December 9th, 2009 by Kristi Stephens

Last Wednesday I posed the question, “is it wrong to serve God because it benefits us?” We looked at the fact that while living wisely and righteously often benefits us and makes our lives easier and free of self-inflicted pain, having a warped perspective on this causes us to jump to the conclusion that God isn’t being fair. [I said we would continue it "tomorrow," which apparently actually means "sometime next week." Sorry if I left you hanging.] :)

So, today we are going to turn our attention to the story of Job. Job seems to be one of those books that we are all somewhat familiar with, but sometimes miss the point. I hope you join us in coming posts as we continue our way through the book.

Today, I’d like us to observe what we know about Job from the beginning of this great book.

This man was rich – rich in material and nonmaterial blessings. Truly, he was living ‘the good life.’

•Job 1:2-3 – “Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east.”

His spiritual resume looks pretty fantastic, too…

•Job 1:1 – “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.”

Job 1:4-5 – “His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.”

•Job 1:8 – ‘The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”‘

Satan’s reply to God’s glowing report about Job is chilling to me -

Then Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? “Have You not made a hedge about 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 put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.”
Job 1:9-11

Satan’s retort boils down to: Job is only faithful to You because You have blessed him. Take away the blessing, and he’ll curse You just like I did.

In other words – he’s only serving You because it’s good for him.

We’ll continue this tomorrow…

In the meantime, what are your thoughts about God’s discussion of Job’s righteousness with Satan? How does that make you feel that He knows us like that, takes delight in those who follow, lift them up for examination in front of Satan?

Image from freefoto.com