Today I would like to introduce a new feature on my blog. I call it the “Post Sunday Quarterback.” I have ripped the idea from Peter King of Sports Illustrated. He writes a weekly article (almost the length of a short novel) entitled The Monday Morning Quarterback expressing his views and opinions of what took place the the previous Sunday on the ol’ gridiron.
This article (called PSQB for short) will not really include my opinions of how my pastor did on Sunday, but more so it will contain some different insights into the world surrounding the texts preached. These articles are not be about diving deeper into the issues presented on Sunday, as our church does that in the form of community groups during the week. This is more so an exercise in Bible study for my personal growth and development.
If you stumbled across this blog you might be wondering, “how does this pertain to me?” Well, it probably does not. However, I will be posting a link to the sermon I am discussing for you to download and listen too. I will also be writing in a manner in which I believe anybody could come across this webspace and jump right in and understand.
So, without further adieu, the first addition of PSQB:
Mandatory disclaimer: I am writing this from my own perspective. While I hope to be true to the scriptures, the views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of The Oaks Community Church or the pastors or staff of the Oaks.
Text being discussed: Job 1:1-22
Brief synopsis of the text: In this section of scripture, we are first introduced to Job and we learn about his blessings. We also are given a peak into heaven where a conversation between Satan and God is going on about Job and his blamelessness before God. Finally, we learn that God has allowed Satan to take a swing at Job’s blessings in an attempt to get him to curse God “to his face.” At the end of this section, we learn of the start of the trials and disasters coming Job’s way.
Interesting points in the text:
- Job’s children seem to be having little parties without inviting their father along. In verse four, we learn that Job’s sons are inviting their sisters to have long feasts with them, but we do not see an invite being extended to Job himself. Some scholars believe this could be due to one of two reasons; a) the kids were holding feasts as part of pagan rituals where they worshiped themselves as gods, or b) the feasts were so full of debauchery, they knew it would be offensive to dear-old-dad. Nevertheless, Job had an idea of what was going on, and made sacrifices on behalf of his children in case they “have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.”
- The fact that Job offered sacrifices on behalf of his children, despite their apparent wickedness, further lends to the fact that Job was blameless before God.
- Verses 9-12 may seem like there is a limit to God’s knowledge. He asks Satan where he has been and whether or not he notices Job, his blessed servant. If one did not understand the doctrine of God’s sovereignty, I could see the case for confusion. We should approach this text as God trying to “draw out” Satan by making sure he took notice of the one God had chosen to bless. God is not in any way ignorant of what Satan was up to or whether or not he knew who Job was.
- The final section of this passage shows Job losing his family, servants, and belongings by natural (a strong wind blew the house down), supernatural (fire falling from heaven), and Human (tribes coming in and killing his servants and animals) elements. All of these things are ultimately under the control of God and Job gives him credit for the events. In no way does he lean into his own pious or sinful nature to record blame. He recognizes God’s control over all events, regardless of their sources.
Final conclusion: As pastor Bryan stated in his sermon, Job is a type. A type, in reference to Scripture, is someone who represents an incomplete view of Christ. Job is the blameless sufferer, as Christ was. While Job suffered, he was human and did sin, but Christ never does. As we will see later, Job finally has had enough and questions God as to what is Going on, while Christ knows the plan of His father the entire time. While we, as Christians, should look up to Job to some extent, we should ultimately look to Christ as our hero and example.
-Don-



