When one reads and studies the book of Job, there are many questions that arise as to why these troubles happened to Job in the first place, when he trust God as he did. It will help our study when we keep in mind that Job may have been the "Job" spoken of in Genesis 46:13, ["And the sons of Ischar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron,"]. By this clue it may help us to reach some conclusions. However it is better that we stay within the Bible itself for the settlement of Job's problems; and to treat the whole book of Job as the context of all it's parts.

Lets consider for a moment some of the facts that are documented in the Scriptures concerning the time frame of this book. This is why we can have the strong assumption for assuming that the Job of this book is the Job referred to in Genesis 46:13. First of all, the three friends of Job were descendants of Esau and would be contemporaries of Job.

"Eliphaz", of Teman, from the land of Idumea, was a son of Esau, and Eliphaz had a son called Teman, from whom the country or land took it's name from [Genesis 36:10, 11; "And the names of Esau's sons; Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Ruel the son of Bashemath the wife of Esau." (10) "And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Genaz." (11)]

"Bildad" the Shuhite was also from Abraham, for "Shuah" was the sixth son of Abraham by Keturah as recorded in Genesis 25:2; "And again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah." (1) "And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah." (2) The third advisor to Job was Zophar the Naamathite. Naamar (now called "Na'aneh"), was six miles south of Lod, in the lowlands of Judah.

Job would have gone down with his father Issachar into Egypt when the famine hit the land of Canaan; for protection under his uncle Joseph. Joseph ruled the Egypt at the time. If Job was the third son of Issachar, it would have made him about twenty at the time of the trip to Egypt (1706 B.C.) We are told that Job lived one hundred forty (140) years after his double blessing (Job 42:10), then we would have Job's life span to be 210 years [70 + 140 = 210]. Job's lifespan would have been from 1726 to 1516 B.C.

So according to this, Job was born the year after Joseph was sold, and died 119 years after the death of Joseph. When Joseph died, Job was ninety-one. So when the double blessing did include length of years, then his affliction took place twenty-one years prior, when he was seventy. His removal from Egypt to Uz must therefore have taken place earlier still. When Job died Moses was fifty-five years old, and had been in Midian fifteen years, or twenty five years before the Exodus from Egypt. This would account for Job being a worshipper of the God of Abraham, and explains how Moses could have been the author of this book, and perhaps the eye and ear witness of the events it records in Midian.

Job was a type of God's elect. So if you are one of God's elect, this is a type of you, yourself, especially in these end days. In these end times Satan's reign will be so strong that the entire world will be taken in by him. However you have an advantage that the rest of the world does not have. You know the truths of God's Word that Job did not have. Christ had not yet walked and suffered on this earth. Jesus has come and given those that follow Him the power and the authority over Satan, when we come to Him through repentance in Jesus name, and take that power that is rightfully ours. Job did not have that power, nor the authority to order Satan out of his life; but he knew the God of Abraham.

If you think you have it rough today, put yourself in Job's shoes. When all these things were happening to him, Job did not have the power of the Holy Spirit to put Satan in his place. "Job" in the Hebrew tongue is "Iyyob" and means "afflicted, or persecuted". The only person that was persecuted more than Job in the Bible, was our Lord Jesus Christ, and we will see from the book of Job that God repaid Job well for his commitment to stand by his convictions and remain a true servant of God. God repaid Job double for all those things that Satan was allowed to take from him. So any time things get a little rough, that is the time to think back on Job and the suffering that he went through, and it is an example for each of us.

Any time that we are depressed today and the pressures seem to be to great to bear, we can turn to Christ. Jesus Christ will lighten our load to where we can bear it: But Job did not have that privilege. Many teachers argue with this point, but it is a fact documented in the Scripture. The price had not yet been paid for Job's sins, but Job loved the Father and we cannot take that binding force away from Job. Today the common thought amongst many critics is that Job was not a man, and did not exist but this was story passed down through many generations. However Job did exist and Job is quoted fifty seven [57] times in other passages in other books of the Bible. Job was a man, and he was flesh and blood living here on the earth, and he suffered these great afflictions written here in this book.

Job 1:1 "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil."

Again, Job means "persecuted". When Job was good and walked upright and perfect before the Lord, he had reverence for God, and he hated evil. Job did not even want to be around evil, he just would not put up with any form of evil ["eschewed evil"].

Job 1:2 "And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters."

Job had ten children, and seven (sons) in biblical numerics is perfection [Seven thousand being the number for the elect of the end times], and the number three for the daughter represent the trinity. It was through the daughters that the Christ child would come, and complete the trinity came to pass.

Job 1:3 "His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of Oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east."

Is it an accident that Job had seven thousand sheep, for the elect of the end times is also called "the seven thousand" of God's sheep. Paul quoted Elijah in Romans 11:4, how that God would make intercession for His elect of Israel in the end times. When the altars of God will be torn down and the entire world goes chasing after the Satan the Antichrist, there are "seven thousand" of the elect that will hold their ground and stand firm against him.

Romans 11:4 "But what saith the answer of God unto him (Elias)? "I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal."

Romans 11:5 "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."

This is like an arrow pointing this passage to God's elect, that remnant of the seven thousand that will hold fast against Satan, that have the eyes to see and the ears to hear God's Word.

One "Thousand" in Biblical numerics symbolizes "divine completion", and this also is three times divine completion. Job was the greatest man of his day, so much so that all the world was aware of Job and his wealth. There are men around the world today of great wealth, and no matter where you go in the world and what tongue you speak, you know these people of great wealth. When Moses lived in Job's day, Moses knew exactly who Job was and all the details of his wealth, for Moses was one of the best educated of his day. Being taken into Pharaoh's house, and educated as one of his sons, able to rule Egypt if necessary.

When it says that Job was the "greatest of all the men of the east", it doesn't mean that Job was Oriental, but that he was the richest man east of the Palestine, in Edom, the land of Esau's children.

Job 1:4 "And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them."

The feast days spoken of here are their birthdays. In other words, every time one of the children had a birthday, Job called for all of the children of Job to come and celebrate the birthday with a feast. This is much like many families celebrate even today.

Job 1:5 "And it was so, when the days of their fasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts." Thus did Job continually."

Every time that these birthdays would take place, Job would rise up early the next morning to go before the Lord with burnt offerings for each of his children. Job prayed for each of his children to the Lord, for the forgiveness of those sins that may have occurred during the feast. Job knew that one of his children in a wild state of drunkenness, may have renounced the Lord God. Not only was Job continually begging God forgiveness for his own sins, but he was begging God for forgiveness for each of his children also.

So why do you suppose these birthdays were brought in for this study? The birth date as far as the seven thousand are concerned, is the time when the seven thousand will live, and the blood flows through their veins. It is the time that each of the elect have a deep level of understanding as to the days we are living in. This book is pointed directly at you, if you are one of the "elect" of God. If you are one of God's elect, you have a destiny and a purpose for your life, and that destiny and purpose is to make a stand against the Antichrist when he comes to earth. Satan will appear in Jerusalem very soon.

Job 1:6 "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them."

"The sons of God" as it is used here are the "angels", and we see here that Satan is right there in heaven with them also. The angels are the souls of people all over, God children that are in heaven with God. These souls are not in their flesh bodies, they have either passed on after death, or souls that haven't been born yet into this age of the flesh yet. All souls must pass through this earth age of the flesh just once, to live their life and have the right and free will to chose for themselves who they will follow, Satan or God.

However in the Hebrew manuscript text it is very explicit, for it identifies "the Satan", "the Adversary" by name. Many teachers today would have you believe that "Satan" as used here is not a real person, but a condition, but that is not so. Satan the person stood before God and was making these statements. Don't confuse the supernatural man "Satan", with the many "antichrists" that are in the world today, for the man Satan will come when the many "antichrists" have prepared the world for accepting him as their savior.

Job 1:7 "And the Lord said unto Satan, "Whence comest thou?" Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, "From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."

The "earth" is "erets" in the Hebrew, the very planet that we are living on today. Satan had returned to heaven to stand before God, and he returned to heaven from earth. If you think that it is odd that Satan will walk "to and fro" on the earth in his role as the Antichrist in our generation, that is exactly what he did during this time Job. So here the heavenly Father is addressing Satan, and all the other countless souls are standing by and watching this discussion take place. Satan was walking "to and fro" on the earth to see who he could catch off guard, and cause them to sin.

Job 1:8 "And the Lord said unto Satan, "Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?"

When God spoke to Satan, He asked Satan, "Have you seen my man Job while you were down there on earth? What do you think of My man Job?" If God placed this same request to Satan about you, what do you think God would have to say about you?

Friend, Satan is still standing before the throne of God as the accuser, and every time you sin and fall short, Satan is there to call your attention to your deeds also before God. Satan won't let any of your sins pass unnoticed. However, today we have the blood of Christ to cover those sins, and Jesus is also there at the right hand of the Father as our advocate, or attorney at the throne of God. Satan is looking for the time you slip up and sin, and than he will come against you with all kinds of charges. We all have weak moments for we are all sinners in these flesh bodies. As long as we are in the flesh body, we will be weak and we fall fall short of God's standards from time to time.

Job 1:9 "Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "Doth Job fear God for nought?" 

Satan is asking God, "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Sure Satan saw Job, but remember what condition Job was in?

Job 1:10 "Hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land."

God blessed Job and his family beyond all other men of the day.

Job 1:11 "But put forth Thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and He will curse Thee to Thy face." 

Do you see how Satan works? Satan works deceitfully, and in a way to catch you off guard, but Satan always tries to find one little point to find leverage to use against you. Satan will test your weakness at your weakest point.

Job 1:12 "And the Lord said unto Satan, "Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand." So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord."

Satan told God that if you take all this power and wealth that Job has from him, he will curse you to your face. This is the same thing that Satan is using against God's elect in this final generation. The elect were chosen in the world that was, before this age of the flesh. They were chosen then because they were found to be true, tried and well tested for this earth age. They were judged and predestined then to do a task for the Lord God in this earth age, from that first earth age. The were appointed before the foundations of this earth age were even laid. So we see that Satan knows who you are from that first earth age, and he also knows if you are one of God's elect.

You can count on Satan looking you up upon his arrival to this earth, and using those supernatural powers that God will give to him to try you, and test you in a manner that you had not counted on. It may be through a habit such as gossip, smoking or drinking or even through a family member that you don't get along with very well. But rest assured, Satan will see if you are the man or woman that God considers you to be, as one of His elect. Remember that this book of Job is a type for what God's Elect will face when Satan arrives here on earth.

God gave Satan the right to do with Job as he would, however there was only one condition placed on Satan, "...only upon himself put not forth thine hand." God protected Job the same way that the Holy Spirit is protecting us today. We have access to the power of God, but it is up to each of us to understand that power that we have and take it to ourselves. Remember that Satan is the prince of this earth today, and he can take anything that you have on this earth if you let him. This is why we must order Satan out of our lives and that of our family, "in the name of Jesus".

Job 1:13 "And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:"

Many believe that this was Job's seventieth birthday, and God is allowing Satan to destroy and take away many things out of Job's life.

Job 1:14 "And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, "The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:"

Job 1:15 "And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee." 

This should remind us of Ezekiel 33, where by there was one watchman on the wall, and when the city of Jerusalem was smitten, there was one that escaped to come and report that the city was smitten.

In Revelation 11:13 we read that there were seven thousand Nephilim, or men of the fallen angels that shall fall also on that great day of the Lord. Those fallen angels came to earth with Satan to start the day of deception, and for they were cast out by Michael onto this earth.

Revelation 12:7 "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,"

Revelation 12:8 "And prevailed not, neither was there place found any more in heaven."

Revelation 12:9 "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

What happened in Job's day is a type of what shall happen in the latter days.

Job 1:16 "While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, "The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee." 

When God gives Satan the latitude to do something, and put limits to Satan's destruction, you can count on Satan doing all that God will allow him to do. What happened to the seven thousand sheep? "The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants..." God is a consuming fire, and the star that is going to fall from heaven, with the locust of fallen angels from the bottomless pit, is Satan, when he comes to deceive the whole earth. Revelation 9:1 tells us of that time at the fifth trumpet, when God gives Satan [the star that falls] the "key of the bottomless pit"; the right and authority to do all that Satan will do all those supernatural act in those five month before Christ's return at the seventh trump.

Job 1:17 "While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, "The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee." 

In one day, Job's wealth was wiped out, and he was left with nothing. Stop and think for a moment, in one change in the markets, one fire, one lawsuit, or the fall of the company you work for; overnight all those things you rely on can end unexpectedly, and change your entire life. This is what happened to Job.

Job 1:18 "While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, "Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's:"

Even Job's children were killed by the great hurricane or tornado that passed through the house where they were eating and drinking and having their great celebration.

Job 1:19 "And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the for corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee."

Job has now lost the most prized possession, that of his own family, his children.

Job 1:20 "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,"

After Job had lost it all, he turned his attention to God, and fell down and worshipped God. Job was an upright man, and even today we have the Holy Spirit of God to fall back on when the things get a little tough in our lives. If you had lost all your wealth and your entire family in one day, think about what your next action would be; would it be to worship God, and thank him for your life?

Job 1:21 "And said, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." 

This is Job's reaction and prayer to God. What would your prayer be when the time of testing comes into your life. Still all that Job could do is to give God the praise for the breath of life that he had.

When a wealthy man lies on his death bed, and breathing his last breath of life, the only thing that really matters to him is that next breath giving him life. The things of this world age just doesn't matter any more, and when this age of the flesh comes to a close at the end of Satan's rule, the things of this flesh age will not be around. Your soul will then be housed in another body [spiritual], and the things of the flesh and this earth age will be of another dimension and will just not matter to you.

Job 1:22 "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."

When all the things of this earth age were gone, Job not once blamed God for any part of the destruction that took place. What did Job's say? "Blessed be the name of the Lord." God uses even Satan to test your free will, and He will bring you to a point and location to where you can touch someone that you would not have been able to do other wise. When something happens to you and those around you, don't question the Father, but Gid God the praise for what ever happens to you along the way. If God corrects you, that is something to be thankful for, for blessed is the name of the Lord.