In the remaining chapters of Esther another feast is recorded. This feast could be called the feast of remembering. Once Haman was out of the way, peace reigned in the palace. Mordecai was given the authority once held by Haman, and now everyone knew Esther was a Jewish woman.
The feast of Purim is instituted in chapter 9, and in chapter 10 the continual greatness of Xerxes and the power of Mordecai are recounted. Mordecai's fame went forth throughout all the provinces. He had been faithful over a few things and God magnified not only his name, but his position.
We now begin a study of the Book of Job. Most Bible readers tend to avoid this book, with the exception, perhaps, of the first two chapters and the last chapter. These chapters are quite dramatic, but the rest of the book appears to be a collection of long speeches, and the conversation never seems to get any place. However, a careful reading of the Book of Job will reveal to us that it is very modern in its language and its message deals with the problems believers have faced since the beginning of time.
As we study this book we need to keep the following facts in mind. First, this is an Oriental book, filled with the thoughts and expressions of eastern people. Second, it is a poetical book, except for chapters 1, 2, and 42:7-12; and Hebrew poetry is not at all like our poetry. Third, this book wrestles with a difficult problem--why God permits the righteous to suffer. These three characteristics may make this book difficult to read and interpret. But it should not be ignored.
Job was not a fictional character. He was a real man in history. He was a godly man, very wealthy, and had a sincere concern for the needs of others.
In today's reading we see Job's distress. The land of Uz was probably in what we would know today as Arabia. The greatest man in all the east lived there; his name was Job. In chapter 1:1-5 we see his prosperity. He was a very rich man--in character, family, and possessions. In verses 6-11 we see Satan's first accusation and attack against him, and his second attack is recorded in chapter 2:1-13. The important thing for us to remember in these attacks is that Job never lost faith in God. No matter how severe the attack from Satan, Job's faith remained unwavering.
