Job Fears God (part 1)
The story of Job is a wonderful example of why we should fear God. It begins by describing Job as a man who is "pure and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil". He had been blessed to have acquired much in the way of livestock and servants, had ten children and was considered "the greatest of all the people in the east".
Job could not have imagined the conversation that was about to take place in the heavens, nor the horrific impact it would have on his life.
Job 1:6-12 Now the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord – and Satan also arrived among them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” And Satan answered the Lord, “From roving about on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it.” So the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil.”
Then Satan answered the Lord, “Is it for nothing that Job fears God? Have you not made a hedge around him and his household and all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock have increased in the land. But extend your hand and strike everything he has, and he will no doubt curse you to your face!”
So the Lord said to Satan, “All right then, everything he has is in your power. Only do not extend your hand against the man himself!” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. (NET)
So here we see God telling Satan that there is no one like Job on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil. It is important to note that God is pleased with Job.
Satan tells God that the only reason Job fears God is because God has protected and blessed him in so many ways, but if God were to "strike everything he has", Job would curse God to His face.
Satan says: “Is it for nothing that Job fears God?"; in effect saying that Job fears God for a reason. This is true, Job knows that it is only by God's blessing that he has his wonderful children and his success. But Satan could not be more wrong in his anticipation of Job's response to the disaster that is about to come upon him.
Notice also that Satan tells God to "extend your hand and strike everything he has", suggesting that God directly bring harm to Job; yet God responds by granting Satan permission to affect Job. This helps us to understand Satan can have no influence over those who truly fear God and shun evil unless God allows it. It also confirms that God cannot be tempted by evil (in this case Satan) to do evil, as we read in James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. (NET)
We see that God is allowing Satan to bring disaster upon Job to prove Job's integrity and the depth of Job's faith to Satan and not for an evil purpose.
The Disaster:
Job 1:13-19 Now the day came when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and a messenger came to Job, saying, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing beside them, and the Sabeans swooped down and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”
While this one was still speaking, another messenger arrived and said, “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and has burned up the sheep and the servants – it has consumed them! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”
While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”
While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind swept across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!” (NET)
Wow! Did you notice that Satan planned this disaster so that it hit Job with full force all at once. In quick succession, each of the messengers arrived as soon as the previous messenger finished giving Job the bad news?
Everything Job has, all his net worth, all his resources and all his children gone, all at once. Will Satan be right, will Job curse God to His face? Lets see.
Job 1:20-22 Then Job got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head, and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed!” In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety. (NET)
Incredible!
Would our response be the same?
Check back tomorrow for part 2 of "Job Fears God", as we find out what Satan's response is and what happens next.
Till next time - may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding.
The NET Bible® is freely available at www.bible.org