The book of Job
Chapter
2
1. One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD.
(Job Chapter 2 verse 1)
It seems oh Jesus that You hold meetings with Your angels and evaluate their progress since the time of their last meeting. As humans oh Jesus it is also healthy for us to stop and evaluate our lives, in order to see what is going well and what needs to to be taken care of. On the same criteria that we do spring cleaning and maintenance routines of our vehicles and homes we are also to stop and evaluate our spiritual well being.
In order to reach this goal our source has the following recommendation:-
Once we have evaluated our lives comes the second stage of the process which is that of confessing our sins and praying to God to help us be strong in our commitment to make the necessary changes in our lives.
2. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." 3. The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason."
(Job Chapter 2 verses 2 to 3)
(Job Chapter 2 verses 2 to 3)
Oh Jesus my father even though You asked the evil one for feedback You were fully aware of what harm had been inflicted on Job's property. You are aware of our doings during every second of our lives. Nothing is hidden from You and we are accountable for all that we do both in private and in public. However as in the case of Job, although we may be tried, tested and even persecuted we are to remain firm to the very end for the victory is always of God.
4. Then Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for Skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives. 5. But stretch out your hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face."
(Job Chapter 2 verses 4 to 5)
It seems that Satan is familiar with human nature. He knows our greatest needs and desires, and even our weak and strong points, that is why this evil spirit knows when and where and how to hurt us.
6. The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, he is in your power; only spare his life."
(Job Chapter 2 verse 6)
Oh God You love us so much that although You permit us to be tried and tested by the forces of evil, You protect our souls from being harmed.
7. So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8. Job took a postsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes.
(Job Chapter 2 verses 7 to 8)
Instead of being angry at You oh God for the loss of his children, property and for the physical ailments that he was experiencing Job sat down in a state of humility to You oh God, that is in the ashes which is a very humble state and did what he could in the given circumstances instead of swearing and mopping about his awesome and disgraceful situation.
9. Then his wife said to him, "Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God and die."
(Job Chapter 2 verse 9)
Once the evil one starts harassing us, this negative spirit will use any body in order to persecute us from doing what is according to Your will oh God. You may even permit the evil one to persecute us by means of those who are closest to us, people such as our family and friends or colleagues at work.
10. 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?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
(Job Chapter 2 verse 10)
Although for humans this is very hard, however as Job declared to his wife as much as we accept all the goodness that we receive from You oh God we are all also to accept the trials and tribulations that take place in our lives as also coming from You. Amen.
11. Now when Job's three friend's heard of all these troubles that had come upon him, each of them set out from his home- Eliphaz the Temanite, Rildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They met together to go and console and comfort him.
(Job Chapter 2 verse 11)
The expression a friend in need is a friend indeed is appropriate to the given context, however in truth we have no better friend than You oh Jesus and moreover there is no other than You and Your Word that can truly of consolation to us.
(Job Chapter 2 verses 4 to 5)
It seems that Satan is familiar with human nature. He knows our greatest needs and desires, and even our weak and strong points, that is why this evil spirit knows when and where and how to hurt us.
6. The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, he is in your power; only spare his life."
(Job Chapter 2 verse 6)
Oh God You love us so much that although You permit us to be tried and tested by the forces of evil, You protect our souls from being harmed.
7. So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8. Job took a postsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes.
(Job Chapter 2 verses 7 to 8)
Instead of being angry at You oh God for the loss of his children, property and for the physical ailments that he was experiencing Job sat down in a state of humility to You oh God, that is in the ashes which is a very humble state and did what he could in the given circumstances instead of swearing and mopping about his awesome and disgraceful situation.
9. Then his wife said to him, "Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God and die."
(Job Chapter 2 verse 9)
Once the evil one starts harassing us, this negative spirit will use any body in order to persecute us from doing what is according to Your will oh God. You may even permit the evil one to persecute us by means of those who are closest to us, people such as our family and friends or colleagues at work.
10. 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?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
(Job Chapter 2 verse 10)
Although for humans this is very hard, however as Job declared to his wife as much as we accept all the goodness that we receive from You oh God we are all also to accept the trials and tribulations that take place in our lives as also coming from You. Amen.
11. Now when Job's three friend's heard of all these troubles that had come upon him, each of them set out from his home- Eliphaz the Temanite, Rildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They met together to go and console and comfort him.
(Job Chapter 2 verse 11)
The expression a friend in need is a friend indeed is appropriate to the given context, however in truth we have no better friend than You oh Jesus and moreover there is no other than You and Your Word that can truly of consolation to us.
12. When they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him, and they raised their voices and wept aloud; they tore their robes and threw dust in the air upon their heads. 13. They sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.
(Job Chapter 2 verses 12 to 13)
(Job Chapter 2 verses 12 to 13)
As in the case of Job my God and Father, from a distance we may not recognise You, however when You draw us closer to You we will experience great love, Joy and even sorrow, for although You love us so much we still as humans keep on sinning. During the time of Your passion You endured such pain that your face was not recognisable as in the case of Job. I pray that during our moments of pain and sickness and even experiences of death You will stay beside me day and night and even send human contacts by means to console me.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-
Oh God and loving father, I would like to pray for all those people who are experiencing pain and anguish due to the loss of their loved ones and even for those of us who are experiencing chronic pain as in the case of cancer and other illness or disease whether terminal or not, so that You will help them in enduring such a painful situation. I also pray for their relatives, who are also sharing the pain even though at the time they may not be in a position to express their feelings. I also pray for the family, especially those families who are passing through a hard time and may even be on the verge of divorce or separation. May Your loving mercy flow and heal the wounded hearts and spirits and bring new life to them in Your Name Amen.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-
Oh God and loving father, I would like to pray for all those people who are experiencing pain and anguish due to the loss of their loved ones and even for those of us who are experiencing chronic pain as in the case of cancer and other illness or disease whether terminal or not, so that You will help them in enduring such a painful situation. I also pray for their relatives, who are also sharing the pain even though at the time they may not be in a position to express their feelings. I also pray for the family, especially those families who are passing through a hard time and may even be on the verge of divorce or separation. May Your loving mercy flow and heal the wounded hearts and spirits and bring new life to them in Your Name Amen.
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