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1:1
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
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Fear God, and eschew evil. Still good advice today.
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1:2
And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
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The perfect family.
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1:3
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
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I wonder if the 7000/3000 split of sheep and camels is related to the 7/3 split of sons and daughters? Why don't you OT history guys jump in here?
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1:4
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
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Who says being a Christian can't be fun?
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1:5
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
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Job always put God first in his thoughts. Would that I could live up to that......
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1:6
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
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What a coincidence! Satan still tags along where Christians go even today!
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1:7
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
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Ahh, the world's original 'travelin' man'. A regular door-to-door salesman. One has to stay busy to sell faulty wares, no?
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1:8
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
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God was well pleased with Job - simply because Job feared God, and eschewed evil.
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1:9
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
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A legitimate question, I suppose.
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1:10
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
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That's what God does for those who fear Him, and eschew evil. I fail on both counts - but He blesses me in spite of myself.
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1:11
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
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Satan underestimated Job. Satan's pretty sharp, but in a really stupid way. Otherwise, none of the book of Job would have happened.
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1:12
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
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Job offers some insight as to why 'bad things happen to good people', as the saying goes. Considered in this light, what a blessing it must be to continue to praise God through adveristy, knowing how pleased He must be with us, to choose us to endure such adveristy. (Just food for thought)
Of course, I have to admit that I've never faced an adveristy like Job did, or anything even remotely similar. I pray that I never do.
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1:13
And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
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Again, having a good time, enjoying life.
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1:14
And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
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But despite the blessings of God, Job still had work to be done. He couldn't just rest on his laurels. God has work for all of us to do.
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1:15
And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
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The trouble begins for Job......
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1:16
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
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Would my faith have waned at this point?
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1:17
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
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At this point, how many of us would have been angered over the loss of our material wealth?
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1:18
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
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Again, living a joyous life.
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1:19
And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
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And if I hadn't lost it yet, this would have been the point where I fell.
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1:20
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
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In the midst of life-changing tragedy...Job worshipped God.
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1:21
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.
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I wish my own faith were so strong.
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1:22
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
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Isn't it amazing how much wisdom God packed into a single chapter of a single book? One could take most any verse in Chapter 1 of the Book of Job and turn it into its own book.