Fri.’s Devo - Job’s Beginnings

Read: Job 1:1-3:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 21:25-26 No one knows who wrote Job but some believe that the author was Moses. Job is believed to have been written around 2000 B.C. Job was a Gentile and probably a descendant of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. He was a very rich man living a semi-nomadic lifestyle. He and his wife had seven sons and three daughters as well as hundreds of animals. Job was very religious and offered sacrifices after every party his children had just in case they might have cursed God while they were drunk or in high spirits. God had a convention of his heavenly beings and Satan was there. When it came Satan’s time to give an account of his exploits, he explained that he had been traveling up and down from heaven to earth and all across the land. God asked him if he had noticed Job who was honest and upright. Satan had noticed Job but his complaint was that Job was so loyal to God because God had given him everything he could ever want. Satan continued that if he took it all away, he would curse God to his face. God disagreed and told Satan that he could test Job with all he had. Satan had absolutely no mercy. He took it all, his kids, cattle and money. But, Job didn’t curse God, he blessed God. It was His anyway so he was just grateful to be his steward. When that didn’t work, Satan was in heaven again for an accounting and they talked about Job again. Satan explained that the first test failed but he knew the second test would not. He wanted to touch his physical health. God allowed him to do what he wanted as long as he didn’t kill him. Satan gave him itching boils. It was tormenting because there was no relief. Job’s three friends learned of his reversal and came to visit. They were so appalled at the change in Job’s appearance and his possessions that they were speechless. They should have remained speechless and gone home after that, but they stayed. Job was the first to speak and he cursed the day he was born. He did say some things we should pay attention to. He said, ”What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.” Did Job’s fear choose Satan’s ammunition? I believe that is what he is saying. We can curse ourselves by the things we say and the fears we have or we can bless ourselves by the things we say and the faith we have. In Corinthians, Paul encourages us to both pray in tongues and in English. Praying in tongues is praying the mysteries of God and we need to do that, but prophesying is saying the mysteries of God to people. Prophesying is revealing the mysteries of God so that people can understand them which edifies the Body. It is important to speak in tongue to edify yourself to speak prophecy to others. Lord, may we speak your mysteries to you and to others. May we speak and walk in faith.