January 3, 2011
Job. An honest, upright man. He honored God; did what he knew to be right; and stayed away from evil. Yet he suffered incredible pain and loss.
Two different times (Job 1:6 and Job 2:1), the angels came to show themselves before the LORD. Satan showed up both times. He had no business being there, I'm sure it was just so he could be in God's face as an affront. God asked him where he came from (as if He didn't already know) and Satan replies that he has been roaming the earth. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, Satan thought he was the "winner" in the "contest" between him and God. And, for a time he has been allowed to be in control of the earth. The key words here are allowed and for a time.
God asks Satan, "Have you seen my servant Job?" Satan of course thinks Job is only righteous because everything has went well in his life... let him be confronted with trouble and then see if he remains righteous. So, God allowed Satan to test Job. God's only restriction was that Satan not touch Job himself.
The attacks were severe and relentless. First Job is told that his oxen (five hundred teams), and his donkeys (five hundred female), were attacked and carried away. The servants with them were all killed except the servant who carried the message to Job. While the messenger was still talking another one came to report that the sheep (seven thousand), had all been destroyed by "lightning from God" and the servants with them killed except for the messenger. While he was speaking another servant arrived and reported that Job's camels (three thousand), had been stolen and the servants with them killed and he was the only one left. While he was still speaking another messenger arrived and said ALL of Job's sons and daughters were killed when a storm came out of the desert.
Attacks. Relentless. Extreme. Everything Job owned—gone. His children—gone. And, what did Job do? He got up, shaved his head, tore his clothes to show how sad he was, and THEN he bowed down to the ground to worship God!!
Job. An honest, upright man. He honored God; did what he knew to be right; and stayed away from evil. Yet he suffered incredible pain and loss.
Two different times (Job 1:6 and Job 2:1), the angels came to show themselves before the LORD. Satan showed up both times. He had no business being there, I'm sure it was just so he could be in God's face as an affront. God asked him where he came from (as if He didn't already know) and Satan replies that he has been roaming the earth. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, Satan thought he was the "winner" in the "contest" between him and God. And, for a time he has been allowed to be in control of the earth. The key words here are allowed and for a time.
God asks Satan, "Have you seen my servant Job?" Satan of course thinks Job is only righteous because everything has went well in his life... let him be confronted with trouble and then see if he remains righteous. So, God allowed Satan to test Job. God's only restriction was that Satan not touch Job himself.
The attacks were severe and relentless. First Job is told that his oxen (five hundred teams), and his donkeys (five hundred female), were attacked and carried away. The servants with them were all killed except the servant who carried the message to Job. While the messenger was still talking another one came to report that the sheep (seven thousand), had all been destroyed by "lightning from God" and the servants with them killed except for the messenger. While he was speaking another servant arrived and reported that Job's camels (three thousand), had been stolen and the servants with them killed and he was the only one left. While he was still speaking another messenger arrived and said ALL of Job's sons and daughters were killed when a storm came out of the desert.
Attacks. Relentless. Extreme. Everything Job owned—gone. His children—gone. And, what did Job do? He got up, shaved his head, tore his clothes to show how sad he was, and THEN he bowed down to the ground to worship God!!
"I was naked when I was born, and I will be naked when I die. The LORD gave these things to me, and he has taken them away. Praise the name of the LORD."
"In all this Job did not sin or blame God."
Addendum: 11/27/14 ~ "Satan does things "to" you. God allows things "for" you." (A quote I once read on a church sign and wrote in the margins of my Bible.)
Next Entry: Job 1:1 – 2:13 (Continued)
Addendum: 11/27/14 ~ "Satan does things "to" you. God allows things "for" you." (A quote I once read on a church sign and wrote in the margins of my Bible.)
Next Entry: Job 1:1 – 2:13 (Continued)
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