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 look to You for guidance as we enter the study of Your Word. Please bless our study. Please answer our questions. Please give us Your peace. In the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
As we continue to look behind the scenes of Job’s tragedy, another concern comes to mind – the manner in which his possessions were destroyed. Whenever there is a natural disaster, of whatever nature, it is referred to as, “An act of God.” For some reason, it is the normal thing, to make God, the Author of acts of destruction. When someone dies, no matter how tragic, or peaceful, the manner of his or her death, we hear something to this effect: “it was God’s will, so let us be content with it.” It is one thing to say that nothing can befall us unless God allows it. It is quite another thing to say that God did it!
Before we go any further, let us look at a couple of texts, John 10: 10, 11: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 8: 44, NRSV: “You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Now let us look at the manner in which Job’s possessions were destroyed. Job 1: 15, “The Sabeans raided them and took them away (stole)… they have killed the servants.” Verse 16, NRSV” ‘The fire of God fell from heaven (lie – God did not destroy Job’s possessions!) and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed (destroyed) them.” Verse 17, ” ‘The Chaldeans formed three columns, made a raid on the camels and carried them off (stole) and killed the servants with the edge of the sword…” Verse 18, “… suddenly a great wind came across the desert, struck the four corners of the house (hurricane?), and it fell on the young people and they are dead …” Emphases provided.
When we look at the way the Bible describes the Adversary; and the way he dealt with Job; I truly believe that there should be some serious revising of the way natural disasters are described in insurance policies, and death certificates! These are not normal acts of God! But they surely fit the devil’s modus operandi! There are times when God will use natural elements to destroy sin. Sinners get destroyed along with sin, by clinging to sin, instead of holding on to the rope of mercy that is thrown to them! There was an ark prepared for those who wanted to escape the flood! Angels were sent to pull out, whosoever wanted to flee from Sodom and Gomorrah! God loves the sinner! It is the sin that He hates!
On the other hand, the Adversary is the one who will, without a second thought, destroy the sinner! He is bent on destroying not only, the sinner saved by grace; but also the sinner who serves him, and his cause, faithfully! As we continue to study the Book of Job, keep in mind that we are involved in a warfare! In a warfare not only the bad guys die, some of the “good guys” will fall as well. The difference between the two groups, is that God restores those that are His! For them, death is but a sleep (John 11: 11-14). On the final day, they shall hear the voice of the Life-giver, and “the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4: 16)! That is why Job could say: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me” (19: 25-27, NKJV)!