Topical Bible: Faith: Job

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Book of Job is a profound exploration of faith amidst suffering and divine sovereignty. Job, a man described as "blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil" (Job 1:1), becomes the central figure in a narrative that examines the depths of human faith when confronted with inexplicable adversity.

Job's Character and Initial Faith

Job's faith is initially depicted through his piety and prosperity. He is a man of great wealth and influence, with a large family and numerous possessions. His faithfulness is demonstrated in his regular offerings and prayers for his children, "For Job said, 'Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.' This was Job’s regular practice" (Job 1:5). This initial portrayal sets the stage for the testing of his faith.

The Testing of Job's Faith

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Satan challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that his faith is merely a product of his prosperity. God permits Satan to test Job, first by taking away his possessions and children, and then by afflicting him with painful sores. Despite these severe trials, Job's faith remains steadfast. He responds with profound submission, saying, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).

Job's Struggle and Dialogue

As the account progresses, Job's faith is further tested through his dialogues with his friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—who insist that his suffering must be a result of sin. Job, however, maintains his innocence and struggles to understand the reason for his suffering. His faith is characterized by a relentless pursuit of understanding and a desire to present his case before God. Job declares, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will surely defend my ways to His face" (Job 13:15).

The Revelation of God's Sovereignty

The climax of Job's journey of faith occurs when God speaks to him out of the whirlwind. God's response does not provide direct answers to Job's questions but instead reveals His majesty and the vastness of His creation. Job's faith is transformed as he encounters the reality of God's sovereignty and wisdom. In humility, Job confesses, "I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2).

Restoration and Vindication

In the final chapter, Job's faith is vindicated. God rebukes Job's friends for their misguided counsel and restores Job's fortunes, granting him twice as much as he had before. Job's faith, tested and refined through suffering, results in a deeper understanding of God's character and a renewed relationship with Him. The narrative concludes with Job living a long and blessed life, underscoring the theme that faith, even when tested, leads to divine blessing and restoration.

Theological Implications

The Book of Job offers profound insights into the nature of faith. It challenges the simplistic notion that faith guarantees a life free from suffering. Instead, it presents faith as a dynamic relationship with God, characterized by trust, perseverance, and a willingness to seek God even in the midst of trials. Job's account encourages believers to hold fast to their faith, trusting in God's ultimate wisdom and sovereignty, even when His ways are beyond human understanding.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 19:25
For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day on the earth:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

3146. mastigoo -- to scourge
... As in the Lord's dealing with Job, when we experience temporal suffering. Hence,
it always works for our as we live in faith (Ro 8:18-25,38). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3146.htm - 7k

Library

Job's Faith and Expectation
... Sermon XXXIX Job's Faith and Expectation. Job's Faith and Expectation Job
19:25, 26. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxix jobs faith and.htm

The Silence of Faith.
... without a purpose, and without a cause, is too much for them: as, without faith
in God ... of David, and of Solomon, and of him who sang the song of Job, and of St ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxv the silence of.htm

Job's Question, Jesus' Answer
... of emptiness; His whole claims are ended, and the age-old question which Job asked
is ... an abode in a heavenly home are waiting for all who by faith become here ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jobs question jesus answer.htm

Job --Groping
... end of time: and it was to perfect all these, and many other graces, in the great
patriarch himself that Job was so forsaken of God, and had his faith and his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/vii jobgroping.htm

The Voice of Job.
... The faith, even the hope of Job seems at times on the point of giving way; he struggles
like a drowning man when the billow goes over him, but with the rising ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the voice of job.htm

On the Interior Man
... [Matt.13:16]. The nostrils are the breath of faith and of the strength of
the good; in Job: and the Holy Spirit is in my nostrils. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/vi on the interior man.htm

From Jezreel to Horeb
... striving to plant our feet upon a foundation more firm than the everlasting hills,
and new faith, new life, would spring into being. The faithful Job, in the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 12 from jezreel to.htm

Job's Sure Knowledge
... Job seems to say, speaking about himself, though in the third person, "He is a devout
man, can you not see that? He has faith in God, my friends, can you not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/jobs sure knowledge.htm

In the Present Crusade against the Bible and the Faith of ...
... the speculation of some Hebrew Descartes or Newton, promulgated in all good faith
as the ... True that in the poetical book of Job, we read that the sky is "strong ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/v in the present crusade.htm

Passages from Clement's Epistle to the Corinthians on Martyrdom.
... "For Abraham, who for his free faith was called the friend of God,' was not elated
by glory, but modestly said, I am dust and ashes.' [2835] And of Job it is ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvii passages from clements epistle.htm