What do we do when we are struck with negative news that affect us personally? Do we blame God for what happened? The passage that we study today helps us understand why bad things happen to us. It also teaches us what kind and form of response is pleasing to God.
When we read the book of Job earlier, we read about a day which was happening in heaven, before the throne of God (v. 6). Satan put forth his accusations against Job before God (v. 9-11). When he finished, he went forth from the presence of the LORD (v. 12). The implication is that you cannot put forth charges against God’s elect and remain in God’s presence. Thus so much emphasis is put in the Bible on the need of forgiveness. “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Mt. 6:12
Today we read about another day and what a terrible day it was. There comes a series of messages that are delivered to Job immediately almost at the same time. One tragic news follows another, all falling upon him at once. There comes a first messenger:
“The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.” v. 15
What a devastating news that is! We remember that Job had 500 oxes and 500 asses. So that is 1000 of cattle taken away. They are stolen! But the worst is that the servants who were taking care of them were all slain by the Sabeans. Even the loss of a single living soul is a tragedy, but here we have the whole workforce of people maintaining the oxes and asses! There must have been dozens of them and they are all dead now! What a sudden and terrible loss!
But, lo, “While he was yet speaking”. He is not yet finished with his message, there comes another messenger.
“The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.” v. 16
Here comes another tragic event. The fire of God is fallen from heaven. It was an unexplainable, supernatural event. This fire consumed all the 7000 sheep, all at once! Not only that but all the shepherds and servants are dead! “And I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”
“While he was yet speaking” there comes a third messenger.
“The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.” v. 17
All the camel keepers are slain and dead now. And 3,000 camels stolen! In a single moment of time, Job had lost all his cattle and servants. The news had to be devastating. Three messengers, coming one after another. What Job heard had not yet settled in. The shock had not yet evaporated. Could there be anything worse? Among the first thoughts of Job, there must be: “I have lost everything…”
Yet here we witness how the scene develops further. “While he was yet speaking, there came also another.” He begins his report: “Thy sons and thy daughter”. We can imagine how he was running to deliver the news to his master. He is trying to catch his breath and he begins. “Thy sons and thy daughters…”
What would be Job’s thoughts upon hearing this? He just heard about the loss of his servants and cattle… And here comes another man who says: “Thy sons and thy daughters”… Are they all right? Are they in good health? Are they safe? “Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:” Yes, yes, they do it every day! They gather together and feast. Are they all ok?
“Behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”
They are dead. They are all dead. All the 7 sons and all the 3 daughters have lost their souls. If a loss of any child is a tragedy, loosing all them on a single day is beyond comprehension for us all.
For Job’s children it seemed to be a normal day of a typical routine. They gathered together and were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house. Day as usual. Death came suddenly and was immediate. They did not get a chance to repent and ask God’s forgiveness. In a blink of of an eye, it was all over and they failed to have that fruit of repentance, that leads to ultimate forgiveness through the blood of Christ. They did not turn to God.
Now, let me make a twist to this story. Job received 4 messengers. All of them have some tragic news to share. When they finish, they say: “I only am escaped alone to tell thee.” What if I am here today, who escaped alone to tell thee some important news. What did I escape, you ask? Well, I escaped the hell of fire. God saved me. This is my testimony. It may be so that I may share the news with you today? What is the news, you ask? The news is that unless you repent, you shall likewise perish.
“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Lk. 13:1-5
This is the news. It is a warning. It starts with something bad. Ye shall all likewise perish. Look at Job’s children. Look at those eighteen who were building the tower in Siloam and were killed. Look at how fragile human’s life is. People do die everyday. But the news that I bring does not leave us hopeless.
It is good news for there is an escape presented to us: Except ye repent. If you turn away from your sin of unbelief and turn to God, he is merciful. If you do repent, you will not perish. You will have everlasting life at the very moment you believe. Christ died for your sins and rose again. He lives and is ready to forgive you. All you have to do is repent. Turn to Him and trust in Him. Make Him the foundation for your life.
God is expecting fruit from our lives and that fruit is repentance. “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Lord Jesus is very clear that repentance is ESSENTIAL to salvation. Repent or perish is the ultimate choice for any person on earth. Repent while you can, for we have no warrant of tomorrow.
Let us come back to Job and his example. He just lost everything precious on earth. There is a sudden plot of tragedies that involved loss of many lives. What is Job’s reaction to this? What is it for a man to do, when the hardships hit strongly?
“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped.” v. 20
Job’s immediate reaction is exactly… repentance. He turns to God to worship. “Blessed be the name of the LORD”. How can it be that Job can remain so focused on the LORD? He just heard the very devastating news and he feels afflicted and suffers a terrible loss. But he knows that it is only in God’s presence that he can find comfort.
“In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” v. 22. Job has proven He belongs to God. He turned to God even stronger, especially in the moment of a trial and tribulation. He would come out of the situation more faithful, trusting God even more.
In all this Job sinned not. Satan lie and false accusation was exposed: “He will curse thee to thy face.” Job did not curse. Job humbled himself. “Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped.”
Things around us change all the time. Some of the changes are positive, some are real tragedies. Let us remember to accept God’s providence in all that is happening, both good and evil things that come upon us. Taking an example from Job, we have to learn to find comfort in God’s presence. God cares for you, especially when you are afflicted. God’s wisdom is infinite. It is our imperfect trust that needs constant attention.
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Cor. 12:10
Tribulations and afflictions come so that we grow trust and the relationship with Creator through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Satan may have put forth various accusations against us.
“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.” v.10
Do we love God because of good health we have? Or because of the prosperity we enjoy? Do you love Him because of the gifts? Satan may wish to test that. But, those of us who truly love God, do so because He loved us first. This divine love is our link with heaven and source of comfort in all things we suffer. We learn to worship and praise God unconditionally for who He is. The almighty, merciful, righteous, holy, gracious, forgiving, everlasting Father, wonderful Councillor.
Do you love God? If you do, then consider the following Scripture for the source of your comfort today:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28
Whatever happens to you in life, cling to the promises of His word. That is what Job did. He suffered terribly in the moment of devastating loss. But deep in his heart, the promises of God and the love and fear of God were intact. Job knew that “all things work together for good to them that love God”. Job was in a deep affliction, but the presence of God and communion with Him was likely to be one of the strongest in all Job’s experience of faith.
I pray that you would find comfort in the presence of the LORD. Is your heart broken because of sin? God is ready to heal you. Turn to Him, for He accepts broken sinners. There is no other way to salvation. Receive Jesus Christ and be blessed in Him.
