As the book of Job begins, we find the man to be extremely blessed by God. He had ten children, and was very rich by the standards of the day. It is said that he was “the greatest of all the people of the East” (1:3). More importantly, he was a man of good character: “that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (1:1).
But, all of this was taken away by the devil. It is interesting that so many have a problem with what happened to Job. They do not have a particular problem with Satan’s work, as they expect such from the adversary. Their problem is with the fact that God allowed it! “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person” (1:12). “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life” (2:6).
What happened to Job happens to all manner of men. The only difference is the behind-the-scenes view that we have of God’s conversation with Satan. It makes us uncomfortable to know that God allowed Satan’s efforts. And, we take issue with what we perceive to be God allowing Himself to be manipulated. Or that God’s ego caused him to use Job to establish His own dominance. Isn’t it interesting how quickly men can take our own motivations and character flaws, and attribute them to the Almighty?
Contrary to modern day advocates of the gospel of health and wealth, being faithful to Him does not guarantee an easy and prosperous life. There is an interesting statement in Hebrews 11 concerning those who have been diligent in their expressions of faith. The writer states that some of them “subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promised, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,” etc. Even to the point that “women received their dead raised to life again” (Hebrews 11:33-35). But, other equally faithful followers of God, “were tortured… had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. The wandered about, in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented” (Hebrews 11:35-37).
What did they have in common? “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews 11:39-40). Life here on earth is a mixed bag, and we have never been promised anything different. Sometimes the righteous suffer, and sometimes they prosper. Equal treatment is not promised on earth, but it is promised in eternity, where all accounts will be settled. That is why we are told, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). All we are promised with certainty is that faith, fear, and obedience to God will grant us eternal life in heaven.
But consider a few thoughts about the conversations between God and Satan regarding Job, seen in the first two chapters of the book. First, God is ultimately in control. He alone is Divine. While Satan is a formidable adversary of man (1 Peter 5:8), he is no match for God. The fact that he limited what Satan could do to Job gives us great comfort. Remember Paul’s words, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Second, God was not manipulated by Satan. God is the one who initiated the conversation. It was Satan who was taught a lesson, both regarding the degree of faithfulness possible on the part of man, and his own relative impotence in the face of such devotion and faith.
As such, we should take care in any complaints we might have regarding God’s actions. Not only are we showing a lack of understanding regarding His motives, we are leaving our place by questioning a being Who is so far above us that there is unconscionable impudence in the questions themselves!
This becomes evident in the latter chapters of the book. After over 30 chapters of ineffective and often erroneous counsel from Job’s friends, chapters 38-42 reveal a final conversation between God and Job. Simply put, God put Job in his place. “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it” (40:2). “Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me” (40:7). Job rightly responded with a penitent spirit, “Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know… I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (40:3-6).
Perhaps the greatest lesson of Job is one that too many miss entirely. God is God, and we have no right to question Him. Also, our lack of understanding of circumstances and events keep us from knowing the motivations and actions of the Almighty. And yet, men have the audacity to question and even to blame God. They do so to their own detriment. Each of us should ask ourselves, “Who am I to question God?” An honest answer will effectively shut our mouths.
