Suffering and Grace - Series Part -5

This post is continuations of the sermon series Suffering and Grace that pastor Sam gave in Grace Gospel Church. Pastor Sam starts by explores the surprising contrast set up in the Book of Job between the initial idyllic portrayal of Job's life on earth and the "conflict in heaven". He begins by highlighting Job's extraordinary initial state, which we've discussed previously, where he is depicted as both righteous ("blameless and upright") and immensely prosperous. This seem to align with a picture where "the righteous lead" and are blessed by God. Job is presented as having integrity and being a spiritual leader for his family. However, this seemingly "ideal setting of earth" is merely the backdrop for the central drama initiated by events occurring "Behind the scenes in the heavenly court".

The Heavenly Court Scene (Job 1:6–12)

The sermon emphasizes that the "action begins" with a specific "day" when events in heaven "would change Job’s life forever".

• The Routine Gathering: This significant day begins in a "routine way" with "the sons of God" coming "to present themselves before the LORD". The "sons of God" are described as "superhuman beings", often translated as "angels". Their existence is "derivative from God". They are "plural and inferior to God". They form a "divine council or cabinet". Their purpose in presenting themselves is like attending a summoned meeting or coming "before a superior ready to do his will". These "holy ones" serve as "messengers to do God’s bidding". This scene reveals "another realm, another place, where God holds council with his heavenly court and where actions are taken which affect people on earth".

• The Entrance of the Adversary: Crucially, "the satan also came among them". Pastor Sam clarifies that "the satan" is likely a title meaning "adversary, opponent, enemy". He is the court 'Adversary', identified as a "prosecuting angel" or an "official of the secret police". His task is to "make out a case for the opposition". Pastor Sam suggests he is likely a member of this heavenly council. God's question to satan, "From where have you come?", is interpreted as a routine request for a report. Satan responds that he has been "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it". This movement is described as having a "specific purpose" – his job is "to test the characters of God’s people", seeking "evidence of disloyalty", and seemingly delighting in this task. He is presented as "wholly committed to the downfall of righteous and godly people".

• God Initiates the Conversation about Job: The Lord initiates the central conflict by directing satan's attention to Job. God points out Job's unique righteousness: "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?". God views Job as "His best representative of His purpose for man on earth".

• Satan's Challenge: The Motive of Piety: Satan responds with a direct challenge to Job's motive for his piety: "Does Job fear God for no reason?". Satan's argument is that Job is only righteous because God has protected and blessed him. Satan says, "Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land". This "hedge" is described as a "protective hedge put there by God" around Job, his family, and his possessions. Satan insinuates that Job's piety is solely a result of his prosperity, suggesting Job has discovered that honoring God results in material blessings. He argues Job is pious not out of love or belief in God's worthiness, but for the benefits ("convenience"). This raises a crucial question about the genuineness of faith – whether one fears God because He is God, or because of the blessings He provides. Pastor Sam notes this is a "worthy question" that believers should ask themselves.

• The Dare and God's Permission: To test Job's true motives, satan issues a dare to God: "But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face". The "hand" of God signifies God in action, and to "touch" means to "smite" or "hit aggressively". Satan impudently commands God to act ("stretch out"). Pastor Sam explains that the "satan’s logic is impeccable" regarding the method of proving Job's piety; the "only way to find out is to take away Job’s prosperity". This test is presented as "necessary to the glory of God". Pastor Sam compares this to Peter's writing about trials testing the "genuineness of your faith" to result in "praise and glory and honor" for God.

  • God accepts the challenge and grants satan permission: "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand". Satan is allowed to strip Job of his possessions and family, but not to harm Job himself. Satan then "went out from the presence of the Lord".

• Job's Ignorance of the Heavenly Drama: A central element highlighted by pastor Sam is that Job is completely unaware of this heavenly exchange and the conflict that instigated his suffering. "All Job knows is the suffering which results". The reader, however, is given this crucial glimpse "Behind the scenes in the heavenly court".

How the World is Governed: A Nuanced Biblical Model

This heavenly scene in Job provides a significant insight into the nature of spiritual governance. Pastor Sam explains that the language is anthropomorphic, used for human understanding. It contrasts the biblical view with other models:

• Polytheism/Animism: Governance by multiple, imperfect, and often evil spirits, leading to anxiety.
• Dualism: A simplified version where God and the devil are "pretty much equal and opposite powers". Pastor Sam notes that "Some Christians are practical dualists" in this way, seeing the devil as having independent autonomy.
• Absolute Monism: Governance solely by one God; "What this God says goes, end of story". This is presented as the model many Christians think is biblical, but pastor Sam asserts, "It is not".

Pastor Sam argues that the biblical model is "more nuanced and complex". Key characteristics of this model derived from the Job passage and other scriptures include:

• Absolute Sovereignty of God: The world is "under the absolute supremacy and sovereignty of the Creator, who has no rivals, who is unique". God governs the universe and pays "infinite attention", refuting Deism.
• Governance Through Agencies: God "does not govern the world as the sole supernatural power". He governs "by the means of and through the agency of a multiplicity of supernatural powers, some of whom are evil". These are "superhuman" but "sub-divine".
• The Realm of Evil Spirits: These agencies include "the satan and his lying and evil spirits". There is a spiritual realm ("the air") higher than earth but lower than God's dwelling, where figures like "the ruler of this world" and "the prince of the power of the air" operate. Our spiritual battle is against these "spiritual forces of evil".
• God's Sovereignty is Not Compromised: This model is not dualist; "the sovereignty of God is not compromised one iota". Although created beings (including satan) are given freedom, satan remains "subservient to the Lord". Pastor Sam quotes Martin Luther, calling satan "God’s satan", meaning satan "never operates outside the Lord’s decree".
• God's Use of Evil for Good: God created the Devil (who was originally "very good"). God is not culpable for evil and cannot be tempted by it. While God cannot have fellowship with evil (He is pure light), He can and does "use evil in his government of the world". His interaction with satan in governance is not a sign of blessing.
• Suffering Has Purpose: This understanding, though a "hard truth," is also "comforting". It means that suffering, even when it comes "from the Devil, his demons, and all evil," is "not purposeless but will lead to our good and God’s glory". Satan, despite his malicious intent, has a "necessary ministry" in God's government – the "ministry of opposition" that tests and proves the genuineness of believers.

Character Insights from the Scene

The heavenly court scene reveals significant aspects of the main characters:

• God: Presented as sovereign, presiding over the heavenly council. He governs the universe with "infinite attention" and guarantees "moral order". He allows His creatures freedom to challenge. He is not distant and cares deeply, rejoicing in those like Job. He uses even evil for His good purposes.
• Satan: The "Adversary," "opponent," and "enemy", serving as a "prosecuting angel". His role is to test believers and find fault. He is a member of the heavenly council but is subservient to God. He is a finite, created being, not equal to God. He is the "Accuser", specifically charging Job with having impure motives. Despite his malice, he fulfills a "necessary ministry" of testing for God's glory.
• Job: Described by God as His "servant", "blameless and upright, who fears God and turns away from evil". He is God's "best representative" on earth, a conspicuously "genuine and godly" believer. However, he is completely unaware of the heavenly conflict that is the source of his suffering. His loyalty and the genuineness of his piety are the central focus of the test initiated in this scene.

In summary, the analysis of the heavenly court scene in Job 1 reveals that Job's suffering is not random or arbitrary. It originates from a divine council where God, the ultimate sovereign, interacts with supernatural beings, including the adversary, satan. Satan challenges the authenticity of Job's faith, postulating that it is based solely on God's blessings. God permits satan to test Job's piety by removing his prosperity, within carefully defined limits. Crucially, this cosmic drama unfolds without Job's knowledge. This scene introduces a complex biblical model of world governance where God rules through agencies, including evil ones like satan, but remains absolutely sovereign, ultimately using even suffering and evil for His purposes – the good of His people and, most importantly, His own glory through the testing and proving of genuine faith.