One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD, Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, “Whence do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming the earth and patrolling it.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job, and that there is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?”
But Satan answered the LORD and said, “Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing? Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land. But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has, and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand upon his person.”
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. And so one day, while his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them, and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid. They put the herdsmen to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “Lightning has fallen from heaven and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three columns, seized the camels, carried them off, and put those tending them to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, when suddenly a great wind came across the desert and smote the four corners of the house. It fell upon the young people and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.
He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God. (Job 1:6-22)
"Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming the earth and patrolling it.” Yes, Satan and his minions roam, patrol, corrupt, weaken, and lie. They distort, create fear, promote hate, and make us subservient. Or at least they constantly try, and many of us succumb to their clever arguments so we are no longer blameless and upright, God-fearing, and avoiders of evil. Such is the power of Satan – our Adversary.
The story of Job is fanciful, but its message is clear: when all goes well for us we praise God. When life throws us a monkey wrench, or the whole tool box, we become angry at God or even wonder if God exists. The author of Job suggests we must have the attitude: “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!”
I’m not so willing to subscribe to that conviction that makes God distant and unfriendly. If God takes away – such as good health – then I want to know the reason. That doesn’t make me disrespectful. It acknowledges I have a relationship with God and a conversation is important, even if God cannot participate.
We have a right to express our anger and, frankly, be pissed off. God needs to know how we really feel. We may not bless the name of LORD. That would be a lie especially when we or a loved one is suffering or dying. Friends have arguments and then reconciliations.
It should be the same with God who I don’t believe would ever say to Satan: “Go right ahead. Test David. Hurt David’s family.” No, that’s not a loving and forgiving God.
Naked we came forth from our mothers’ wombs, and naked shall we go back again. But in between we will cloth ourselves with Christ; call God our friend; and never be afraid to converse with God offering the Lord praise and criticism. That’s called prayer when we don’t bow down but sit alongside and talk. That's when we come to understand and accept.
Deacon David Pierce
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