Suffering and Grace - Series Part 7

This post is continuations of the sermon series Suffering and Grace that pastor Sam gave in Grace Gospel Church. The sermon opens with the second scene in the Book of Job (Job 1:13-22), focusing on the catastrophes Job endures and his remarkable initial response.

Scene 2: Earth (Job 1:13–22) – The Catastrophes

The second scene transports the reader from the heavenly court to Earth. It takes place on another specific "day", following the heavenly council where God permitted Satan to "touch all that he had" with the exception of Job himself [implicitly referencing to previous sermon]. The sermon note that Job is completely unaware of the heavenly dialogue and the reasons behind his impending suffering; he has "unknowingly, become involved in a demonstration in heaven of how God rules his world".

The scene unfolds rapidly with a series of terrifying events that befall Job. The sermon emphasize that this day begins normally, with Job's children gathered for a feast at the oldest brother's house, and Job having just offered a sacrifice for his family. This detail is highlighted by the author to assure the reader there was no secret sin in Job or his family; Job is presented as "genuinely good" and "in the right before God".

The catastrophes are delivered in quick succession by four messengers, each stating, "I alone have escaped to tell you". This repetitive phrase underscores the completeness of the devastation and the isolation of Job. The four disasters are catalogued as direct results of the Lord permitting Satan to act:

1. Theft of Oxen and Donkeys: While his servants were plowing and donkeys were feeding, Sabeans (roving raiders) "fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword". This was an "unexpected, violent, sudden, and terrifyingly destructive enemy attack". The "protective hedge" around Job was breached.
2. Fire from Heaven: While the first messenger is still speaking, a second arrives to report that "the fire of God" (interpreted as lightning) "fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them". This is described as a "terrible act of God" or a "freak storm", adding a layer of "natural" disaster on top of the attack.
3. Theft of Camels: A third messenger arrives with news that Chaldeans (nomads from Mesopotamia) "formed three groups" in a "deliberate premeditated strategy" and "made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword". This repeats the pattern of violent human attack, involving another major part of Job's wealth.
4. Storm Kills Children: The final and most tragic blow comes from a fourth messenger. A "great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house" where Job's children were feasting. The house collapsed, and "they are dead". All remaining servants and all Job's children are killed. This loss of his "own flesh and blood" was "the most tragic of all for Job".

Job loses his possessions (oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels) and all his servants and children. He is "bankrupted" and left "destitute, childless, and broken". The sermon note the devastating mix of "human enemy attacks and two 'natural' disasters". While the hand of Satan is actively orchestrating these events behind the scenes, the hand of God is seen by Job in every event, while the "hand of the Satan [is] unsuspected" by him. This leads to Job's central problem, as suffering caused by both human wickedness and natural forces is a problem for a believer in a "one Creator who is both good and almighty".

Job's Response (Job 1:20–22) – Worship in the Face of Devastation

Having received the relentless reports, Job finally responds. His reaction is physical and symbolic:

• He "arose".
• He "tore his robe" (an outer garment of distinction, symbolizing inner pain).
• He "shaved his head" (a conventional symbol of mourning, perhaps identifying with the dead).
• He "fell on the ground and worshiped".

Pastor Sam emphasize that while tearing his robe and shaving his head are expected expressions of grief in that culture, falling to the ground and worshiping is what distinguishes Job. He does not react with anger or question God ("shake his fist skyward and scream, 'Why me, Lord?'") but demonstrates "humble acknowledgment of and capitulation to God’s sovereign will". His "first instinct is to react Godwards—in worship", which is noted as being remarkably difficult in such circumstances.

Job then speaks, uttering what is described as the "noblest expression to be found anywhere of a man’s joyful acceptance of the will of God as his only good":

"Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

In these words, Job acknowledges God as the ultimate source of both the good things he had ("The Lord gave") and the terrible losses he just suffered ("the Lord has taken away"). He understands that all his possessions and children were gifts from the Lord, and that it is God's prerogative to take them away "as he sees fit, as and when he chooses". This is accepted as "part of God being God". Consequently, he "blesses the name of the Lord".

Theological Commentary on Job's Response

Pastor Sam highlight the significance of Job's reaction: "In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong". This directly contradicts Satan's prediction that Job would curse God to his face. Job's response proves that he did not worship God merely for the "side-effects of prosperity". He understood that a "man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions", but in being "simply a man with God". He recognized that all things belong absolutely to God, who gives them as gifts and can take them back "without wrong".

However, the sermon also delve into the complexity and struggle inherent in Job's response. While Job passes the first test superbly, his faith "does not relieve his agony; it causes it". Because Job sees only the hand of God in these terrible events, he is inevitably confronted with the "horrible thought that God has done something bad". It is acknowledged that it is much harder to say "Praise the Lord" when He takes away than when He gives. Job is "hurled into a cauldron of doubt concerning the justice and equity of God’s ways with him".

His faith is presented as particularly profound because, unlike figures like Eli or David who suffered justly for their actions, Job knows he does not deserve punishments of such magnitude. He lacks the "satisfaction of knowing that he is paying for his sins", deepening the problem of understanding why God has acted in this way.

Conclusion of Scene 2

The scene concludes with Job "destitute, childless, and broken", having gone from the "greatest man" to the "least" in a short time. He passed the initial test by not accusing God of "wrongdoing" or questioning God's justice, love, wisdom, or sovereignty at this point, though he did acknowledge God sent the troubles. His attitude is described as a "rare and commendable posture".

The sermon remind the reader that unlike Job, we know the "test case" nature of his suffering, selected by God because of his godliness. This knowledge prevents the reader from fully entering into Job's sorrow but presents the core question for the rest of the book and for the reader: Would Job remain faithful? Will we?. Pastor Sam emphasize that this is just the beginning of Job's struggle, and the pain and shock of this opening chapter should not be dulled by familiarity.