A lesson for our changing times
Job's Trials and Ultimate Victory
"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil." (Job 1:1)
The wisdom and integrity of Job amazes me! Faithful to our Lord and true to His Word, he was highly respected in the land of Oz (eastern Arabia) near the banks of the river Euphrates. A wise and kind man with a large family and huge flocks of sheep and camels, he served God and taught his family to follow His ways.
But suddenly and inexplicably his life changed, and Job crossed the threshold from success to utter disaster. His wealth, health, fame and honor were about to crumple, and his only refuge was his beloved Lord.
But on that devastating day that transformed his life, e
ven God seemed to have distanced himself from this faithful but bewildered servant. Disaster followed disaster, and the most heartbreaking calamity was the death of his ten precious children. They were suddenly struck and killed by "a great wind . . . from across the wilderness."Yet, in the midst of the confusion and despair, Job stood firm in his faith.
The
real culprit in this story is Satan, and his name was probably no more familiar to
most people Oz than it is today. In fact, some of our readers may question the
reality of Satan (i.e. the devil). Yet, through the ages, He has proven his
might as well as his cruelty.
N
Now as then, Job illustrates the dilemma of an innocent man who
loses everything, yet continues to trusts God! His friends turned against
him, his wife mocked him, and his physical torment seemed unbearable. Job himself longed for death.
But during his time of pain and suffering, Job never denied God or
blamed Him for his agony. And at the end of his excruciating experience, Job
once again proves to be a wise and kind leader who treasures his family
and cares for his servants and friends.
The First Test
"Satan has been allowed to
attack Job's possessions; now his power is increased and he is free
to attack Job's personal inheritance directly. When a man is hit by
undeserved destruction, the immediate result is a slander against
God: 'Why does God allow this thing to happen.
Ponder his dilemma:
"There was a man of in the
land of Uz, whose name was Job, and that man was blameless, upright,
fearing God, and turning away from evil. And seven sons and
three daughters were born to Him. His possessions also were 7,000
sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys. . . ."
[Job 1:1-3]
Now there was a
day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in
their oldest brother’s house; and a messenger came to Job and said,
'The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the
servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to
tell you!”
While he was still
speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from
heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them;
and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
While he was still
speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three
bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the
servants. . . .”
While he was still
speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were
eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and
suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the
four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they
are dead. . . .”
Then Job arose,
tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and
worshiped. And he said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, that the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord."
In all this Job did
not sin nor charge God with wrong." [Job 1:13-22]
...the only things that will bring
relief are the consolations of Christ. . . ."
[Oswald
Chambers, p. 740-741]
But Job's so-called "friends" did indeed charge Job with wrongdoing -- both for the initial deaths and for the horrendous pain and struggles that followed. They simply couldn't understand why God would allow such suffering if Job was actually guiltless. So Job responded with an honest answer:
"Miserable comforters
are you all! ...
I also could speak as you do,
if your soul were in my soul’s place. ...but I would
strengthen you with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips would
relieve your grief. "
(Job 16:2,
4, 5)
Job's response to his disloyal friends was a verification of his faith and endurance. In the midst of the pain and horror, he steadfastly refused to blame God. Instead he honored Him to the end:
". . . I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth;
Even after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:23-26)
Amazing! How would you and I have handled even a tiny portion of the cruelties aimed at Job?
The Second Test
"Job feels that in spite of all that is happening, God's integrity remains, and his own integrity. ... The friends have accused Job of being a hypocrite, but just at this very time Job gives expression to the most sublime utterance of faith in the whole Old Testament: 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."
[Oswald Chambers, p. 758]
Satan was the master mind behind these agonizing losses. And now, once again, he would prove his might through devastating cruelties against God's faithful servant.
His aim was to crush Job's faith and loyalty by inflicting unthinkable pain and agony."Then the Lord said to Satan. 'Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him. . . ."
"So Satan answered the Lord and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a many has he will give for his life. But stretch our Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to your face!'
And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.
" (Job 2:6)Such a permission from God may seem totally irrational to compassionate Christians today. Why would our Lord allow His enemy to inflict such pain on a suffering believer? Why burden Job with a new set of horrors? It doesn't make sense!
Or does it? After all, we do know that God had a special purpose for Job -- one that will surely make sense by the end of this terrible trial.
Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips."Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And [Job] took for himself a potsherd [a broken pottery fragment] with which to scratch himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes.'
"Then his wife said to him, 'Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!' But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women speaks.
"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity.... each one came from his own place -- Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him....
"And when they lifted up their eyes at a distance, and did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept. And each of them tore his robe, and they threw dust over the heads toward the sky. Then they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great." (Job 2:7-13)
Job never saw his real tormentor. He didn't know why he was struck by evil and tortured by Satan. Nor would we understand the horrors of such a spiritual war. After all, the reality of Satan is anything but clear to most Christians in today's culture. We rarely mention his name, and few would consider the devil a threat to life and happiness. After all, he is rarely visible or audible to his suffering victims.
It would make sense to Job's friends if this tortured "victim" had simply confessed his supposed sins. But according to God own view, Job didn't sin. Nor did he understand what was happening. He didn't realize the power behind the evil forces wielded by Satan. He was troubled and perplexed but never never deceived by the evil one. Instead, he trusted God absolutely -- even when the enemy seemed to take full control!
No wonder he longed for the old days:
"Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me;
When His lamp shone upon my head, and when by His light I walked through darkness...
When the friendly counsel of God was over my tent; when the Almighty was yet with me,
When my children were round about me. . . ." (Job 29:3-5)
"When I went out to the gate... when I took my seat in the open square...
The aged arose and stood; the princes refrained from talking....
I was eyes to the blind, and I was feet to the lame." (Job 29:7-16)
"And now I am their taunting son; yes I am their byword. They abhor me, the keep far from me;
They do not hesitate to spit in my face. . . ." (Job 30:9-10)
The Third Test
"A certain type
of religious hypocrisy makes men hide what they feel, but Job has
come to the place where he cannot hide it -- 'I cannot pretend I am
comforted of God," he says. If only Job could have taken on the pose
that he had the comfort of God, his friends would not have
challenged him, but he says, I have no comfort; I do not see God,
neither can I talk to Him. ...but I am certain that God will prove
that He is just and true and right." (Oswald Chambers, p. 764)
Did Job become a victim of his own
integrity? Though faced with rejection, disaster, criticism and excruciating pain,
no one stood by him. He was totally alone in the spiritual darkness
sustained by Satan -- with
God's permission.
God didn't explain why He had allowed such
horrendous suffering -- both physically and mentally -- in the life of
his bewildered servant. Nor does He owe us such explanations in our
struggles
When Job's three miserable friends had listed their complaints, Elihu appeared with this cruel judgment:
"Job has said, 'I am righteous, but God has taken away my justice; should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.
"What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water, who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men. For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he would delight in God.'. . .
"Job speaks without knowledge, His words are without wisdom. Oh that Job were tried to the utmost, because his answer are like those of wicked men. For he adds rebellion to his sin . ... and multiplies his words against God." (p. 787-788)
Finally the Lord turns to the suffering Job and tests him with these words: "Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?" Job answers:
"Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer you? I lay my hand over my mouth. . . ." (p. 797)
"I know that You can do everything and that no purpose of yours can be withheld from You. You asked, 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. I have heard of you by the hearing of ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes." [p. 799-800]
Then the Lord turns to Eliphaz and rebukes him:
"My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has . . . So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord commanded them; for the Lord had accepted Job. And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
"Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who have been his acquaintances before came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him. He also has seven sons and three daughters .
"After this Job lived one hundred and forty years and saw his children and grandchildren of four generation. So Job died, old and full of days."
The time of pain, tests and confusion had ended, and God brought the victory. Job's integrity in the midst of the public hostility was central to God's triumphant message.
Will we take time to hear His Word and follow His way each day? Will we trust Him - even if all the paths before us point to pain and trouble? Job did! passed the tests and won the victory!
That question troubled Job through most of his dialogue with God Almighty. But in the end, God pronounced him true and righteous! The tests and trials were excruciating, but Job passed the test and won the victory!
Will we do the same?
Job 3:1-4:21 Romans 8:6-8
Will you trust Me if every visible sign suggests death and disaster? Will you trust Me if all the paths before you point to pain and trouble? That question tormented Job through most of his dialogue with God Almighty. But in the end, God pronounced him true and righteous! The trial were excruciating, but Job passed the test and won the victory!
"Job: Quick summary. Was rich beyond his peers. Had integrity and loved and trusted God. All seems well as he raised his children. Protected from danger. But God turned it all around . Job's life seemed to crumble. One disaster after another led to despari and destruction. ....
His precious children were killed, only he (and his wife) survived. Why? Why would God let his faith be so severely tested?
Are we approaching the prophesied end times? It makes some sense when we consider the rapid changes and the devastating persecution in many parts of the world. We don't understand it. ....
But His timing differs from ours! We are impatient and seek rapid answers and quick fixes. God is patient and His time schedule rarely matches ours.
No longer local wars. Now global wars. Times of testing. Global weapons and mass killing.
Hard to see how we can turn back and repair what is broken. Yet one thing is certain. His is the ultimate victory!
Today's social decay is all around us. Hatred for God and His people is spreading. And the masses are taking a stand: reject God's truth and pursue a supposed new freedom. World is changing fast.
One generation away.... School officials are banning the Word of God and the name of Jesus. No freedom of expression for Christians.
We know God has allowed Satan to test and try his faith and persistence.. Job 17 despair.
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How often do we face such confusion and pain?
God didn't explain why He had allowed such horrendous suffering -- both physically and mentally -- in the life of his bewildered servant. In fact, he doesn't owe us an explanation. Yet -- when the time of pain and confusion ended -- He did show Job the victory behind the truth and the suffering. The horrendous [ordeal) pain and loss had served its purpose. Job's integrity in the midst of the confusion was God's example.
What do we learn from Job's heartbreaking trials? How would you and I respond to such a challenge? (The reality of God's love and justice?)
For most people, life is hard. Today's world - as in Job's time - Life is hard. And for Job, it became excruciating. But the test didn't last forever.
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We don't know exactly why God tested Job as He did. Nor do we understand why we face loss, disease, rejection and unthinkable difficulties.
But God has a purpose for each of His "children" and the difficulties are part of that purpose. Today, those difficulties might be preparations for the challenging times ahead. Obviously America is changing, and the faith and kindness that has been one of its trademarks, is now fading away.
"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity.... each one came from his own place -- Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and
He apparently grew up in Arabia, near the river Euphrates. A wise and kind man with a large family and huge flocks of sheep and camels, he served God and faithfully taught his family to follow His ways. In fact, he puts most American "Christians" to shame. His model of trust and obedience toward God and man is rarely seen today.
As I ponder his life, I have to admit that our Christian culture tends to be both weak and self-centered compared to Job and his family.
Scholars believe that Job (Ezekiel 14:14) tuned lived in the times of Noah,...
Ancient Genesis 22:11-14 before Moses.
Patience of Job: suffering patience, and
Many are the afflictions of the Righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them. ...
Today, he serves as a faithful kind and wise model for us America. Live back (before Moses) Satan to torment innocent Job
"God didn't explain why He had allowed such horrendous suffering -- both physically and mentally -- in the life of his bewildered servant. In fact, he doesn't owe us an explanation. Yet -- when the time of pain and confusion ended -- He did show Job the victory behind the truth and the suffering. ... Job's integrity in the midst of the confusion was God's example." [Oswald Chambers]