Here are my thoughts and highlights from Job as I continue my journey through the Bible:

  • Job was totally devoted to God.
  • God was aware of Job’s devotion. I want him to know my devotion as well.
  • How would I respond if God reached down and took away everything? My wife? My kids? My friends? My home? My church? What if God stripped everything away? What would my faith look like?
  • Job’s wife was something else. As soon as things started going bad for Job, she encouraged him to "Curse God and be done with it!" Makes be appreciate a wife that supports me.
  • Job’s friends responded to the tragedy in his life in a couple of ways. Initially, all they did was sit with Job. They didn’t say anything. They were just with him. "Seven days and nights they sat there without saying a word." Just being there helped Job in his suffering.
  • Life can be hard. Sometimes it’s a struggle. Being a Christ-follower doesn’t make you immune from life’s challenges.
  • Job’s prayers to God were honest. He was persistent. He wanted answers directly from God. It’s interesting that God eventually responded to his persistent prayers.
  • "Do you think you can explain the mystery of God? …God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend."
  • Eventually, Job’s three friends started explaining why God was apparently punishing Job. Job was beaten down and his "friends" seemed to want to beat him down even more by sharing their perspectives of "spiritual truth." It wasn’t helpful. It just made Job angry and bitter.
  • At one point, Job responded to his three friends, "I’m sure you speak for all the experts, and when you die there’ll be no one left to tell us how to live." I really appreciate good sarcasm. I’m thinking Job would have made a great blogger.
  • Job eventually reacted. "You’re a bunch of pompous quacks! I wish you’d shut your mouths." Haven’t there been times in your life when you wish you could responded like that?
  • "I’m holding fast to my integrity and not loosening my grip–and, believe me, I’ll never regret it."
  • "Getting old doesn’t guarantee good sense." That truth compels me to continue asking questions and learning.
  • After Job’s friends finally ran out of things to say, Elihu chimed in and started to rip into Job. He talked and talked and talked. Just when you thought he might be finished, "Elihu took a deep breath, but kept going: ‘Stay with me a little longer. I’ll convince you.’" For the record, if you’re trying to convince me of anything, longer speeches are not the answer.
  • After God spoke to Job, Job responded, "I’m speechless, in awe–words fail me… I’ve talked too much, way too much. I’m ready to shut up and listen." I’ve committed that sin as well.
  • Though I don’t believe God blesses every Christ-follower financially, he certainly does bless some people in that way. In Job’s case, God restored his fortune and then doubled it. Having money isn’t a guarantee. But having money isn’t a sin either.
  • God’s blessing to Job included 6,000 camels. If God gives me a similar blessing, I hope it’s 6,000 Vespa scooters. Red.