When It All Falls Apart

INTRODUCTION

1 THE SCENE IN HEAVEN, vv. 6-12

2 THE OUTWORKING ON EARTH, vv. 13-19

3 THE RESPONSE OF FAITH, vv. 20-22

When It All Falls Apart

The book of Job begins in the world as it ought to be - by our standards. It is a world where the nice guys finish first, where you do what’s right, you honor God - and He blesses you with health, with wealth, with a great family … and you live a life that Disney would be happy with: Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay My, oh, my, what a wonderful day Plenty of sunshine headin' my way.

That’s the world Job lives in when we are introduced to him in the first 5 verses of this book.

Job is one of the most righteous people in all of the Bible, outside of Jesus Christ Himself - nobody is described like he is: blameless and upright; fearing God and turning away from evil.” He is the greatest of all the people of the east … and we say, “Amen. So it should be”. But if you know anything at all about this book - you know that things don’t stay that way. Job is about to suffer.

And in that suffering - he is so relevant to us here today, isn’t he? We all know what it is to suffer. Some of you are there right now. Something is going on in your life, or you are living in the aftermath of some great trouble - - and, inevitably, the questions come:

“Why Me? Why This? Why now? Why so much pain?” And as these questions get asked, what happens is that we are asking questions of God - and who He is, and what He has or hasn’t promised

That’s the world Job lives in when we are introduced to him in the first 5 verses of this book.

… we put God on trial. And maybe for some of you here today … God has been tried and the answers you have received haven’t been enough for you. And you are ready to chuck your faith – or maybe you can’t accept the Christian message because of your questions. If that’s you, I want to tell you that this book is for you. God isn’t hiding from your questions. This is His inspired Word – and out of 66 books that make up the Scriptures … He has given us this one to deal with the questions of what seems to be innocent suffering. Last week’s passage set the stage for the action. Today the action begins. It is a story in three parts and we will look at each part, in its turn.

1 THE SCENE IN HEAVEN, vv. 6-12

In verse 6, there is a sudden change in the scene of the story. The curtain that separates the busy, harried world that we live in down here, from the heavens where God Himself lives. And, in an instant, we are transported from Job’s mansion in the happy city of Uz, to the control room of the entire universe … and we are brought into a scene, where the angels dutifully present themselves before the sovereign God of the universe, to report on their activities.

The narrator tells us that among the angels, is a particular personality of note: Satan is here. (Literally it is ‘THE Satan’ - this is not a personal name, it is a title. The Hebrew word, ‘satan’ means ‘adversary’. Over time, the definite article - ‘the’ would get dropped and Satan becomes a proper name in the later parts of the Bible. But never forget that his name describes what he does). If you’ve watched the courtroom dramas on tv or movie screen, you know that the adversary - the accuser is the one who brings charges.

And that’s exactly what Satan does here. Verse 7, the LORD asks Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answers, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’

Verse 8, “And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” ...

Satan responds with a sinister snarl: Verse 9, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (11) BUT STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”

Job is one of the most righteous people in all of the Bible, outside of Jesus Christ Himself - nobody is described like he is: blameless and upright; fearing God and turning away from evil.” He is the greatest of all the people of the east … and we say, “Amen. So it should be”. But if you know anything at all about this book - you know that things don’t stay that way. Job is about to suffer.

Oh don’t miss the gravity of the accusation here - - Job has been so concerned that his kids may slip up, in a time of party and celebration -and curse God in the secrecy of their hearts … so concerned about that that he drags them all over to his house on the morning after their parties so that he can sacrifice for them and set them apart to the Lord again. Now Satan is saying - “Job doesn’t love you at all! The only reason he serves you is because he knows the way to the easy life. It is self-serving not worship that motivates this man

… Job doesn’t serve you for Your sake .... He serves you because you have filled his barns, his bank account and his bedrooms with healthy kids. Job is USING YOU.

This is a question that the book sets out to answer. It’s a question that we all need to answer: “Why do I serve God? Why am I a Christian - who comes to a worship service to sing His praise and why do I try to honor Him in my day to day living?”

Am I really a worshiper of God? Or is He my Divine Candy dispenser? I put in my change … my obedience ... my worship – I pray, I go to church, I help the needy, I turn from sin - - and out of the God-machine comes health and wealth and all kinds of blessing – CANDY!

Do I love the gifts God gives me … or do I truly love the God of the gifts? There is no more important question to answer.

Satan says, ‘In fact, if the gravy train stopped running … if you took away the blessings … not only would Job STOP serving you - - - he would CURSE YOU TO YOUR FACE.”

The LORD responds, in v. 12, “‘Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” “Do your worst to everything he has,” God says to Satan. “But you can’t touch him.”

So many questions aren’t answered for us. What is Satan doing parading before the holy God? Why is God engaging the enemy of all that He is - all that is … why is God engaging him in conversation? So many things we don’t understand here.

But there are some things that the narrator does want us to CLEARLY understand in our text. He wants to be sure that we get this: THAT YOU HAVE AN ADVERSARY - There is a Satan alive and well on planet earth. He is not the cute cartoon figure with the pointed tail, horns and the pitchfork in his hand - someone to laugh at and ignore. He doesn’t only hate God - he hates you, for the very reason that God LOVES you. And every temptation he brings to you - to lead you into sin … he will pass it off like this: “Here is your freedom - throw off God’s chains and do this … here is fun, here is fulfillment - - this website, this song, this movie .... this substance, this activity with your girl or boy friend .... THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT.

And the book of Job pleads with us: “THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT! THE ENEMY WANTS YOU DESTROYED! So don’t laugh! Don’t play around … RUN. And you better be equipped with the whole armor of God!” The helmet of salvation and the Breastplate of Righteousness … and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. There is no other way to stand against Satan’s hatred and insidious attacks on your joy. Get this truth!

Also get this: SATAN DOES NOT HAVE ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY - He must report to God. He is NOT in full control. Even when he is allowed to do what he does - he is put on a leash - a chain. He is able to bark and growl and bite - - but ONLY as far as God allows him to - that far and not a nanometer further. Now, that raises some other questions, I understand that. We have to deal with those, as well. But for right now - don’t miss the comfort that this truth should bring.

There is no dualism in this universe. Up in the heavens - in the control room of the universe - there is no battle to take the wheel. I enjoyed Star Wars, as much as the next guy (well, honestly, I’m not a true fan, I guess – loved the first three movies as a kid – which were actually the second three movies – Star Wars buffs know what I mean, but I lost interest after 3 – now what are we up to, about 36?). Liked the movies, but the theology of Star Wars is wrong - there is no great force with a never ending battle between light and darkness for control. “In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth”. And here, in Job - there is one God and a Satan who hates us, on His leash.

As Martin Luther put it: “The Satan is God’s Satan”. No matter how much the adversary hates his creator and hates us … he can never shake off the reality that he belongs to his holy God, still - and can do nothing, but it accomplishes God’s will … still.

In fact, maybe it will help you to look back at the conversation between God and Satan — When God begins it by asking Satan where he’s been - it’s not because God doesn’t know - of course He knows. No, this is like when God calls out to Adam, in the Garden of Eden, after the Fall: “Adam, where are you?”

And in that suffering - he is so relevant to us here today, isn’t he? We all know what it is to suffer. Some of you are there right now. Something is going on in your life, or you are living in the aftermath of some great trouble - - and, inevitably, the questions come:

God knows everything - He isn’t missing a location on His GPS – hasn’t LOST the only humans he’s created so far! - No, in both cases - - He is calling on a subordinate creature to explain his actions. Here in - God is calling Satan to account - “What have you been doing?”

Satan’s response is a boast: “I’ve been going to and fro on the earth … walking up and down on it.” In other words, “I am freely roaming around on the earth, doing as I please against your work.” And in reply, God turns his attention to Job:

“Oh, but you haven’t had it all your way. Have you considered my servant Job?”

Interesting that after playing one of the starring, key roles in the first 2 chapters of the book, to kick start the events that will carry the storyline for the rest of the 42 chapters … Satan disappears. He doesn’t appear again after chapter 2. In the epilogue at the end of the book - all of the characters in the story make a concluding appearance to wrap things up. God speaks, Job is honored and his friends are rebuked. Everybody gets what’s coming to them. But Satan is nowhere to be found. Do you see what that means?

He is no star. This is MY FATHER’S WORLD. Doesn’t mean there is no pain. But it does mean that there is no question WHO IS IN CHARGE AND WHERE HISTORY IS GOING.

When Satan has finished serving God’s purpose – He will be thrown into hell once and for all. So incidentally – why witchcraft? Why would you choose the loser’s side?

2 ON THE EARTH BELOW, vv. 13-19

“Why Me? Why This? Why now? Why so much pain?” And as these questions get asked, what happens is that we are asking questions of God - and who He is, and what He has or hasn’t promised

Verse 13 tells us that ‘one day’ things changed forever for Job. READ Remember, we know more than Job here. He doesn’t have a window into what’s going on in heaven. We have the narrator to prepare us for the action to come. Job doesn’t. And, in verse 13,

“His sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house ...”. We saw in last week’s text that this was one of those ‘perfect’ families. The brothers and sisters were grown … had their own lives … but they loved each other. They still wanted each other’s company. This particular day was the birthday party for one of them - they were at the eldest brother’s house, eating and drinking wine ...

Now, please don’t read anything into this. If you have issues with drinking wine, that’s fine - but please don’t use this passage to try and make your point - as if God killed 10 children for drinking wine. Please don’t do that. This is not a drunken party … this is a family celebrating God’s blessing on another year of life for a family member they love.

… we put God on trial. And maybe for some of you here today … God has been tried and the answers you have received haven’t been enough for you.

Remember verse 5 - This is the very time that Job would be thinking about the spiritual state of his kids and be getting ready to get on his face before God and pray for them. But on that very day, a messenger comes banging on Job’s door. He is ashen face, ragged and out of breath. There is terror in his eyes.

“Sir, I have bad news for you. Your oxen were plowing, your donkeys right next to them and (15) the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword .... I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO ESCAPED.” This a major portion of his business enterprises - gone … taken by the Sabeans - from Sheba in the South-east. Job’s employees mercilessly cut down with the sword.

Our great problem is not that people suffer. Very few of us think that there should be no suffering in the world as it is - in fact some of us think that one o

Just as the first servant is finishing the terrifying story, before he can even get his last words out and much before Job has time to even process the news, another traumatized messenger comes running up to the doorstep behind him. “Sir! Sir!” Verse 16, “The fire of God fell from heaven (‘fire of God’ is a common way in the Old Testament to refer to lightning. But don’t miss how clearly it points to the source of the lightning - it is ‘fire from HEAVEN’ - this is God’s nature) .... God’s lightning fell and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

This time there is no human terror attack - this is an ‘Act of God’ as the Insurance companies call it - a freak storm .. but all of your sheep and all the workers looking after them … they’re all dead. And, to press home just how devastating it all is - this servant, just like the first one, says - “I alone have escaped to tell you.” This means that Job’s entire farming operations are destroyed - the consequences of this will be devastating.

The problem of this book is that what happens here, happens to a man who is righteous - in fact, it happens to the most godly man on the face of the earth.

But still, the trauma isn’t over. While this messenger is still speaking, a third messenger comes running up the driveway, out of breath, with horror in his eyes. Verse 17, “… The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” These are the forerunners of what will become the mighty Babylonian empire to the north. They have swooped down on his vast herd of 3000 camels, so swiftly, so unexpectedly, that not a single camel can be rescued and, just as with the other tragedies, this is the only one of Job’s servants who has survived.

Job is financially destroyed - The wealthiest man in his part of the world - the Jeff Bezos of his day, has been ruined … bankrupted -wiped out in a single day. Some of you know something of what this feels like. You worked hard all of your life; you were wise with your money, you had your retirement plan, your investments and savings, your hopes and dreams for your later years, how you would help others .... some of you know what that feels like - through no fault of your own … it’s all gone.

This is the opposite of a ‘rags to riches’ story … this is the ultimate ‘RICHES TO RAGS’ story. From wealthiest man - to homeless in the space of minutes.

Oh, but the drama isn’t over yet. Before the third messenger can finish his terrible tale of woe - yet a fourth messenger comes running up, with tear-stained face. Sir! Sir! V. 18, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house ...”

See Job’s face, visibly fall - as if it could fall any further after what he’s already heard in the last 10 minutes .... he knows what his kids have been doing - he’s been praying for them. “Yes. Yes I know .... what’s happened?!!”

Verse 19, “… 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.”

Do you see what’s happened here? One day - four disasters have fallen on Job - attack from the south, then one from heaven and another the north and a natural disaster from the east ..... Job has been attacked from the four corners of the universe, as it were.

And just like that - Job is utterly. Utterly. Ruined. I have no idea how he felt. Some of you do. Some of you have lost a child. I cannot imagine the heartbreak to have a child die before you. Take all of my money - take my job and my very last penny … oh, but my children are my life. I have spoken with some of you who have been through the ache of a child gone … I know that you never get over it. You learn to live … but you are never the same.

In one fell swoop, Job has lost all of his children - 10 of them. Gone. What does he do? What would you do?

You may not have lost all of your 10 children - - but you may very well have lost one. Or maybe you lost a spouse … or a parent - maybe it was negligence on the part of the medical system. Maybe you have been raped - sexually violated. Maybe you have lost your savings, lost your health, lost your good name and reputation. You find yourself in a place you never dreamed you would ever be in. You look at your life and your circumstances - and all you see is black - - “It’s all fallen apart”. And you are left wondering, “How am I supposed to live in this new state of affairs?”

If you are like me - you are looking for someone to blame. Who is responsible - Who is responsible for this horrific suffering?!

Look at Job’s situation: Who’s to blame here? Well, on the one hand - some of his suffering has come because of natural causes - There was a fire that fell from heaven .... there was a wind that blew across the wilderness … Are natural causes to blame for Job’s suffering and ours? Many people think so.

Well, it’s true, there are hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes that do tremendous damage and leave dead people in their wake – Yes, we see it on the news - What some people call ‘Mother Nature’ is a terrible force.

In one respect it was evil men who did it - Sabeans and Chaldeans had evil plans and they inflicted horrors on Job’s workers – they took his animals. They are responsible for their actions.

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In another respect - it was Satan who did it. He was the one issuing the challenge in heaven. He’s the one who wants to destroy Job.

But the underlying reality behind all of these causes - is that ultimately ………………… God did it. You can’t escape that truth. Who gave Satan permission to do what he did - and set a boundary of how far he could go? It was God.

1 THE SCENE IN HEAVEN, vv. 6-12

There’s the problem. God is in this. My God. My Savior - - JESUS IS IN THIS. Here is the problem of pain. Not so much the problem of pain … it is the problem of God. Is God all-powerful? Is He loving? Then how can He allow this suffering?

Rabbi Harold Kushner, wrote a book in the 80’s - “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” - trying to ‘save God’s reputation’ - We know of the SPCA - there are many who belong to the SPCG - “Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to God”. They want to save God’s reputation - When heartache and innocent suffering crush you - - they say, “Don’t Blame God” - Rabbi Kushner says “God is loving - He doesn’t want you to suffer. The PROBLEM IS THAT - Unfortunately, He isn’t All-Powerful. His hands are tied. “even God has a hard time keeping chaos in check and limiting the damage that evil can do.” He is more a God of love than a God of power; He is more kind than clever.’

I’ve been to funerals like this; I’ve heard of hurting people being counseled with this kind of advice - - “Don’t blame God - He wasn’t there when the evil came.”

In verse 6, there is a sudden change in the scene of the story. The curtain that separates the busy, harried world that we live in down here, from the heavens where God Himself lives. And, in an instant, we are transported from the city of Uz, to the control room of the entire universe … and we are brought into a scene, where the angels dutifully present themselves before the sovereign God of the universe, to report on their activities.

Please don’t ever say that. There’s no comfort there. Sure God’s reputation may be saved by this shallow thinking - for a minute or two … but when my world falls apart - - - a God who loves me, but has to stand helplessly by and watch me lose it all because He is not in control .... that gives me ZERO hope!

The narrator tells us that among the angels, is a particular personality of note: Satan is here. (Literally it is ‘THE Satan’ - this is not a personal name, it is a title. The Hebrew word, ‘satan’ means ‘adversary’. Over time, the definite article - ‘the’ would get dropped and Satan becomes a proper name in the later parts of the Bible. But never forget that his name describes what he does). If you’ve watched the courtroom dramas on tv or movie screen, you know that the adversary - the accuser is the one who brings charges.

And that’s exactly what Satan does here. Verse 7, the LORD asks Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answers, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’

I need the God of the Bible - the God of Job - the God who is NOT held prisoner by the universe He has created - and even when nothing make sense and I hurt like I’ve never hurt before - and do not know how to take another single step … that He IS SITTING ON HIS THRONE, working everything out according to His Good purpose .... I need to know that there is a Sovereign God who loves me and Who, in this darkness of my suffering - is taking what seem to be the cords of death, winding around my neck … and weaving, out of them, a glorious crown for my head - - that will both bring Him glory and bring me joy forever and ever and ever.

Verse 8, “And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” ...

Verse 8,

And He IS that God, friend. Proved it by sending His Son – to ….. “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - - how will He not also with him graciously give us all things?” He WILL because He loves us that much and He CAN because He’s sovereign.

Satan responds with a sinister snarl: Verse 9, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (11) BUT STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”

Oh don’t miss the gravity of the accusation here - - Job has been so concerned that his kids may slip up, in a time of party and celebration -and curse God in the secrecy of their hearts … so concerned about that that he drags them all over to his house on the morning after their parties so that he can sacrifice for them and set them apart to the Lord again. Now Satan is saying - “Job doesn’t love you at all! The only reason he serves you is because he knows the way to the easy life. It is self-serving not worship that motivates this man

… Job doesn’t serve you for Your sake .... He serves you because you have filled his barns, his bank account and his bedrooms with healthy kids. Job is USING YOU.

This is a question that the book sets out to answer. It’s a question that we all need to answer: “Why do I serve God? Why am I a Christian - who comes to a worship service to sing His praise and why do I try to honor Him in my day to day living?”

Am I really a worshiper of God? Or is He my Divine Candy dispenser? I put in my obedience ...

This is a question that the book sets out to answer. It’s a question that we all need to answer: “Why do I serve God? Why am I a Christian - who comes to a worship service to sing His praise and why do I try to honor Him in my day to day living?”

Do I love the gifts God gives me … or do I truly love the God of the gifts? There is no more important question to answer.

Satan says, ‘In fact, if the gravy train stopped running … if you took away the blessings … not only would Job STOP serving you - - - he would CURSE YOU TO YOUR FACE.”

The LORD responds, in v. 12, “‘Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” “Do your worst to everything he has,” God says to Satan. “But do not lay a hand on him.”

So many questions aren’t answered for us. What is Satan doing parading before the holy God? Why is God engaging the enemy of all that He is - all that is … why is God engaging him in conversation? So many things we don’t understand here.

3 THE RESPONSE OF FAITH, vv. 20-22

But there are some things that the narrator does want us to CLEARLY understand in our text. He wants to be sure that we get this: THAT YOU HAVE AN ADVERSARY - There is a Satan alive and well on planet earth. He is not the cute cartoon figure with the pointed tail, horns and the pitchfork in his hand - someone to laugh at and ignore. He doesn’t only hate God - he hates you, for the very reason that God LOVES you. And every temptation he brings to you - to lead you into sin … he will pass it off like this: “Here is freedom - throw off God’s chains and do this … here is fun, here is fulfillment - - this website, this song, this movie .... this substance, this activity with your girl or guy friend .... THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT. And the book of Job pleads with us: “THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT! THE ENEMY WANTS YOU DESTROYED! So don’t laugh! Don’t play around … RUN. And you better be equipped with the whole armor of God!” The helmet of salvation and the Breastplate of Righteousness … and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. There is no other way to stand against Satan’s hatred and insidious attacks on your joy. Get this truth!

Also get this: SATAN DOES NOT HAVE ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY - He must report to God. He is NOT in full control. Even when he is allowed to do what he does - he is put on a leash - a chain. He is able to bark and growl and bite - - but ONLY as far as God allows him to - that far and not a nanometer further. Now, that raises some other questions, I understand that. We have to deal with those, as well. But for right now - please don’t miss the comfort that this truth should bring.

There is no dualism in this universe. Up in the heavens - in the control room of the universe - there is no battle to take the wheel. The theology of Star Wars is wrong - there is no great force with a never ending battle between light and darkness for control. “In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth”. And here, in Job - there is one God and a Satan who hates us, on His leash.

As Martin Luther put it: “The Satan is God’s Satan”. No matter how much the adversary hates his creator and hates us … he can never shake off the reality that he belongs to his holy God, still - and can do nothing, but it accomplishes God’s will … still.

In fact, maybe it will help you to look back at the conversation between God and Satan — When God begins it by asking Satan where he’s been - it’s not because God doesn’t know - of course He knows. No, this is like when God calls out to Adam, in the Garden of Eden, after the Fall: “Adam, where are you?” God knows everything - He isn’t missing a location on His GPS - - No, in both cases - - He is calling on a subordinate creature to explain his actions. Here in - God is calling Satan to account - “What have you been doing?”

Job didn’t ask for any of the suffering that has come his way. He didn’t do anything to deserve it. How does Job respond? He has just lost everything he has .... just lost all of his children - he has no idea why … so how does this man respond? How would I respond? How would you respond? We have no idea. Until we find ourselves in that very position - we don’t know how we would respond.

Satan’s response is boastfulness: “I’ve been going to and fro on the earth … walking up and down on it.” In other words, “I am freely roaming around on the earth, doing as I please against your work.” That’s , “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring line, seeking someone to devour.” And in reply, God turns his attention to Job:

“Oh, but you haven’t had it all your way. Have you considered my servant Job?”

Interesting that after playing one of the starring, key roles in the first 2 chapters of the book, to kick start the events that will carry the storyline for the rest of the 42 chapters … Satan disappears. He doesn’t appear again after chapter 2. In the epilogue at the end of the book - all of the characters in the story make a concluding appearance to wrap things up. God speaks, Job is honored and his friends are rebuked. Everybody gets what’s coming to them. But Satan is nowhere to be found. Do you see what that means?

He is no star. This is MY FATHER’S WORLD. Doesn’t mean there is no pain. But it does mean that there is no question WHO IS IN CHARGE AND WHERE HISTORY IS GOING.

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He has been a helpless victim - everything has been done TO him. Now comes his turn to do something. He may not have had a say in his loss of everything - but he does have a choice now: How will he respond? That’s his choice: “How do I respond to what’s been done to me?” It’s the choice that every single one of us has to make in whatever heartbreak comes our way … can’t change the hurt – but can choose my response.

Look at how Job responds in vv. 20-22. It’s our third point, the RESPONSE OF FAITH. Verse 20, “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.”

2 ON THE EARTH BELOW, vv. 13-19

Remember Satan’s accusation before the storm came? He told God that, not only was Job’s only reason for serving God was because God was, to Him, a Divine candy dispenser?

Job proves God right - - Take everything away from him - take away his children even - and he worships. Verse 21, “And (Job) 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.” It is one of the most moving, powerful testimonies of faith in the entire Bible - in all of history: “The LORD has taken away - - Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Now, Job won’t stay here. He is going to struggle in the coming days - he will have all sorts of questions - even accusations directed at God … and we will deal with that in the weeks ahead. But he will get back here again. “Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Verse 13 tells us that ‘one day’ things changed forever for Job. Remember, we know more than Job here. He doesn’t have a window into what’s going on in heaven. We have the narrator to prepare us for the action to come. Job doesn’t. And, in verse 13,

What a response. How will you respond when suffering comes your way? I know people and so do you – Something happened to them – something terrible; something tragic … 30 years ago … Everything fell apart for them … and they have grown bitter, they’ve grown angry … and they’ve lost their faith. They blame God for it and they’ve never forgiven Him. Is that where you are this morning? Secretly?

Your life took a left turn and it hasn’t turned out the way you dreamed it would – your family didn’t turn out the way you wanted it to be. And because of that - you hold a grudge against God. You don’t spend time anymore in private Bible reading and prayer. You barely mouth the words to the songs of worship we sing. You have allowed yourself to become a spiritual desert. And if that’s you, I understand. I do.

“His sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house ...”. We saw in last week’s text that this was one of those ‘perfect’ families. The brothers and sisters were grown … had their own lives … but they loved each other. They still wanted each other’s company. This particular day was the birthday party for one of them - they were at the eldest brother’s house, eating and drinking wine ...

Let me plead with you – “Don’t allow yourself to suffer even more.” “Don’t allow the suffering to drive you from your only hope for joy”. “How does turning from God serve any purpose in bringing you good?”

Now, please don’t read anything into this. If you have issues with drinking wine, that’s fine - but please don’t use this passage to try and make your point - as if God killed 10 children for drinking wine. Please don’t do that. This is not a drunken party … this is a family celebrating God’s blessing on another year of life for a family member they love.

Friend from Bible College, named Terry Stauffer, took his first pastorate at Edson Baptist Church, in the small town of Edson, Alberta. Went there with a young family. September 28, 2008, posted on his blog these words:

This is the very time that verse 5 told us that Job would be thinking about the spiritual state of his kids and be getting ready to get on his face before God on their behalves. But on that very day, a messenger comes banging on Job’s door. He is ashen face, ragged and out of breath. There is terror in his eyes.

“Sir, I have bad news for you. Your oxen were plowing, your donkeys right next to them and (15) the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword .... I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO ESCAPED.” This a major portion of his business enterprises - gone … taken by the Sabeans - from Sheba in the South-east. Job’s employees mercilessly cut down with the sword.

Just as the first servant is finishing the terrifying story, before he can even get his last words out and much before Job has time to even process the news, another traumatized messenger comes running up to the doorstep behind him. “Sir! Sir!” Verse 16, “The fire of God fell from heaven (‘fire of God’ is a common way in the Old Testament to refer to lightning. But don’t miss how clearly it points to the source of the lightning - it is ‘fire from HEAVEN’ - this is God’s nature) .... God’s lightning fell and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” This time there is no human terror attack - this is an ‘Act of God’ as the Insurance companies call it - a freak storm .. but all of your sheep and all the workers looking after them … they’re all dead. And, to press home just how devastating it all is - this servant, just like the first one, says - “I alone have escaped to tell you.” This means that Job’s entire farming operations are destroyed - the consequences of this will be devastating.

But still, the trauma isn’t over. While this messenger is still speaking, a third messenger comes running up the driveway, out of breath, with horror in his eyes. Verse 17, “… The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” These are the forerunners of what will become the mighty Babylonian empire to the north. They have swooped down on his vast herd of 3000 camels, so swiftly, so unexpectedly, that not a single camel could be rescued and, just as with the other tragedies, this is the only one of Job’s servants who has survived.

Job is financially destroyed - The wealthiest man in his part of the world - the Jeff Bezos of his day, has been ruined … bankrupted -wiped out in a single day. Some of you know something of what this feels like. You worked hard all of your life; you were wise with your money, you had your retirement plan, your investments and savings, your hopes and dreams for your later years, how you would help others .... some of you know what that feels like - through no fault of your own … it’s all gone.

This is the opposite of a ‘rags to riches’ story … this is the ultimate ‘RICHES TO RAGS’ story. From wealthiest man - to homeless in the space of minutes.

Oh, but the drama isn’t over yet. Before the third messenger can finish his terrible tale of woe - yet a fourth messenger comes running up, with tear-stained face. Sir! Sir! V. 18, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house ...”

See Job’s face, visibly fall - as if it could fall any further after what he’s already heard in the last 10 minutes .... he knows what his kids have been doing - he’s been praying for them. “Yes. Yes I know .... what’s happened?!!”

Verse 19, “… 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.”

Do you see what’s happened here? One day - four disasters have fallen on Job - attack from the south- east, then one from heaven and another the north and a natural disaster from ..... Job has been attacked from the four corners of the universe, as it were.

And just like that - Job is utterly. Utterly. Ruined. I have no idea how he felt. Some of you do. Some of you have lost a child. I cannot imagine the heartbreak to have a child die before you. Take all of my money - take my job and my very last penny … oh, but my children are my life. I have spoken with some of you who have been through the ache of a child gone … I know that you never get over it. You learn to live … but you are never the same.

“Last night at about 4:45 (in the afternoon) our precious 14 year-old daughter Emily was attacked and killed as she was out for a walk. We don’t know a lot of details, but we know that two young men came upon the scene right away, but it was too late for Emily. I will write more as more details come available. Please pray for us, for our church family who are meeting without us right now, and for family that is travelling. We are realizing from the inside the value of good, Gospel theology right now. “

In one fell swoop, Job has lost all of his children - 10 of them. Gone. What does he do? What would you do?

ILLUSTRATE -

you may not have lost all of your 10 children - - but you may very well have lost one. Or maybe you lost a spouse … or a parent - maybe it was negligence on the part of the medical system. Maybe you have been raped - sexually violated. Maybe you have lost your savings, lost your health, lost your good name and reputation. You find yourself in a place you never dreamed you would ever be in. You look at your life and your circumstances - and all you see is black - - “It’s all fallen apart”. And you are left wondering, “How am I supposed to live in this new state of affairs?”

If you are like me - you are looking for someone to blame. Who is responsible - Who is responsible for this horrific suffering?!

Look at Job’s situation: Who’s to blame here? Well, on the one hand - some of his suffering has come because of natural causes - There was a fire that fell from heaven .... there was a wind that blew across the wilderness … Are natural causes to blame for Job’s suffering and ours? Many people think so.

Well, it’s true, there are hurricanes

In one respect it was evil men who did it - Sabeans and Chaldeans had evil plans and they did cruel acts.

In another respect - it was Satan who did it.

But the underlying reality behind all of these causes - is that ultimately, God did it. You can’t escape that truth. Who gave Satan permission to do what he did - and set a boundary of how far he could go? It was God.

There’s the problem. God is in this. My God. My Savior - - JESUS IS IN THIS. Here is the problem of pain. Not so much the problem of pain … it is the problem of God. Does God

Rabbi Harold Kushner, wrote a book in the 80’s - “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” - trying to ‘save God’s reputation’ - We know of the SPCA - there are many who belong to the SPCG - “Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to God”. They want to save God’s reputation - When heartache and innocent suffering crush you - - they say, “Don’t Blame God” - Rabbi Kushner says “God is loving - He doesn’t want you to suffer. Unfortunately, He isn’t All-Powerful. His hands are tied. “even God has a hard time keeping chaos in check and limiting the damage that evil can do.” He is more a God of love than a God of power; He is more kind than clever.’

I’ve been to funerals like this; I’ve heard of hurting people being counseled with this kind of advice - - “Don’t blame God - He wasn’t there when the evil came.”

Please don’t ever say that. There’s no comfort there. Sure God’s reputation may be saved for a minute or two … but when my world falls apart - - - a God who loves but has to stand helplessly by and watch me lose it all because He is not in control .... that gives me ZERO hope!

I need the God of the Bible - the God of Job - the God who is NOT held prisoner by the universe He has created - and even when nothing make sense and I hurt like I’ve never hurt before - and do not know how to take another single step … that He IS SITTING ON HIS THRONE, working everything out according to His Good purpose .... I need to know that there is a Sovereign God who loves me and

Thomas Watson: “God always has a hand in the action where sin occurs, but he never has a hand in the sin that occurs.”

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Emily’s murder shocked this small town of less than 10,000 people–the kind of town where this crime is unheard of.

“When Emily’s death was confirmed on Saturday night, I was shocked and bewildered. All I could pray was, ‘O Lord, Help! Help! Help!’ As I was on my knees, a thought came to me: ‘If all my talk about the Gospel and God’s goodness is not true now, then it was never true.'”

3 THE RESPONSE OF FAITH, vv. 20-22

“The funeral for Emily will not be a celebration of her life, though she will be appropriately honoured. We desire this service to be Gospel-saturated and glorifying to Christ our Redeemer. I can honestly say that’s the way Emily would have wanted it.”

I know this great good news is true. I stand with my wife and family in a long line of Christians who have suffered loss yet look ahead to a “city not made with hands” and the fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life to those who trust Christ. We will see Emily again. I said to my daughter Petra last night that this clumsy, self-conscious dad is looking forward to dancing with Emily in Heaven as we celebrate God’s glory together. But the first face I will see in Heaven will be the face of Jesus. He is the source of my life. He is the one who died willingly and rose triumphantly so that I might have peace with God. He’s bringing the people I love most to Heaven too as they learn from Him, repent of their sins and trust Him as Saviour. Without Him, there would be no hope, only despair, no peace, only fear, no joy, only sorrow unending.

TEN YEARS LATER - Terry is still a pastor. I guarantee you that, after the tragedy he and his family suffered – he wouldn’t have lasted a week, let alone 10 plus years, without the firm conviction both – that God was in control when His daughter was murdered … AND, that He is working out all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Because He loves him.

Job didn’t ask for any of the suffering that has come his way. He didn’t do anything to deserve it. How does Job respond? He has just lost everything he has .... just lost all of his children - he has no idea why … so how does this man respond? How would I respond? How would you respond? We have no idea. Until we find ourselves in that very position - we don’t know how we would respond.

He has been a helpless victim - everything has been done TO him. Now comes his turn to do something. He may not have had a say in his loss of everything - but he does have a choice now: How will he respond? That’s his choice: “How do I respond to what’s been done to me?” It’s the choice that every single one of us has to make in whatever hearbreak comes our way.

He has been a helpless victim - everything has been done TO him. Now comes his turn to do something. He may not have had a say in his loss of everything - but he does have a choice now: How will he respond? That’s his choice: “How do I respond to what’s been done to me?” It’s the choice that every single one of us has to make in whatever heartbreak comes our way.

Look at how Job responds in vv. 20-22. It’s our third point, the RESPONSE OF FAITH. Verse 20, “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.”

Remember Satan’s accusation before the storm came? He told God that, not only was Job’s only reason for serving God was because God was, to Him, a Divine candy dispenser?

Job proves God right - - Take everything away from him - take away his children even - and he worships. Verse 21, “And (Job) 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.” It is one of the most moving, powerful testimonies of faith in the entire Bible - in all of history: “The LORD has taken away - - Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Terry is a want us to be the same.

Now, Job won’t stay here. He is going to struggle in the coming days - he will have all sorts of questions - even accusations directed at God … and we will deal with that in the weeks ahead. But he will get back here again. “Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Remember Satan’s accusation before the storm came? He told God that, not only was Job’s only reason for serving God was because God was, to Him, a Divine candy dispenser?

How

Friend from Bible College, named Terry Stauffer, took his first pastorate at Edson Baptist Church, in the small town of Edson, Alberta. Went there with a young family. September 28, 2008, posted on his blog these words:

“Last night at about 4:45 (in the afternoon) our precious 14 year-old daughter Emily was attacked and killed as she was out for a walk. We don’t know a lot of details, but we know that two young men came upon the scene right away, but it was too late for Emily. I will write more as more details come available. Please pray for us, for our church family who are meeting without us right now, and for family that is travelling. We are realizing from the inside the value of good, Gospel theology right now. “

Emily’s murder shocked this small town of less than 10,000 people–the kind of town where this crime is unheard of.

“When Emily’s death was confirmed on Saturday night, I was shocked and bewildered. All I could pray was, ‘O Lord, Help! Help! Help!’ As I was on my knees, a thought came to me: ‘If all my talk about the Gospel and God’s goodness is not true now, then it was never true.'”

“The funeral for Emily will not be a celebration of her life, though she will be appropriately honoured. We desire this service to be Gospel-saturated and glorifying to Christ our Redeemer. I can honestly say that’s the way Emily would have wanted it.”

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I want to be Job: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

The cause of Job’s suffering was more than Satan’s accusations against him. He wasn’t only suffering to vindicate himself. He was vindicating God’s trust in him. He wasn’t so much abandoned by God - - He was supremely honoured by God. “Have you considered MY servant Job?”