Job is an extremely wealthy and God-honoring individual who lived around the time of Israel’s sanctuary-turned-slavery in Egypt (after Joseph, before Moses). Since he was a God-honoring man, God had blessed him greatly with ten children, thousands of animals, and many servants. One day Satan stands before God and challenges God, saying that Job would surely renounce his faith if God took away all of his physical blessings, so God allows Satan to test Job.
“…and there came a messenger to Job and said, ‘The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them… the sheep… the camels… and [the Sabeans and Chaldeans] took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’ While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’ Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” (v13-22 abr)
Satan takes away all of Job’s livestock, servants (all but the four survivors I guess), and children, so only Job remains. He goes from “the greatest of all the people of the east”, to the “the poorest in the east”, yet he remained blameless in the eyes of God, for he did not blame God for the loss.
I can’t help but think many today are in similar situations to Job. Many people are losing their jobs, businesses, financial stability, health, and/or loved ones. I cannot imagine the loss that people are experiencing. Though I’ve been relatively unaffected by our global circumstances so far, my heart still breaks for those who are suffering.
The challenge put forward for us today is the same challenge Satan put forward to God regarding Job: ” ‘But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.’ ” Satan was positive that if Job lost everything, he would curse God. Yet, Job did not sin, he worshiped God despite his circumstance.
I encourage us that no matter how bad the circumstances get, for us or our loved ones, we do not blame God or “curse Him to His face”. The broken state of this world is a result of our sin – it is not God’s fault. We should be mourning, falling on the ground repenting of our sin, worshiping God, and blessing His name – let’s avoid any finger pointing or blaming.
I also suggest that if we have people around us who do not understand how/why these circumstances are upon us, we explain to them the gospel message. If you’re not familiar with “The Seven C’s of Biblical History”, it is one of my favorite tools which helps summarize the biblical history and the gospel message:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7jF_J5uFSA (the short version)
https://answersingenesis.org/media/video/bible/7-cs-of-history/ (the full version)
Father God, our Sovereign King, holy and majestic is Your name. Father we as a people have sinned, and we have heaped consequences upon ourselves. Father, we are weak and cannot bear the weight of our sin. Please forgive us our sin, and walk with us through the midst of the consequences. Please protect us from ourselves and the evil one, for we are vulnerable. Jesus, please be our Rescuer and and Savior, redeeming us from sin and death. Spirit, please guide us, and open the doors for us to minister to those who have no hope. May You speak in and through us to seek and save the lost. In the name of our Lord and Savior who took away the sin of the world, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training