Job's Really Bad Day

OT: Job 1-2
NT:

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Job 1:13-22 — One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Ever have "one of those days"? You know, when everything seems to go wrong or become more difficult than it seems like it should be? I dare say that we all have them. But I also dare say that none compare to the "one of those days" that Job had. The first chapter of Job is a mystery in the biblical canon. It starts out like a fairy tale "once upon a time..." and contains a strange discourse between God and Satan in which Satan challenges God to let him test Job's faith. God agrees and Satan wrecks Job's life with "one of those days."

So Job lost nearly everything he had, save for his wife and his life, and was devastated. Wouldn't you be? Sitting with boils on his body and disbelief on his mind, Job's wife tells him to curse God and die as a result. After all, Job must have done something wrong to merit such punishment from God! This quandary — the role of suffering and faith — is the theme of the rest of the book. Is God just? If so, why does He allow the righteous to suffer along with the wicked? The answer comes with a thud in the end: God IS just and right and He DOES take care of His faithful ones. But why does suffering happen? Why does God seem to "pick and choose" which persons to help and which ones to ignore? The answers are never easy but they are important. And they are the goal of Job's quest throughout the remainder of this book.

Be God's.