SERIES O --- RETURN TO THE LAND --- LESSON 22

JOB’S TROUBLES

From Job 1

There once lived in the land of Uz a good and upright man of YHVH named Job, a man who worshiped YHVH and turned away from evil. Job had seven sons and three daughters and was very rich. He had many servants and great possessions -- seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys. Job was so wealthy that he was considered one of the greatest men in all the east. Each of Job’s sons held a feast on his birthday and invited his brothers and three sisters to eat and drink with him at his home. Sometimes the eating and drinking would go on for days. But when it ended, Job would call his children together and consecrate them, rising early in the morning to offer a burnt offering for each of them. [Perhaps they may have sinned and offended YHVH in their hearts,] Job would say. He made a practice of doing this after each birthday feast. Now it happened that on a certain day the sons of YHVH came to present themselves before Adonai, and Satan also came. [Where have you been?] Adonai asked Satan. [Roaming about the earth,] he answered. [I have been going here and there and everywhere.] [Have you noticed My servant, Job?] Adonai asked. [He is such an outstanding man, he never does anything wrong, and he always worships Me.] [You’ve given him everything,] said Satan. [Why shouldn’t he worship You? You’ve built a hedge around his house to protect him from the world and given him all that he needs. Take these things away from him, and then he will surely curse You.] [I will put him into your power,] Adonai told Satan. [You may do anything you like with his possessions, but you must not hurt him personally.] Not long after that one of Job’s sons had a feast at his home with his brothers and sisters. At the same time a messenger suddenly rushed to Job with news of tragedy. [We were ploughing with the oxen, and donkeys were feeding nearby when the Sabeans attacked,] he said. [They have taken everything and killed all your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you the news.] While this servant was still talking, another ran up to Job. [The fire of YHVH fell from heaven and burned up your sheep and shepherds,] he said. [I am the only one who escaped to tell you about it.] While this servant was still speaking, a third messenger came running to Job. [The Chaldeans formed three bands and attacked us,] he said. [They have stolen your camels and killed your servants with the sword. I am the only one who escaped to tell you the news.] This servant was still talking when a fourth messenger came to Job. [Your children were all at their oldest brother’s house, eating and drinking wine together. But a great wind swept across the wilderness and destroyed the house, making it crumble upon them and killing them. I am the only one who escaped to tell you the news.] When he heard these reports, Job arose and tore his clothes to show his sorrow. Then he shaved his head and fell on the ground before Adonai.

[I came into this world naked,
And naked I shall leave it.
Adonai gave, and Adonai has taken away.
Blessed be the Name of Adonai.]

Through all this tragedy, Job would not sin against Adonai or blame Him foolishly.

COMMENTARY

ANCIENT FEASTS

Feasts were very much a way of life in the ancient world. The Egyptians not only had frequent celebrations throughout the land, the wealthy among them also held large banquets for purely social reasons. All important events were celebrated -- food and drink were present in abundance even at funerals. But most feasts in the ancient world were meant to mark more serious matters: agricultural seasons and the seasons of the year, and religious events. The Sumerians in Mesopotamia held regular monthly feasts on the day of the new moon, and on the seventh, fifteenth and last day of the month. They had numerous feasts throughout the year, some of which lasted for several days. The Hittites had an exceptionally large number and variety of festivals -- at least eighteen. They ranged from a celebration of the seasons of the year to feasts in honour of certain plants. Religion and sacrifice played an important role in all of the feasts. Hymns and prayers accompanied offerings meant to make peace with the gods who controlled the earth’s fertility and the people’s lives. Everything from animals and humans, to food and clothes was sacrificed.