Living for God when life is an enigma

The Message of Job

Trusting God when life is an enigma

Faith is the key to Christian experience: God has everything for faith – He has nothing for unbelief. The Psalmist said: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.   It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes” (Ps.118.vv 8,9). God’s message to us all is : TRUST ME. But if trust in God is the key, then that is what will be attacked by Satan.

Chapters 1 & 2 provide the introduction to the book.

The scene in heaven shows YHWH the sovereign God in total control – but also in attendance is Satan, the Slanderer; while on earth we have Job the servant of God. He is blameless and upright, with 7 sons and 3 daughters. He owns 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys and many servants. He is the greatest man among those of the east. His piety is demonstrated in that he fulfils with integrity and diligence the office of priest for his family.

First Movement: God intervenes in Job’s life

It is at the initiative of God. He speaks to Satan: “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:8).  (What delight God takes in those who trust Him).

Satan slanders – not the worst in the land but the best. He does not accuse an act but a motive. He says, it pays Job to be faithful. He does well out of it (in other words he is mercenary).

There are three occasions in Scripture where the words of Satan are recorded:

In Genesis - Satan slanders God to man (Testing of Eve): “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” (Gen. 3:1)

In Job - Satan slanders man to God (Testing of Job): “Does Job fear God for nothing?” (Job 1:9)

In Gospels - Satan slanders the God/Man (Testing of Jesus “If You are the Son of God …” (Matt. 4:3)

Satan the slanderer seeks to separate God and man (He succeeds in Genesis but fails with Job). This policy of slandering God’s people is one of his most successful ploys. He wants us to speak mischievously of each other.

“A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.” (Prov. 16:28)

By this he can split churches, break up teams of Christian workers who share a ministry, separate families, etc. His design is to divide and conquer.

Of Job Satan said “But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face” (Job 1:11).

This God permits: But why? – The conundrum that is the permissive will of God – this is debated for the rest of the book.

Satan is delighted - How quickly he acts, killing his sons and daughters and removing his possessions. Yet Job worships – He doesn’t know the scene in heaven but he worships: In all this Job did not sin.

This is living for God when life is an enigma.

Second Movement

Again it is at the initiative of God: “The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause”” (Job 2:3).

Satan responds: “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life” (Job 2:4).  Again God permits “So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life”” (Job 2:6). Satan is delighted: “Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job 2:7).

Yet Job does not sins: “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).

Notice the repeated pattern.

1.                 God initiates.

2.       Satan slanders.

3.       God permits.

4.                 Satan is delighted and persecutes Job.

5.       Yet Job does not sin

This is living for God when life is an enigma.

 

More next time.