The book of Job is a very fascinating book indeed, and what it does is help answer the question, “why do bad things happen to good people?” If you have ever thought this before, then this is your book to read and study. What we learn about Job is that he loved the Lord with all his heart and also walked in His ways. He loved what was from God and hated evil. He was also very blessed before the time he was tested. So let’s open up to the beginning of this book and start reading. It is recorded, 1“there was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” (Job 1:1-5) So we learn that Job was perfect and upright in God’s eyes. Because he feared God and hated evil he also prayed for his children and performed burnt offerings to God, just in case they were found sinning and he didn’t know. He loved them so much as to pray for them and do sacrifices for their sake. This leads us to us as parents, we need to also remember our children in our prayers and pray that they will let not be led into sin.
What happens next is very interesting. It reads, 1“now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.” (Job 1:6-12) So what do we learn here? We learn that the angels are called the sons of God. That they were before the throne room of God, while Satan was also allowed in. This is where the Lord raved about his servant Job, how he is perfect, an upright man, a person that fears God, and hates evil. Therefore, he is blessed upon the land in all that he has. However, Satan didn’t believe God. He thought that if Job lost everything he has gained in life, then he would curse God. So to help Satan know that Job was true to his faith in God, God allowed Satan to try him. His trials were more than most people can bear in this life, as you will read in chapter 1 and chapters that come after this. But each time you will see how Job deals with the situations at hand and still remains faithful to God.
So Satan went forth and caused havoc upon his household, including his children. This destruction is written in detail in the next verses. It reads, 1“and there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.” (Job 1:13-19) Wow. Can you believe losing everything you’ve built up over the years in one day, including your children at the same time? Any person that would lose so much would suffer greatly. The grief that a person would bear at this moment would lead people to do some crazy things. And so we see people in life that lose half this much, and then begin hating God and also losing their faith.
This had led us to Job’s reaction to losing so much, including his children. Did he blaspheme God by cursing Him? No. Did he lose his faith in God? No. You see, Job was no ordinary man. His faith was on solid ground. So no matter what the storms of life would bring him, in either sorrow and grief or joy and happiness, his same desire was to worship and praise God. Just look at what he did next and it will amaze you. It is said that 1“Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1:20-22) Wow! This is the type of faith that is hardly seen nowadays but is so needed in the hearts of all Christians. Let’s just look again at what he did. He rent his clothes, shaved his head, and then fell down to the ground in worship to almighty God. This is incredible. Then he said something astonishing that all people should think of also when we lose so much as well. Again, he said, and I quote, 1“naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21) Isn’t this so encouraging to read? It sure is for me. He knew exactly what mattered in life. That everything we have in life will one day vanish in death. The Lord gives us good things and also takes them away. We may not always understand why, but still, we don’t let what happened to us deter our faith as Satan would want us to. He was hoping that losing so much would cause Job to lose his faith and curse God, but instead, he praised God. So learn to be like Job and pray when times are hard. Praise the Lord for all you had and where he can take you now in life.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I give You thanks for my life, my wife’s, and my two daughters. Thank You for my house and all that we possess. It all comes from Your hand. If I have anything good, it is because You supply it. Thank You for watching over me and for leading me in the ways that are righteous. I know that I would never be the person I am today unless You were leading me. So I give You glory and praise. Thank You for saving a wretch like me. Thank You for having mercy for my soul, though I had lived such a wayward life. You saw potential in me, that I might have favor in Your sight. All I desire is to live for You now. My mind has been changed and conformed to Your will and I can see clearly now. Your joy remains no matter the hardships I face in life. Only things temporary that are of the flesh do leave us over time. Even our family, who we love and keep dear to our hearts, do grow old and die. Sometimes it is when people are young and ripe in their years of schooling and raising their children. Lord, I don’t know why bad things happen to good people, but I know that You do. So I will continue to leave all my trials in Your hands. All I ask of You God is to lead me out of these hardships. I don’t know why I am afflicted so much, but I know that You are capable of leading me and my family to greener pastures. We don’t have to suffer in this life alone, for You are always there for us. Lord, I pray that You will always be near me when I pray and even when seek You during the day. Lead me and guide me in this darkened world. I wish to always have direction and be led on Your path of righteousness. May I be counted worthy in Your sight and live a life that is pleasing to You and not the world. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
