Job: Chapter 2

Satan Attacks Job's Health:

Sunset in Westcliffe, Colorado

The next step in this process of dismantling Job came when Satan reported before God and God reminded him that Job has been holding fast to his integrity, despite all the evil that had befallen him. Satan uses excuses and believes that if he is allowed to mess with body flesh and bone that he will curse God. The Lord responded by stating that Job was in his hands, but he cannot kill him.

Satan left the presence of the Lord prior to striking Job with sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Significant that he did nothing while in the presence of the Lord, I presume for fear of the Lord. It is hard to imagine Satan had to go before God and report what he has been doing, but it is another reminder that Satan is a little groveling twerp in comparison to the almighty God. Job sat in ashes and scraped himself with broken pottery in order to remove the sores that riddled his body. Do not forget that Job had been living a life of luxury prior to all of these events, he was: "The Greatest People of All the East." He was not used to suffering nor having any of the common man's issues. Sores are something that would happen to those who could not afford to have a bath or cleanse their body from filth, it was a disease that rich people would not carry. Not a lot is mentioned about Job's wife to this point, unfortunately, she ends up turning very bitter towards God and lashes out at her husband commanding him to curse God and die. It is understandable that she would be bitter towards God, she has lost 10 children and has seen her husband suffer in multiple ways including now his health. She has a pompous statement that reflects her heart at this moment. It is a human problem and dare I say my reaction would probably be very similar if I were in her sandals at this moment. She has the earthly mindset of believing that what happens on earth is the only time that matters. Job responds to his wife with a reminder of who God is and who she is in God. He is harsh, yet his words carry a lot of weight. He knows his wife is not foolish but she has made a foolish remark. He reminds her that they have been extremely blessed by God throughout the years and now they are receiving what we as humans brought upon ourselves with the fall - sin. Sin corrupts all things on earth and it cannot be overstated.

Job's three closest friends heard of his tragedy and like all great friends came to see him in order to comfort him and show him sympathy. They were unable to recognize their friend and cried out then wept. When I picture myself in this scenario I picture the morning that I went to see my lifelong best friend Ryan whose father had passed away rather suddenly from leukemia. There are no words that can comfort in a situation of ultimate grief, no Bible verses that can cure a broken heart, there is nothing you can do outside of being present and grieving alongside those you love for the brokenness of the world. These friends of Job tore their robes and covered themselves with dirt in order to be alongside their friend - who at this point was essentially sitting amongst the garbage and ashes of pain, picture a homeless person that is riddled with disease and laying in a pile of garbage - and hopefully help him feel better about the predicament. This is an incredible gesture by his friends, they don't come and try to clean him up and fix the situation. They realize that their friend needs to be comforted in a different way, a humbling way. So they put themselves in the muck and the mud and endure a week of silence in the ashes to show Job that they love him in his time of extreme suffering. How can we come alongside one another in suffering?

Dear Lord, there are many trials that we must face here on earth. I pray that you would grant us the perspective that will endure us through these tribulations and that we would turn our hearts towards you in these times.  A lot of suffering is seen as inconvenient or a curse, but you use suffering to give us the ultimate gift, you. Allow ourselves to see your face in all things, whether good or bad and give us the strength to be thankful for all things. Amen. 

All images © 2015 - 2018 Jordan Tackett