There is a wealth of intel made available to us in those first two chapters of the Book of Job. I’m not suggesting it is ‘easy’ to come to terms with what we can learn here…but it sure fills in a lot of ‘blank spaces’ when it comes to gaining a better understanding of this world we live in, especially in light of who we are told exercises power and influence over it. (1 John 5:19; Eph. 2:1-3; Acts 26:18).

Do you remember those worksheets we used to do in school, where we would ‘connect the numbered dots’ on the paper…and as we did, a ‘picture’ would begin to form? There is a very clear picture that begins to emerge as we ‘connect these verses’ that have been laying in our Bibles all these years; and for those who are open to allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in this journey of learning more truth…there is the promise of greater freedom to experience as we come to ‘know the truth’ (John 8:32,36).

In the story of Job, we begin to see a clear picture of what happens when God ‘removes the hedge’ (of protection) and who in turn is given ‘access’ to come in (like a flood) to ‘steal, kill, and destroy’ (John 10:10; Isa. 59:19). I realize there are those who will opt out and reject this line of thinking, and would prefer to simply ‘not know’ as they throw their arms up into the air and ‘plead ignorance’ when it comes to understanding why so many ‘bad things’ happen in this life. And again, I can only point to God’s explanation as to why so many of ‘His people…are destroyed’ (Hosea 4:6). But I will continue to humbly present more and more scripture for you to read for yourself and trust God to ‘connect these dots’ for any who ‘have ears to hear’.

God ‘lowered the hedge’ on Job…and Satan wasted no time moving in. We read where a group of ‘Sabeans’ swept in rounding up livestock and killing off some of Job’s servants and of his kids. (1:13). Then came the reports where ‘the fire of God fell from the heavens’… consuming the sheep and other servants’ (1:16). As Job was learning of this news, another report came in informing him that the Chaldeans had formed three bands, raiding the camels and took them away, and again…killing off more servants.” (17). And just when you didn’t think things could get worse, it did. Job learns that a ‘great wind came from across the wilderness’ and struck the house where all of his sons and daughters were eating and drinking’… killing them all. (18-19). And this was just the ‘first day’. Take a moment now and go read how Job responds, in 1:20-22.

Now comes ‘chapter 2’, and we are again at ‘ringside’ listening to a follow up conversation between God and Satan (2:1-3). It sounds much like the first conversation they had which we read in chapter 1, but now…Satan is pressing the issue with God, suggesting that if he could ‘touch his bone and flesh’…then Job would ‘surely curse God to His face’ (4-5). And be sure to mark vs. 3 where God wants it known…that Job did NOTHING…to bring this upon himself. But, for reasons known only to God, He relents and ‘extends the boundary’ now where Satan can do as he pleases with Job, with one exception: he cannot take his life (6).

I realize this is not easy to read; and I don’t relish taking the time to point this all out because I know…’all the places’ that your mind wants to go with this. But there comes a time and place in our lives where we need to hear ‘hard things’ if we have any hope of seeing significant improvements wherever we are at.

So once again, God ‘lowers the hedge’ even more…and Satan wastes no time moving in. Verse 7 tells us that he (Satan) ‘struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head’. Make no mistake about it…Job was suffering, and as you read on in the ensuing chapters, he does lament over his condition, even asking…”Why could I not have died at birth’? (3:11). But then I’m reminded when Jesus was hanging on the cross….He too cried out: “My God, My God…why have you forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34).

Would you now take a moment to turn to Deut. 28. This is the chapter where we hear Moses lay out all the blessings…and the curses that the people of God can expect to receive and experience…depending on whether they choose to obey and follow the commandments of God…or not. You don’t have to read these following verses now (but I would), but please jot down Exodus 15:26; 23:25; & Deut. 7:15. Now, let’s go mark Deut. 28:35. Who are we told there will ‘strike you in the knees and on the legs with severe boils which cannot be healed, and from the sole of your foot to the top of your head’?

What was Job afflicted with, there in chapter 2? And ‘who…struck Job’ with those painful boils? Now, before we move on, please finish up there in Deut. 28 and read/mark vs. 58-62. I’ll wait here for you.

For anyone who might be feeling a long ways away from your New Testament about now, do you recall what Jesus told a man who had been afflicted with a severe disease for 38 years before Jesus healed him, in John 5? What did he tell him there in vs. 14 after he was healed? And in 1 Cor. 5:5, what did Paul advise the church there to do with this man who was involved with a sexual sin of immorality? What was he implying there would then happen, and what was the outcome they were hoping/praying for in that case?

Let’s wrap up with a couple of passages there in the NT, starting first with Matt. 9:35-36; before jumping over to Acts 10:38. You really need to take a moment and look those up now.

Friends…when did God change? (Mal. 3:6). You don’t think ‘sin’ could still be a problem today, just as it has always been since man first fell in the garden, do you? What if…’sin’ was the way we give ‘access’ to an ‘enemy who still roams about like a roaring lion seeking to devour’, as Peter warned us in 1 Peter. 5:8? And enemy, I will remind you…who ‘comes to steal, kill, and destroy’? (John 10:10). Again, I know where your mind wants to go with much of this, but please hang with me here. I have a message ready to share tomorrow with you that could very well change your life in the most radical way. I hope you’ll join me.