"When Integrity Meets Adversity"
Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
Introduction: We live in a day where there is very little emphasis on character and integrity. Let's look at:
I. The Comments about His Character
God says four things about Job's character. Since God is both omniscient and infallible we know that what God's says is true.
a. What the Sovereign Says
Jehovah indicates that "...His servant Job..." is and exemplary man in all respects and points to several areas of Job's conduct and character that stand out:
1. His blamelessness
This is the translation of the word "perfection" and implies that he lived in such a way as to remove any basis for accusation
2. His righteousness
To be "upright" is to walk straight, not crooked. Job's walk was consistent in every way whether in his home or in public. He "walked the talk."
3. His reverence
The man who fears God doesn't have fear what man can do! He had a deep abiding reverence and respect for Jehovah and it affected every aspect of his life.
4. His purity
Job's piety was not passive but active. He consciously sought to avoid evil and he harbored a disdain for it. God hates evil and His servants will too!
b. What Satan says
We also know that whatever Satan says about Job is a lie for Satan is a liar and the father of all lies. Also remember that he is an "...accuser of the brethren..." Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God, so what did he say about Job?
1. Insinuation #1
Satan argues that it's easy for Job to maintain his integrity in prosperity and with a hedge of protection placed around him by God Himself.
Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
2. Insinuation #2
The second charge leveled by Satan is that a man might give up all else, that Job did not regard the loss his cattle, nor of his servants, nor even of his children, so long as he had his own life and health; and thus represents him as a lover of himself, and as cruel and hardhearted, and without natural affections even to his children. Gills Exposition of the Entire Bible
Job 2:4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
3. Insinuation #3
As a backdrop to all of Satan's suggestions is the insinuation that God is not good when He allows adversity to come into our lives. Listen to the dialog between Job and his wife:
Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
II. The Challenges to His Character
Challenges not only produce character, they reveal our character!
a. He lost his funds
Satan's accusation involved the prosperity of Job. Job was the King Midas of his day. He was wealthy beyond anyone of his day but in a matter of just a little while the prince becomes a pauper! Everything is gone, stolen or destroyed.
b. He lost his family
A man's wealth was also measured by the number of children that he had and we are told that Job had 10 sons and daughters till tragedy struck and Job had to dig ten fresh graves but it didn't stop there for he also suffered the loss of support from his grieving wife.
Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
c. He lost his fitness
Picture Job, a man who had enjoyed good health all of his life now afflicted with "...boils..." which were ulcers, left untreated, putrefying, puss-filled, painful and covering this innocent man from head to foot. The sole relief he enjoyed was to take a piece of broken pottery or a shell and scape the affected places.
Job 2:7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
d. He lost his friends
Three comforters are mentioned in the text. Listen to their "encouraging words" Have you ever heard the old expression, "With friends like these who needs enemies," this would describe Jobs friends. First, Eliphaz who implies that Job must be a great sinner indeed:
Job 4:7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? 8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. 9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
Second, is Bildad who implies that Job doesn't even know God, that someone who experiences so great a punishment must not be a believer.
Job 18:21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.
Third, there is Zophar who accuses Job of being a liar and that he really deserves far greater punishment.
Job 11:3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? 4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. 5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; 6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
Finally, the last of this unholy quartet of comforters is a man named Elihu who blasts the other three for not being good enough prosecutors. We find him in chapter 32. He is the youngest of Job's friends and waits till all the others have spoken...
Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. 3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
III. The Constancy of His Character
For just a few moments let's look at Job 16 and let me make a few points. First, Job had no explanation for why all these trials had come upon him and second, he had no encouragement. This had brought him to a place where:
a. He was frustrated
Job 16:1 I have heard words like that before; the comfort you give is only torment. 2 (SEE 16:1) 3 Are you going to keep on talking forever? Do you always have to have the last word? 4 If you were in my place and I in yours, I could say everything you are saying. I could shake my head wisely and drown you with a flood of words. 5 I could strengthen you with advice and keep talking to comfort you.
b. He felt forsaken
Job 16:6 But nothing I say helps, and being silent does not calm my pain. 7 You have worn me out, God; you have let my family be killed. 8 You have seized me; you are my enemy. I am skin and bones, and people take that as proof of my guilt. 9 In anger God tears me limb from limb; he glares at me with hate. 10 People sneer at me; they crowd around me and slap my face. 11 God has handed me over to evil people. 12 I was living in peace, but God took me by the throat and battered me and crushed me. God uses me for target practice 13 and shoots arrows at me from every side--- arrows that pierce and wound me; and even then he shows no pity. 14 He wounds me again and again; he attacks like a soldier gone mad with hate. 15 I mourn and wear clothes made of sackcloth, and I sit here in the dust defeated. 16 I have cried until my face is red, and my eyes are swollen and circled with shadows, 17 but I am not guilty of any violence, and my prayer to God is sincere. 18 O Earth, don't hide the wrongs done to me! Don't let my call for justice be silenced! 19 There is someone in heaven to stand up for me and take my side. 20 My friends scorn me; my eyes pour out tears to God.
c. He felt forgotten
Job 16:21 I want someone to plead with God for me, as one pleads for a friend.
Job doesn't call for a mediator but an advocate, someone who will plead his case, someone who will defend him.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
d. He was finished
Job 16:22 My years are passing now, and I walk the road of no return. GNB
Conclusion: Have you ever been where Job was, where life just has crashed in on you and you have no explanation and little if any encouragement? It's at time's like this that two things can happen: The first is the one we normally focus on and that is the building of character, but I believe that its just as important that it reveals our character or the lack thereof. We also have the opportunity keep our integrity. Listen to Job's own words...
Job 27:5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.
Job 31:6 Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
