Satan Allowed to Test Job

Looking back to last time: Does Job represent an unsaved or saved man? A man who does not yet know his need of God or the man who knows God but needs to be brought to perfection?

Either way, Job and all of us need to learn to depend totally on God and be totally aware of our sinful nature before He can perfect us. Satan is still roaming the earth to do the will of God where needed. Be watching, aware, ready.

13Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the female donkeys feeding beside them, 15and [h]the Sabeans [i]attacked and took them. They also [j]killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and [k]I alone have escaped to tell you.”

All is well. Suddenly all is not well. For me, in miniature, this happens often. You?

16While he was still speaking, another 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.”

Piling on. “Troubles don’t come one at a time.”

17While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three units and made a raid on the camels and took them, and [l]killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Livestock (wealth). Servants, some who were perhaps dear to him.

18While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19and behold, 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 died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

The worst blow. Children gone. Now, you say, can all this happen at once? Think Ukraine. Think Gaza. Think Israel, and all wars of all time. Suddenly made poor. Suddenly lose most or all of family.

20Then Job got up, tore his robe, and shaved his head; then he fell to the ground and worshiped.

Not complained or cried. Worshiped God. Not rebuked the devil. Blessed God.

21He said,

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked I shall return there.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.

Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

22Despite all this, Job did not sin, nor did he [m]blame God.

Job is still standing. Do you think he is a little proud of it? Have you heard people in our day saying “Devil you tried to get me but I’m still here.” Some talk to the devil more than to God. Do people realize that God is allowing things behind the scenes, but loving us all the while?