When Integrity Meets Adversity

"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.