WHAT IS THE LESSON OF THE BOOK OF JOB ?

Most think that the lesson of the book of Job is one of the following or some combination;  learn to trust GOD even when we cannot understand HIM, or to learn about GODS authority, GOD reveals HIMSELF through our suffering, to explain how GOD is good while there is so much evil, explaining why bad things happen to good people and patience in the face of adversity.

Job was a man who feared GOD and shunned evil and was while under the law seen as blameless.  Job 1:1  It is very obvious that Job was under the law because he offered sacrifices and viewed himself as righteous.  Job went as far as to think his supposed righteousness would even cover his children.  Job 1:4,5   This was Jobs belief and practice but as Christians should know it is not the faith of the new covenant.  Notice that GOD is the one who brings up Job to Satan, Job 1:8 ,  as a result Satan challenges GOD to test Job and Satan is convinced Job would curse GOD.  GOD gives Job into Satans hands,  Job 1:12 , with a condition that Satan must not lay a hand on Job himself.   Verses Job 1:13,14,15,16,17,18,19  are what Satan did but Job said, Job:1:20,21,22 

Again Satan came before GOD and this time was allowed to strike Job himself.  Job2:3,4,5,6  the only condition was to not kill Job.  Job did not sin with what he said but what might had been in his thoughts ?  Chapter 3 begins with Job giving himself a pity party, chapter 4 gives us our first hint of Jobs problem,  Job 4:17,18,19 .  Job resented what he believed to be GODS unjust punishment of him ,  Job 5:1,2  Job is yet maintaining his righteousness and rebukes his friends for lack of understanding, support or help.  Job 6:26,27,28,29,30  After a lot of conversation,  Job 9:1,2,3 ,  Job believes his righteousness was sure but in his mind wonders what he can do to defend himself with GOD. Job 9:12,13,14,15,16  Job thinks GOD is unjust,  Job 9:21,22,23,24  Job 10:1,2,3   Job 12:4

Job continues for quite a while in self pity, Job 19:5,6,8,9,21,22   This is a very poor attitude by Job.  Bildads comments begin to hit on Jobs real problem.  Job 25:1,2,3,4,5,6  Job yet continues to defend himself.  Job 27:1,2,3,4,5,6  these are the words of a law keeper totally destitute of spiritual knowledge.  Finally Jobs friends stopped the conversation because, Job 32:1   Then the youngest, Elihu,  begins to speak. Job 32:1,2,3

Job 33:8,9,10,11,12  Elihu sums up Jobs problem. Job 34:5,6,7,8,9  Job 34:33,35,36,37   Job thought that through his law keeping and sacrificing he was righteous and this entire story is about a man who discovers that only GOD is righteous and only by faith and grace will the Almighty be pleased.  After going round and round finally GOD  answers Job.  Job 38:2,36  Job 40:1,2,6,7,8

Finally Job sees his folly, he repents, he understands that his righteousness is from GOD not the law.  Job 42:1,2,3,4,5,6   So then, the truth of the story of Job is basically the story of a law oriented man who GOD used Satan and his friends and last HIS own words to convert Job, to make Job a Christian.   The hearing of the ear was the law but the seeing of the eye was grace and faith. This story of Job demonstrates how the law can lead a person to YAHWEH.  Job understood about a future Christ, Job 19:25,26,27 

Job endured to the end of his trials and found that GODS mercy and compassion are what lead to salvation and not the sacrifices and offerings of the law.  James 5:11

When Job made this statement, “I have heard about you by the hearing of the ear but now my eye sees you therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes” ,  this hearing of the ear was the law that Job thought made him righteous but the seeing of the eye was Job realizing his self righteousness that was in the law and to see that true righteousness is imputed by GOD to the one of faith.  All of GODS elect have had this type of experience just like Paul had when on his way to Damascus.  Both Job and Paul came to see GOD by realizing their self righteousness was not of GOD . Philippians 3:7,8,9 see what Paul said, “ not having my own righteousness from the law” ,  and this was the same as Job and for all of GODS elect saints.  With Job, Paul and all the elect saints the law was only a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ and now that we see have no further need of the law.