OceanSide church of Christ

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WILL A MAN?  JOB DID!

Victor M. Eskew

 

            We often say:  “God is worthy to be served.”  Here is a question for us:  “Will a man serve God for nothing?”  In other words, will a man serve God for who He is even though he receives nothing from God in return?  Will he serve God even when all is taken from him?  This is the question that opens the book of Job.  Satan told God that a man would never serve Him for nothing.  God’s reply was:  “Hast thou considered my servant Job?” 

            The book of Job begins with a description of the patriarch.  Immediately, we learn that Job was a very righteous man.  “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” (Job 1:1).  He was also an extremely blessed man.  “And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters” (Job. 1:2).  In those days children were considered a blessing from God.  Those who had many of them were extremely blessed.  These ten children were thought to be evidence that God favored Job.  In addition to a large family, he was also blessed with physical possessions.  “His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east” (Job 1:3). 

            The next scene to which we are introduced is set in the heavens.  “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them” (Job 1:7).  We are then informed of a conversation that transpired between God and Satan.  It is in this conversation that Satan makes an accusation against Job.  He also poses a test to be put to the man of God.  “And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou?  Then 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?  Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught?  Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side:  thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in his hand.  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face” (Job 1:7-11). 

            When God heard the accusation, He allowed Satan to test Job.  “And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thine power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand…” (Job 1:12).  Satan wasted no time.  He immediately went to work.  He took Job’s oxen, donkeys, sheep, and camels.  He also caused all of Job’s children to be killed by a great wind that struck the house in which they were residing.  Job heard about all of these tragedies in just a matter of minutes.  It is hard for us to realize the grief that must have come into his heart upon hearing about all of these losses, especially the loss of all of his children.  His reaction is remarkable.  “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and he fell down upon the ground, and worshiped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither:  the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job. 1:20-22).

            Job’s reaction to his losses defied the accusation of the evil one.  Job continued to worship God.  Job continued to live a righteous and godly life.  H refused to make a charge against his God.  Satan, however, was not finished.  The next time he appeared in the presence of God, he suggested another test be put upon the patriarch.  “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” (Job 2:4-5).  Again, God allowed the test, but with restrictions.  “And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life” (Job 2:6).  “So Satan when forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown” (Job 2:7).  Job’s affliction was great.  Even his wife wondered why he did not curse God, and die.  Job, however, remained steadfast.  “In all this did not Job sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).

            Yes, the accusation was made that a man would not serve the Almighty God for naught.  Satan learned, however, that this accusation was false.  A man will serve God for naught.  Job did!  Everything was taken from Job, but his life, and he continued to serve God.  When Job passed the test, Satan passed from the scene.  We do not read about the devil any more in the book.  His accusation was false.  His work did not yield results.  He had harmed a man is the most tragic ways, but this righteous man stood firm.  Satan had found a man who would serve God for nothing. 

            What about us?  Will we serve God for nothing?  If all of our wealth and possesses were taken from us, would we serve God?  If all our family were slain, would we continue to serve God?  If our physical health was taken from us, would we continue to be faithful in our service to God?  Another way to ask the question is:  “Do we only serve God for the blessings and benefit which He bestows up us?” 

            My fear is not that we will reject God if all is taken from us.  My fear is that we will turn from serving God over something far less.  Individuals have left the Lord due one sermon.  Members of the church have turned from God because of one church problem.   Christians have left the Christ because someone did not treat them the way they thought they should have been treated.  Some believers have forsaken the Lord just because another person exhorted them to be faithful.  It is not always the “big” things that cause people to leave the Lord.  Sometimes, it is the “little” things that drive them away. 

            Here is a thought that all of need to consider.  When we turn from God, for any reason, we are saying that God is not worthy of our worship and service.  We may not intend to say this, but we are.  If God is worthy, then we will serve Him regardless.  If God is worthy, we will serve Him for naught.  Will a man serve God for naught?  Job did!  “Will we?” is the real question.