who brag about all they have attained on Earth and lost it, so we must tread lightly in that we remain humble not bragging about being blessed.  This is a teaching moment to see if what we are saying is truly edifying someone else or not.  Heart check, thank you Lord.

²¹ And said, 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 is saying, alone, without possessions or loved ones I entered into the World and in the same way I shall depart from it – Job expected to die as well – didn’t he?  Which to me would have been the much easier way out – the one I would personally prefer – but God had other plans for Job, didn’t He and I cannot wait to discover it as we study more?

Job realized before all this happened – The Sovereignty of the Lord and it is the Lord and only the Lord who gives to us and takes away from us and both are blessings from above.

²² In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

This Chapter ends beautifully, doesn’t it?  Can you imagine?  Everything that just happened to Job in ONE DAY – not a lifetime, or a decade – but one day!  Wow – and Job really didn’t sin or blame God foolishly.  Job did not have any complaints towards God in his heart did he?  Because if he did, they surely would have come out that day.  This is very humbling, isn’t it?  I honestly cannot say I would be like Job, I really cannot, but I sure desire to be and with God’s help we can. 

So in this chapter it is evident Job valued God above everything and everyone in his life up until this point and through this trial he did not waiver – when God took away all that He had given to Job. 

It seems God knew Job’s heart even better than he did and the same is true for us.  God never gives us more than we can handle with Him but He sure will allow that to come upon us which pulls us into a reliance on Him alone.  Some of us are walking that very thing out right now and if not we have in the past or soon will be. 

Applying what we’ve learned ~

• Are there times we value prosperity over the Lord?  Remember the Lord desires us to prosper as our soul prospers – which is what He was unveiling to Job…. He had prosperity, but was his soul prospering?  The same is true for us – and don’t think of prosperity strictly finances.
• The Father’s main concern is our soul always!  His main purpose towards us is that He desires to reveal His Son to us and that He alone be placed upon the throne of our hearts.  The Father’s main desire is – that Jesus is the most important piece of our lives.  Like we are a puzzle missing a piece that few find – our missing piece is Jesus, Himself.  We’ve searched high and low haven’t we?  We’ve drank from empty wells, still thirsty.  Never full, never whole and never satisfied.
• We often convince ourselves we are okay – but inside we know we aren’t.
• We are in a process of becoming whole – in truth, no one is.  We are seeking Him to be made whole, but all are in a flesh struggle it seems.  What we want to do we don’t and what we do not want to do, we do…. Just like Paul, but we are running a race, keeping our eyes on the Prize, Jesus!
• EVERYTHING is secondary to HIM.  We can use tools which are useful in pointing to Jesus, but they are just tools, not a higher priority than Him.
• Things like – wealth, signs, miracles, wonders, answered prayers, joy, peace, health, working for the Lord, etc…  Are nothing worthwhile unless they are second to Him and manifested solely for His revealing glory, which is His supremacy in the hearts of His people.  People seek a sign, the Father seeks you – because to HIM you are the sign, because His Son is.
• Job just taught us what it looks like to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth, totally removed from all Earthly influences, just as we entered we will depart… without anything or anyone one but HIM, our Lord Jesus.
• The Book of Job for me is very sobering so far, because it was the Lord who permitted the release of satan upon this one man counted as righteous.  And the Father chose Job because He deemed him as righteous, He was pleased with him and proud of Job.  So we learned being righteousness does not prevent the process of cleansing to come upon us for the purpose of growth.
• It is a real test to see if we love our possessions more than God? Possessions can be:  self, others like family and friends, children, a ministry, health, our works even in the Kingdom, money security, fame, holiness, comforts, lusts, pleasures, cleanliness, peace… and anything else which we covet so much.  Let me be the first to confess – yes, I definitely am holding onto things which could place me in a vulnerable position for sifting.
• Job was divinely set up to lose it all in order to seek just one for everything – that One is the only source of life itself – our Father, because that is who Jesus embraced.  We know now that Jesus is our advocate and only way to the Father.  I am seeing now that if we can embrace this truth revealed to us through Job, just as it is written, we can learn without having to fully walk this out ourselves — because one must consider…. Was Job’s righteousness counted as self-righteousness?  I guess we will see as the story unfolds in our study, like I said, I am new to all this myself and am learning with you – but I have a pressing quite possibly that is the case.

Just an overview of what we learned today, real quick ~

The Lord does give and He takes away according to His perfect plan in our lives – it is a tool He uses to mold and fashion us into the Image of His Son so we are truly crucified with Christ.

We all have suffered at times and seek the Lord for reasons why bad things have happened throughout our lives.  It is important to realize we do all have a hedge of protection around us – one in which the Lord Himself is the gate keeper of – He permits and restrains at His will all for the growth and betterment of our souls.

It is through many tribulations we enter into the Kingdom of God.  In these tribulations our souls are strengthened for discipleship in that we enter through the narrow way – which is the only path that leads to life everlasting.

God’s ways are not our ways and as we trust His Sovereignty more and more the complaints of our hearts are purged out of us so nothing but worship is on our lips.

Whether disease, persecution, wars, disability, disaster, accidents, assaults come at us or not – they are all the same spiritually speaking.  This is a good reminder that the enemy roams around seeking to destroy our belief that God is God and we are not.  What the enemy uses to destroy, God uses to strengthen our faith in Him.  All things are purposed and working together for our good because the enemy has already been defeated – when it matters to us, it matters to God and He is always on the throne.

Suffering turns the hearts of people to the Father and the Father’s heart is turned towards His children who cry out to Him in their time of need, keeping those who may otherwise drift relying on Him.

It is imperative we be cleansed from all complaints towards one another, but especially the Lord in order we do not question His Sovereignty, like He is not ruling and reigning, letting and not letting evil to assist in our working out our salvation daily.

Keep in mind the hospital and doctors are not an embarrassment – but an opportunity to spread the Gospel.  Some are appointed to enter into places others refuse to go and be that light in the darkness to testify to His Name.  Luke was a Physician and even Jesus said, it is those who are sick that need a physician (speaking of Himself).  You just never know when the Lord is going to use you in a mighty way or where – so be willing and watching for His divine set-ups in your day.  That er/dr visit could just be the divine appointment you have been praying for and how will they hear if one is not sent?  But if we enter into a place without peace and clothed in pride none will listen – so He humbles us, covering us in compassion so our hearts are towards the people in need because His is – which is why Jesus came in the flesh – to reach the lost, in the same way He uses us in our infirmities to reach the infirmed.

The narrow way does have tribulations so that we enter into His rest.  Suffering assists us to die to self so Jesus is glorified through us.  He designed it this way so He alone is lifted up!  How can we demonstrate His salvation if we only prosper, which is talking the talk.  When we walk out the talk – we become an observation of light, like a lamp not hidden under a lampstand.  Through suffering compassion is fortified as we pick up our cross daily and follow Him.  Many deny the cross, His disciples carried it everywhere they went and did mighty works in His Name.

Once we develop an “even if…” mentality we will have great break through – fear is gone and we are ready to be sent into the Harvest no longer fearful of what man/enemy can do to us – if we perish, we perish – no longer seeking to save our own lives.  Remember, Jesus is that 4^th man in the fire with you to sustain you.  Sometimes we are delivered out of the fire and most times He strengthens us in it and delivers us through it, not from it until the very end.

Suffering opens our eyes to the realization that Jesus is more valuable than anything else we could potentially lose.  It is my prayer nothing else of value needs to be removed from us before we see, all we truly need is Him.

Intimacy is cultivated in suffering that cannot be gleaned in any other way – trust is established and impurities are removed.

Coming against the Lord or calling Him out – not calling upon Him, but blaming Him – reveals where our heart treasures actually are – on Earth or in Heaven, or worse wrapped up in self.

Job was considered righteous and yet still had much pride within him – suffering purifies the pride right out of us so that we are clothed in humility and remember we are “overcomers” therefore, the Lord brings upon our paths many things to overcome through Him so trust is established in our hearts.

Lastly, remember… Father knows best and He is a good, good Father towards His children.

Well that will do it for our study of Job Chapter 1 – I sure hope it blessed you like it did me.  I feel in my spirit the Lord is preparing us for something on the horizon, in that no matter what the truth of us will be exposed and we should continually trust in Him, no matter what.

For those who claim it is easy – well their road is gonna be a little treacherous for they lean a lot on their own understanding at the moment and yet are unaware.  For others, it will not be a walk in the park but Jesus we can remain in the fire and not one hair on our heads be cinched. 

Thank you for joining me today.  Lord willing we will have a broadcast Wednesday morning, since we are now getting back into our normal routine.  This Wednesday we are going to talk about the fullness of the Lord and the five-fold ministry – where do you fit?

I pray your day is blessed and if so led continue to keep ROF Ministries lifted up to the Lord, we certainly need it.  For updates, please visit ROFministries.com or you are welcome to email me at:  Markedbyheaven7@gmail.com.  All my study notes for today are typed, so if you want a copy of them, please do not hesitate to email me – I would be happy to send them to you.