READ: Job 1:13f
CHALLENGE: Trust God at All Times
We have all suffered loss or we will. There are certain boundary lines of understanding that help us to manage hurts. I’d like to make some basic general observations.
- God is Sovereign
Job is about to experience horrific loss. We said last week that God is sovereign and we believe that. This means that God is in control and nothing happens outside His knowledge. He determines certain things. He allows other things. He teaches us how he wants us to live. He is all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present.
Acts 17:24-27 – “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
Did you catch that? God made everything. Gives live to everyone. Made the nations. Appointed times and boundaries. He’s sovereign. He’s the ultimate boss.
- God does not tempt people to sin or cause people to sin
James 1:13-14 – When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
God does not tempt anyone to do evil. I can’t see holding any other view since this is so clearly stated. There is no shadow of turning within God meaning that there is no corruption or shadow of sin.
God is sovereign. God does not tempt others to sin. These are two boundary lines for thought.
- We believe that God is loving.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life. As we try to figure out life and understand tragedy, it’s good to keep these precepts as boundary lines for your thinking. I don’t understand everything that happens, not even close. But I do know that God cares. He knows every sparrow that falls and the numbers of hairs on your head!
- Free Will and Sin Factor into What Happens
Now, there are other factors at play in this world in addition to God. Who just left God to hurt go hurt Job’s family? It wasn’t God. God did not stop it from happening for whatever his purpose was. But that’s a far difference from God doing it himself.
Job pins the calamity on God. Clearly. The friends see it as from God. The servant who reports back sees it as coming from God. Is it reasonable to blame God for everything that happens? Especially when Satan is involved here? And God doesn’t tempt people to sin, right?
The comment that makes me cringe is, “God has a reason for everything”. So, God’s responsible for drunk driving fatalities? Murders? Rapes? Mishaps? Pilot error? Our poor decisions? He doesn’t tempt people to sin, so he couldn’t be involved.
In addition, we live in a fallen world. Why bad people do bad things has to do with our sin nature. Did Satan incite the raiders? Were they coveting? Did they get drawn away into stealing by their own desires? I reckon it can be a combination of factors. But people wouldn’t do bad things to other people if this were not a fallen world to start with.
God has sought to deal with the sin problem by sending His son to die on a cross and by forgiving us and by giving us His Spirit. Jesus did a lot to help us to escape some of the evil associated with a fallen world.
My dad died of cancer in his 50s. It ended him even though he wanted to keep living and serving. Sickness is also part of the curse so I didn’t point fingers at God. If anything, I realize that this is the world in which we live.
Add Satan into the mix and you can begin to understand some of the terrible things that we experience. We live in a busted world and if anything, we should be looking to God for the help that we need to get us through that.
A. YOU CAN’T UNDERSTAND ALL THINGS
V13 – One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house
I hope that none of us ever suffers losses like Job did. It’s unthinkable. Surreal.
- Calamity 1 – Attack of the Sabeans
Vv14-15 – a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!
A servant reports that the Sabeans came and took the oxen and donkeys and killed the servants. They left a witness alive to say what happened. There is one survivor. We don’t know how many died in the attack, but it could have been a dozen or more, easily.
Who entices the Sabeans to attack? Who brings them here? The devil is the one behind the attack so Satan can incite people and lead them to steal and kill. Satan’s hand is in this because everything is happening at the same time.
One person survived and he reaches Job to tell him the terrible news.
- Calamity 2 – Fire Fell from Heaven
V16 – While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
The servant said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens”. It burned up the sheep and the servants but one survivor was left. Whatever this fire was, fell from the heavens. Scholars suggest that it was a major lightning strike.
Who does the servant pin the calamity on? It’s fire belonging to God. And it fell from the heavens where God is in control. And it burned up sheep and servants alike. I’m the lone survivor. God did it. No, the devil did it.
What all can Satan do that mimics what God does? The magicians could replicate the works of Moses to a point. Staff to snake. Water to blood. Evil could not bring life so there was a limit.
A demon could work in a woman and tell the future. The Witch of Endor was consulted to tell the future. Satan can throw fiery darts. Clearly some havoc in the world has evil as it’s origin.
So why did they say that fire of God fell from heaven? Many statements are made in the book of Job about God that are inaccurate. God says that the friends of Job made false statements about the Lord. We can chalk this comment up to another false statement. The fire does not come from God.
It’s an unfortunate statement as Job also holds the same view. The entire rest of the book, the man is going to feel like God has a target on his back. Just because you think something does not in fact make that something true. The person is misinformed about the source of the calamity.
We need to be cautious of the words that come out of our mouths. Might as well say, “God is out to get you”. Be careful when assigning blame for calamity. Some have spoken words of judgment when they shouldn’t have.
I’ve heard it myself. God is out to judge you yet none of their judging words happened. I just said that if God wants to judge me, he can. He’s welcome to. I surrender to His will but they were wrong.
So many portend to speak for God or to blame God for things God didn’t do. If you don’t know, then be quiet. Who are we to say why things happen? And especially tragic things.
- Calamity 3 – The Raid of the Chaldeans
V17 – While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
Three raiding parties swept down and stole the camels and he’s the only one left. This is the difference between when God has a hedge around you and when he doesn’t. As soon as God’s protection is lifted disasters unfolded.
John 17:11 – I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
Jesus prayed for protection over his followers. Paul prayed for protection. The Lord’s prayer prays for protection. It’s wise to pray for a hedge about us.
God being a shield is so valuable. I know we’re not shielded from all things but certainly some things, perhaps most things. Thus that God be a hedge about us is a great prayer for us.
I love the Lord’s prayer and it says, … lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
The prayer for deliverance from evil should be a constant prayer from our lips as we live in a world far outside of our control. Lord, lead us not into temptation meaning, “Keep me out of harm’s way”.
I’ve prayed for protection over the church and against the vicious words of others. Lord, protect us. I’ve prayed for protection over my health as well. I value the blessing and the hedge that God is.
- Calamity 4 – Tragic Loss of His Children
Vv18-19 – While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
A mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are all dead. Who is controlling the wind? Who sent that wind? The devil is called the god of this age and apparently he can also control weather. He brings a wind so wicked that it knocked the house down.
You could argue coincidence but there are too many at once to ignore a super natural link in these tragedies. Something else is moving to bring all of this about on the exact same day.
I often wondered if the storm that struck the disciples and terrified them was not evil trying to stop Jesus from reaching the crazed demoniac. It’s certainly possible that there was an epic battle happening between good and evil.
I hope these things that we note draw us closer to God and not farther away. Perhaps to help us to understand what a wild world this truly is.
I’ve often wondered why the children died. I don’t know. They were part of the test and Satan was allowed. John 8 – Satan is called a murderer. But in this case, were there things that children were doing that we don’t know about? Job was concerned enough that he made offerings in case they had sinned or cursed God in their hearts. From this perspective, there may have been things we don’t know about and there’s no guarantee the children were innocent. I’ve always felt badly for them because they were taken out but I also don’t know the entire scope of the story.
I now the suddenness of death has taught me that there is a tension in life and I need to appreciate what I have. I need to realize that there are no guarantees. This should in turn cause me to head toward God rather than away from them. If we all lived 70 years exactly, we’d be turning to God at 69 and a half! The tension keeps us on our toes and reminds us how fragile life truly is.
You cannot overstate how difficult life can be to explain. I know that we love to understand all things but you cannot and I’m not going to try. I’ll content myself knowing that I cannot.
Ecclesiastes 8:17 – then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.
The epic loss of life that could stem from dozens to hundreds. There were multiple fatalities.
B. YOU’RE ALLOWED TO GRIEVE LOSS
V20 – At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship
He’s heavily impacted as he lost those he loved. The pain the man must feel at this moment is unreal. I can scarcely imagine that combination of tragedies. Your business and not just one child, he lost ten at the same time. This is tragedy at an atomic level that can scarcely be comprehended.
When Job heard this about his precious children, he tears his robe. It’s symbolic of being torn up by grief. Pain has to be expressed in some way and that’s the way they released it.
He also shaved his head completely. This was also a common sign of grief in the Gentile world. The Jewish people did not practice this, but Job’s culture did. He shaved his head. He mourned. He did the things that one would normally do in that culture to show sadness.
Today people might wear black, weep, or have a moment of silence. We have calling hours and follow certain traditions where people gather to give comfort and hopefully bear some of the great weight of the grief. We often stand around a graveside and once in a while they will play bagpipes which is one of the most somber sounds you’ll hear.
Grief is not a one size fits all proposition. Each person has an opportunity to grieve as they see fit. When he tore his clothes, no one said, “Be happy”. As he cut off his hair, no one expected him to be smiling. You’re allowed to mourn. I’ve never been one to turn funerals into pep rallies. If people are sad, they have a right to be. He just encountered the worst day of his life.
He fell to the ground in worship. This is a stunning comment, right? What is the definition of worship? We may often think of “worship” as singing praise songs on Sunday morning. This word means to lay out face down on the ground. Proverbs 12:25 uses it to indicate the heaviness in a person’s heart that weighs them down.
Is he singing? Is he praying? Is he talking? Is he listening? Worship in this moment was not about church and stained glass, it’s much simpler and free flowing than anything official. This feels more like clinging to God! Perhaps a plea if anything. God see me! Help me! Rescue me!
Why does He worship? Wouldn’t this be a time to back away from God? To give Him the cold shoulder? He worships because he believes. He worships because he needs God. Our walk with God helps us to get through difficult times in life.
Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“When a man is in despair he knows that all his thinking will never get him out, he will only get out by the sheer creative effort of God, consequently, he is in the right attitude to receive form God that which he cannot gain for himself”. Oswald Chambers
Perhaps we can think of worship as our God connection. Pain does not disconnect him from God, it’s drawing him to the LORD. You’re burying your head in God’s shoulder so to speak. You’re leaning into what you know has helped you your entire life. You’re surrendered to God’s will.
When we’re hurting or upset is this a first step? And if it would not be a first step, where are we at with God? I know that it’s the hardest times in life that make connect that the deeper level.
Ever heard of the hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour”. I need thee every hour / Most gracious Lord / No tender voice like thine / Can peace afford / I need thee oh I need thee / Every hour I need thee / Oh bless me now my savior / I come to thee
C. WE GET BY THROUGH PRAISE
V21 – and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
This is such an impactful verse. I came into the world with nothing and I’ll leave with nothing. The Lord gave and the Lord took away. May the name of the Lord be praised. I’ll praise you in the good days and I’ll praise you in the bad days. Talk about praising God in the storm.
What does the word “praise” mean? How would you define it? It’s exalting God. It’s still being grateful. It’s recalling who God is. It’s the opposite of cursing. It’s an acknowledgment of the Lord.
When it says he was praising him, that’s not just “Praise you” God. It’s not just a single word hallelujah. It has to be a linear line throughout his life as opposed to at one moment in life. It’s an attitude. It’s a way of life. It’s saying words that exalt God. Satan had to hate it absolutely to be wrong in his assessment of Job’s faith. He was hoping Job would fail but Job remained strong. And how come Job didn’t fail? He stuck with God.
Perhaps we could say that praising God is what keeps God in his proper position in our lives. It’s what keeps us level and from spiraling into some deep and hopeless pit.
What’s the life jacket? What keeps you afloat in the storm? The worship expresses the true faith. WOW. Could I ever be Job? Could I ever have this same attitude that Job has? It’s truly incredible. It’s so amazing.
I’ve encountered people who praise God no matter what and it’s inspiring.
Keep trusting realizing that this life can dish up some real horrors.