As Job’s trials begin we see that the target of accusation is really God.
In this message we begin to uncover some of the basics regarding the suffering of the godly. We also address the issue of Job’s children dying and its connection with Job.
This discussion touches on the topics of authority, what we think we know about satan and demons, temptation and the nature of the coflict between satan and God.
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The first two chapters of Job are pivotal in understanding the whole book.
In this first chapter, we see that Job is blameless, upright and shuns evil. He is concerned for his children and so offers burnt sacrifices for them regularly.
After having sought the whole earth, satan sets his heart on Job to destroy him and so approaches God for permission.
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Job: An Ancient Poem of a Real Life
Tonight we introduce the book of Job, which is without question the most unique book of the entire Bible.
It is not only the oldest book in scripture, it is the historical account of a pivotal time in this man’s life, written in a form of poetry which also takes it’s place along side Proverbs and Ecclessiastes as Wisdom literature.
It is the ONLY book of the Old Testament which never mentions any patriarch, any prophet, the law of Moses, Israel, circumcision, the covenant, the temple, the Ark of the covenant, the priesthood or any other reference to the rest of scripture.
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Thru the Bible: Zechariah 12-14
Zechariah chapters 12-14 address Israel’s future unfaithfulness and ultimate rejection of their Messiah. The judgment this brings will reduce Israel by two-thirds and the remaining 3rd will be purified and refined by trials.
During the future and Great Tribulation the antichrist will break covenant with the Jews and with antagonistic fury persecute them. Those who endure will see the Lord return on the Mount of Olives and mourn for what their ancestors (and they by extention) had done to Him.
Then the tides will turn and God’s wrath will be poured out on the antichrist and all of Israel’s enemies. He will rule from Jerusalem over the whole earth. The Feast of Tabernacles will once again be celebrated only the whole earth will participate in honoring Jesus the King Who has now tabernacled among them!
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Thru the Bible: Zechariah 11
God employs the use of two shepherd staffs to illustrate two covenants. One was called Favor and the other Union.
Favor was the shepherd staff which represented the old covenant – in particular the ark of the covenant which was taken by Nebuchadnezzar at the time of the temple’s destruction and never returned.
The second shepherd staff was Union. It represented Jesus Himself. In Jesus the union between greater Israel and Judah would be broken but a new and better covenant would be instituted. It would be an eternal covenant based upon better promises where the union would be with God directly and would result in union between each other and all in the world who would turn to Messiah in faith.
The prophecy ends with a dark note, which I believe is in reference to the change in the priesthood following the Maccabean revolt.
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