Down through the ages, the story of Job has been used to provide comfort to people in times of sorrow and sickness. From the story of Job people have interpreted it as if God allowed Satan to afflict Job, therefore He “allows” sorrows, suffering, poverty, and sickness to come upon His children. But this is not the case, God was not responsible for Job's calamities - Satan was!
Open your Bible to Job chapter 1 and your notebooks to a clean page, as we look at an overall theme of: How to respond to trials and tribulations. The title for todays message is: Rejoice when your character is assaulted.
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. And seven sons and three daughters were born to him.
Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.
Job 1:1-3
These verses give us the character that will be assaulted. This is a character of a man, from the writer’s perspective, which we will see is also God’s perspective; that Job is a morally upright person – not perfect, but a good man who loves God. This fear that Job has of God is not dread, but that he has a correct perspective of God as holy and righteous. As born-again believers we too need to have that kind of fear of God. Since Job had this perspective, he shuns evil – literally meaning he turns away from it. Sometimes we Christians give way to our thoughts of evil, but notice that Job does even contemplate evil, he just walks away from it. Understand that sin does not force you to do anything, but it is you who gives way to it, just as Cain did when killing his brother. God said this to him while he was contemplating his evil desire.
So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
Genesis 4:6-7
You see, we can rule over sin by walking away from it, like Job. We are also told in scripture that if we resist the devil he will flee for a season.
To get a better picture of how Job’s character is further laid out in our opening verses, understand that paper or coin money were not used during the time of Job, and so one’s character equated to whether you were married, the number of children and possessions. He was blessed to have ten children, and it is the number of animals that make him wealthy. The sheep (seven thousand) were used for clothing and food, the donkeys and camels (five hundred and three thousand, respectively) were used for transportation and hauling; camels for long distance and donkeys for short distance. Note that the donkey is prefaced with the word “female.” This is important because historically, the female donkey was preferred to the male because of its milk and because it was better for riding. The oxen (five hundred) were used for plowing, food, clothing, and milk. Because of all these things, Job was considered one of the greatest men in all the people of the East. This is a pretty big statement since the East spoken of is the entire area where Saudi Aribia is, including Joran, Israel, and Yemen.
We’ve looked at Job’s physical character, now let’s look at his spiritual character.
And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them,
and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.
Job 1:4-5
It seems that Job’s kids like to party it up. Notice that each son would have a day they would party on, each time inviting their sisters to eat and drink wine. With the wine flowing at these parties and their judgement being clouded, Job may have feared that his children may have taken the nae of the Lord a little too lightly. By their actions they are dishonoring God. So, Job intercedes for his children, getting up early and offering a sacrifice for each child. It is my hope that each of us do the same for our children, offering up an individual prayer for each, as opposed to giving a blanket prayer for all. Job’s spiritual character was also good because he did this offering for his children all the time. Christians should have the same thoughts of others as Job did for his children “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” So, take the time to pray for others. How to respond to trials and tribulations – by way of prayer.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Colossians 4:2-4
So, we looked at Job’s character both physically and spiritually, and it shows him to be upright. Now let’s look at the character assault, beginning with the one bringing the accusations.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
Job 1:6-7
Before we deal with the assaulter, let’s answer some questions you may have about this verse. Who are the “sons of God?” Are they angels or are they human? The answer – angels. Here is where I get the answer from. First. Look at Job 38:7.
When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Job 38:7
This is from a section of scripture where the Lord reveals His omnipotence to Job and contains one my favorite verses.
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.
Job 38:1-4
The “sons of God” in verse7 of Job 38 refers to the angels who were there before the creation of the earth, who shouted joy at the creation of the earth. Now there are seven other times that the phrase “sons of God” are used in the bible: Genesis 6:2, 4; Matthew 5:9; Luke 20:36; Romans 8:14; Romans 8:19; and Galatians 3:26. In each of these seven verses it refers to “sons of God” as humans who love the Lord God and try to live righteously. So, that is how the phrase “sons of God” are differentiated.
Notice the relentlessness of the accuser: “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Satan is endlessly going back and forth on the earth looking for those whom he can destroy.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8
He has been working this way all throughout the history of man, and has found new ways to destroy us, and he does so when he sees a hole in our armor, when he sees a flaw that he can exploit.
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “
Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”
And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
Job 1:8-12
These verses lead off with a statement of God’s protective hand, and how not even Satan can do anything unless God allows. Satan lays out an accusation that Job only loves God because He has given him everything and has His protective hand over him. Satan is saying “That guy you think so highly of, only likes because you give him stuff.” God tells Satan to test his theory, but he can harm everything but Job himself. So, we have God allowing, with restrictions, but have Satan eagerly looking forward to hurting others, because he quickly leaves the Lords presence.
Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
Job 1:13-15
Satan begins his attack by causing the Sabeans, a people that came up from the area, which is now Yemen, to raid and kill the servants who were tending the animals. This was one of the holes in Job’s amor, since things were so good, he did not have a protective force to guard his possessions. We don’t know the timing between Job and Abraham, but although Abram trusted God, he had a protective force to guard his possessions.
Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Genesis 14:14
Although God has us covered, we still need to keep our house doors locked, have an alarm system, and be prepared for trouble. Like Peter said, “Be sober, be vigilant.” This does not mean that you don’t trust God.
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
Job 1:16
Now Satan is using a device that makes it look like God has done the destruction. In Job’s time there was no concept of a devil – all things were attributed to an act of God. So, fire from sky had to be God, which was a clever trick by Satan, an attempt to create a hole in Job’s amor – his relationship with God. I have a member who likes to remind me that we are human, how we can look at our issues and wonder if God cares for us. But we need to shrug that off because God does care, and sometimes these things are just a part of life. But know this:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Jesus tells us that this day has troubles of is own, let alone what might be coming tomorrow. So, don’t expose that hole in your armor that allows doubt to come between you and God. How to respond to trials and tribulations – trust in the Lord and know that He has made a way out.
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house,
and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
Job 1:17-19
Now we see the final attacks of Satan, all for the purpose of proving God wrong and bringing about suffering. Here we see another raiding party, this time form the North where Iraq and Iran are. They raid and kill, taking away other exposed possessions of Job. Again, Satan uses nature to destroy Job’s children. Satan really shows his distaste for mankind and his dislike for God, in bringing a devastation such as this upon one family. Job is left with nothing accept the sorrow of the loss of his children. At this point you would think a person would curse the Lord, which is what his wife told him do in Job 2:9
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”
She must have felt the pain as well and wanted to blame God for all that has happened. But Job does none of that, instead, Job does this, showing us how to respond to trials and tribulations:
Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.
Job 1:20-22
By Job’s reaction to the misery that Satan throw at him he proved Satan to be wrong. How to respond to trials and tribulations when your character has been attacked? Rejoice in the Lord and give Him praise. Don’t give credit to the enemy but give all praises to the Lord!
Although Jobs character was assaulted before the Lord, he had this to say.
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
Job 13:15
Pain may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Job is an example of a person who endured when it looked like the Lord was out to kill him. Although he didn’t know that Satan was behind all his troubles, he still trusted in the Lord. As we look at this pandemic that we are in, we too must trust that the Lord will bring about a proper end to it. Like Job:
• We need to pray for God’s will to be done in this.
• We need to trust that He has a plan for this virus
• We must worship Him regardless of what we see happening in the coming days.
When we do, we will also receive what Job did at the end.
Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters...After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days.
Job 42:12-13, 16-17
