When All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 1

Job 1:6–12 ESV

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Job 1:20–22 ESV

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “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 all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Prayer

Last week we saw the opening and overview of the book of Job.

Today is entitled, “When All Hell Breaks Loose - Learning to Kiss the Wave”

“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.”

Even when all hell breaks loose, trusting Christ allows us to kiss the wave that throws us against the Rock of Ages.

These next sections can be best understood like shifting scenes in a play.

Two of these scenes, were not available to Job

but we get to see in behind the curtain for a moment into the throne room of heaven.

In the first scene, there is some kind of assembly before God.

Scene 1

“God Hands Job Over to Satan”

Job 1:6 ESV

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.

How the World is Governed

Now the expression, “the sons of God”, have been understood in other places as celestial beings or angels throughout the Old Testament.

The ESV translates “sons of God” is translated in other versions as “angels”

Psalm 29:1 ESV

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Picture if you will a President gathering his chief’s of staff.

He is gathering those who will receive their orders and to hear back from them on their progress.

This should be the picture we have in verse 6.

The Bible speaks in such a way for us to understand what is happening.

This should not be taken as though God has a big “Oval Office” in the sky

Rather it gives us language to understand the scene.

These beings in the presence of God are all created and subject to the Sovereign Lord over all.

The expression, “to present themselves” means for someone

“to attend a meeting to which one is summoned”

Or “to come before a superior ready to do his will.”

Job 1:6 ESV

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.

The last phrase there, “came among them” reveals an interesting character.

A figure which here is presented with a title; “the Satan”

“the accuser”

“the adversary”

A figure that we will later begin to refer to as Satan.

But here his is referred to by his actions.

He acts as one who comes to prosecute, or present evidence of impure motives.

He seeks to lay before the Lord accusations of people on the earth.

Now the natural question is, why is Satan listed among these heavenly beings?

Now depending on the way a person understands the world will shape the way they understand Satan’s role in it.

Different world views answer this question differently…

Polytheism

“Ying and Yang”

Poly is the prefix for the word many

Theism is the suffix for God

It’s simply saying “Many Gods”

And a view of the world in this way just sees a bunch of deities striving with one another.

This view of the world sees God and the Satan as equally striving for power and influence in the world.

This view is posited by Buddhism, and Hinduism.

Monism

“Circle of Life”

This view would see that the ONLY supernatural power is God and everything else is derived from him.

It is a view which sees everything as a big “Circle of Life”

This view sees everything as a little part of God.

But both of these “ism” extremes do not hold a clear picture of God and His ways.

Bible’s Portrait

“Sovereign and Governmental”

A more biblical picture is of the God who stands uniquely and sovereignly over all things.

Outside of His created order.

And yet simultaneously interacts with his created order.

Job—The Wisdom of the Cross How the World Is Governed

The Bible portrays for us a world that lies under the absolute supremacy and sovereignty of the Creator, who has no rivals, who is unique, such that there is no god like him. And yet he does not govern the world as the sole supernatural power. He governs the world by the means of and through the agency of a multiplicity of supernatural powers, some of whom are evil.

One commentator helpfully pointed out a concept that is seen in British governance.

In British government they have something called, “Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition”

Which is something we would describe as the “devils advocate”

When someone plays the devil’s advocate, they are taking a contrary position.

Job—The Wisdom of the Cross Scene 1: Heaven (Job 1:6–12)

They oppose the government, but they do so in ultimate and unquestioned subservience to the Crown. Their opposition is a necessary and good part of British governance. They in themselves are devoted to trying to bring the government down; and yet in spite of themselves their opposition serves a purpose in making the government better than it would be in the absence of opposition (as tyrannies attest)

This is a helpful understanding because it places Satan in his proper place within God’s government over the world.

Satan is opposed to God and all His purposes yet, God rule over all of His activity.

Primary Causes

“Sovereign”

What do we mean by primary causes?

The Bible teaches that God is the primary cause of every event in the happenings of the world.

He is infinitely all-powerful over every situation that exists.

Nothing will come to pass in this world apart from His Sovereign Will over it

So that means what we see happening here is God allowing something.

He is giving permission, not surrendering his throne.

Satan has no ability to touch Job apart from the Sovereign One’s oversight and permission.

God is the ONE

who sets the limits

who sets what will and WON’T be done

Secondary Causes

“Governmental”

What do we mean by secondary causes?

Secondary causes are the other actors in God's world who operate according to his sovereignty but are responsible for their own actions.

God oversees the world as the sovereign first cause of all that happens and is never charged with wrongdoing.

Secondary causes, such as sinful people and demons, are the ones who are held responsible for the evil in the world.

God is never the ONE who is held responsible.

Job—The Wisdom of the Cross The Conversation in Heaven

“He [the Satan] cannot touch a hair upon the back of a single camel that belongs to Job, until he has Divine permission.” The Satan does what he is told, no more and no less.

This is important because Satan has NO ability to touch Job outside of God’s providential hand.

Under God’s perfect sovereignty over all, God has granted or allowed Satan to harm Job’s life.

Now that you have this in your mind, lets look at a situation played out...

Job 1:7 (ESV)

The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?”

Notice something from these next phrases, the Lord begins by asking Satan where he has come from.

Basically we are catching a glimpse of the Sovereign LORD of all asking for a status report from His adversary.

God is NOT confused to Satan’s whereabouts.

Just like he was NOT confused where Adam was in the garden.

He is asking a question with his face toward Satan and with one eye winking toward us.

He desires we see what is about to come

Listen to the way Satan replies...

Job 1:7 ESV

The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”

Satan is asserting here that he has come from dominating and destroying things on the earth.

Listen to just a few of Satan’s activities from other places in Scripture...

“roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8)

blinding minds (2 Cor. 4:4)

opposing God’s work (1 Thess. 2:18)

When we hear Satan saying, “From going to and fro on the earth, and walking up and down on it” we should hear one who is trying to destroy people on the earth.

This is a direct affront to God.

But listen to how the Lord replies to him…

Job 1:8 ESV

And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”

Notice that Satan does not bring Job to God’s attention

Rather, God brings Job to Satan’s attention.

God Presents Job

“Have you considered?”

This is important because it is showing us that Satan did not bring Job to God’s attention.

God brought Job to Satan’s attention.

It should show us that God has a purpose in mind here.

He is NOT pointlessly presenting Job.

Notice that the Lord affirms and authenticates the opening characterization of Job.

He does NOT qualify or correct anything that was spoken

He simply acknowledges and confirms what has already been said.

Notice that the Lord also says that Job is his servant.

A term that is used of people like Abraham, Moses, Jacob, David, and Isaiah.

This term for servant is extremely important because it indicates that God Himself acknowledges his humble service.

Job 1:9–11 ESV

Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”

The issue that Satan brings to the Lord is that Job only fears the Lord to get things from him.

His accusation is two-fold...

First, it’s an accusation about the character of Job.

Satan Accuses Job

“Against Righteous Character”

The accusation is that Job is only blameless to gain something.

He is insinuating that all good deeds come from selfish motivations.

He is demanding that Job only uses the Lord to gain financially.

His accusation is that Job only seeks God’s hand and not his face.

Satan is convinced that Job is fundamentally worshiping out of selfish motives.

Notice too that Satan had already been trying to attack Job but was completely unable because of the “hedge around him”

Second, it’s an accusation toward God

Satan Accuses God

“Questions the Worthiness of Worship”

The accusation toward God is, “Job does not really love you!”

He is accusing God of blessing Job just so he will appear to love him.

He is accusing God of “buying” or purchasing Job’s worship.

He is accusing God that Job doesn’t worship out of a heart of love.

Job continually feared that one of his children may “curse God in their heart”...

Satan is asserting that if the Lord would remove his protection from Job that he would curse him to his face.

These two accusations can be distilled down to Job being a selfish hypocrite and God being a deceptive fraud.

But the question that Satan is posing for Job and ultimately for us to face is:

“Is God worthy to be loved and deserving of our obedience for who he is, irrespective of all other considerations?”

This is where these two false gospels begin to rub up against us...

Prosperity Gospel

Is Job going to continue to worship when he has no prosperity?

Therapeutic Gospel

Is Job going to continue to worship even when he cannot sense the presence of the Lord?

Even when He is unsure of why life is falling apart?

Job 1:12 ESV

And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

The Lord was confident of his servant Job.

He was confident that he was truly a righteous man.

That he truly was blameless before him.

The importance here is that God allows Satan to touch all that Job has.

The scene nows shifts from the heavenly court room to back on earth.

In the most peaceful and tranquil of scenes.

We need to remember that nobody on earth was aware of what was happening in the heavenly realm.

Job’s family is back to doing what they do.

Celebrating and enjoying one another’s company.

When the unimaginable strikes.

Sabean’s take the Oxen

Job 1:14–15 ESV

and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Sheep by “An Act of God”

Job 1:16 ESV

While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Camels by Chaldean’s

Job 1:17 ESV

While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Sons and Daughters by “Nature”

Job 1:18–19 ESV

While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

This kind of fourfold destruction left Job with absolutely crushed.

All that he had is taken in one instance.

All that he loved and cared for is gone.

All that he was given by God was removed in a moment.

What is striking then is Job’s response to all of this evil he has no just experienced.

Job’s response is the response of faith.

So when the waves of life press in on us

The Emotions of Faith

“Grief and Anguish”

Job 1:20 ESV

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.

In this moment of great loss and heartache, Job stands up.

He gets up, tears his robe as a sign of anguish.

He shaves his heads as a sign of mourning.

He then fell on the ground and worshipped.

These outward expressions are a sign of his deep grief, inner sorrow, and unbelievable heartbreak.

I want you to notice something...

Job’s faith in no way alleviated the pain of his experience.

Emoting Without Sin

The spirit of this age wants us to believe that every emotion we have, especially when we are under pressure is valid.

This is where concepts like, “It’s okay to be angry at God.” come from.

“God’s a big boy, you can vent your anger at him and He can take it.”

“God knows you’re angry anyway, just let it all out!”

It is never okay to be angry at God.

It is always sin to be angry at God.

Because to be angry at God is to sit on the judgment seat and pass judgment on God.

“O dear friend, when thy grief presses thee to the very dust, worship there!”

The Recognition of Faith

“Naked I Came and I Will Return”

Job 1:21 ESV

And he said, “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.”

Acknowledging that he did not come into this world with anything and he will leave in the same way he came.

He came with nothing and he will leave with nothing.

Both blessing and poverty are in the hand of God.

Both wealth and lack are in His sovereign hand.

He realized that all that he had was a gift from God.

Job assumed no inherent rights to his possessions.

In his grieving, he was still seeking to trust and give himself to God.

“[W]hen many are alarmed, there are Christians with calm faces, patiently waiting their Father’s will, whether it shall be to reach the port of heaven,

or to be spared to come again to land, into the midst of life’s trials and struggles once more.

They feel that they are well-cared for, they know that the storm has a bit in its mouth, and that God holds it in,

and nothing can hurt them; nothing can happen to them but what God permits.”

The Response of Faith

“Blessed Be The Name of the Lord”

The author wants to be very clear:

Job did not commit wrong.

NO irreverent accusations.

NO bitter charges against God.

Job B. Job’s Calamities—1:6–22

God is blessed not only for the giving but also in spite of the taking. In every circumstance he is to be honored. Thus, although Job knows nothing about Satan’s involvement, he in effect says: “Satan, you are wrong. God is still worthy of worship even when life is hard.”

Prophetic

Job 1:8 ESV

And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”

The Father Presents The Son

“Slaying the Dragon”

Where have we seen a situation like this predicted in the Bible before?

Where have we seen a promise of how God will deal with Satan?

In Genesis 3:14-15, God curses Satan and says this...

Genesis 3:15 (ESV)

he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

This has been described as the “first gospel”

In this sentence, God promises that Satan will one day harm a “son of Adam” and through that harming will crush Satan.

This is important to consider when we hear the Lord presenting a man before Satan.

Prefigures the Sufferings of Christ

“Satan’s agenda does not set the purpose of Job’s sufferings, and Job is more than a pawn in Satan’s game of testing the limits of faith.”

Job is God’s answer to Satan’s power, or at least a prefigurement of his answer, and Job’s trials are designed by God for this purpose.”

Job prefigures one who will one day conquer Satan.

One who will one day destroy the works of the devil.

Hebrews 2:14–15 ESV

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

It is actually through the sufferings of Christ that Jesus destroyed the “one who has the power of death”

It is THROUGH the sufferings.