Job's Threefold Testing - introduction

Job’s Greatness

             Job was the greatest of all the men of the east.  He was great in character.  He was perfect and upright; and he feared God and stayed as far away from sin as possible.

             Job had a great family.  The Lord blessed him with seven sons and three daughters.  He cared for them and was concerned about their spiritual needs. (Job 1:5)

            Job had great substance.  He had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen (or a thousand oxen), five hundred she asses, and a very great household. (1:3)  This statement “a very great household” seems to indicate that he must have had a large house with many rooms for his servants.  No doubt he owned a large amount of land and had many buildings in which to keep his animals.  In every area of life, Job was a great man.

Behind the Scenes

            One day the “sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them… 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?” (1:6b,8)

            Job was a man of such great character that God pointed him out to Satan as an example of godliness and integrity.  Satan, however, did not want to believe God.  He replied, “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.” (1:10)  Here Satan observes God’s love and protection in action.  He understands that, as along as a person is right with God and walking in the fear of the Lord, nothing can harm that person and he cannot touch that person unless God allows it.

            If we are right with God and have a testimony of godliness and upright character, not one bad thing will happen to us unless God allows it.  God will only allow it if it will bring glory to Him.

            Satan was not happy with God’s praise of Job, and he set out to prove God wrong.  He challenged God, “Put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” (1:11)

            God knew that Job was faithful and would not curse Him, even when facing tremendous loss.  He answered Satan, “Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.” (1:12)  Job was about to go through a terrible test, but God knew Job would pass it.  God knew Job would do right.