Verse From the Book of Job

[Fisherman]

Recently Lou had a very good study that involved Job. I had to re-read Job (for about the fifth time) and was somehow focused on this verse in Job 3.

²⁵ What I feared has come upon me;
what I dreaded has happened to me.

I was wondering what others here think this could be that Job was referring to.

[Lou Newton]

Recently Lou had a very good study that involved Job. I had to re-read Job (for about the fifth time) and was somehow focused on this verse in Job 3.

²⁵ What I feared has come upon me;
what I dreaded has happened to me.

I was wondering what others here think this could be that Job was referring to.

Well Tom, first of all it is very good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well.

This is a very good and profound question.

Lou

[Lou Newton]

Recently Lou had a very good study that involved Job. I had to re-read Job (for about the fifth time) and was somehow focused on this verse in Job 3.

²⁵ What I feared has come upon me;
what I dreaded has happened to me.

I was wondering what others here think this could be that Job was referring to.

I was waiting for others to post.

I think Job was a very humble man and he feared he would get what he thought he deserved, or since his children feasted often he feared that they sinned against The Lord and would reap terrible consequences.
Prologue

1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
2 He had seven sons and three daughters,
3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys,and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
4 His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed Godin their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.

Job was blameless and upright. The Only way for any man to be blameless is by the blood of Jesus. Job had confessed his sin and tried to follow The Lord.
Job's First Test

6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.
7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied.
10 "Have you not put a hedgearound him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.
11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
13One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house,
14 a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,
15 and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house,
19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship
21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

"Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." - this flies in the face of much that is preached. Many claim that Satan can not touch us if we belong to Jesus. Job had given his life to God for he was blameless. But here God puts everything he has in Satan's hands. But of course this was all for Job's good.

[Lou Newton]

"Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." - this flies in the face of much that is preached. Many claim that Satan can not touch us if we belong to Jesus. Job had given his life to God for he was blameless. But here God puts everything he has in Satan's hands. But of course this was all for Job's good.

So we see that God Himself put everything Job had in Satan's hands and Job had given His life to God. He was trusting God to save him.

This goes against much that is preached. Many churches even preach that we have the power to stomp on the Devil.

Well they should read this book again. Satan stomped on Job and Job could do nothing about it. BUT GOD WAS STILL IN CONTROL.

Now many reason that Satan was able to do Job so much harm because of what Fisherman quoted Job as saying:

²⁵ What I feared has come upon me;
what I dreaded has happened to me.

They claim that Satan was able to ruin Job because he feared. They claim that we should not fear and Satan can only attack us like this IF we fear. But they have not noticed what God said to Satan:
Job's Second Test

1 On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him.
2 And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
3 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."
4 "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life.
5 But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."
6 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life."
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.
9 His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity?Curse God and die!"
10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

It can not come from a higher source. God Himself said that it was WITHOUT REASON that God allowed Satan to attack Job.

Job had done nothing wrong to cause this attack from Satan. God even has this written so we can not accuse Job like his three, so called friends, did.

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

So we still have two questions:

Why did Job fear ?

Why did God allow Satan to attack Job ?

[Fisherman]

I'll go ahead and post a few thoughts about this.

"What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me."
Job 3

1) I agree with you Lou, that Job was probably concerned about his children's possible sins. Job may have feared that God could maybe chastise them (or him) because of those sins.

"His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts."
Job 1

2) Job had been enjoying a prosperous, likely comfortable and rewarding earthly life as indicated in Job 1:2-3. While there is no Scriptural indication that Job sinfully treasured, or coveted the material rewards of his life, I would imagine that being human he may well have feared God could test his faith by taking these things away - and worse.

^"Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?
For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water.
What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.
I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.”
Job 3:23-26

3) I agree with you Lou that Job had done nothing wrong to justify Satan's attacks against him. Is it possible that Satan's real gripe was actually with God and not against Job? Could it be that Satan was hoping to turn Job against God in order to validate his (Satan's) premise with God that Job was only upright and blameless because God had been blessing him?

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
Job 1:9-11

[Fisherman]

One other thought came to me after posting. I'm thinking about Jesus. He gave up everything voluntarily and came into this world to minister to us, to teach us and even be severely tempted by Satan. Jesus had been in and with the Father ever since the beginning - yet He freely gave it all up to save us. He gave up everything so that we could have everything in and through Him by his death on the cross. Does this make any sense?

[Lou Newton]

I'll go ahead and post a few thoughts about this.

"What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me."
Job 3

1) I agree with you Lou, that Job was probably concerned about his children's possible sins. Job may have feared that God could maybe chastise them (or him) because of those sins.

"His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts."
Job 1

2) Job had been enjoying a prosperous, likely comfortable and rewarding earthly life as indicated in Job 1:2-3. While there is no Scriptural indication that Job sinfully treasured, or coveted the material rewards of his life, I would imagine that being human he may well have feared God could test his faith by taking these things away - and worse.

^"Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?
For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water.
What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.
I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.”
Job 3:23-26

3) I agree with you Lou that Job had done nothing wrong to justify Satan's attacks against him. Is it possible that Satan's real gripe was actually with God and not against Job? Could it be that Satan was hoping to turn Job against God in order to validate his (Satan's) premise with God that Job was only upright and blameless because God had been blessing him?

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
Job 1:9-11

I agree with you too Tom on these points that you make. Good comments.

Lou

[Lou Newton]

One other thought came to me after posting. I'm thinking about Jesus. He gave up everything voluntarily and came into this world to minister to us, to teach us and even be severely tempted by Satan. Jesus had been in and with the Father ever since the beginning - yet He freely gave it all up to save us. He gave up everything so that we could have everything in and through Him by his death on the cross. Does this make any sense?

There is only one way I can make any sense out of that.

That would be that Jesus loved us very much.

And that is the understatement of all time.

Lou

[Baruch]

Thanks for these latest posts, Tom and Lou. I've been thinking about them. I may need to reread Job, in part or whole, in order to offer something useful. That explains the cricket sound coming from over here.