Reading
- Job 1:1-3:26
Devotional
Today we begin reading the account of Job. Our reading will be taken from the book of Job through the next ten days. It is uncertain when the book of Job was written, but the man Job lived a long, long time ago, hundreds of years before Abraham. Job is referred to by name in several other places within the Bible, including the books of Ezekiel and James. Some believe that the book of Job was written during the period of captivity, and because of its theme, it makes sense to cover it at this time even though the events happened thousands of years earlier.
Job lived in the land of Uz. He was the richest man in all the people of the east. GOD had blessed Job mightily. He had 7 sons and 3 daughters, 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 donkeys. He had a lot of servants as well. Job was a righteous man. He often offered sacrifices for his children in case they had sinned against GOD during their periodic feasts.
One day Satan and the angels came to present themselves to GOD. GOD asked Satan if he had considered Job, because he was such a righteous man. Satan said that Job was only righteous because GOD had blessed him with this world's goods. GOD told Satan he could take everything away from Job, but not to harm Job's body. Satan went out and did so. In the span of a few minutes, Job lost all of his possessions and his children. Hearing the news, Job fell on the ground and worshiped GOD. He shaved his head 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.”
(Job 1:21 NIV)
Despite all of this, Job did not sin against GOD with his mouth.
Another day Satan and the angels went before GOD. GOD told Satan that this proved a man will love GOD and remain loyal to Him even though he endured much suffering. Satan replied that a man will do anything to save his own life. GOD told Satan he could afflict Job's body with pain and suffering but he must spare Job's life. Satan caused severe boils to come upon Job's skin, from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. Job was in agony, and took a broken piece of pottery to scrape the boils off his body. He sat among the ashes.
Job's wife encouraged him to curse GOD and die, because he was suffering too much. Job rebuked her and said:
"You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?'"
(Job 2:10)
Despite all of this, Job did not sin against GOD with his mouth.
Let's consider three quick lessons from today's reading of Job:
- There is a lot more going on in the spiritual realm than we know about. The only reason we know that GOD and Satan had these conversations about Job is because GOD told us.
- GOD is watching over us and He is with us when we prosper and when we suffer. This should be a great comfort to know that the Creator, the All-Powerful One, is watching and caring for us daily, regardless of where we find ourselves.
- It is our responsibility to accept both blessings and adversity from GOD. He knows what is best for us, and His heart longs to bless us with what is best for us. But sometimes, what's best for us is a healthy dose of suffering. GOD allows that because of what it does to us—how it changes us to make us more like Him. We need not worry about tomorrow because we have no ability to impact what will happen in any way. We need only trust in GOD and pray to Him to help us make it through whatever comes.
