Job, Saved by Righteousness

Job, Saved by Righteousness

Ezekiel 14:17 – “Or suppose I were to bring a sword against that land and say, ‘Let a sword pass through the land,’ and I were to kill both people and animals. 18 – Even if these three men were in it, as surely as I live, declares the sovereign LORD, they could not save their own sons or daughters – they would save only their own lives.

verse 19 – “Or suppose I were to send a plague into that land, and pour out my rage on it with bloodshed, killing both people and animals. 20 – Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as surely as I live, declares the sovereign LORD, they could not save their own son or daughter; they would save only their own lives by their righteousness.

Today we get to look at Job.  Job endured the pain of losing his children: seven sons and three daughters.  Check out what he used to do for them.  Job 1:4 says – Now his sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one in turn, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 – When the days of their feasting were finished, Job would send for them and sanctify them; he would get up early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s customary practice.

Ten sacrifices!  One for each child.  Why?  Because Job understood that he could not save his children, but he knew God could.  So, Job followed the plan of salvation for each one of his children individually.  Then you know what happened?  Sword, fire, and wind struck Job’s business and household, decimating everything leaving solitary servants alive to escape and give their tragic reports.  

Their last report was the most gut-wrenching – “And suddenly a great wind swept across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!” Then Job got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head, and then he threw himself down with his face on the ground. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. May the name of the LORD be blessed!” In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety. – Job 1:19-22.

Job could not save his children or servants from disaster.  Satan sent the disasters and God let him do it with the condition that Job not be killed.  The reason for all this was that Satan challenged the authenticity of the loyalty between God and Job.  He wanted to make things so difficult for Job to show that the loyalty was not genuine.  God accepted the challenge, and Satan lost.  This is what God said regarding Job:  “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil.” – Job 1:8.

The loyalty between you and God will also be tested.  We cannot save our children, but we can pray for them.  We can be positive God-fearing examples for them so that when disaster strikes we can praise God for the eternal hope He has granted us – that though the bodies of those we love may be harmed or killed – their salvation is secured because of faith in Jesus Christ.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. So do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows. – Matthew 10:28-31.