Dr. Lawrence Butler

The Bridge Church, Pembroke

The word Job used here is not in any way related to the world of work or career as one might think. Job is actually the name of a man about whom we read in the Bible. It is uncertain as to when he lived, but has been thought to have been born before even the Hebrew leader Moses.

A most unusual situation occurred during his life, and the only way we know about it is by revelation from the Lord to one of the holy men of old (II Peter 1:21). The full story is recorded in the Bible in the book that bears the name of Job.

The story begins with a description of Job and his life. He was a very wealthy and godly man who had been blessed greatly by God.

His children were healthy, loving (don’t we wish all our children would get along well with each other) and blessed, as well as Job’s life in general. There seem to be no financial problems, no family relationship issues, friends were kind and Job worshipped God daily, intervening for his children and seeking their spiritual welfare. However, trouble was coming and he had no warning whatsoever.

There was a most unusual conversation that took place in heaven that brought about a major upheaval in Job’s life. We are privy to this discussion by a revelation placed in God’s word. Satan accused Job of serving God only because he was so greatly blessed and protected by the power of the Lord. God agrees for Satan to bring trouble upon Job because He knew Job would prove to be true to his love for God. Overwhelming catastrophes like we have almost never experienced happened to this godly man and his family. His ten children were killed when the house in which they were gathered collapsed with no survivors. Job’s oxen and donkeys were stolen by enemies, fire fell from heaven and consumed all the sheep, and other enemies attacked and took away all the camels. Almost all of Job’s servants were killed in these tragedies. He lost all his wealth, his servants and helpers and all of his children in one day. Think you could stand this?

Why did this happen? Is it really just a contest between God and Satan? I don’t believe so. I think this whole experience happened to show us that there will be times of disappointment and grief too great for us to bear alone. Even though Job felt that the Lord God would not answer his prayer, he was never alone and forsaken. Will you trust God even when you don’t understand? (Psalms 37:3-5)