Sermon Bible Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. Job 2:6 The book of Job is not a poem for the solitary Jew, but a message for man as man all the world over and through all the ages of time. I. This is palpable and unquestionable as soon as the special motive for Job's fierce trial is seen. The perfect man, who hates evil and loves right, is left in the hands of Satan by God; and Satan is told that he may do what he pleases with him, only he must spare his life. The permission has no other limit, and the fierce malignity of the devil may be trusted to go as close to the boundary as he can get. But wherefore this permission at all? For what reason does God part with His servant out of His power? II. Satan challenges the ability of God to attract the confidence and inspire the reverent and hearty devotion of men. The case is crucial. The test is faultless. The experiment is carried to the maximum of severity. No element of evil is omitted. It is the pattern man of the world delivered over to the lord of misrule and wrong. Three times Job is victorious. The pay goes, and still he serves. Life itself is one agony, but still that agony is a cry to God, "My God, my God!" He loses everything, and would like to lose life itself, but not even death and the grave prevent his exclaiming, "Yet from my flesh shall I see God, my Redeemer and Vindicator." III. Thus the false and diabolical conception of God is beaten off the field, and the idea remains triumphant that God is lovable in Himself and for Himself, and irrespective of the plenty of His providence and the bounty of His reign. Yea more, He is lovable notwithstanding fearful evils in our lot and in the world. Disinterested love of the Eternal is its own reward. Love of the All-pure and All-perfect is a sufficient heaven for the soul God has made for Himself and fills with Himself. J. Clifford, Daily Strength for Daily Living, p. 285. References: Job 2:9.—G. Sexton, "Homilist," Excelsior Series, vol. vii., p. 145. Job 2:10.—Preacher's Monthly, vol. iv., p. 24. Job 2:11.—G. Dawson, Sermons on Daily Life and Duty, p. 225. Job 2:13.—R. Glover, Homiletic Magazine, vol. x., p. 106. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. William Robertson Nicoll's Sermon Bible Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. Bible Hub |
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