“JOB” as in the Old Testament, a servant of God—not “job” as in the work we do!
INTRODUCTION
The enemy of our soul is consistently engaged in his primary activity: stealing, with the intent to destroy anything that gives us joy. That includes our family, our sustenance, and our health. This is certainly nothing new. The difference between us today and Job of the Old Testament is that we know this destruction comes from the enemy. Jesus’ tells us: “The thief comes only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, but I have come that you might have life to its fullness” (John 10:10). It seems to me that Jesus is saying whenever there is theft, murder, or destruction, we can trace it to the thief—satan. Whenever there is joy, peace, and prosperity, we can trace it to Him, Jesus Christ. Keep that in mind.
THE JOB SYNDROME
Did you know that “Job Syndrome” is actually a medical term given in 1966 to a “disease name after the biblical character Job, whose body was covered with boils by satan ?” It’s refreshing to know that the medical community got it right: Satan is the one who afflicts, destroys, and kills.
The enemy comes to destroy. Jesus comes to give life!
WHAT HAPPENED TO JOB WAS NOT JOB’S FAULT
Most church-going folks know the story of Job. He was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion. He had seven sons and three daughters—a very close family who loved being together and had the money to put on a great party. He was wealthy, and was the most influential man in the entire East. He worshiped God, prayed for his children, did all the right things, and lived the abundant life.
One day God was bragging to satan about his servant Job. He knew that satan was going to torment Job and told him he could not take Job’s life, but He said nothing about the lives of Job’s children or his livestock. (Job 1:8-9).
Then suddenly first one thing then another totally destroyed Job’s wealth and possessions. As if that wasn’t enough, before he could catch his breath from the losses, a tornado swept through the house where his children and their families were partying. While unaware of the catastrophe occurring outside, the roof fell in and killed them all.
As if it wasn’t enough for Job to lose his wealth and possessions and all ten children in one day, it wasn’t long before his health was attacked as well. He was struck with ulcers and sores from head to foot. They itched and oozed so badly that Job took a sharp piece of pottery and scraped them. They were so messy, he had to leave the house. He went and sat on an ash heap. His distraught wife blamed God immediately and told Job, “Why don’t you just curse God and die.” Job responded: “You’re talking like an empty-headed woman. We take the good days from God—why not also the bad days?” (Read Job 2, Msg).
Job lost his houses, his lands, his businesses, his family, his health, and the loving support of his wife. And he didn’t do anything to cause it. What was Job’s response to the losses? He fell to the ground and worshiped. (Read Job, Chapter 1.) Holy Spirit had not yet been sent to earth. He was truly ALONE WITH GOD.
THE PROGESSION OF JOB’S RESPONSE
Have you ever been at the point of losing everything? How did you respond? At first, Job remained strong in his faith, but eventually, the tragedy took its toll on him. The longer he suffered, the more depressed he became—to the point of having suicidal thoughts. Like David (and later Jesus), he was crying out: “My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Job 3; Psa.22; Matt, 27:46). He wondered if maybe he had brought this upon himself by crying out to God on behalf of his children—fearing they might have sinned (Job 1:5; 3:25). We know, from reading the author’s account of the story as inspired by the Holy Spirit, that this was not the case. But isn’t it true that we tend to look for something or someone to blame for the disaster. Many people believe that it was Job’s fear that brought on the disaster. However, those who have read the whole story know that it was satan. Let us not forget that satan is the one to blame.
JOB’S FRIENDS COME TO VISIT WHEN THEY HEARD ABOUT HIS PLIGHT
Job was known as a kind and caring man who spoke words of encouragement to people who were weak, falling, and wanting to give up on life (4:3-6). Thus it was only natural that his three closest friends would want to do the same thing for him. They sat silently with Job for seven days. Finally, their limited view of God got the best of them, and they felt compelled to speak.
Some of the things they said lined up with God’s counsel; other things were definitely spoken from their own minds and not from God. For example, Job’s friend Eliphaz says: “”Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” In some situations this would have been a “word of knowledge,” but we know what happened to Job was NOT the result of God disciplining him. We should never jump to conclusions nor be quick to put blame on the individual who is suffering. Most of the time, we don’t know the whole story.
We cannot judge a person’s standing with God on the basis of his life circumstances. “For [God] gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike“ (Matt. 5:45, NLT).
In fact, in the case of Job, his plight had nothing to do with judgment and everything to do with satan wanting to destroy what God cherished.
Job had no knowledge of satan’s work and thus assumed what happened was the will of God. In his heart of integrity and his love for Jehovah Jireh, the one true God, he declared: “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21)
However, in retrospect, WE know it was NOT the WILL of the Lord, but the work of satan that brought about Job’s tragedies.
Job and his friends argued back and forth about “why” this had happened to him and tried to ascertain the characteristics of God. From the end of Chapter 2, when his friends arrived, all the way through Chapter 39, there is a continuous litany of questions, complaints, and accusations from the friends toward Job and from Job toward God. In the middle of one of the speeches, with all that was within him, Job makes this famous statement, “Though he slay me, yet will I serve him (KJV), or as The Message says, “Because even if he killed me, I’d keep on hoping. I’d defend my innocence to the very end” (13:15). Even while questioning, in the depths of his heart Job had trust in God.
As the rather heated discussion continued, Job held to his conviction about Almighty God: “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and He will stand upon the earth at last; and after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see Him for myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought! (19: 25-27, Msg).
Job and his friends had neither the indwelling Holy Spirit nor the written Word of God to help them process what had happened.
HOW DID IT END?
Job repented for his babbling against God, and God forgave him. However, God was not happy with Job’s friends. He said to them: “I am angry with you … for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has” (42:7, NLT). He then commanded them to make a sacrifice for the way they had been talking and told Job to pray for them.
“When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!” Obviously some grief would remain as he didn’t get back his children, but on a lighter side, his wife must have forgiven him as they had ten more children! “Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life” (Job 42:10-17).
Some losses can never be reclaimed or restored; but often God gives us “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isa.61:3).
Although our bibles are printed to begin with the Old Testament book of Genesis, Job was actually the first book as it came before satan was cast out of heaven, before Jesus was born, crucified, died, arose, and ascended, then sent Holy Spirit back to us on earth.
We who are now privileged to live under the New Covenant, have come to understand Luke 10:19: “You have been given authority over ALL the power of the enemy and nothing by any means can hurt you” (NLT). “Now you understand that I (Jesus) have imparted to you my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will harm you as you walk in this authority” (Luke 10:19,TPT).
My dear brothers and sisters, “In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We need not doubt or panic knowing Holy Spirit is present with us every minute of every day, and the peace that is within Him is in us and will give us great confidence and joy as we trust in Him (See John 16:33 TPT).
Musings by Yvonne. Selah! 