Job

Never was there a man like Job. In fact there are only a handful of men, who show up on the pages of the bible, whose lives could be characterized by upright, blameless and surrendered. Joseph, son of Jacob, is one name who rings true and also the apostle Paul lived a life of no compromise when it came to putting God first. 

The book of Job opens as the Sons of God (angels) come to present themselves before God. Satan also shows up in the crowd as God inquires where and what this fallen angel has been busy doing. Satan describes how he’s been walking down upon the earth just snooping around. Then God asks him if he had by chance observed his servant Job; an upright and blameless servant.

In a rare snap shot from the bible we get a glimpse of how Satan spends most of time; accusing the sons and daughters of Adam. “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” Job 1:9

The book of Job gives us some unique insights into the heavenly realm and the role of Satan. We are told elsewhere in scripture that while Satan is the accuser of the brethren he does not have card Blanche to attack us but must ask permission from God. On another occasion, Jesus told Simon “Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you like wheat.” Luke 22:31. Later that night the rooster would crow as Simon Peter adamantly denied for the third time that he did not know Jesus. 

Satan is only given permission to cause calamity on Job’s material possessions. As destruction hits several servants escape to inform Job that all his livestock, real estate and children have been destroyed. Job tore his robe, shaved his head and fell to the ground and worshipped saying “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

What a great example of faith can be found in this man. Job, even in the midst of great mourning and grief, knew that God was his source, sustainer of life and he believed He would continue to provide for him. The first mention of bodily resurrection is found in Job where he believed God would one day restore his family, even if they were dead, through a bodily resurrection. “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God”. Job 19:25

The book of Job is a masterpiece, a work of incredible literary genius that will leave the true bible scholar looking for more. Deep within its pages are proof texts that have only been discovered in the past century as more and more powerful telescopes see further out into the cosmos.  In chapter 38 while God is revealing His omnipotence He asks Job several questions about the universe around him.

God asks Job in chapter 38 verses 31, 32. “Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, Or loose the belt of Orion? Can you bring out the Mazzaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs?”

When you look up at the night sky most of the stars you see are in (our galaxy) the Milky Way Galaxy. They all might look close together but in reality they are thousands of light years apart. However, these two groups the Pleiades and the three stars making up the belt of Orion are actually relatively close to each other. In fact they are so close that they are gravitationally bound to one another. The Pleiades are actually eight stars whose masses influence each other and two of the eight stars are a binary system. God asks Job if he knew how to “bind the cluster” of the Pleiades or “loose the belt” holding the three stars of Orion?

So don’t accept what I’m telling you as truth but look up these facts for yourself. Discover what it means for stars to be “gravitationally bound” together. Think about why out of all the stars in the sky the writer picked these. Telescopes made it possible to see the wonders out in the universe but they weren’t invented until the late 1500’s A.D.  

Many Rabbis say  “Coincidence” is not a Kosher word.