I.  The Setting. Job 1:1-12

  A.  The Introduction.  Job.  1:1-5

  B.  The Presentation. 1:6-12

    1.  The Assembly.  1:6,7

    2.  The Acknowledgement.  1:8  of –

      a.  Satan’s interest.  “…considered…” (to set one’s heart on)

Luke 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Notice next –

      b.  Job’s –

        1).  Committment.  “…my servant…”

        2).  Character.  Every comment is about his character.  Note that God did not mention one thing about material things or physical health! (these are secondary concerns)

Having acknowledged Stan’s interest and Job’s commitment and character, we turn to –

    3.  The Accusation. Job 1:9-11

      a.  *Satan’s understanding.  Job 1:9  (He [Satan] projects his understanding on others)

Titus 1:15  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

       * 1).  Worship may be purchased, even if undeserved.

       * 2).  Worship is desired.  Refer to Matthew 4

          a).  The temptation.  Provision, power, position.

          b).  The temptation rejected.

Matthew 4:10  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

       * 3).  Worship rewarded – in Job’s case “Doth Job fear God for nought”?

Note: Satan believed that this was not a voluntary expression of love, but a response to the blessings received!

      b.  Satan’s assessment of the situation.   Job 1:10

        1).  Satan obviously had considered Job, and carefully!

        2).  Satan did not accuse Job of sin (as his friends and wife did, as we shall see), but he accused God of purchasing Job’s love and loyalty with –

          a).  Protection. 

          b).  Provision.

          c).  Position.

         Note:  Simply put –    God:  Job loves me

                                            Satan: Job loves the benefits that you provide.         This brings forth –

       c.  Satan’s challenge.  Job 1:11

          1).  Remove Job’s blessings.  “…put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath…”

Exodus 3:20  And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.

          2).  Receive Job’s curse.   “…he will curse thee to thy face.”    He had seen this in –

            a).  Cain,  his defiant reply “am I my brother’s keeper?”

            b).  King Saul     “…for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord…”  1 Sam 15:26

            c).  King Jereboam “…who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.”

            d).  King Amon “…but he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord…”

            e).  Judas Iscariot

Luke 22:3-4  Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

Luke 22:48  But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

            f).  Demas  2 Timothy 4:2  “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…”

Note: This is the pattern of rebellion against the Lord.  When a person does not receive what he believes he deserves, he turns on God.

    4.  The Acceptance of the challenge. Job 1:12

      a.  The response.  “…Behold, all that he hath is in thy power…”

      b.  The restrictions.  “…Only upon himself put not forth thine hand.”  See

2 Corinthians 12:7  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

      c.  The reaction of Satan.  “He had said “…put forth thine hand now…”  When permission was granted, he acted immediately. 

1 Peter 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Conclusion: As we consider the passage, we need to ask ourselves some questions –

1.  Scripture reveals that God knew Job, but are you aware that God knows you? 

Matthew 10:29-30  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Psalms 44:21  Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

2.  Scripture also reveals that Satan knew Job; are you aware that the Devil also knows you? 

3.  Are you saved?  You cannot be a servant of God unless you are a child of God.  You have no protection from Satan unless you are saved!

I am going to give you two questions that have come to our attention today –

1.  Why do you serve god?  Is it as Satan stated: for provision, position, power, wealth, health?

2.  Is there anything that could happen in your life that would result in your cursing God?

     William Carey (wife’s nervous breakdown); Goforth’s (5 children died); Elisabeth Eliot;