Job 1-2

Read: Job 1-2

Verses chosen for meditation: Job 1:8-11

8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 

Reflect

The main idea of the book of Job is that God is sovereign and we as mortals, can trust in His Name even through the most difficult of circumstances. This is even so when we know that God has a part to play in our suffering. Such theology is difficult to bear. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do I have to suffer when I didn't do anything wrong to trigger that kind of suffering?

We might not understand why God pointed out Job as a challenge to Satan; perhaps knowing full well that Satan would be triggered to devise some wicked schemes. Did God treat Job as a pawn to show Satan that ultimately, He will have the victory? Probably not. 

While it was implicit, it seems that Satan came into the courts of God with a challenge in mind. When God asked Satan "from where have you come?" Satan replied: "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." Satan was telling the Creator of the world, that he was free and powerful to roam and see all things.

So it was probable, that God had wanted to put Satan in his place, not through the suffering of Job; but rather through the grace and faith of God in His chosen. God knew what He was doing. The interesting thing about the conversation between God and Satan was Satan's perspective of man. Satan was saying that Job was obedient because God had protected and blessed him. Take all these away, and see if Job would still be as faithful.

Relate

Sure, Satan had bad intentions. However, his perspective of man is not very wrong either. When we are blessed, we can tell the whole world how good God is. When we suffer, that is where our faith is truly tested. The interesting thing is that Satan knows this weakness of man very well. And he will exploit that kind of weakness for his evil. When we suffer, Satan will seek to cast doubts on the believers, in order that we abandon the faith. 

Hence, we learn from Job. Job knew that the many tragedies befell upon him were allowed by God. Yet, he trusted that God knew what He was doing. At certain points, he did question God but was quickly subservient when God questioned him back. He did not give in to what Satan wanted. In the end, God blessed him double from what he lost. 

The point is not that we bear through suffering to have double the reward. Though it is biblical true that when we remain faithful through it all on earth, our reward shall be heavenward. 

The point is that through Job and God's treatment of the human issue of suffering; we came to understand that sometimes, there is simply no well defined answers or solutions. 

The only way is to trust in the goodness and sovereignty of the One who knew what pain and suffering is. The only way is to lean on God even more to gain strength and persevere. For the Father had sent the Son to die. Even on the Cross. And in the end, for all who believe in the grace of Christ, all will be well with our soul for we shall finally meet God face to face. 

Rest

Lord my God. Thank you for the book of Job. Thank you for highlighting to us, a mortal who through your grace, was able to live the faithful life; no matter what Satan threw at him. For this, I am grateful and inspired. For now we have Christ forevermore. Amen. 

Jason