Surely God will never do wickedly, nor the Almighty pervert justice. Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world? If He should set His heart on it, if He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. “If you have understanding hear this; listen to the sound of My words: Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn Him who is most just? Is it fitting to say to a king, ‘You are worthless,?’ And to nobles, ‘You are wicked?’ Yet He is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; for they are all the work of His hands…” Job 34: 12-19, NKJV.
Gracious God, we give You thanks for the blessing of Your written Word! We ask that Your grace and love will be made manifest as we study from it today. In the blessed name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Today we will continue to look at the “Unknown” portion in the Book of Job. I have heard people say, and I have even said it myself, that if I could only know why what is happening, was happening, I would be content. After a closer look at Job’s situation, I have wondered about that; would I, really? Would it have made Job feel any better knowing why his ten children were killed? Would his financial loss be any easier to bear? Would any of it make any more sense to Job; or make his pain any more bearable? Each of us may have a different point of view on this. Let us look at the statement that follows immediately, “So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD” (1: 12). I would like us to consider three points at this time:
1. We are constantly being accused by the Adversary. Revelation 12: 10 informs us: “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” Emphasis provided. Satan accused Job of serving God for profit. This knowledge should make us aware of who is really behind all the criticism, and faultfinding in our churches. If we can identify the real source of division among us, then we can pray for one another, instead of fighting against each other! The way he accuses us, and who he uses to accuse us, is all very subtle! We will see this as we progress in our study!
2. God is greater than the Adversary! “…Michael and His angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer… Woe to the inhabitants of the earth…! For the devil has come down to you having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time (7, 12)! After the dialogue between GOD and the Adversary, He “went out from the presence of the LORD,” because he no longer had a place in heaven! He left with great anger to destroy Job. But God never loses control! Nothing, or, no one, can touch the child of God, without God’s permission!
3. Even in the midst of the sorest of trials we can overcome with our testimony! “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Revelation 12: 11). There are times when the pain we bear is so intense, that if God did not come to our aid, we would give up the ghost! But it is when we are at our weakest, that His “strength is made perfect” in us (2 Corinthians 12: 9)! Hallelujah! “Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped. He said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; 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 wrongdoing'” (Job 1: 20, 21, NRSV).
We will continue.