WAR GAMES, JOB & GOD - NYOBS 84.36

WAR GAMES, JOB & GOD

The Invisible WAR – The ACCUSER - The WATCHERS - The HEDGE of protection

First Word

·         This story of War Games is centered on THE STORY OF JOB which all the commentaries say it’s about his patience, but I don’t think the story is about his patience at all, I think this story is about his Faith and the WAR GAMES for his soul. – The theory was, that when the material things of Job are taken away, that God would no longer be able to satisfy his spiritual Soul; all of creation was WATCHING on the side lines to see if Satan was right.

·         My mom was sick a lot in her 40’s and I noticed that in the living room secretary, she kept an eight volume commentary on Job.  She was so interested in how he dealt with his suffering. - I cannot fandom what anyone could say about Job that would take eight volumes, but as I listen to Job’s friends talking to him for 30 chapters, I found myself agreeing with their commentaries until I got to the part where God rebukes and challenges their bad counsel. 

·         I felt a need to go back and revisit Job to try to understand his relationship with God. – We are going to skip the entire 30 chapters of discourse in the book including the hard partying of his kids and concentrate only on the SUBLIMINAL WAR GAME MESSAGES.

·         What sets this story apart is the revelation by Satan that there was of a Hedge of Protection that was placed around Job by God Himself and then there’s the second part; the even more importance of his audience; THE WATCHERS of the War Games.

·         We are systematically going to unpack; 1) The Angel Satan, 2) The Watchers, 3) The Man Job, 4) Job’s Hedge of Protection and 5) The War Game over Job’s Soul.

Job 1:1 – Job feared God and stayed away from Evil
¹ There once was a man named JOB who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. (NLT)

Job 1:4 – Job’s kids liked to have fun and PARTY
⁴ Job’s sons would take turns PREPARING FEASTS in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to CELEBRATE with them. (NLT)

Job 1:5 – Job prayed for his children after they partied
⁵ When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice. (NLT)

The Angel Satan

·         Its okay if you don’t embrace what I am about to disclose to you, just run with the concept so you can get the plot of the War Game.  You will come to embrace this truth later as you see how many other things begin to line up like fence post and make more sense.

·         I want to take you back to the creation of the first earth age and look at who was present.  I won’t teach it here, but it occurred between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 and is called the Gap theory or Lucifer’s flood.  NYOBS 17.16 – OTHER FLOOD; GAP THEORY

·         The words “In the beginning” does not refer to the 6 day creation, but refers to the time before this re-creation began. – The earth was called “dry land”.  So in the beginning God created the heavens and the dry land.  

·         In the beginning there was only one sovereign will and that was God’s Will, then Satan with his FREE WILL rebelled and thus we now have Two Wills. - Satan sought to detach man from God and attach him to himself.  While he was successful in detaching man from God, man in his FREE WILL did not attach himself to Satan.  Now there are Billions of Wills in the universe.  The Gospel message of Jesus Christ was presented to make it possible for man to be re-attach back to God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

·         Satan in the first earth age had corrupted the inhabitants of the earth and made them vile, wicked and evil. - At some point in eternity past, there was a JUDGMENT of darkness and waters flooded the entire dry land. Understand that when this happened there was no light and without light everything perished including the creatures of the deep.  The earth became without form and was void.   

·         The first earth age was the domain of Lucifer, the highest Angel in heaven.  He was next to God in authority, he was His Chief of Staff. - What we know is that the earth was created good and that it become corrupted by the fall of Lucifer or who we call the Serpent or Satan.

·         There was an audience at the creation of the FIRST EARTH AGE that also witnessed the destruction and then the new creation of the SECOND EARTH AGE.  This was witnessed by all the Angelic beings and other creations which we know nothing about.  Often in the Book heavenly beings or angels are referred to as “stars”.

·         Un-repentant Satan was given eons of time to re-construct the earth as all of Creation watched him, but he could not. -  Then God started over with the heavens and the earth and created mortal man with FREE WILL and made him a little lower than the Immortal angels who also had FREE WILL; man was then given dominion over earth as all of God’s creation watched to see what Satan would do about it.

·         God wants a people that love Him because they choose to, not because they were made to love Him. -  Man and Angels were both created with FREE WILL, and some angles have already rebelled and have chosen to follow Satan, and much of mankind has been wounded trying to follow him too; if they are not rescued and healed, they well be Dead Ducks.

·         Satan was the anointed cherub that covered the throne of God and had been given the responsibility of the government of the universe and setting forth the righteousness of God.  He was created immortal, powerful and with FREE WILL, he was Prophet, Priest and King of the Universe, there was no angel higher than him including Michael the Arc Angel.  When Satan first rebelled, he lost the office of prophet as God no longer spoke through him.

·         When the members of the heavenly court convened, God singled out Satan, and asked; where have you come from? - Satan in his role as king of the universe pretended that he had been industriously active on God’s behalf, patrolling the earth dispensing justice with the interests and glory of God. - Then in his office of Priest, Satan specifically and craftily wanted to present that today’s main concern was to protect God from the EVIL that was in the heart of one specific man; a man called Job.  

·         God seeing the end from the beginning, already knew what the slithering serpent had been up to. – The Omnipotent all-knowing God and all the Watchers had witnessed that Satan’s minions had been in Job’s backyard trying to do him harm, but their every attempt was thwarted because God had placed a Hedge of Protection around Job.

Gen 1:1 – The First Earth Age created

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.NIV

Genesis 1:2 – The First earth age became without form and void

2 And the earth was (“hayah” became) without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. NIV

Colossians 1:16-17 – God created everything for Himself

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE, whether they be

thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:

all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And He is before all things, and by him all things consist.

NIV

Job 38:4-7 – The Angels were there at earth’s creation

4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.

5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?

6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-

7 WHILE THE MORNING STARS SANG TOGETHER

and all THE ANGELS SHOUTED FOR JOY?  NIV

2 Peter 3:5-6 – The world that was then overflowed with water

5 … the HEAVENS WERE OF OLD, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6 Whereby THE WORLD THAT THEN WAS, being overflowed with water, PERISHED:  NIV

2 Peter 3:5-7 – Ungodly men existed before Adam

5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water

6 By these waters also THE WORLD OF THAT TIME WAS DELUGED AND DESTROYED.

7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men. NIV

Jeremiah 4:23-26 – The people had perished in the first flood

23 I looked at the earth, and it was FORMLESS AND EMPTY; and at the heavens, and their light was gone.

24 I looked at the mountains, and they were quaking; all the hills were swaying.

25 I looked, and THERE WERE NO PEOPLE; every bird in the sky had flown away.

26 I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert; all its towns lay in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger.

NIV

Jude 1:9 – Michael did not dare rebuke Satan
⁹ But even MICHAEL, one of the MIGHTIEST OF THE ANGELS, DID NOT DARE accuse the DEVIL of blasphemy, but simply said, “THE LORD REBUKE YOU!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.) (NLT)

Job 1:7-12 – Have you noticed my servant Job?

⁷ Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan. Satan answered the LORD, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”
⁸ Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
⁹ Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.
¹⁰ YOU HAVE ALWAYS PUT A WALL OF PROTECTION AROUND HIM and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!
¹¹ But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely CURSE YOU TO YOUR FACE!”
¹² All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan.

“Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but

DON’T HARM HIM PHYSICALLY.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence. (NLT)

The Watchers

·         We pick up the story of the watchers in the story of Job and the Hedge of Protection that God had put around him. – There are two things going on here; Hedges and Watchers.

·         This story is actually more about the audience than Job; THE WATCHERS. – This is what I want you to get, there is an audience of Watchers for all of history of what Satan has done, is doing and plans to do and is made clear in the Book of Job as Satan is summoned to appear before God and watching are all the angels both good and bad and all other creations.

·         The Sovereign God called for the members of the Heavenly Court to appear before Him and give an account of what they had accomplished. – The highest ranking official was Satan and was singled out to report on his activity. – Now you must get this, all of the members of the court were watching the proceedings as well as all of the other lower ranking angels. – They are referred to as THE WATCHERS, those who have witnessed the actions of God and Satan ever since the FIRST EARTH AGE.

·         They Watchers had witnessed the rebellion of Satan eons ago and how one-third of the heavenly creations followed after him.  They watched the judgment come upon the earth that caused it to become void.   Satan, the highest ranking official had rebelled against God and as all creation watched and witnessed, they saw that he could not re-create the earth.

·         Satan was created immortal and God in his mercy, grace and Love allowed him to continue in His presence, giving him eons of time with opportunity to change his ways, but Satan knowing the Watchers were witnessing his every action; let his PRIDE get in the way, and just DOUBLED DOWN on his rebellion.

·         You might remember that before God flooded the earth the second time with Noah; in love, mercy and grace, God left the door open for a week, just in case some would repent and come into the ark and be saved; then HE shut the door.  - Satan had been given eons of time and now THE DOOR HAS NOW BEEN SHUT FOREVER ON SATAN and the angles that followed him.  Their fate is sealed, they cannot be redeemed. – The demons, fallen angels and Satan all know their fate and are ready for their LAST HURRAH, before the Lake of Fire. – This is what the Watchers are watching; to see Satan’s new plan to save himself.  

Job 1:6 - The Heavenly Court was summoned by God
⁶ One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the LORD, and

THE ACCUSER, SATAN, came with them.  NIV

Daniel 4:17 – The Watchers are heavenly beings
¹⁷ he sentence is by the decree of THE WATCHERS, the decision by the word of THE HOLY ONES, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’

(ESV)

Matthew 28:2-4 – The Watches fell down at angel of God
² And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an

ANGEL OF THE LORD descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.
³ His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
⁴ and for fear of him THE WATCHERS did quake, and became as dead men.

(ASV)

Revelation 12:4 – One third of the Angels followed Satan
⁴ His tail swept away ONE-THIRD OF THE STARS in the sky, and he threw them to the earth. He stood in front of the woman as she was about to give birth, ready to devour her baby as soon as it was born. (NLT)

The Man Job

·         The Book records that Job was blameless; a man of complete integrity that feared God and stayed away from evil.  Job is considered to be the oldest book in the Bible, so Job’s faithfulness and his righteousness did not come from reading the books of the prophets, there wasn’t any, I believe he had his own special spiritual encounter with God like Moses. 

·         He was like a Chief or a King; the city gate was where court was held and justice was dispensed.  When Job approached the gate, the aged rose in respect and the young men stepped aside when they saw him coming. - The Highest Officials and the Princes stood in silence as he took his place among the honored leaders.   New honors were constantly being placed on him.

·         When he smiled, his look of approval was precious to everyone because he was like a father to the poor and the orphans; he helped generously with their needs. - He comforted those who mourned, and was like eyes for the blind and feet for the lame and assisted the stranger.  They longed for him to just speak so they could drink in his words.

·         He dispensed honest and righteous justice and broke the jaws of godless oppressors and rescued their victims.  Job’s reputation was TO BE HELP TO THOSE WITHOUT HOPE.

·         He was a farmer that had done well in life and was actually the richest man around.   He owned thousands of sheep and camels and hundreds of teams of oxen.  He was blessed with seven sons and three daughters, many servant and a Messed Up Wife. 

·         Mrs. Job was a different duck, she was just the opposite spiritually of that of Job; in fact she seems like she had already jumped into Satan’s Dead Duck Bag. - God created a man’s wife to be help mate, to support and encourage him, but Mrs. Job was far from that.  The Book records that when Job was at his lowest point and needed her moral support the most, she told him to CURSE GOD AND DIE.  -  Good Grief -  

·         Is there any wonder why Satan would be so aggravated with God; there was a blameless man living right in his principality that he could not touch, and it was because God had placed a HEDGE OF PROTECTION around him. - Besides that, all of creation was WATCHING to see what he was going to do about it; so Satan hatched a plan to bring accusations of LIES about Job’s character. – If you can’t find fault with someone in their actions, then tear down their character.

·         It should be noted as we study Job that nowhere in the Book are we told that life will be better because we are Christians, in fact it says just the opposite, it says life will get harder. - The reason that Christians seem to have so much conflict is because Satan is only interested in ducks that are still flapping around, even if they are wounded. - His fiery darts knocks the Christian down, but they get right back up because God has given them personal Angels to care for them and FAITH that places a HEDGE OF PROTECTION around them and the Holy Spirit to direct them. - The Dead Ducks like Mrs. Job are already in Satan’s Dead Duck Bag, so he is not worried about them. – It’s in the Book –  NYOBS 61.10 - BAD THINGS - GOOD PEOPLE

Job 1:1-3 – Job was blameless with complete integrity
¹ There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz.

He was BLAMELESS—a man of COMPLETE INTEGRITY.

He FEARED GOD and stayed away from evil.
² He had seven sons and three daughters.
³ He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and he employed many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. (NLT)

Job 29:7-25 – Job was an honored leader; like a king
⁷  Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place AMONG THE HONORED LEADERS.
⁸ The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
⁹ THE PRINCES STOOD IN SILENCE and put their hands over their mouths.
¹⁰ THE HIGHEST OFFICIALS of the city STOOD QUIETLY, holding their tongues in respect.
¹¹ All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.
¹² For I ASSISTED THE POOR in their need and THE ORPHANS who required help.
¹³ I HELPED THOSE WITHOUT HOPE, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.
¹⁴ Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.
¹⁵ I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
¹⁶ I WAS A FATHER TO THE POOR and assisted strangers who needed help.
¹⁷ I BROKE THE JAWS OF GODLESS OPPRESSORS and plucked their victims from their teeth. I thought,
¹⁸ ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life.
¹⁹ For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
²⁰ NEW HONORS ARE CONSTANTLY BESTOWED ON ME, and my strength is continually renewed.’
²¹ Everyone listened to my advice. THEY WERE SILENT as they waited for me to speak.
²² And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.
²³ THEY LONGED FOR ME TO SPEAK as people long for rain.

They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.
²⁴ When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.
²⁵ LIKE A CHIEF, I told them what to do. I lived LIKE A KING among his troops and comforted those who mourned.

(NLT)

Genesis 2:18 – Wives were created to be help mates
¹⁸ Then the LORD God said,

“It is not good for the man to be alone.

I WILL MAKE A HELPER WHO IS JUST RIGHT FOR HIM.” (NLT)

Job 2:9 – Job’s wife was a spokesperson for Satan
⁹ His WIFE said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? CURSE GOD AND DIE.” (NLT)

1 Corinthians 10:13 – God will give us a way out to endure
¹³ The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted,

HE WILL SHOW YOU A WAY OUT

SO THAT YOU CAN ENDURE. (NLT)

Ephesians 6:16 – Our Faith quenches Satan’s fiery darts
¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of FAITH with which you will be able to QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED ONE. (NKJV)

The Hedge

·         This is where we pick up the story as the counsel has convened and Satan has been singled out to report on his work. – God already knowing what Satan’s minions had been up to, asked Satan if he had NOTICED one of the Lord’s finest servants named Job who was a blameless man that stayed away from evil?

·         Satan responded; well, there is a very good reason for him to be a blameless person; it’s because you have placed a HEDGE OF PROTECTION around him. 

·         I think it is so interesting, that it is Satan that discloses that there is a Hedge of Protection around Job and his household and the work of Job’s hands. – You have to stop and ask, HOW DID HE KNOW? – He knew because his evil minions had already been trying to get in Job’s backyard to attack his goods, but had failed every time and God knew it too.

·          Satan Says to God; if you reach out and take away everything he has, he will surely curse you to your face!” and God responded; “BEHOLD, EVERYTHING HE HAS IS IN YOUR HANDS. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but DON’T HARM HIM PHYSICALLY.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence.  NYOBS 02.37 WHY DID GOD TEST JOB?

·          Did you see it?  While Satan has access to Job, he has limitations, or I will say it another way; Satan is nothing but a dog on a leash, going only as far as his chain will let him. – I will say this; that after the Millennial Reign of Christ is over, the chain comes off of Satan for one last Hurrah and then BAM; the lake of fire. – It’s in the Book -  

·         I want to stop here for just a moment and report what the Book says about Job.  In everything that he did, HE DID NOT SIN WITH HIS LIPS. – But Job did have a flaw in his character and it was FEAR which he confessed with his own mouth.  God has commanded us to NOT FEAR and that was the vehicle that allowed Satan into Job’s life. – God did not give Job to Satan, God said that “everything he has is in your hands”. - Job himself had already opened the door with the sin of FEAR and Satan just didn’t know it. – Satan is not all knowing, he only knows what we speak with our LIPS; so speak the word of FAITH.

·         The Book says EVERYTHING THAT DOES NOT COME FROM FAITH IS SIN.

Job 1:8-9 – Have you noticed my blameless servant Job
⁸ Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
⁹ Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. (NLT)

Job 1:10-11 – Satan confesses; knows Job has protection hedge
¹⁰ Have You not made A HEDGE around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

(NKJV)

¹¹ But reach out and TAKE AWAY EVERYTHING HE HAS, and

HE WILL SURELY CURSE YOU TO YOUR FACE!”

(ESV)
Job 1:12 – All that he has is in your hands
¹² 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.

(ESV)

Job 1:4-5 – Job fears the worst for his partying children

4 His sons used to TAKE TURNS HOLDING FEASTS in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "PERHAPS MY CHILDREN HAVE SINNED AND CURSED GOD IN THEIR HEARTS." This was Job's regular custom.

NIV

Job 3:25 – Job was operating in fear

25 WHAT I FEARED HAS COME UPON ME; what I dreaded has happened to me. NIV

Genesis 50:21
²¹ So DO NOT FEAR; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.  (ESV)

Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious but give thanksgiving

6 DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. NIV

James 1:6 – Believe and not doubt

6 when he asks, HE MUST BELIEVE AND NOT DOUBT, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown & tossed by the wind. NIV

Romans 14:23 – Do not doubt

 23 But the man who has doubts is condemned ….and

EVERYTHING THAT DOES NOT COME FROM FAITH IS SIN NIV

The War Games

·         The War Games begins the same day when Job’s kids are partying - A servant runs in and tells Job that some Sabean soldiers had raided their farm and stole all their livestock and killed all the farm hands.

·         Before he finished speaking, another servant ran in and said that lighting had struck and killed all his sheep as well as his servant shepherds.  Right behind him as another servant came in and told him the bad news that Chaldean solders had stolen all his camels and killed all the workers.

·         Then another servant came in and said a strong wind had blown down the house and killed all his children and then Job said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave.  The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!” and in all of this, JOB DID NOT SIN BY BLAMING GOD.

·          The WATCHERS took note that on Satan’s first play against Job, he had fumbled the ball, and they watched as he regrouped for another play as the Invisible War of life continues.

·         NOTE: Job was totally un-aware of the WAR GAMES and he THOUGHT it was God that had taken his goods away, BUT IT WAS NOT; it was Satan that came to Kill Steal and Destroy.  - JESUS CAME TO GIVE LIFE AND TO GIVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY. -

Job1:14-22 – The War Games begin – Satan strikes

¹⁴ a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing … when the Sabeans raided us
¹⁵ THEY STOLE ALL THE ANIMALS AND KILLED ALL THE FARMHANDS. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
¹⁶ While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “THE FIRE OF GOD HAS FALLEN FROM HEAVEN AND BURNED UP YOUR SHEEP AND ALL THE SHEPHERDS. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
¹⁷ While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of CHALDEAN RAIDERS HAVE STOLEN YOUR CAMELS AND KILLED YOUR SERVANTS. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
¹⁸ While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their brother’s home.
¹⁹ Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. THE HOUSE COLLAPSED, AND ALL YOUR CHILDREN ARE DEAD. …
²¹ He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has
taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!”
²² IN ALL OF THIS, JOB DID NOT SIN BY BLAMING GOD. NLT

John 10:10 – Satan comes to Steal, Kill and Destroy
¹⁰ The THIEF’S PURPOSE is to STEAL and KILL and DESTROY. My purpose is to GIVE THEM A RICH and SATISFYING LIFE.

War Games Continue

·         One would think the invisible war was over, as Satan had suffered defeat at the hands of Job, but it’s never over, there is no rest, no breaks, no peace treaties and no time out. Satan, his minions and his demons conspire and mount attacks day and night. – It should be noted here, that this is the reason each believer has a personal angel, a WATCHER that provides a HEDGE OF PROTECTION for him. – It’s in the Book -  NYOBS 34.17 - ANGELS

·         The War Games continue as God AGAIN summons the Heavenly Court to assemble and He AGAIN singles out Satan and without mentioning that He knows that Satan and his minions have killed all of Job’s livestock, most of his servants and all his kids, asked him calmly; just as He did before; by the way, Have you noticed my servant Job, he is blameless and a man of complete integrity.  – I can’t help but smile; God with his question, has got Satan’s goat.

·         Prideful Satan still pretending to be acting in the role of God’s PRIEST; implies his actions are only to point out EVIL in the heart of Job and then becomes agitated and speaks very disrespectful to God and says… “Skin for Skin (or Tit for Tat), a man will give up everything he has to save his own life. – But you just reach out and take away his health, and he will surely CURSE YOU TO YOUR FACE!”  

·         God smiles and says; “All right, do with him as you please, but you cannot take his life. NOTE:  Did you see it again; THE CHIEF OF STAFF, the POWERFUL SATAN has restrictions placed on him by God.

·         So Satan left the LORD’s presence, and he struck Job with TERRIBLE BOILS from head to foot.  All the WATCHERS observed what had just taken place and pondered how Job will react; perhaps Satan will win this Invisible War. – Get this; Job does not even know that an Invisible War is going on and the battle is over his soul and that all creation is BETTING on how he will react. – Satan’s plan is to prove to God that even His very best man has EVIL in his heart.

·         As Job is scraping his boils with a piece of broken pottery, his supporting WIFE; his help mate comes in and abetting Satan, tells him to CURSE GOD AND DIE. (Wow; what a wife.)  Job responds and says “You talk like an INSANE woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? - God will do to me whatever he has planned, He controls my destiny.  IN ALL THIS, JOB SAID NOTHING WRONG.

·          Satan loses the invisible war for the second time as witnessed by the WATCHERS and all of creation. – Satan tells his minions, it’s not over till the FAT lady sings. – WHAT? – Maybe not.

Job 2:1-7 – Second attempt to discredit Job
¹ One day the members of the heavenly court came again to present themselves before the LORD, & the Accuser, Satan, came with them.
² Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan. Satan answered the LORD, “I HAVE BEEN PATROLLING THE EARTH, WATCHING EVERYTHING THAT’S GOING ON.”
³ Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him
⁴ Satan replied to the LORD, “SKIN FOR SKIN! A MAN WILL GIVE UP EVERYTHING HE HAS TO SAVE HIS LIFE.
⁵ But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
⁶ All right, do with him as you please,” the LORD said to Satan. “BUT SPARE HIS LIFE.”
⁷ So Satan left the LORD’s presence, and he struck Job with TERRIBLE BOILS FROM HEAD TO FOOT.

(NLT)

Matthew 18:10– Personal/Guardian Angels
¹⁰ "Watch that you don't treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don't you, that their PERSONAL ANGELS are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven? (MSG)

Hebrews 1:14 – Angels are sent to care for the Believer
¹⁴ Therefore, ANGELS are only servants—spirits SENT to care for PEOPLE WHO WILL INHERIT SALVATION. (NLT)

Job 2:8-10 – Mrs. Job took Satan’s side in the Invisible War
⁸ Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes.
⁹ his WIFE SAID TO HIM, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? CURSE GOD AND DIE.”
¹⁰ But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish (insane) woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So IN ALL THIS, JOB SAID NOTHING WRONG. (NLT)

Job 23:14 - God will do to me whatever He has planned
¹⁴ So HE WILL DO TO ME WHATEVER HE HAS PLANNED.

He controls my destiny. (NLT)

Job 42:5 – I had only heard before, but now I see
⁵ I HAD ONLY HEARD ABOUT YOU BEFORE, BUT

NOW I HAVE SEEN YOU WITH MY OWN EYES. (NLT)

Daniel 4:13 - A Watcher is God’s holy angel from heaven
¹³ "I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was

a WATCHER, a holy one, coming down from heaven. (NKJV)

Game Over

·         The War Game is over for now with Job; God TWO, Satan ZERO; but it always starts up again somewhere else and the minions always come back, but our Faith keeps up the hedge.

·         God finishes setting Job’s three friends straight; they offer sacrifices and Job prays for them and his prayer is accepted by God. – Then God restores everything DOUBLE that Job had lost, giving him seven more sons and three more daughters and when we add them to his children already in heaven, he now has DOUBLE the children. -  Can you say GLORY -

Job 42:7-13 - The lord gave Job twice as much as before
⁷ After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.
⁸ So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf.

I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.”
⁹  So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the LORD commanded them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer.

¹⁰ WHEN JOB PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS,

THE LORD RESTORED HIS FORTUNES. In fact,

THE LORD GAVE HIM TWICE AS MUCH AS BEFORE!
¹¹ then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the LORD had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.
¹² So the LORD blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.
¹³ He also gave Job SEVEN MORE SONS AND THREE MORE DAUGHTERS. (NLT)

The Take Away

·         Three of Job’s friends drop by to comfort him and for 30 chapters give him advice that only the world can give. – They spent their time trying to methodically prove that for all these calamities to have happened, Job must have had offended God in some way.  Then God interrupts and says “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?  

·         I had found myself agreeing with his three friends until God spoke and I felt myself shrinking down into my chair.  - The three friends spoke with worldly wisdom and God said; I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.

·         Every Believer will be attacked in the Invisible War and the believer’s FAITH gives them not only a Hedge of Protection around them, but they also have the protection of a personal angel. - The WATCHERS are betting that you will win.  They rejoice over just one soul that is saved.

·         In the Invisible War, Satan wanted to sift Simon Peter like wheat and HE DID. -  Simon was who he used to be, and Peter was who he had become and what was left after the sifting was more of Peter and less of Simon.  - In this Invisible war, God allowed Satan to send Paul a Thorn in the Flesh to buffet him  - NYOBS 13.02 - HEALING SCRIPTURES (Paul’s thorn)

·         All the WATCHERS saw Peter and Paul lift up the name of Jesus and glorify God.  This is our example, we are a part of the Invisible War and the Angels are betting on us to win.  We have the Holy Spirit within us to show us what to do and say.  – Today the way that God speaks to us is through studying what He has already written in His Book.

·         In the Invisible War it is not necessarily Satan that causes your hardships.  The Book records instances of a man being blind and even someone dying so that in time, God’s power would be displayed and He would be glorified through it. - Such was the case with Lazarus and the man born blind. – When stuff happens to you, pray that your actions will glorify God and display His awesome power. – I ONCE WAS BLIND AND NOW I SEE.

• There is a teaching error that says that once you have prayed for something, that to pray again is operating in doubt and unbelief.  - This is just not what the scriptures teach. - Throughout the scriptures Satan’s quest in the Invisible War is to cause the Believer to give up praying thus stopping the promises of God from reaching them and keepping them from receiving.
• Your prayer is heard before you even start to utter it.  The answer is dispatched before you finish and the Invisible War cranks up immediately to prevent you from receiving your petitions.  - Keep praying even if it takes THREE WEEKS. Don’t stop; - It’s in the Book-

Job 38:2 - Who is this that questions my wisdom
² Who is this that QUESTIONS MY WISDOM

with such IGNORANT WORDS? (NLT)

1 Corinthians 1:19 – I will make the intelligent look foolish
¹⁹ As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy THE WISDOM

OF THE WISE and discard THE INTELLIGENCE OF

THE INTELLIGENT.” (NLT)

Luke 15:10 – The angels rejoice over just one soul saved
¹⁰ In the same way,

THERE IS JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD’S ANGELS

WHEN EVEN ONE SINNER REPENTS.” (NLT)

Luke 22:31 - Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat
³¹ Simon, Simon, SATAN HAS ASKED

TO SIFT EACH OF YOU LIKE WHEAT. (NLT)  

2 Corinthians 12:7 – Paul got a thorn in the flesh from Satan
⁷ even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a

THORN IN MY FLESH, A MESSENGER FROM SATAN

to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. (NLT)

Ephesians 6:12 – We are at war

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against PRINCIPALITIES, against POWERS, against the

RULERS of the DARKNESS of this world, against

SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in high places. KJV

Daniel 10:12-14 – Satan tries to sidetrack your promises.

12 Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for FROM THE FIRST DAY that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, YOUR WORDS WERE HEARD; and I have come because of your words.

13 BUT THE PRINCE OF THE KINGDOM OF PERSIA WITHSTOOD ME TWENTY-ONE DAYS; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. NKJV

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 – Pray every chance you get

17 PRAY CONTINUALLY;

18 GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES,

for THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU in Christ Jesus. NIV

John 11:4 – Lazarus death and resurrection glorified God
⁴ But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. 

IT IS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, so that

the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (ESV)

John 9:1-25 – The man was born blind to show God’s power
¹ As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man BLIND FROM BIRTH.
² Rabbi,” his disciples asked him,

“WHY WAS THIS MAN BORN BLIND? Was it

because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
³ It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “THIS HAPPENED SO THE POWER OF GOD COULD BE SEEN IN HIM.

²⁵ But I know this: I WAS BLIND, AND NOW I CAN SEE!” (NLT)

In the multitude of counselors,

there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical

information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders

                         and see further that I otherwise ever could have.              

                                                                                                                                     

A Commentary; Critical, Experimental and Practical - Eerdmans

Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius Josephus Matthias

Apocrypha – Goodspeed

Arithmetic of God; The – Don Kistler

Baker Commentary on the Bible – Elwell

Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White

Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer

Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row

Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake

English Standard Version Bible – ESV

Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein

Forgotten Books of Eden; The – World

Gospels Interwoven; The – Karmit Zarley

Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The – Tyndale

Interlinear Greek-English New Testament – Baker

Invisible War; The – Donald Grey Barnhouse

King James Version Bible – KJV

Lost Books of the Bible; The - World

Lost Books of the Bible; The - Bell

Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan

Missing Books of the Bible; The – Halo Press

Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest

Nag Hammadi Library; The – James M. Robinson

Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan

New International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas - Tenney

New International Version Bible (2011) – NIV

Now that’s a Good Question – R.C. Sproul

NOTE: The “new” NIV has been corrupted & made GENDER NEUTRAL.  AVOID IT.

New Living Translation Bible - NLT

Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls – Hugh J. Schonfield

Theomatics – Jerry Lucas

Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee

Vincent’s Word Studies of the New Testament – Mac Donald

Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner

Wycliffe Bible Commentary; The – Pfeiffer & Harrison

Wikipedia –

Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney