EMPATHISING WITH JOB
The above sermon was one I gave on the 3rd of April, 2004 and the urge is so strong that I see the need to share this with all.
We learn about the travail of Job in the bible who like Abraham lived on the face of the earth as illustrated in the book of
Ezekiel14:14 Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were living in that nation, their faithfulness would not save anyone but themselves. And
James 5:11 In fact, we praise the ones who endured the most. You remember how patient Job was and how the Lord finally helped him. The Lord did this because he is so merciful and kind.
Job, despite all he went through, was recorded as having not sinned with his mouth
(Job 2:10b In all that happened, Job never once said anything against God).
Today, the question I ask you is just what the Devil asked God
‘‘DO YOU FEAR GOD FOR NOTHING?’’
John 10:10a A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. A man undergoing travail or challenges in life set by the Devil will be in the area of
1. An attack on your character (Job 1:9 "Why shouldn't he respect you?" Satan remarked.)
2. An attack on your means of sustenance/Job (Job 1:9-19)
3. An attack on your family (Job 1:9-19)
4. An attack on your health ((Job 2:3-8)
5. An attack on your relationships (Job 2:9) etc
If the devil (Satan) gets you at any of the above points, what will be your state?
Like three of the four friends of Job, people around you will give you their opinion of your predicament.
You have the
a. Eliphazs who will accuse you of getting rewarded for your past Sins
Job 4:7 - 9 No truly innocent person has ever died young. In my experience, only those who plant seeds of evil harvest trouble, and then they are swept away by the angry breath of God.
b. The Bildads who will ask you to repent for the Sins you have committed
Job 8:5 - 6 So why don't you turn to him and start living right? Then he will decide to rescue and restore you to your place of honour.
And
c. the Zophars who will accuse you of not handling the situation with the wisdom necessary.
In summary, three of Job’s friends who came on a sympathy visit were saying that:
• Suffering is a direct consequence of Sin and wickedness and is always punished
• That material prosperity or sufferings is indicative of whether God shows you favour or not
• God does not visit iniquity on the children to the tenth generation
Job’s fourth friend Elihu, the better of the four appeals to Job to
• Have faith in God rather than demand an explanation
• To change his attitude to one of humility
How did God respond to all these happenings?
This is seen In Chapters 38 and 39
Lessons to draw from God’s address as it applies to us currently are:
We are not meant to know some things about human sufferings because God cannot explain to us at that time without destroying the purpose for which they are meant.
God is involved in human affairs
Job like everyman tried to show his self righteousness, self vindication and self wisdom and this is where he sinned even though he did not sin with his lips
In empathising with Job, we quake and summarise our feelings in the words of Isaiah the prophet
Isaiah 6:5 Then I cried out, "I'm doomed! Everything I say is sinful, and so are the words of everyone around me. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD All-Powerful."
2Co 1:3-4 Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
I pray that the Lord will comfort you through your travail in Jesus’ name. Amen!
