JOB SINNED NOT!

Mike Johnson

Job 1 tells us of Satan’s quest to get Job, who was a righteous, to sin against God. Satan had told God that the only reason Job was upright was that God had, as Satan put it, “made a hedge about him.” Satan agreed with God that Job was righteous but believed it was only for selfish reasons. Satan reasoned that God had taken care of Job and had blessed him materially, and this was the reason for his righteousness.

God decided to allow Satan to take away all that Job had. Thus, Satan could try and prove his claim. In a short period, Job lost all of his wealth. Chapter one (verses 14-19) of the book of Job, gives the details of Job’s losses. The worst part is in verses 18-19, which tells us about the death of his children.

How would Job react to all of this? Was Satan right to say that Job would curse God? First, we learn that Job rent his mantle and shaved his head as was the custom to show grief. Next, instead of cursing God, Job fell on the ground and worshiped God! Verse 22 says, “in all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job did not criticize God, nor did he say anything that would infringe upon God’s goodness. In the next chapter, we learn Satan “smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” Job still did not sin against God.

Many today have bad things happen to them, and they become angry at God and criticize Him. We do not always understand why things happen as they do. Nevertheless, we should never let the hardships and difficulties of life cause us to blame God, become discouraged, or to grow weak.