The Mystery of the Book of Job
To many people, the book of Job is in the same category as Genesis, Daniel and Revelation because it remains a mystery. What is the mystery? In order to know the mystery we must add up the facts.
God said Job was complete, perfect, undefiled, upright and blameless (Job 1:1; 2:3). Many people today disagree with the fact that Job knew he was being tested by God (Job 1:21-22; 2:9-10). God was using Satan to do the testing, as He always does (Job 2:6; Matt. 4:1; Luke 22:31). Even Job’s friends knew it was a test (Job 5:17-18). In his pain, Job rejoiced that he had not denied the words of God (Job 6:10). Then his friends turned on him and began to question his faith (Job 8:6).
Job knew that according to the knowledge of God, he was not guilty; but Zophar said he was (Job 10:7; 11:6). His friends began to smear Job with lies (Job 13:4). Job knew he was being examined or tested, just as all true disciples of Jesus Christ are today (Job 13:9; 1 Peter 4:1, 12, 16, 19; 5:10). Job knew that what his friends were insinuating was meaningless as ashes (Job 13:12). Job knew if he continued to hope in the Lord and trust Him, even if he died, he would be saved (Job 13:15-16).
His friends were telling him his sins of the past were not forgiven, but Job knew they were not being held against him (Job 13:26; 14:16-17). His friends, who now had become his foes, lashed out at him (Job 15:5-6). Job knew he was innocent and that this was a test from God, although by this time, his friends had become his scoffers (Job 16:17, 20; 17:2). Then, Job uttered a prophecy concerning Christ in the future (Job 17:5-8). Job’s friends became increasingly evil (Job 19:2-22).
Job said that the wicked are not interested in God’s Ways or in serving God, as Job was (Job 21:14-15; 29:12-16).
Job’s friends did not understand suffering, just as most people today do not understand it. Job was being perfected by God through suffering. Job’s friends did not say what was right, but Job did (Job 42:7)!
Although Job was a son of God, he learned obedience from the things he suffered, just as Jesus Christ did (Heb. 5:8-9). That’s how God makes you perfect (Heb. 12:23; Job 1:1).
When you practice righteousness for God by serving others daily, you are considered righteous by God (1 John 3:7). That is when the Lord begins to perfect you (1 Peter 5:10). God’s word says that any person who will not practice righteousness for God remains of the devil (1 John 3:10). That is why it pays to please God, as Job always did (Job 29:12-18; 31:16-20)