Message
Job 1:20-22
Why Are You Naked?
Hatch and Dispatch
Nearly 4000 years ago, in the time of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, there was a man named Job. In the middle of a life crisis Job spoke these words:-
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.”
Job 1:21
As we consider these ancient words, and their context, we are going to see that these words still have a profound message to teach us today. To understand the message we first need to answer the question, “Who is Job?”
1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
Job 1:1-3
Job had buckets of money and was very well known. Not just because of his money, but also because of the type of person he was.
11 Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, 12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.
13 The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.
14 I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.
15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. 16 I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. 17 I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.
Job 29:11-17
Wealthy, but not stingy. The cream of society, but down to earth. Famous, but approachable. An entrepreneur who had a social conscience. He understood how the world works, but firstly he is a man of God.
That was Job.
Job was also a man who made the spiritual well-being of his family a priority.
4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 … Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.
Job 1:4-5
Put this all together and you see that Job was a very faithful man who lived in obedience to God.
And it is this man’s life which is turned upside down. The day started like any other day – with a sacrifice for each of his children. Then, some time on this ordinary day, a series of terrified messengers started to arrive.
14 A messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen (1000) were ploughing and the donkeys (500) were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
Job 1:14-15
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep (7000) and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
Job 1:16
17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels (3000) and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
Job 1:17
18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons (7) and daughters (3) were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
Job 1:18-19
What would you do? How would you deal with these situations? It might not be exactly what Job is going through, but difficulties wear many masks don’t they.
Lost jobs.
Not enough money.
Identity issues.
Anxiety and Fear.
Chronic Illness.
Dissolved relationships.
Lower social standing.
Diminished Career opportunities.
Loneliness
An uncertain future.
The challenges of parenting.
Disease, Pain, Death.
What would you do?
We all have our list don’t we. That situation which would push us over the edge and make us feel doubt and lack of comfort.
As we think about our list we need to recognise that, for each one of us, it will look different. I saw this very clearly about 10 years ago.
It was when Kierstin was recovering from her operation. I was standing in a lift at the Mater Children’s Hospital. In the lift a mother was talking about how difficult it had been for her 15yo son who had broken his finger. She complained about coming to the hospital to visit. She complained about the time it took for doctors to see him. It was all so difficult.
I got out of the lift and walked to a room where my little girl was laying. She couldn’t roll over without help. They were putting medication straight into her spine because of the pain of the surgery. She could barely eat or drink. She didn’t complain.
In situations like this it is tempting to improperly apply the story of Job.
Improper application looks something like this:-
When life falls apart around our ears look to the way Job acted and get strength from that. His trials and difficulties make our difficulties seem meaningless. Don’t give up, but hold onto God – that is all you need to do.
The situation of Job is often used in this way.
“Let’s see who has the worse suffering. The one’s who have the worst suffering are allowed to complain. For the rest – just put up and be quiet – because you have it easier than someone else.”
For want of a better description we can call it a theology of comparative pain.
That woman in the elevator I was telling you about. I felt like saying to her, “Come with me for a moment and see what my daughter is going through. Let me show you what real suffering look likes.”
Woman get some perspective.
But the next day when I was having breakfast at the hospital I ran into a lady who had been coming back to the hospital on and off for 8 months. Her 9 month old new-born had a heart condition and was up to her third operation. What right now do I have to say anything about my situation in the face of the suffering of that woman and her child is greater?
That is a theology of comparative pain.
But that is not what the situation of Job is teaching us.
That brings us back to Job’s observations about birth and death nakedness.
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:20-22
I come into this world with nothing of material value.
When I leave this world I will have nothing material value.
Between those two events the Lord is the one who gives. So everything I have is not mine, it is the Lord’s.
The Lord doesn’t owe me anything thing.
I am not more deserving than another.
Whatever happens I trust in the Lord for his provisions.
We sing often about this truth don’t we – in the song Blessed be your name.
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
When the world's 'all as it should be'
On the road marked with suffering
When the darkness closes in
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.
Between these two points I trust in God.
I trust for a job, or when it is lost.
I trust for finances and provisions and no matter my social standing.
I put my identity issues, and anxiety, and fear into His hands.
Through chronic illness, and dissolved relationships, and loneliness and uncertainty I look to Him.
When disease, pain and death occur – I look to God’s provisions.
We look to God and promises that He will provide as we stand in Christ through faith
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
1 Timothy 6:17
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
There is no shortage of promises, and security, and hope. God will provide and our nakedness … our lacking … will be covered.
Now that provision doesn’t mean we won’t have questions, or struggle with the circumstances, or maybe even want to give up at times.
Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?
Job 3:11
I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.
Job 3:26
What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?
Job 6:11
Job did not sin … but he still had questions. So did Paul.
7 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
Lord I don’t want this situation. Please take it away so that I do not have to suffer. Lord please. Lord please. Three times Paul pleads.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
1 Corinthians 12:7-9
Job and Paul trust – in the middle of everything including the questions and pleading – they trust. They trust because they don’t measure their life on the basis of what they have. They don’t fall into the trap of comparative suffering. A comparative suffering where we measure life by what we have.
We measure by the strength, or weakness, or brokenness.
We measure our wealth or lack of it … or our health, or lack of it.
We measure the level of security, or our lack of peace.
We measure what we have, and a more keenly aware of what we don’t have.
We measure who we are, and who we are not.
When we do this we are taking the wrong measurements.
Remember what Job said?
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.
The only measurement that is ultimately of value is the measurement of God’s provisions as we make our way through life.
Jonnie Erickson Tada is a quadriplegic, and has been since she was 18 when she dove Chesapeake Bay and broke her neck in shallow water. She is now 70. She was once asked, “What are you going to say to God when you see him?” She said, “I’m going to fold up my wheelchair, hand it to Jesus and say, ‘Thanks, I needed that’.”
Measure God’s provisions.
Almost three years ago Phil Wilson had a terrible fall breaking multiple bones and ending up in hospital and recovery for months. His testimony is that event brought him so much closer to God to a place of unwavering faith.
Measure God’s provisions.
Paul the apostle has a similar testimony.
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12-13
Measure God’s provisions.
That is where we need to keep our focus. Yet we do so fully aware that there is one who, in the middle of all God’s provisions, is going to try and tempt you to take the wrong measurements.
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
Job 1:8-11
Basically Satan is saying, if you force people to take the wrong measurements they will always falter. But here is what we need to see.
Satan is not interested in what we have or what we don’t have.
He doesn’t care if we have a brand new car, or an old bomb.
He doesn’t care if we are health or sick.
He doesn’t care if we are poor or wealthy.
Satan only cares about one thing ... he wants you to take your eyes off the provisions of God and he wants you to just focus on yourself.
Satan what’s you to forget the big picture and measure that which is insignificant.
The big picture is this:-
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.
How does it work for you? What are you measuring?
Actually … let’s make it even more real.
If the scene in heaven was replicated today … where Satan was talking about roaming the earth … would you want to be named?
Have you considered my servant … Allan?
Or my servant Mangala … or Georgie … or Scott … Anne.
Have you considered those who worship at NEC?
Would you want to be named?
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.
What are you measuring?
Your comparative sufferings. Or God’s provisions.
Prayer
