Job 2
-There came another day when Satan appeared with the other sons of God (created beings) before the LORD of hosts. They presented themselves in subordination to the All-mighty. It is at this time the LORD asked Satan once more, “Were have you come from?” In poetic fashion, Satan answered, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” God asked the repetitive question, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity (important point here), although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” Satan went further though, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. However, put forth Your Hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your Face (another total lie here perpetuated by the adversary).” So the LORD gave more permissions, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life (Job 2:1-6).”
-Satan proceeded to go out from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his feet to the crown of his head. It was so painful, Job had to take a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes of his wailing and mourning. At this point his wife begins to chime in with negativity led by a demonic spirit, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” But, Job said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all his calamity Job did not sin with his lips (Job 2:7-10).
-Now, Job had some friends, or what he thought were friends, who heard about all this adversity and came to him from their own place. There was Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made appointment together to come to their friend for sympathy and comfort. When they saw him at a distance and did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept. Each of them tore their robe and threw dust over their heads toward the sky. Sorrow upon sorrow they observed in their friend. They sat down with Job on the ground for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking to him, “for they saw that his pain was very great (Job 2:11-13).”
-*Application* Maybe we can totally relate to Job’s condition. Physical and emotional torment is excruciating. Let’s think about the redeeming value in Job’s words today… “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” Let’s think about his enduring integrity and refusal to sin with his lips. We live in a “fix it quick” society that desperately tries to alleviate any pain or distress. Who wants to go through torture, right? The person who can handle the toughest times deserve a special place in God’s grace, mercy, and favor. We all can achieve that if we persevere. We can go one of two ways when tragedy hits, closer to God or further away. The choice is ours to make. What Satan means for evil, God means for good and the progress of His Kingdom (Genesis 50:20). The question becomes, how much can we bear? Thankfully, God promises not to lay on us any temptation that is too great for us to handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). So whatever we are going through, God has allowed it to bring us through it…stronger, more dependent, more wise, and more relational with Him. Praise God today for the trouble He allows to flow into our lives (Philippians 1:12; 3:8-15; 4:4-14).
Verse to Memorize: Job 2:10
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