And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. 13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.  Job 1:12-22

A. The Conflict Described

1. Its location – Job 1:6, Gen. 3:14-15, Eph. 6:10-12

2. Its participants

a. God: His sovereign activities

b. Satan’s malicious nature and tactics

c. Job as the object for Satan’s hatred and God’s glory

TODAY

B. The Conflict Realized

1. Satan’s accusations

– Against the Integrity of God: Job 1:8-11, Isaiah 14:12-15

– Against the motive of Job: Job 1:9-11

2. Satan’s ignorance

– Persevering grace: Job 1:11-12a

a. Job’s suffering will display God’s persevering grace: Job 1:12a

b. Job’s perseverance will display God’s glorious purposes: Job 23:8-12

3. Satan’s attacks on Job

– They are from God: Job 2:10, Genesis 50:20

a. God’s sovereignty: Tempted to question God’s control: Isaiah 45:5-7

b. God’s love: Tempted to question God’s steadfast love: Romans 8:28, Psalm 25:10

c. God’s goodness: Tempted to question God’s ways and purposes – Romans 8:28-29, Isaiah 46:8-11

– They are varied in means and consequences: Job 1:13-22

– They are personal and painful: 1. To fulfill God’s calling to identify with Christ’s sufferings: Romans 8:16-17, Philippians 1:29

1. To fulfill God’s calling to identify with Christ’s sufferings: Romans 8:16-17, Philippians 1:29

2. To purge us from the enemy of holiness – pride: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

3. To deepen our joy by fixing our affections in glory: 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

4. To learn the high mark of spiritual maturity – contentment: Philippians 4:11-12

4. Job’s responses to Satan’s attacks: Job 1:20-22