Connect360: Living By Genuine Faith

• Lesson 1 in the Connect360 unit “Praise Him in the Storm: When Life Falls Apart” focuses on Job 1:1-12.

The central problem in the Book of Job is theological: Job must deal with the fact that Almighty God does not act as one thinks he should.

The narrative begins with an introduction to our protagonist Job, a resident of “the land of Uz” (verse 1). Uz is a place of uncertain location, but likely near Edom, southeast of the Dead Sea (Jeremiah 25:20-21; Lamentations 4:21).

During this time where a person’s worth was measured by their possessions and the size of their family, Job stood above his contemporaries (1:2-4). Compare Job’s life with Proverbs 10:22, and it is easily evident that he was enjoying the favor of Yahweh. It’s interesting to note that Job’s genealogy is not presented here, like most major Old Testament persons. His piety, or moral character, is the focus of the text (1:1, 5).

Job is described as being “blameless and upright” (1:1, 8; 2:3), and even made sacrifices on behalf of his children, just in case they might have sinned in a moment of thoughtlessness (1:5). This is not to say that Job was perfect. Job was sinful, just like you and me (Romans 3:23). Sin is connected to a vertical relationship; blameless to a horizontal one. Job enjoyed a good reputation among those in his neighborhood.

Job appeared to possess a high, holy understanding of God, and separated himself from evil by choice. He seemed to understand that true godliness originates from the heart, and it involves the heart (Proverbs 4:23). Yahweh commended his behavior among all the inhabitants of the land (1:8).

Based on a lesson by Craig West, a hospice chaplain and bereavement coordinator. To learn more about GC2 Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.