“Hast Thou Considered My Servant Job?”
Job 1:8

Satan’s challenge

Job of the land of Uz had many friends. He was a rich man, a God-fearing, well respected person. It seemed the more he helped others, the more he got blessed himself. His possessions increased to staggering heights. Everyone is attracted to someone who is benevolent, rich, honest, helpful and just. And Job was and had all of that. His fame spread all over and he became “the greatest of all the men of the east. “(Job 1:3).

He loved the God of Heaven and walked in righteousness before Him. His dealings were honest and just and adorned him like with a diadem (Job 29:14). For he cared for the poor, the blind, the lame and sustained the need of the forgotten widow to make her sing for joy (vs. 12-16). The very class which the ‘upper class’ despised and neglected was for Job the pleasure of his concern. His noble soul labored to lift up those whose fate had put them down, who had no hope in their misery. Job’s love to the eternal God made his heart gentle and compassionate to those in need and while relieving their dire situations with his generosity, he also pointed them to the source of his own strength and joy. The blessed desired to be a blessing to the despondent. He would “search out a matter” (vs. 16) and fight for justice and to undo the evil of the wicked (vs. 17). ”

The love and respect of the people would be around him and words of his counsel sought for. He was like a refreshing rain in the desert to many and the people could peacefully dwell in his realm, where he “sat chief and dwelt as a king… to comfort the mourners” (Job 29:25).

Such beauty of conduct and perfection of character must arouse the jealousy of Satan. Job was a thorn in his eyes for a long time and all his attempts to make him swerve from his integrity and faithfulness had failed. This filled him with bitter hatred and when God addressed him about Job (Job 1:8), Satan hurled his anger against the Creator, that because of divine protection, Job could not be touched!
Then Satan got permission to do with Job as he pleases, but to save his life (1:12; 2:6). So with great fury the prince of darkness left the meetings in heaven to do the work he knows best -to destroy and to afflict. (Job 1:14-19; 2:1),

With Job he left no leaf unturned to cause the greatest loss and most bitter grief that could well up from the very depth of his sinister, satanic soul.

When the hurricane of diabolic wrath had blasted over the possessions, the children of Job, Satan was content, congratulating himself that now for certain, Job is going to turn away from his perfect faithfulness and curse God. But Job did not, despite of all his loss, and worshiped as usual: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord had taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” – Job 1:21.

To come through this sudden tragedy of enormous magnitude unscathed and not to despair and to blame God, is indeed a miracle that revealed the great strength of faith and trust of Job and his wife. But when Satan’s final malicious act afflicted the body of Job and by that utterly disfigured the kind, peaceful features and appearance of the husband, Job’s wife gave up in despair (2:9).

But even now Job did not curse God, yet he was stunned and could not figure out a reason for this terrifying affliction. This again baffled Satan, but he hoped that as time would pass Job would finally succumb.
For this reason he made the suffering of Job as agonizing as possible, because he, the majesty of hell must not be defeated!

So the days and the life of Job became an ordeal from morning through night. The sore boils covering him from the scalp to the soles of his feet were not only painful, but also unbearably itchy, which forced the man to violently scratch the irritated skin, thus causing infection and inflammation, making matters worse. The oozing of pus from the traumatized flesh not only caused an offensive odor, but altogether destroyed the regal appearance of Job, distorting it to a truly ugly, appalling and abhorrent sight one would turn away from.

Picture this man and his situation, what a change had in a short time taken place! Out of nowhere, suddenly, without warning the world around Job was turned upside down. What devastation of order of a well organized home, affair of life and purpose of life itself. It made familiar friends, merchants, relatives and servants flee away like with a flood. Children got frightened and ran from this strange looking man who used to smile and attracted them into his presence.

Stripped of wealth, children, possessions, the person of Job became an undesired object in the mind of many whom were in his household and avoided him altogether (19:13-15). They could not endure his estranged sight; he became an alien to them.
His commands, formerly eagerly obeyed and executed by a host of servants which felt honored being worthy of service, now die away with no regard given to them. His personal servant gives him no answer, though Job kindly entreated him (Job 19:16).

Forsaken by all, Job became a very lonely man. He deeply searched his heart for any hidden sin that could have caused this calamity, but he found none. He did not quarrel with God or rage against Him, Job simply could not understand. And the Lord could not reveal to him the true reason – that Satan had challenged God Himself to allow him to afflict Job – for this would be against that agreement. Job was left to his own, Heaven was silent, but all Heaven looked with greatest admiration and deepest sympathy to the man in whom God had absolute confidence!

Not a voice on earth would plead for him, not a heart that had compassion in his lamentable situation and overwhelming suffering. Was it any wonder, when Job wished he had never been born? (Job 3:3; 11-13).
News about the disastrous event unto Job spread through the east like wild fire and reached also the three friends of Job in their quarters. Totally stunned and overwhelmed by the tragedy, they consulted one another and with one accord made arrangements to travel to the unfortunate victim.

The wanted “to mourn with him and to comfort him” (Job 2:11). They were friends of the good days of Job and had shared many a blessed time together with him; they loved him for his generosity and admired his success. They benefited well through their dealings with him and counted Job a valuable treasure to their pride, for it was an honor to anyone of being befriended to this grand man. Those three men honestly considered themselves good friends and their desire to visit Job in his sorrow and to share his lonely days, speaks for the goodness of their hearts. They had the best intention to comfort and to alleviate his pain and sadness. “And when they lifted up their eyes afar off and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent everyone his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.” Job 2:12.

When they finally arrived in the region that belonged to the property of Job and approached the private grounds to the house, they remembered the lively activity of servants, preparing for the feast, and benevolent Job welcoming his honorable guests with all the grandeur of a mighty, wealthy host, clothed in gorgeous attire with gold and jewels. Their hearts sank at the now desolate sight, with only one loathsome looking figure sitting on the ground who was supposed to be Job, the greatest man of the east!

The friends did not recognize him and before they could come any further, they fell into lamentation and rent their mantles. When at last coming closer to greet the man they came to visit, their shock was so great they were not able to utter anything. They were not prepared for what they saw, were unable to deal with the situation. Job’s appearance was so abhorrent, they could not look at him, could not comprehend, that this should be the same man they once admired and respected, whose face had radiated kindness and dignity, whose very presence breathed authority. This same face was now disgraced by lesions and swollen from infected, ugly pustules, altogether stripped of its even features. The once tall and noble frame of Job now covered with those loathsome boils had disintegrated to a pitiable pile of misery. Thus the three men were smitten to the core of their hearts, were dumbfounded, speechless.

“So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word unto him; for they saw that his grief was very great” – Job 2:13.
It was too much for the three and they sank down where they stood before Job to sit there for days in utter shock and disbelief beyond words. It took days for them to recover somewhat and when they got used to the situation, they were afraid to say anything at all. What could be said to such a tragedy as this?

As the days went by the three men begun to search in their minds why this had happened to Job, that there must be a reason that he suffers so terribly.
And here Satan saw again his chance. He breathed his dark spirit upon the wondering minds of the three friends to befog them with doubt and a new, strange, altogether different attitude and mindset against Job, to cause him to waver and to lose his faith in God.

Then it was Job who finally broke the silence and poured out his grief and wished he had not been born (3:3), for he had no strength to hope, for the affliction is sucking out his joy and vitality and sense of purpose of life. His own brethren dealt deceitfully with him (6:5), showed no pity, and pity is what he needs now, some understanding, compassion, a comforting, encouraging word to lift the oppressive clouds that had settled so thickly upon his wearied mind.

Was it not at all understandable and altogether human to speak out what troubled his soul? Do we not also find relief when talking to someone when in distress? The child of God goes first on his knees and takes all his troubles to the throne of God, looking in faith to His mercy and grace, His omnipotent power to bring help and relief. But we also confide to our loved ones or a close friend, for we hunger for understanding and sympathy of one close by.

But consider Job! His case was far more severe, a woe on a much greater scale than some tragedy that normally strikes mankind. Was he not worthy of even more compassion, consideration and any earnest effort to help him in his great need? Job did not go to any man to ask why all this had happened to him. No, no, for he had always had close communion with the God of Heaven. And to Him he went day and night, but now he is not getting any response. Heaven is shut up for him, there is a high wall between him and God, and this is what causes Job the greatest distress. Where can he go now? To whom? Humans have failed him altogether and God Himself is silent.

The three friends replied but brought no relief; they only added to his consternation and misunderstood him altogether. Instead of offering cheer to brighten and to sooth the mental anguish of Job, they shot out accusing words and sharp rebukes which were not only totally wrong and out of place (22:5-9), but in the highest degree insulting. They hit Job’s tortured mind like arrows to intensify his suffering. It was mere mockery of the worst kind and Job did not deserve this in the least.

Such were his “friends” who thought being his friends. In truth, they were now more like enemies whom Job called “miserable comforters” (16:1), who broke him in pieces with words that vexed his soul (19:1). And by all this Satan was well pleased. -For this was what he wanted, to bring Job to despair and to be so discouraged as to give up.

Therefore Satan gave Eliphaz a vision in the night with an evil spirit passing before the trembling man, breaking the silence of the night with these devilish insinuations: “Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker? He put no trust in his servants;… they die, even without wisdom.” (Job 4:13-21).

By these insidious words inspired from hell, Eliphaz perceived a totally wrong concept of the character of God and thus became the tool of Satan to set also Job in a wrong light. The sin of Eliphaz was listening to that perverted voice that God does not trust any man however righteous he may be. This is completely against the character of God, and would this be true, then God could not work with any of His servants at all, for all men are erring children. Distrust is a trade of the evil one and not of the Lord of Heaven!

And God is portrayed thus as has He no pity on anyone, that men perish without hope like a moth that is being crushed. God gave to man from the beginning of his fall a permanent hope and His help for all who confide their souls to Him. He gave man the assurance of His love (Gen. 3:15) and His personal interest to restore him and to send a Redeemer, a Mediator. This truth Satan does not want one to accept and believe, therefore he presents God as one who shows no mercy to those who dwell on earth, but leaves them to themselves, who rewards only the good, but punishes the wicked, period. There is no voice, no hope for the fallen, erring to be forgiven, to be led to hope in restoration and reconciliation through a Mediator, Intercessor on their behalf.

Thus Eliphaz the Tenamite was foremost in distorting Job’s character, classing him with the wicked who does not know God, whom he urged “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee” (22:1-27). Imagine this, a man whom the God of the Universe judged to be “a perfect man and an upright man,” of whom God said: “that there is none like him in the earth,” (1:8) is accused and by a faulty earthly man plainly stated as one who knows nothing of God and His justice! To whom he must “return” and “put away iniquity” and receive “the law of his mouth” that he “shalt be built up”! (22:22-23).

Can a person be more wronged in judgment than Job, with such perverted opinion about him? Words like those that were cast so injudiciously upon the disconsolate man dropped like bitter gall into the belly of the sufferer. This could but come from a mind veiled with satanic blindness, and the uttering of the two other men, were in no wise less offensive, cruel, insensitive and ill considered.

With the unjust accusations, they hoped to discover or to unearth some hidden sin as cause for the calamity and then be satisfied with their mission. But they had at the end only heaped sin upon themselves, and Satan’s hope to completely overthrow Job’s faith and integrity was vanquished.

Job in his terrible ordeal did not let go his hold on the Lord, yet in his suffering he sought Him the more, though he felt as one who was being persecuted by God, one who had been poured out by Him like milk and curdled like cheese (10:10) but he could not comprehend for what reason and this perplexed him day and night. Job was convinced to the innermost of his being that he lived upright before God, saying: “All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in”my nostrils; my lips shall not speak wickedness or my tongue deceit” (27:3). He will not be moved from being righteous, even as he had to say to his friends: “Ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value” (13:4), who altogether misunderstood him: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine ways before him” (13:5), meaning, he will live the way he did until now.

Though he was hedged in so that he cried: “Oh that I knew where I might find him! (23:3), he would not give up but said: “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (23:10). Such faith is commendable, is music in the ears of the Most High. And Job knew of Him for he said: “For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” – Job 19:25-27.

What made the faith of Job in God so strong was his absolute confidence in an Intercessor, of the coming Messiah, God’s justice, the hope of eternal life. These are the promises that were handed down by faithful people since Adam. It is believed that Job came from the line of Esau, and Job must have had a very faithful mother or father who entrusted to him those wonderful truths. His heart embraced the treasure of wisdom above rubies early in his life, and he truly understood what is undersood by, namely: “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil understands.” (28:28). Job knew the truth about an Intercessor, a voice that would speak up for him, for he said: “Behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high… 0 that one might plead (Christ) for a man with God, as a man pleaded for his neighbor.” (16:19-21). This was his assurance, his life policy to which he held on and this made his faith mighty, invincible! This is the secret of Job’s unmovable position. Indeed, the faith that clings to this truth – of a voice pleading in heaven for the soul to be justified, cannot be overthrown! Such was the faith of Job!

How long will God wait and not take him in His arms of infinite love to deliver Job from this dreadful ordeal? When all the words were spoken and even one young man joined the debates and nothing was gained by all the condemning and debating, God Himself did speak.

First He “answered Job out of the whirlwind” (38:1), and commanded Job to gird himself like a man to answer Him. The Lord did not rebuke but challenged Job to consider His doings, His works in nature and concern for all living things. Because Job considered himself able to approach God “I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments” (23:4). In this way Job justified himself and put God actually on the level of a man like himself with whom he could dispute if he had the privilege. In this Job was very human and God did not condemn him. How could a human being who had not seen God have any comprehension of the majesty, holiness and power of the omnipotent God? How great is the forbearing love and patience towards His erring children!

As the Creator opened Job’s eyes to behold Him in His works and power, Job became smaller and smaller in his own eyes, considered himself vile and unworthy (40:4). He had also a wrong conception about God though he loved Him all his life and walked closely with Him. Finite eye cannot see the glorious divine arm that upholds all things, that cares for the minutest particle of creation that orders all the steps of every living creature and is directing every event.

Now Job catches a glimpse of the Divine Majesty and in greatest awe he exclaims: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.” And with deep humility and contrition he says; “wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (42:5, 6). He was no more boasting his righteousness, and saw himself also in a new light. No human being ever so righteous could measure up to the Infinite One!

Victory and Triumph

But God was not finished yet, and one more test was to come upon Job. The three friends had insulted God, they gave a false and misleading presentation of His character and judgment, and especially Eliphaz was addressed with a sharp rebuke: “My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath” (42:7). They were to take seven bullocks and seven rams, and were to go to Job to offer them for a burnt offering, and Job was to pray for them (42:7), because the insulted God would not accept them. So Job, who had been so wounded by the condemning words of his friends, who crushed his soul to the dust, for those same men he was now to offer prayer of intercession!

Who could do such a noble act? The despised to plead for those who mocked him! Only a soul that has been touched by the greatness of Almighty God and beheld Him in His beauty and tender love can perform the impossible. Job realized himself his need of divine grace, so it was joy to him to intercede for those who needed so much more of divine help and forgiveness.

And he bowed himself to the ground pleading for grace and pardon for the erring, blinded friends, pouring out gracious uttering from the bottom of his soul, full of love and compassion. And in that moment the Lord Himself came down to embrace His faithful servant in His arms of tenderest love to turn the captivity of the smitten man and healed him. Never was Job more precious and dear to His Lord than in that moment of intercession.

The three friends had prostrated themselves before the Lord in shame, they realized their wrong sincerely and now they depended for acceptance upon the very person they had so misjudged and this caused in them deep contrition and wrought earnest repentance in them. When after worship they rose up with gladness of heart to thank Job for his prayer on their behalf, for they felt accepted and forgiven, they looked at him and were speechless again -but this time for unspeakable joy and happiness! Because Job stood before them as they knew him before -in all his health, strength, beauty of countenance and dignity. With tears flowing from the eyes they embraced Job and one another and a peace and gratefulness filled their hearts that they never knew before.

The challenge of Satan was over! God had won; He was vindicated through the frightfulness of one who would not let go of his trust in Him! And Job had gotten the victory over every calamity, insult and hardness of heart; he came indeed forth “as gold.”

Job was blessed with twice as much as he had before, and with seven sons and three daughters (42:10, 13), and lived a happy, long and satisfied life (vs. 16).

And those three friends were now true friends and must have been close to the heart of Job since that experience. For who could forget that heartrending ordeal of Job and then God’s forgiving grace toward the three offenders?
Job said he wished that his words were written down, “oh that they were printed in a book!” (19:23). And Providence did take care of that, for Moses in the wilderness of Midian, while tending the sheep wrote the story of Job under the inspiration of God.

It is not an easy book to read at first, many passages are puzzling and hard to understand. But the whole tale has a beauty of speech beyond compare, with pearls of wisdom and inspiration and glitters with gold of a faith that endured the closest, trying test.

Sister White writes that this book should be the study of the saints in the last days, for many will have to face hard trials, mockery, and false accusation and altogether misconstrued ideas about their character. Like Jesus they will be misunderstood and despised, persecuted and hated without reason.

Job was a figure most Christ-like, his example is an encouragement to any child of God that suffers affliction and from his grand and firm integrity and unswerving faith we can draw strength and comfort for ourselves. Because the book of Job testifies also of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, and that the outcome is sure victory for those who are involved in this conflict, standing on the side of the Great I AM.

The hatred of Satan against Job, his protest to God and Job’s perseverance serves as a model case for the trials and victory of the 144 000 in the remnant of time. There Satan will unleash his fury full scale against a group of people who firmly will resist him, after he has successfully persuaded his agents on earth to lure and compel the entire world to obey the commandment “thus saith the church,” and to worship the god of Babylon – that means him, Satan himself

But the 144 000 stand the ground, nothing can move them, no threat, no penalty, no suffering is able to discourage, discomfit their faithfulness to “thus saith the Lord,” though they realize their utter helplessness. But like Jesus on the cross, they cast themselves and their faith into the hands of the God of Heaven. While they have then to endure without a Mediator, they prove to be worthy of God’s trust in them and vindicate His name that Satan had challenged for six thousand years before the whole Universe.

And Christ Himself comes down to deliver them, taking them to Heaven without seeing death, they cleared God’s name. All the efforts of the fallen angel Lucifer to prove God as an unjust Lawgiver will at the end prove himself to be the great loser. Amen to that and Amen!

A final note about Elihu the Buzite the youngest friend of Job.

He witnessed the discussions and battle of words, but because of his youth and respect to the older, he kept silent. But when all the talking did not bring solutions he got angry and taking courage, he addressed the men with youthful enthusiasm so convincing “they were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.” (Job 32:15). This young man understood like Job that the inspiration of God gives understanding (32:8), and gives a beautiful description of a Deliverer, “a ransom” (33:23-30) to save those from the pit who are ready to perish. He understands that God “will render unto man HIS righteousness”(vs.26).

In those ancient times he perfectly perceived the beauty of the gospel and the righteousness of God. He set Job aright where he was wrong, rebuked him because he was extremely zealous for God’s honor that He alone is righteous and mighty in power.’ With passion he ascribes to God the right attributes of His character. Therefore did the Lord not rebuke him? Elihu did not need to bring a sacrifice, nor needed one to plead for him like the other three friends of Job, for he already believed in an Intercessor.
AMEN.

By Edda Tedford, Canada.