The Bible describes Job as mature, upright, a man who feared God, and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters with hundreds and thousands of livestock. Apparently, the children got along well as siblings, so they feasted together. That they would walk uprightly, Job continually prayed for his children. When we allow ourselves an overview of the book of Job, there are reflections that can teach us in our walk today with Christ.
God is fully aware of each of us and how we live our lives. Likewise, Satan is fully aware of each of us and our weakest point for temptations. Satan can do nothing against us without God’s permission. That does not mean that God wants us to have temptations or problems. The positive side is that God monitors Satan to be sure we could handle what Satan throws at us.
Job had a right view of his wealth, not allowing it to be the center of his attention or concern. This is opposite of the rich man in the New Testament who asked how to be saved and turned away when Jesus told him he had to surrender his wealth. Jesus was not criticizing his wealth. He was testing him if he had a right balance about wealth in his life.
Job avoided blaming God for the tragedy when his children were killed. He trusted God that they were in “a better place.” He mourned the loss of his children noting the treasury they were to him. This remarkable stance that he took was without sinning against God.
All was not lost even when God allowed Satan to take his health. He must’ve been totally miserable with the seepage of sores all over his body. Can we trust God enough today to have these kinds of tragedies and still be faithful to him?
The one person that we would expect to support Job turned on him. She gave him bad advice by saying that he should curse God and die. This was intended as a challenge to his integrity. The spiritual common sense of Job is evident when he replied to his wife, “shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” Bad things happen to good people.
It was the intent of three friends to sit with Job as comfort, but instead they offered nonsensical and philosophical responses that required him to be seen as a bad person. Much of the rest of the book is taken up by these artificial comforters. Beware of the persons that you listen to. They may have good intentions but their pseudo-support will only be to make them feel better about themselves at your expense.
Part of Job’s strength came from his right view of God. His response to the comforters was a focus on God’s omnipotence and love. He was fully aware that God did not cause his problems. When we find ourselves in a difficult situation, we must remember that God is the solution and not the problem. He was justified in asking God why all these things came upon him, yet he did not challenge God or rebuke him. It’s quite the opposite. He declared faith of being in God’s hands for the afterlife.
While rebuking his comforters, he said, “My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.” Sometimes we may feel like we have to stand alone. Maybe what is best for us. Remember that God is always in charge and we still have a bright future because of him. Job said the same thing people today ask, “What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray to him?”
The debate continued for many chapters in this book. Job revealed the depth of his misery and the complaints that accompanied it. Beginning with chapter 38 God finally answered Job. God challenged Job by saying, “gird up now your loins, like a man.” He reminded Job of his ultimate power and authority. The man Job in response assessed himself as vile to the declaration for the need of repentance.
We are not guaranteed to receive the double blessing the Job was granted. We are guaranteed that God will walk with us through the worst of all troubles. Through the deepest of trials. Through the lonely sadness of abandonment. Jesus promised that he would never leave us or forsake us. That was true of Job and that is true of us today. We are granted the final view of Job as God double blessed him so that he had more than he had before. I find it interesting that Job gained more children. I also found it interesting that the wife of Job is not mentioned at the end of his story. God’s blessings for Job and for us is that our end will always be better than our beginning.
Christian Writer 