I Was at Ease

Job 16:11-14

INTRODUCTION: Much attention has been given to the troubles and reactions of Job. After all, there is no doubt that he suffered as few others have suffered. However, I want to focus this morning on the cause, or at least the cause according to Job, for these times of testing.

I. JOB’S LIFE (Job 1:1-5)

A. His Character (Job 1:1)

1. He was perfect and upright.
2. He feared God.
3. He eschewed evil.

B. His Family (Job 1:2)

1. Seven sons
2. Three daughters

C. His Substance (Job 1:3)

1. The numbers
a. 7,000 sheep
b. 3,000 camels
c. 500 yoke of oxen
d. 500 she asses
2. The comparison—“the greatest of all the men of the east”

D. His Concerns (Job 1:4-5)

1. The feasting of his sons and daughters (Job 1:4)
2. The sacrifices of a concerned father (Job 1:5)

II. JOB’S TRIALS (Job 1:6-22; Job 2:1-10)

A. The Attack on His Substance (Job 1:6-22)

1. Satan’s wanderings (Job 1:6-12)
2. Job’s troubles (Job 1:13-19)
a. The oxen and asses were taken and the servants slain (Job 1:13-15).
b. Sheep and servants were consumed in fire (Job 1:16).
c. The camels were carried away and servants were slain (Job 1:17).
d. The house fell upon his children and killed them all (Job 1:18-19).
3. Job’s response (Job 1:20-22)

B. The Attack on His Health (Job 2:1-10)

1. Satan’s wanderings (Job 2:1-6)
2. Job’s troubles (Job 2:7-10)
a. Boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown (Job 2:7)
b. Scraping himself (Job 2:8)
c. Troubles with his wife (Job 2:9-10)

III. JOB’S FRIENDS (Job 2:11-13)

A. Their Purpose (Job 2:11)

B. Their Surprise (Job 2:12)

C. Their Silence (Job 2:13)

IV. JOB’S CORRESPONDENCE

A. The Silence Broken (Job 3:1)

B. The Survey of Correspondence

1. Job (Job 3:1-26; Job 6:1-30; Job 7:1-21; Job 9:1-35; Job 10:1-22; Job 12:1-25; Job 13:1-28; Job 14:1-22; Job 16:1-22; Job 17:1-16; Job 19:1-29; Job 21:1-34; Job 23:1-17; Job 24:1-25; Job 26:1-14; Job 27:1-23; Job 28:1-28; Job 29:1-25; Job 30:1-31; Job 31:1-40)
2. Eliphaz (Job 4:1-21; Job 5:1-27; Job 15:1-35; Job 22:1-30)
3. Bildad (Job 8:1-22; Job 18:1-21; Job 25:1-6)
4. Zophar (Job 11:1-20; Job 20:1-29)

C. Elihu’s Introduction (Job 32:1-22; Job 33:1-33; Job 34:1-37; Job 35:1-16; Job 36:1-33; Job 37:1-24)

D. The Lord’s Answer (Job 38:1-41; Job 39:1-30; Job 40:1-24; Job 41:1-34; Job 42:1-17)

V. JOB’S UNDERSTANDING (Job 16:11-14)

A. The Origin of Job’s Troubles (Job 16:11)

B. The Explanation of Job’s Troubles (Job 16:11-14)

C. The Cause of Job’s Troubles—“I was at ease” (Job 16:12)

CONCLUSION: In the midst of normal everyday life, we often find ourselves at ease. When we are at ease, our hearts tend to stray from the Lord and we grow increasingly critical (Psalm 123:4). At such times, the Lord stirs our nest to renew our fellowship with Him.