There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless - a
man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.
(Job 1.1 NLT)
Wow, can you imagine living a blameless life with complete integrity, always fearing God, and staying away from evil? At times I feel that I blow that right after I wake-up some mornings, but certainly as my days proceed I somehow get distracted from the Lord and I begin to sin in new ways. What is even more interesting about Job is that he was not hidden away in some secluded hole, like a monk of some order, chanting rituals, eating meager scraps of food and donning plain garbs. No, quite the opposite! Job was described as
"... owning 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys,
with many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire
area." In today's world Job could be compared to a Donald Trump or perhaps a Bill Gates business-success type, but at least with Job he apparently did not sell his soul in exchange for monetary success.
To me, what makes Job even more interesting of a dude, especially concerning his relationship with the Lord, is that by all estimates, Job lived long before there were any established religions, even secular ones it may seem. Job lived before the Israelites were selected by God as the chosen ones, even before God announced:
"For Abraham will certainly become a great and
mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him." (Gen 18:18) In fact, the Book of Job is considered by many scholars as being the oldest book in the Bible, which means that everything that Job knew or thought about God was either passed on to him through stories originating from the day of Adam and Eve or else Job intuitively realized that there was a greater power than he. And Job was not the only one in his social network to think this way, in fact,
"Job's sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also
invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his
children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for
each of them. For Job said to himself, "Perhaps my children have sinned and have
cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice." (Job 1:4-5) So Job was not alone with his close relationship with God but again he was the only one recognized by God as being: "
blameless - a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil."
So where are we going to go with this?
In John 16:33
(ESV) we read
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you
will have tribulation. But take heart; I have
overcome the world." We, as Christians will experience tribulations in our lives but we certainly do not expect tribulation to the magnitude that Job experienced. Within one hours time, Job lost all of his children, his homes and properties, his cattle and all other livestock, his farmhands, shepherds and servants. Job lost everything that was his except for himself and his wife. Yet, even after all of this,
Job did not sin by blaming God! (Job 1:22 NIV)
Why do bad things happen to good people?
John 16:33 (above) partially addresses that question but definitely not completely or in a satisfactory manner for most of us. Certainly in Job's situation, God allowed the pain and suffering that Satan imposed upon Job, and it did not stop there as Satan next
"...struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot..." (Job 2:7) after which
"... Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes." (Job 2:8) And even with Job's wife urging him to curse God and die, Job replied,
"Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?"
So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. (Job 2:10).
There are so many lessons to be learned from the Book of Job and definitely the subject of trials and tribulations are discussions most addressed amongst the others. However, I found that the teachings of "Judgement" and "Repentance" to be the over-riding themes in this story.
As Christians were are commanded not to judge others:
"Do not judge others,
and you will not be judged." (Matt 7:1)
"Do not judge others,
and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others,
or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37)
"You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have
no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are
condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things." (Rom 10:1)
"Since you judge others
for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God's judgment when you
do the same things?" (Rom 2:3)
(Telling myself not to judge others is like telling myself not to breathe - it's just comes that easy at times!)
In the Book of Job we find that Satan judged Job; Job's three friends came from afar to judge him; a fourth contributor (Elihu) judged Job; his wife cast her vote; and perhaps all of the townspeople and whatever friends and relatives of Job remained judged him too because none of them came to Job's rescue or to comfort him.
Yet, through all this Job did not judge any of his accusers.
When we judge others, we put ourselves in the place of God - it is God's domain to judge and it is ours to be judged! We know this from Job 42:7 where God expressed His anger to Job's friends, "I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately
about me, as my servant Job has." When we judge others we are not reflecting God's Truth.
As the Book of Job draws to its end, Job repents to the Lord for "...talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me ... I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my
repentance."
I reflect on how often I think that I know what God wants, or what His Plan is for me! But as Job so eloquently stated, I'm ...talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me! So I pray to do more listening (to God) and less presuming that I know what God wants for me!
And who does not like happy endings? So the LORD blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the
beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and
1,000 female donkeys ... He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters ... In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job ... 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 42:12-7)
Peace comes from knowing God's Grace; that His love for us is beyond our comprehension. So no matter how many tribulations we may face - even if we must endure what Job endured - just remember that we have a promise of eternal salvation through Christ Jesus (John 3:16), and with that everyday of our life should be considered to be "Great As Always"!
Lessons / Reflections from the Book of Job:
- One can be rich with material wealth but still be a faithful servant of God; God allows adversity to serve His purposes; Keep all of our adversities in perspective because our time here is temporary; Give God praise in everything ... that means everything! Thank God for everything; Who is the intercessor in your family? Grow in Faith!
- What defines friendship? Integrity - where is yours and how strong is it? Do we ask "Why Me" when hardship befalls us? To serve His purpose, God permits bad things to happen to good people either through our actions (free will) or through His direct intervention; How do we, as Christians, respond to others' sufferings? How strong is my Faith? What does this life mean to me, to others, to God?
- How do I react when calamities befall me? Do I blame God, do I blame others, do I blame myself? How should a Christian approach / react to suffering? Is suffering a challenge to our faith or is it an opportunity for faith-building? What does Grace and Mercy mean to me?
- By our "good works" we are not saved. What is our attitude when God provides "correction"? Do we accept God's corrections as a positive element and a learning opportunity?
- Friends in need need friendship. Don't judge lest ye be judged. Quite often, saying nothing says a lot!
- When you feel that the world is against you remember that God is with you! Even in your misery, trust in God. God may be using my suffering and pain for the benefit of others. It is not always about me!
- Our rewards are not of this world. Do not judge others. Those that judge us may represent the world's view of God whereas we must attempt to remain true to God's Word.
- We have an arbiter in Jesus!
- Nothing is hidden from God, He sees all! Man sees outward appearances only whereas God sees what is in our hearts. Man may grow in Wisdom over the years but God knows all things always. Do we know how to relate to God's love for us?
- It may be OK to get angry but what we do with that anger is where sin may enter. What should I do about my anger? Perhaps I should grow and learn from it. Do you ever feel (like Job) where you are in a place that has no answers, no rationale, no support from friends, church, or community, and that you have lost faith in God's relationship with yourself? Immature vs. mature anger - where should we be?
- Doubters are lost people, they are of the world constantly barraging Believers because they question the very existence of God, hence they mock Jesus. If what the naysayers are true then what Hope is there for anyone? Moments of weakness then moments of strength - our Faith decides which prevails.
- Although the World may appear to be against you, stay strong in your Faith of God. Job prevailed against the "main-stream" media, so should we! Do not apologize for something that you have not done wrong or when you are right. We are living in a fallen world (Spiritual Warfare). As Christians we will face "dilemmas". The wrong are being used to fight against the right.
- How can we rely on God when we think that we already have everything? Change "How was your day" to "How was your day with God"? Judging others is not only wrong, but your rationale for judging may be in error too. Let God do the judging and we'll do the loving. God has a plan - trust in God to fulfill His Plan. When there is nothing left then all that is left is God. Learn not to judge but to love. Point fingers at yourself instead of pointing fingers at others. It's one matter to react to what others may do but it's a different matter to judge them for it.
- Sin carries consequences. Jesus died for our sins but we may still suffer the consequences of our sins. When we judge others we are taking the place of God.
- Why do we judge others? Should I speak on behalf of God? Should I put myself in God's place so I can judge someone?
- Wickedness is a lifestyle of sin. God's judgement is reserved; held-off until after our death. Corporate punishment is individual punishment. How do you perceive your relationship with God?
- Look to God, not to man. Man judges based upon earthly standards; God judges man based upon Heavenly treasures. Wisdom is knowing that God is God and man is not!
- Why do bad things happen to good people? Be Christ-like by following Christ. At every moment of the day am I following Jesus? If you are not being tested perhaps it is because Satan already has you. How much am I letting God control me versus letting Satan control me?
- There but by the Grace of God go I. Where would we turn if we felt that we could not turn to God? Does God ever forsake us or do we forsake our Faith in God?
- Greater than knowing right from wrong is doing what is right. Character is what you do when no one is looking at you. We are all created equal by God. Treat others as we want to be treated by God.
- God gives all Wisdom. God uses everyone as He deems for His purpose, perhaps each used differently from the others. Rebut false teachings.
- When we petition God should we expect an answer? God knows our wrongs before we repent of them. It's God's Will and not according to man's expectations. Should we question God's judgement? Man's ways are not necessarily God's ways. God's Will will be done. God disciplines; man judges. The goal of discipline is direction. The mark of true love is free will.
- Does God ever need to be defended by us? Who would be able to defend God? God never takes His eyes off of us. How do believers "fear" God?
- What do we really know when compared to God's knowledge. As advanced we think we are in our knowledge, man still cannot make a single cell. There is a reason for everything. We know God through His Creation; Creation proves that there is a Creator. If you are not in awe of God then why not? The more we know the more we know what we don't know.
- Fear God for He is Awesome! Only with God can we defeat sin and Satan. Remember who God is and not what you want Him to be. What is our relationship with God? What should our relationship be with God? God is greater than any "bad" that can happen to me.
- Repent of your sins and you will prosper. Another reason not to judge others is that they may be right with God. Love the sinner but not the sin. I'd rather have Mercy than justice.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is
too great to understand fully. Then you will be made
complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Eph 3:19)
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