Category: Job

Incredible Integrity

The trials of Job are all neatly wrapped up into the first two chapters of the book. In chapter one the picture of a man of enormous wealth and impeccable integrity (He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. Job 1:1 ) who was also a very compassionate and loving father who was attentive to the health of his children. (He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice. Job 1:5 ) It is not unreasonable to assume that a man of this kind of integrity and compassion, would have good relationships and care deeply for those others in his charge, those servants who worked his fields and tended to his livestock. In this single chapter his fortunes, his servants, and his children are taken from him. Yet, his integrity stayed intact.

Chapter two opens with Job’s second calamity, his health. What the scriptures do not tell us is how much time has elapsed in between his first calamity and the second calamity – the loss of his own health (One day the members of the heavenly court came again to present themselves before the Lord… Job 2:1). In the midst of the grieving process, most people have the opportunity to entertain thoughts and rationalizations that could easily lead them to blame and become angry at God. Given that Job’s second calamity may not have happened the “next day”, it is understood that Job’s integrity still remained intact at the time his health was attacked. Almost immediately upon his plague, his wife emotionally crashed. His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” (Job 2:9) Yet in the midst of his grieving, the pain of the plague upon him, and his wife’s emotional crumble, Job 2:10 tells us that “So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.”

How does one get to this kind of peace and integrity? What is it like to be totally OK with WHATEVER God says, does, or allows in my life, so long as it brings Him glory?

I have to say… I, for one, am not there but there is something very appealing about being there…

Selfless Obedience

In Job 38-42, God himself “questions” Job.  Questions is a really, really, nice way to say that God got all up in Job’s business and attitude.  In a series of questions, God describes himself, well, really he describes his works.  Slowly digesting each question that God asks Job is a very “awe-ing” time.  It filled me with wonder and gave me a fresh perspective on God’s hugeness, power, and majesty.

In Job 42:7-10 (click to read), it isn’t until Job prays FOR his friends – these same three friends who have accused, berated, and wrecklessly represented the Lord for 30+ chapters – that God restores to Job all Job lost in the trials (v10).

Two things struck me:

1.  Not until Job took his eyes off his own misery and trouble, did God restore and end his misery and trouble.  Job had to minister and be concerned with others… even those who he most likely wasn’t very pleased with at the time.  Personally, I’d have been ticked at them and wanted to curse them instead of pray for them.

2.  Just as God allowed the trials and circumstances surrounding Job’s troubles and losses, He also orchestrated Job’s praying for his friends and his own ultimate restortation.  God addresses these friends in v7 and tells them that Job has to pray for them.  This gets Job’s eyes off his own troubles (after he’s had a correction in his attitude and his own significance) and on to praying for his friends.  Isn’t it just like Father to send what we need our way?

And this is the point for me.  In the midst of trials -whatever form they take – I need to continue to be aware and look for those opportunities to do God’s bidding, regardless of how I feel at the time, and regardless of how I feel about who I am ministering to.

I am to be on guard for God opportunities… be aware for what He’s doing around me and join in on His work… Ephesians 2:10 (The Message) “He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.“

I wrote a blog a few months ago about this verse in Ephesians.  See it here.  Interesting… different passages… same lesson.  Who says God’s word isn’t alive?

I have said too much…

Click to see Job 40:3-5

Job has just spent the last 2 chapters getting absolutely pasted by the Lord.

Granted, there is NO WAY I could have maintained my integrity and not sinned against the Lord with my mouth had I just been through what Job had been through for the last 38 chapters.  But this is his response.

“I am nothing… I will cover my mouth with my hand… I have said too much already.  I have nothing more to say,” in all humility and reverence to the Lord God Almighty.  Then God goes on for the rest of Chapter 40 and all of 41 all up in Job’s business.  I’m sure God would have just struck me dead.  One big lighting bolt from nowhere.  ZZZZAPPP!

This is an exercise I need to practice.  Putting my hand on my mouth, especially when I deal with my family and specifically my kids.  Oh the words that I say!

Father, close my mouth like you closed the mouthes of the lions when Daniel was in the den.  I surrender my tongue to You.  You use it for your glory, not my satisfaction.  In Jesus name.  Amen.