“Jobs 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 1:4-45 NLT)
“And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21 NKJV)
“For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.” (Job 3:25 NKJV)
“It is all one thing; therfore I say, ‘He destroys the blameless and the wicked.’ If the scourge slays suddenly, He laughs at the plight of the innocent. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of judges. If it is not He, who else could it be?” (Job 9:22-24)
“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2 NKJV)
“Why do you say so much when you know so little?” (Job 38:2 CEV)
Someone going through difficulties today will benefit from what I am about to write.
Have you ever noticed that when bad things happen we tend to run to Job for advice? We figure that Job is the expert on dealing with difficulties. We then follow his example and adopt his “theology.” The problem is that when I do this, like Job, I sorely miss what is actually taking place. Following his example, I open the door to the enemy through fear. Adopting his theology I become blinded by tradition, destroyed for lack of knowledge, and develop a flawed view of the true identity and nature of God. I attribute to God the very nature, attributes, and identity of His adversary.
So what can I learn from Job?
First, Job was continually acting in fear frantically exercising his religion to somehow cover up the sin of his children. Based on his understanding of God, he fully expected to get thumped at any moment. He saw God as an angry God just waiting for an opportunity to pour out His wrath. He was sincere in his actions, but sincerely deceived. God is a Good God. God is love. Only good gifts come down from the Father of Lights.
Second, when Satan accused Job claiming he would curse God to His face if he experienced hardship, God didn’t give Satan permission to attack. No, He simply pointed out to Satan that he already had authority over Job. Satan was already the god of this world. Remember what Satan said to Jesus when he was tempting Him? He pointed out that he had been given the authority over the world. It had been delivered to him by Adam back in the Garden. It isn’t about whether God “did it,”or whether He “allowed it.” It is all about the fact that God “limited it.” He doesn’t let anything come into our lives from the enemy that He hasn’t empowered us to overcome, or enabled us to escape.
Third, when Job was attacked he immediately credited the attack to God. He didn’t have a clue that it was actually Satan roaming the earth like a roaring lion seeking whom he could devour. Job didn’t recognize the thief who had come to steal, kill, and destroy. He and his friends had a lengthy conversation (which God called “darkened counsel”) trying to figure out just why God did this when it wasn’t God at all. When I construct a theology that attributes everything to God I open the door to the enemy to do whatever he wants. He can pound on me and I have left myself no choice but to accept it as somehow being for my good as it comes from the “God who slays me.”
The Holy Spirit included this account in Scripture, not to give us an example to follow; but as a clear example of what NOT to follow. At the end of the book God clearly explained that Job and his friends had completely missed it. As soon as Job repented (changed the way he was thinking to line up with God’s thinking) God ended his captivity and blessed him far beyond his original state (by the way, all of this happened in about 9 months).
The Lord gives, Satan takes away. The Lord blesses beyond measure, it is the enemy that slays me if I allow him to through my fear (expectation of imminent destruction), traditions (powerless religion), or lack of knowledge (especially when it comes to the identity and nature of God).
You will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
Be blessed as you rethink your approach to sufferings in light of…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 318: Difficulties? Learn From Job.