“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” – Job 38:4a
Job’s response, “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to you?” – Job 40:4a
Most theologians agree that the oldest book in the Bible is Job (yes, even older than Genesis!). It is a literary and theological masterpiece. Its genre is a mixture of monologue, dialogue, wisdom, and narrative which is unique; it’s not found anywhere else in the Bible.
The story is about a righteous and God-fearing man who seems to be caught up in a cosmic chess match between God and Satan. Satan wishes to put God in checkmate by proving that Job, a pawn of sorts, will deny God if given the right circumstances. Our omniscient God allows Satan (this act alone is the subject of many a theological debate!) to do whatever he wishes to Job. The only thing he is not allowed to do is to take Job’s life.
What follows is a calamity of a degree for which no one on earth has ever experienced. Job loses all his material possessions, his servants and his entire family except his wife (who ends up nagging him to curse God!). In addition, he receives sores on his body that would make a normal man cry for morphine! After Job hears the horrible news of the loss of his livestock, servants, and children, he says something proverbially profound.
He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Emphasis added) –Job 1:21
All three of these verses help us remember the perspective of knowing exactly who God is. He is the Creator of all things, mighty in power and rich in mercy. Remember, He is the Great Potter, we are the humble clay! He has the right to mold us into whatever He desires.
In the end, Job was blessed with a large family and twice the material possessions he had lost. Why? Many people would say it was due to Job’s obedience, faithfulness and willingness to not curse God. I say it had nothing to do with Job but had everything to do with God desiring to bless one of His children.
By the way, God won the chess match!
In Christ,
David
Related Articles:
For more on Job and God’s Sovereignty see Why, God? and God’s Continual Sovereignty.
For more on what the Bible says about facing life’s difficult times read Facing the Storm.
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