"Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?"

Job is an amazingly informative book to read.  It is a book of human error and misunderstanding about God and God’s ways.  We are told at the very beginning  of the story that Job is a man of great character -- "blameless" before God.  His faith is strong!  

Satan wanted to prove that God was wrong about Job's strength and commitment to his faith.  Suggesting that the only reason Job was so faithful,  and a do-gooder, was because God had showered him with all that a man could  dreamed of during his life time.  And that if all his blessing were suddenly taken away, Job would curse God.  So after some discussion. God agreed that the Devil could put Job to the test. There was one condition however.  Satan was not to harm Job himself.  Just his property.  

After the test, Job's reaction was to "fall on the ground and worship."   And this is what he said:  "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

Hows that for meeting the challenge?

Satan once again asks for one more chance to test Job. So God said ok.  But spare his life.  This time terrible sores covered Job from head to foot.  He was in great pain!  His wife now challenges Job: "Do you still persist in your integrity?  Curse God, and die."  But he said to her, "You speak as any foolish woman would speak.  Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?" 

How profound is that?

The story goes on for another forty some chapters describing Job's personal struggles; as well as his heated theological argument with three close friends.  Job tries hard to trust God through it all.  But finally the reality of his health, and the noise of the world’s ways of thinking, get the better of him.  He  crumbles!  He begins blaming and whining.  Finally yelling directly at God for what has happened in his life.

I mean!  Who wouldn't? 

Actually!  Job did have a perfect right to whine and yell.  Even though God was trying to accomplish something good, and right, through him.  Job didn't know that!  How could he?  And even then, what he had experienced was horrible.  He lost all of his children, live stock and property.  That was just the first round of tests!  Then his health took a direct hit.  And to top if all off the nonsupport of his wife and close friends.  

So Job rages at God!  

God lets him go on for some time.  Then God speaks!  He begins with an amazing challenge:   

"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?  Guid up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.  Where were you when.......?" (38-40:1-2)  God's challenge goes on for two long chapters.

Then Job responds:

  

2 "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 "Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.'5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

I wonder how often those same kind of situations happens to us?   I wonder how truly aware we are of how God is working to accomplish his purpose through us.  And we don’t understand either!  Because, the truth is, God does work through us despite ourselves.  God does use us to accomplish his purpose.  And like Job, we live ignorant -- not understanding -- how God works in, around  and through us.

I invite you to read Chapters 38-42.  Read it as if God were speaking to you.  

It is an eye opener!