THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY MAN IN THE BIBLE

 

{From One of the Most Extraordinary Books in the Bible}

 

I believe that Job is the most extraordinary man in the Bible and the Book of Job, if not the most extraordinary, is one of the most extraordinary Books in the Bible and for that matter – in the world!

 

The Book of Job is the Oldest Book in the Bible. Without getting into a lot of boring academic supposition, I will give my reasons for believing this is so. The Book of Genesis gives us a record of the age of Shem’s [Noah’s son] descendents when they began to begat children and when they died:

 

Genesis 11:10 These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:

 11 And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.

 

Genesis 11: 12 And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:

 13 And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.

 

Genesis 11:14 And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:

 15 And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.

 

Genesis 11:16 And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:

 17 And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters.

 

THE LIFESPAN OF MANKIND IS CUT IN HALF ! ! !

 

Genesis 11:18 And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:

 19 And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters.

 

 20 And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug:

 21 And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters.

 

 22 And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:

 23 And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.

 

 24 And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:

 25 And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.

 

 26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

 27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.

 28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.

 29 And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife,

      Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.

 30 But Sarai was barren; she had no child.

 31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his

      son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and

      they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

 32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.

 

The Bible record indicates that all of Shem’s male descendents were at least 29 years old (or older) when they began to begat children - IF we take the age of 30 years old when Job began to have children and that it took approximately 30 years (or more) to have 7 sons and 3 daughters [Job 1:2], then Job would have been at least 60 years old (or older) when he was tested by God.

Job is said to have lived 140 years after his testing [Job 42:16] which would mean that Job was approximately 200 years old when he died.  Since Abraham is said to have been 175 years old when he died [Genesis 25:7] Job must have lived somewhere between Peleg and Abraham (during the time of the Sabeans & Chaldeans).

 

Also, in the Book of Job: There is no mention of any of the descendents of Shem; there is no mention of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or any of their descendents; there is no mention of Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and David, or of the Kingdom or of the nation of Israel; and there is no mention of The Law of Moses or of the Levitical Priesthood. [Remember Job offered burnt offerings to God – himself, without a Priest Job 1:5]

 

The point of all of this is that Job lived before The Law, The Writings, and The Prophets. Job lived before the written word of God and yet he [and his “friends”] knew more about God’s nature and character and about man’s state and sinful condition than most Christians do today. The Book of Job has more true Wisdom than all of the Greek Philosophers combined!

 

Job 29:1-25 describes Job’s “status” in his community. Job 1:3 states that Job was: “. . . . .  the greatest of all the men of the east”.  In Job 1:8 the Lord says of Job: “. . . . . that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil”

 

IN ONE DAY:

 

#1. The Sabeans stole all of Job’s oxen and asses and killed Job’s servants tending them.

 

#2. Fire came down and burned up all of his sheep and the servants tending them.

 

#3. The Chaldeans stole his camels and killed the servants tending them.

 

#4. Job’s 7 sons and 3 daughters were killed in a wind storm that destroyed the house that they were in.

 

In one day, Job lost practically all of his wealth and his family and yet he neither sinned nor blamed God. 

 

Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

 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.

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

 

A WHILE LATER:

 

#1. Job was afflicted with boils: “from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” [Job 2:7]

 

#2. Job’s wife (a wonderful “helpmate”) tells him: “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” [Job 2:9]

 

And yet Job still did not “sin with his lips”: “But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” [Job 2:10]

 

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT JOB’S CHARACTER

 

Job wished that there were someone who could plead man’s case with God [Job 16:21]

 

Job wished that his words were written & printed in a book! [Job 19:23]

 

Job asks the age old question that puzzled and troubled ancient man (before man became so sophisticated – like today):  “. . . . .  how should man be just with God?” [Job 9:1-2]

 

Job trusted God and acknowledged Him as Saviour [Job 13:15-16]

 

Job experienced rejection by his wife and friends. He felt that God had rejected him also, and that he was all alone. [Job 19:13-21]

 

Job determined in his heart that while he lived (while there was breath in him), he would not speak wickedness or utter deceit and that he would hold on to his integrity.

 

Job was determined to teach his friends that which God had revealed to him. He was determined not to conceal God’s truth. [Job 27:11]

 

SOME GENERAL STATEMENTS OF FACT FROM THE BOOK OF JOB

 

  • The Earth has foundations [Job 38:4]

 

  • The Angels were present at the creation. [Job 38:7]

 

  • The oceans have boundaries [Job 38:8-11]

 

  • The Sea has springs [Job 38:16]

 

  • Death (Hell?) has gates and doors [Job 38:17]

 

  • Light and dark have dwelling places [Job 38:19-20]

 

  • Snow and hail have treasures [Job 38:22]

 

  • Light can be parted [Job 38:24]

 

  • Lightning and thunder are connected [Job 38:25]

 

  • Water is absolutely necessary for plants to live and grow [Job 38:26-27]

 

  • There is a place that is called “the deep” & the face of the deep is frozen [Job 38:30]

 

  • Heaven has ordinances [Job 38:33]

 

  • God puts wisdom in men and gives understanding to the heart [Job 38:36]

 

  • Animals have distinct times and seasons as to when they are conceived; when they are born; and the number of months from conception to birth [Job 39:1-2]

 

  • The wild ass is the way he is by God’s design [Job 39:5-8]

 

  • The ostrich is ignorant because God has purposely “deprived her of wisdom, neither hath He imparted to her understanding.” [Job 39:13-17]
  • The whole of creation belongs to God (He owns everything!) [Job 41:11]

 

  • There is a creature (Leviathan), that exists and resides in “the deep”, that is fierce and powerful; that is unlike any creature known to man and who is referred to as: “THE KING OF THE CHILDREN OF PRIDE” [Job 41:1-34]

 

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT JOB KNEW:

 

Job knew that man possesses a spirit – man’s spirit [Job 3:11]

 

Job knew that when a person dies his body “sleeps” [Job 3:13]

 

Job knew that “light” is given to men [Job 3:20 & 23]

 

Job knew that God has “words” and that Job refused to hide them [Job 6:10]

 

Job knew that friends are supposed to comfort a friend in need [Job 6:14]

 

Job knew that the right word (Truth) is mighty persuasive [Job 6:24-25]

 

Job knew how to discern between good and evil [Job 6:30]

 

Job knew that men have an “appointed time” [Job 7:1]

 

Job knew and discerned the difference between the soul and spirit [Job 7:11]

 

Job knew that God cared about man [Job 7:17-18]

 

Job knew about the existence of sin [Job 1:5, 22; 2:10; 7:21; 9:28; 10:14-15; 14:16-17; Job 31:9-12, 26-28, & 33]

 

Job knew that God used dreams & visions to communicate with man [Job 7:14]

 

Job knew about the Greatness of God [Job 9:4-10]

 

Job knew about and professed his own unworthiness [Job 9:14-15]

 

Job knew that he will be held responsible for his own behavior [Job 9:28]

 

Job knew that God is not like man and that we are not like God [Job 9:32]

 

Job knew about the three (3) attributes of man that make up our substance – Our soul [Job 10:1];

                   our body i.e. flesh [Job 10:11]; & our spirit [Job 10:12]

 

Job knew that sin requires a payment - he would be held responsible [Job 10:14-15]

 

Job knew that he had as much spiritual understanding as his friends [Job 12:3]

 

Job knew that all of the creation is a testimony to God’s existence [Job 12:7-9]

 

Job knew that our soul and our life (breath) is in God’s hands [Job 12:10]

 

Job knew how a man can obtain wisdom and understanding [Job 12:11-13 & 16]

 

Job knew that God can make man’s wisdom foolish & of none effect [Job 12: 17 & 20]

 

Job knew that God sets up nations, allows them to grow & then brings them down. [Job 12:23]

 

Job knew that God can & will discourage people and make them blind [Job 12:24-25]

 

Job knew that it is wrong to accept persons in judgment [Job 13:10]

 

Job knew that life is short and full of troubles [Job 14:1-2, 5]

 

Job knew about the Final Judgment (Great White Throne?) [Job 14:12]

 

Job knew that in the resurrection he will be changed [Job 14:14-15]

 

Job knew that God keeps a record of our sin [Job 14:16-17]

 

Job knew the location of man’s soul - within the body [Job 14:22]

 

Job knew that God had a record in Heaven on Job [Job 16:19]

 

Job knew that God can and will hide understanding from men [Job 17:4]

 

Job knew that understanding is an operation & function of the heart [Job 17:4]

 

Job knew about the soul’s destiny – the “Pit” (Hell?), which has Bars [Job 17:16]

 

Job knew that his soul could be vexed [Job 19:1].   

 

Job knew that he had a Redeemer and that his Redeemer is alive [Job 19:25]

 

Job knew that even though he would die someday, he would be resurrected and given a new body and that

                   he would see God in his resurrected body. And Job had confidence that God would save him. [Job 19:25-27]

 

Job knew that his spirit could be troubled. [Job 21:4]

 

Job knew that wicked men sometimes become wealthy and flourish here on the Earth. He understood that their wealth

                  separated them from God and made them feel that they didn’t need God or even need to know God. [Job 21:7-14]

 

Job knew that men can not teach God anything – God is Omniscient [Job 21:22]

 

Job knew that God knows all about us and that God tries (proves) us [Job 23:10-11]

 

Job knew about “the commandment (unwritten) of His Lips” and “esteemed the words of His Mouth more than my

                  necessary food” [Job 23:12]

 

Job knew that God was of One Mind & that nothing can thwart God’s will [Job 23:13]                                                                                                                                    

 

Job knew God can make a person’s heart soft and God can trouble a man [Job 23:16]                                                                                                                                                

 

Job knew that nothing is hid from God – not even time [Job 24:1]

 

Job knew that sinners rebel against light & prefer the darkness to light [Job 24:13-16]

 

Job knew that sinners know NOT the light [Job 24:13-16]

 

Job knew that there is a Hell [Job 26:6]

 

Job knew that God created everything that exists - the Earth & Universe [Job 26:6-14]

 

Job knew all of creation is controlled and held in place by God’s power [Job 26:6-14]                                                                                                                                                      

 

Job knew that his very life was the direct result of the spirit (man’s) that God had given to him and that spirit is

                  connected with the breath [Job 27:3]

 

Job knew that hypocrites are in danger of losing their soul [Job 27:8]

 

Job knew the end of a wicked man [Job 27:13-15]

 

Job knew the end of those who trust in riches [Job 27:16-23]

 

Job knew about mining and blacksmithing [Job 28:1-2]

 

Job knew that soil produced food & that beneath the earth there was fire [Job 28:5]

 

Job knew about God’s awesome power and about the Biblical Flood [Job 28:10-11]

 

Job knew about how valuable true wisdom is [Job 28:12-28]

 

Job knew that God held the key to true wisdom [Job 28:20-28]

 

Job knew that the FEAR of God was the only true wisdom and to depart from evil was true understanding [Job 28:28]

 

Job knew that God preserved him [Job 29:2]

 

Job knew about God being light & Job walked through the darkness by God’s light

 

Job knew that the body is like a tabernacle – a tent (temple?) [Job 29:4]

 

Job knew that God was with him [Job 29:5]

 

Job knew and understood how temptation worked and made a covenant with his eyes: NOT to “THINK upon a maid.” [Job 31:1] 

                        {Sin begins in the heart}

 

Job knew that his heart was at the center of his walk and that it was his heart that determined whether he would do good or evil [Job 31:1-8]

 

Job knew that adultery is “an heinous crime” and that it was like “a fire that consumeth to destruction” [Job 31:9-12]

 

Job knew that he should treat servants fairly and justly because God would hold him accountable for his conduct [Job 31:13-14]

 

Job knew that there was no difference between the rich and powerful (Job) and the poor (ordinary people & servants) [Job 31:15]

 

Job knew that God fashioned a child (rich or poor) in the womb [Job 31:15]

 

Job knew that he must deal fairly with everyone (especially the poor, etc.) or he would face God’s judgment [Job 31:16-23]

 

Job knew better than to put his hopes or his confidence in his wealth [Job 31:24-25]

 

Job knew better than to glory in the creation or himself – he knew that this was the Pride of Life and that it was a sin

                  (“to be punished by the judge”) because God was NOT given the glory [Job 31:26-28]

 

Job knew better than to rejoice in the destruction of his enemies or even wishing a curse on their soul [Job 31:29-30]

 

Job knew about the existence of Adam and about Adam’s sin [Job 31:33]

 

When we consider the time that Job lived in, [approximately 2,000 years before the time of the Lord Jesus Christ] and the numerous pagan and idolatrous beliefs and religions that were in existence around the world at that time, we can only wonder at Almighty God who chose to reveal Himself to a handful of men who lived in and around the region where Job lived.

 

We can only read in absolute amazement at the integrity and personal principles of this most extraordinary man who, without the benefit of the Law, the Writings, and the Prophets; without the Holy Scriptures [Old & New Testament]; without the church; without the indwelling Holy Spirit; and without the written record of history, knew so much about God’s Nature, about mankind, and about sin and judgment. And who led such a godly and exemplary life that he would put most Christians living today to shame.

 

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT JOB’S 3 “FRIENDS” KNEW

 

ELIPHAZ (The Temanite)

 

Eliphaz knew that men (in his day) received understanding in dreams and visions and through spirits (from God) [Job 4:12-16]

 

Eliphaz knew that God is far more just and much more Holy than man

                  [Job 4:17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?]

 

Eliphaz knew that God was his maker [Job 4:17]

 

Eliphaz knew about mankind’s struggles in life [Job 5:7]

 

Eliphaz knew that he should put his trust in God [Job 5:8]

 

Eliphaz knew that God corrects (His people) and that we should not despise “the chastening of the Almighty” [Job 5:17]

 

Eliphaz states that the knowledge that Job has about God and about God’s nature and His ways is generally known by

                  most of the people living in the area where they live and that a lot of that knowledge was passed down by the

                  “gray headed, and very aged men” (the elders) [Job 15:8-10]

 

Eliphaz knew that a man had a heart and a spirit [Job 15:12-13]

 

Eliphaz knew about the exceedingly sinful state of mankind [Job 15:14-16]

 

Eliphaz knew that God puts “no trust in his saints” [Job 15:15]

 

Eliphaz knew that even “the heavens are not clean in his sight.” [Job 15:15]

 

Eliphaz knew that the Earth was given to man (the “fathers” testimony) [Job 15:18-19]

 

Eliphaz knew that wicked men will not get away with their sins [Job 15:20-35]

 

Eliphaz knew that man cannot add anything to God or impress God [Job 22:2-3]

 

Eliphaz knew that God dwells in Heaven [Job 22:12-14]

 

Eliphaz knew about the Flood and that God caused the Flood because of mankind’s wickedness and sins [Job 22:15-16]

 

Eliphaz knew that God had laws (unwritten) that came from God’s Mouth [Job 22:22]

 

Eliphaz knew that we should “lay up His words in thine heart.” [Job 22:22]

 

BILDAD (The Shuhite)

 

Bildad knew that God is Just [Job 8:3]

 

Bildad knew about the existence of sin & man is just a worm [Job 8:4 & Job 25:4-6]

 

Bildad knew about a “former age” – from the fathers (Dispensation?) [Job 8:8-10]

 

Bildad knew that words are uttered from out of the heart  [Job 8:10]

 

Bildad knew that God will not castaway or abandon the perfect man and that God will not help or approve of evil doers [Job 8:20]

 

Bildad knew that the wicked will not get away with their sin [Job 18:1-21]

 

Bildad knew that God is All Powerful (Omnipotent) [Job 25:1]

 

Bildad knew that man cannot be justified with God by man’s own will [Job 25:4-6]

 

ZOPHAR (The Naamathite)

 

Zophar knew that Almighty God is beyond human comprehension [Job 11:7-8]

 

Zophar knew that man can be vain and wicked [Job 11:11]

 

Zophar knew that there are dire consequences for sin [Job 11:20]

 

Zophar knew about reasoning, consciousness, and that his spirit had something to do with his understanding [Job 20:2-3]

 

Zophar knew that man was placed upon the Earth a long time ago [Job 20:4]

 

Zophar knew that the wicked and the hypocrite will not get away with sin and that God will judge sinners at the appointed time [Job 20:5-29]

 

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ELIHU KNEW

 

ELIHU (The son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram)

 

Elihu knew Job’s basic problem – Self Righteousness [Job 32:2]

 

Elihu knew and understood that Job’s “friends” were ‘barking up the wrong tree’. Job’s “friends” believed that Job’s misfortunes

         must be the result of some personal sin in Job’s life – Their assumptions were wrong! Job wasn’t being punished or disciplined

         – he was being tried, tested, and proved. [Job 32:3]

 

Elihu knew that he was to respect his elders [Job 32:4]

 

Elihu knew that man has a spirit within himself and that God gives man spiritual understanding [Job 32:8]

 

Elihu knew that “great men are not always wise” and that “the aged” (old men) don’t always “understand judgment” [Job 32:9]

 

Elihu knew that the spirit within a man can constrain him to do or say things [Job 32:18]

 

      CONSTRAIN, v.t. L., to strain, to bind. See Strain. In a general sense, to strain; to    press; to urge; to drive; to exert force, physical or moral,

      either in urging to action or        in restraining it. Hence,

     1. To compel or force; to urge with irresistible power, or with a power sufficient to produce the effect.

 

Elihu knew that it isn’t right to “accept any man’s person”, neither is it good to “give flattering titles unto man”. [Job 32:21-22]

 

Elihu knew that God disapproved of accepting men’s persons and was strongly against the use of flattering titles [Job 32:21-22]

 

Elihu knew that when he spoke, that his words came from his heart, and that his words should be upright & be with knowledge,

         and that his words should be clear & easy to understand [Job 33:3]

 

Elihu knew that the “Spirit of God” made him and that the “breath of the Almighty gave him life” [Job 33:4]

 

Elihu knew that he was made of clay & he knew about creation and Adam [Job 33:6]

 

Elihu knew that Job’s claim of innocence and accompanying accusations against God were not just [Job 33:8-13]

 

Elihu knew “that God is greater than man” [Job 33:12]

 

Elihu knew that God is not obligated to give an account of Himself or any of His matters [Job 33:13]

 

Elihu knew that when God speaks, He will often repeat a matter, a precept, a principle, and yet man still won’t understand [Job 33:14]

 

Elihu knew that God spoke to men (in his day) through dreams & visions [Job 33:15]

 

Elihu knew that God will open men’s ears for spiritual understanding and that He would seal their instruction [Job 33:15]

 

Elihu knew that men are kept by God [Job 33:18]

 

Elihu knew that God chastens men [Job 33:19]

 

Elihu knew that God chooses individual men, “one among a thousand”, to interpret and to show God’s uprightness, and that God uses

         these “called” men to deliver other men from going to the pit (Hell?) [Job 33:23-24]

 

Elihu knew that God forgave sin based on genuine repentance on the part of the sinner and that God would deliver the repentant

         sinner’s soul from the pit (Hell?) [Job 33:27-30]

 

Elihu knew that God gave “light” to the repentant sinner and that God often works with man in this manner [Job 33:27-30]

 

Elihu’s desire was to see Job justified and that Job would become wise – Elihu sought to edify Job! [Job 33: 32-33]

 

Elihu knew that men try words “as the mouth tasteth meat” and that men choose what is good and judgment [Job 34:3-4]

 

Elihu knew that God does not “do wickedness” or “commit iniquity”, neither will He “pervert judgment” [Job 34:10-12]

 

Elihu knew that God has set His heart upon man and that (at a man’s death) He gathers unto Himself His (man’s) spirit and His (man’s) breath [Job 34:14]

 

Elihu knew that it is not right to condemn (or criticize) God [Job 34:17-20]

 

Elihu knew that God is not a respecter of persons [Job 34:19]

 

Elihu knew that God knows all about us and that God keeps track of everything        that we do [Job 34:21]

 

Elihu knew that God is just and that His judgment is fair & righteous. [Job 34:23]

 

Elihu knew that God brings down mighty men because they turn their back on God and will not consider any of His ways [Job 34:24-27]

 

Elihu knew that God’s chastisement is for our own good and that our response to His chastisement should be – acceptance without complaint;

         a determination not to offend any more; a willingness to receive instruction; and confession of iniquity (sin) and a determination to sin no more [Job 34:31-33]

 

Elihu knew that if a man claims that living for God & obeying God is not profitable or advantageous – that that man is really saying “My righteousness is more than God’s” [Job 35:2-3]

 

Elihu knew that there is nothing that a man can DO (Good or Evil) that will add to or profit God [Job 35:2-8]

 

Elihu knew that God is man’s maker and that He “giveth songs in the night” and teaches man more than the beasts and has made man wiser than birds [Job 35:10-11]

 

Elihu knew that God will not hear vanity nor does He regard it [Job 35:13-14]

 

Elihu knew that even though a man may think or believe that he will not see God or come into judgment – God is going to judge - therefore we should trust in Him [Job 35:14]

 

Elihu knew that God is righteous and that “He is mighty in strength and wisdom” [Job 36:2-5]

 

Elihu knew that God does not preserve the life of the wicked [Job 36:6-7]

 

Elihu knew that God does not withdraw His Eyes from the righteous and that He establishes the righteous for ever [Job 36:6-7]

 

Elihu knew that God opens men’s ears to discipline and requires that men return from iniquity [Job 36:10]

 

Elihu knew about God’s principle of sowing & reaping [Job 36:11-13]

 

Elihu knew that God does not regard a man’s wealth or riches [Job 36:19]

 

Elihu knew that we are not to regard iniquity and that we choose good or evil [Job 36:20-21]

 

Elihu knew that because of God’s greatness and Who He is that it was impossible to really know Him [Job 36:24-33] {The Apostle Paul’s great desire: Philippians 3:10}

 

Elihu knew that God does many great things that “we cannot comprehend” [Job 37:1-5]

 

Elihu knew that the entire creation is a testimony to God’s work and is a witness to men that God exists [Job 37:1-22]

 

Elihu knew that the Person of God is past finding out and that He is all-powerful, and just, and that “He respecteth not any that are wise of heart” [Job 37:23-24]

 

THE END OF JOB’S TRIALS AND TESTING

      [Job 40:1-5] & [Job 42:1-6]

 

THE JUDGMENT OF JOB’S “FRIENDS”

      [Job 42:9]

 

THE RESTORATION OF JOB

      [Job 42:10-17]