Doug Van Pelt

The Mess in Uz

There was this good man, considered the greatest among all the people of the East; and he was minding his own business (which was immense, as he was a blessed man) when calamity struck. In one day Sabeans attacked and carried off his oxen and donkeys; fire fell from the sky and burned sheep and the servants working the fields; Chaldeans took his camels and stabbed the servants; and his children were crushed when a mighty wind collapsed the house and crushed them. All of this news was reported to this man at once.

His first reaction? Tearing his robe and shaving his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped. "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. This guy is a hero. He is a real man. This guy understood himself and his God. We should all be impressed with him. It would be hard to imagine losing all of your children in one day, much less your livestock (livelihood). He was still alive and he used his breath and voice to praise the God Who lives. In a moment of weakness, he went straight to his strong tower, his "I can lean on You" friend, his God. That was smart and must've pleased God immensely.

One golden nugget I can't help but bring up everytime this story is told is that Satan had a right to take everything but the man's life; but he didn't touch Job's wife. That is odd. Maybe the crafty little punk left her because he had a hunch that she would soon be a thorn in Job's side. This is possible, but I believe he couldn't touch her because she and her husband were one flesh. I think this is a divine plan about marriage. But that's just my opinion.

It all started up in Heaven. The Minister of Accusation, as I like to call him, went up to God in the company of angels. "Where have you come from?" asked the Lord of Hosts. "He asked Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." Satan accused God, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands,so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." God granted that request: "Very well,, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."

3 days, 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 28 seconds left of deadline. "Oh, Lord, will I finish this issue in time? Please help me!"

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at March 29, 2005 09:49 AM