God is Sovereign- Study in Job: Part 1

If you obey God only because He blesses you, the shallowness of your faith will show up in the testing time. Matthew 7:24-27; 13:20-21
Faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted. James 1:1-8; 1st Peter 1:3-9

Job & his family-

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. (Job 1:1-3 ESV)

Job was:

Blameless- Free from or not deserving blame; guiltless: "A blameless child."

Upright- Adhering to rectitude; righteous, honest, or just: "An upright person."

Being in accord with what is right: "Upright dealings."

One who feared God- 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

Fear- Reverential awe, especially toward God: The fear of God. 

Synonyms: Awe, respect, reverence, veneration.

"The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it."

Proverbs 10:22

-The wise practice righteousness and grow in wisdom. 

"Blessings are on the head of "the righteous," 

-but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 

The mouth of "the righteous" is a fountain of life, 

-but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 

The wise lay up knowledge,

- but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. 

The tongue of "the righteous" is choice silver;

- the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

The lips of "the righteous" feed many,

- but fools die for lack of sense. 

The mouth of "the righteous" brings forth wisdom,

-but the perverse tongue will be cut off. 

The lips of "the righteous" know what is acceptable, 

-but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse."

Proverbs 10:6, 11, 14, 20, 21, 31, 32 

Blessing- A special favor, mercy, or benefit: "The blessings of liberty." A favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness. The invoking of Gods favor upon a person: "The son was denied his father's blessing."

And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. Job 1:5

-Literally "blessed" but used here in the evil sense, and so in verse 11 and 2:5, 9

But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will "curse" you to your face.” vs. 11 

But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will "curse" you to your face.” 

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? "Curse" God and die.” 2:5, 9

To be continued...