Book of Job- Scene Two
There are very few places in Scripture where God draws back the heavenly curtain and allows us to observe the spiritual world, thankfully, Job 1-2 are included. Satan was given a free hand in order to test Job; yes, God does that. He never tempts us but He can test us to show our faith level. Job recognized that:
What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him, visit him every morning and test him every moment? Job 7:17-18
God acknowledged four character traits in Job which are mentioned several times: blameless, upright, God-fearing, and turned from evil. Quite a character reference. Being blameless means you have integrity and strong ethics; it doesn’t means sinless. Job was upright, conscientious and a straight shooter and he feared God with reverence and awe. Lastly, Job turned from evil. These attributes are crucial to understand because they’re his defense. He couldn’t understand why God would permit him to suffer when he was such a great guy and did everything right!
We do the same thing. We’re church-goers, read our Bible, pray … therefore we shouldn’t suffer either: but we do. It’s not that ‘bad things happen to bad people’ as Job’s friends determined but that bad things eventually happen to all people. That’s a hard truth to swallow.
As the drama of chapters one and two unfold Satan is given some leeway to test Job’s faith-level. Eventually he destroyed Job’s wealth, family, and health in order to give Job a reason to renounce or curse God.
In the midst of his deep sorrow Job’s first response was commendable: humility, worship (1:20-22), and words of truth. Everything he had was a gift from his sovereign God and he wouldn’t blame Him:
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21b
Since Satan’s tactics were ineffective, Job’s wife, all that he had left on earth, took over the indictment, “Get off your high horse, give up, and die.”
When life issues get tough it’s easier to walk away from them but God gives us insight into the spiritual realm to remind us that Satan is working to destroy you but He is working to build your faith.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Job spoke only twice in these two discouraging chapters and both times his words were pleasing to God; He didn’t sin or blame Him. Get ready because those words begin a slow decline as Job enters into depression and finally self-justification: its all about him.
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