Cipher 20. The Introduction of Job (Job 1:1-7)
1. WHO? (1:1) A man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job.
2. WHY selected? (1:1) That man was perfect and upright.
3. HOW was Job perfect? (1:1) One that feared God, and turned away from evil.
4. WHAT numbers? (1:2-3) Born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses,
5. WHEN did Job honor God? (1:4) 7 times a year 7 burnt offerings early in the morning (77)
6. WHERE worshipped? (1:4) In the house of each one (7 sons) upon his day.
7. WHICH path Job? (1:5) Job honored God continually.
WHICH path evil? (1:6-7) Satan going to and fro in earth and walking up and down in it.
Commentary: Research shows one of the most common questions asked about the story of Job is, “Why would God allow bad things to happen to a good person?” Not only was Job a good person; he was perfect. He continually performed seven burnt offerings annually like the seven annual sacred occasions of Judaism. Job even formed the perfect double-seven numbered cross like the generations of Noah, Abraham and Joseph. It seems in return Job expected protection from a fair and loving God. Job did not understand that he was being tested by God–a test that reveals Job’s two critical flaws. Job also had a big problem in darkness. Without vision he could not SEE God, or his own cross he formed with four double sevens, or the cross of Elihu.