Making Sense of Job

The book of Job has been the subject of controversy and debate for centuries. Many people read the book of Job and get the idea that God just handed Job over to the devil to cause havoc in his life. This then leads them to fear that God may do the same to them. This is untrue and is contrary to the nature of the Lord.

As our Father, God always desires to bless and protect us. Job operated in the blessing of God and had become very rich. He lived a prosperous life with material blessings and a good family. What most people struggle with is how God could send the devil to attack Job.

Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an 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 the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. Job 1:9-12 (KJV) emphasis mine

When we look closely at this passage we see that God did NOT send the devil to attack Job. God did not arbitrarily remove His protection from Job and his family- it was the result of Job allowing the devil to have access to his life. How? Look at the scripture again. God told the devil that Job and all he had was already in his power. Why? Because Job had opened the door to the enemy through fear.

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.  And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 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. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Job 1:1-5 (KJV) emphasis mine

Job feared God and turned from evil. That in itself was good. However, Job was fearful that his children would sin against God and he continually offered up sacrifices in fear that they might curse God. He did it continually. Everyday. Day in and day out. Let’s put this in our modern day English: Job was a worrier. He fretted over his children and offered sacrifices in fear, not faith. And fear is an huge, open door for the devil. Job himself confirms this to us.

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. Job 3:25 (KJV)

And although the devil released every kind of attack on Job, Job did not curse God. The enemy even brought “friends” to tempt Job to curse God, and his own wife told him to curse God and die. Job did not curse God, but he did claim his innocence of all wrong doing, which itself was incorrect. After nine months of intense demonic attack, God showed up. He set Job and his friends straight, essentially telling them that He did not have to answer to them for anything. Job repented, and the Lord had Him pray for his friends. When he did, his deliverance came. And the Lord blessed him with double what he had before and restored children to him.

 So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters. Job 42: 12-13 (KJV)

Are you operating out of fear in any area of your life? Are you confessing that God will meet your needs but still worry about what could happen if He does not provide the money you need? Are you worrying about that mysterious pain you’ve been having, even though you know that God is your Healer? Do you fret over how your children are going to turn out, regardless of the fact that God has promised that those who are raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord will always return to Him? If you are, STOP IT!

Today, choose to close the door of fear once and for all. Whenever the devil brings thoughts of fear and worry, shut him down right away with the Word of God. As we refuse to fear, we can operate fully in the blessing, and we will never suffer anything similar to Job- ever.