Studies in Job: Lesson One

STUDIES IN JOB

Lesson 1

I. Introduction.

A. It is believed by Bible scholars that the book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible.

B. Scholars also tell us that, historically, the account takes place before
the giving of the law.
1.The fact that Job offered a burnt offering (Job 1:5) indicates that Job
lived before the law was given.

C. Job’s longevity suggests that he lived before the law. (Job 42:16)

D. Job was a patriarch.

E. Job was extremely wealthy. (Job 1:3)`

F. To properly understand the book of Job, one needs to see the character
of Job.

1. Job was perfect and upright. (Job 1:1)
a. Perfect means that Job was mature.
b. Upright refers to the ideals of Job’s mind.
c. Job pursued the straight and narrow road.
d. Here we have Job’s relationship manward.

2. Job feared God. (Job 1:1)
a. This is Job’s Godward relationship.
b. This fear must be seen as a loving reverence of God.
c. This fear means to respect who God is.
d. This fear means to respect what God says.
e. This fear means to respect what God does.
f. This indicates that Job was a reborn soul.
g. That Job was reborn is of utmost importance if one is to view the
exercises he passed through with meaning.

3. Job eschewed evil. (Job 1:1)
a. This is Job’s selfward relationship
b. Job’s outward walk corresponded with the state of his heart.
c. Job departed from evil.


4. The aspects of Job that the Lord describes are, in essence, his reputation.

5. His reputation is his name. It is what people think of when his name is mentioned.



II. Our reputation.

1. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, (Prov. 22:1a)

2. A good name is better than precious ointment; (Eccl. 7:1)
3. Both scriptures speak of the importance of obtaining and maintaining a good name.
4. It should be observed that a good name consists of three parts.
a. Man’s relationship with man. ( perfect and upright)
b. Man’s relationship with God. ( feared God)
c. Man’ relationship with himself. (eschewed evil)
5. Examples of a good name.
a. I Sam.18:30 Speaks of David’s relationship with man.
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass. after they went forth, That David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.

b. Acts 6:3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of The Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom ye may appoint over this business.
1) Honest speaks of man’s relationship to man
2) Full of the Holy Ghost speaks of man’s relationship
with God.
3) Wisdom speaks of man’ relationship with man.
c. Acts 10:22
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one
that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation
of the Jews-----
1) A just man speaks of Cornelius’ relationship with man.
2) Feareth God speaks of Cornelius’ relationship with god.
3) Genesis 39: 7-12 This is an example of man’s relationship with self.

Note: After teaching this lesson, Brian's COPD got worse and he was hospitalized. Lesson posted for him by Cranky Yankee.