Transcription
Here's what people miss in the story. God was doing this to protect angels, and well, protect angels from falling and vindicate Job because God knew Job's character. Satan didn't. He knew his heart. Satan did it. And God was protecting angels. How? Why do you think that? Job 16 says this. Pay attention. Job 16. Now it was the day that the sons of God came to stand before Yahweh. And Satan also came among them. Notice twice in Job 1:6 and Job 2:1. We're told there's an audience listening to God and Satan.
See, this is what people miss. This is why you have to ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand the depth of scripture. Because when you do, you're going to see how beautiful our God is. How beautiful your God is. How beautiful my God is. I promise you, if you're listening, watch now. Job 2:1 repeats it again. Job chapter 2, verse 1. Again, it was the day that the sons of God came. Right? Pay attention, everyone, to stand before Yahweh and Satan also came among them to stand himself before Yahweh. Here the author is telling you there's an audience listening to God and Satan, who—the sons of God—meaning angelic creatures. They are hearing Satan accuse Job of loving God for the wrong reasons and questioning his integrity. And if Satan turns out to be right, that means God's assessment is wrong.
Let me explain. God just said in front of the angels, "There is no one like Job in all the earth, a blameless man, upright, who fears God." Satan's saying, "No, he doesn't. You're wrong about him. He only loves you because you blessed him with wealth, children, and health. Of course, he's going to love you. He doesn't love you from a pure heart, God. He only loves you because of what he gets from you. Take it away, and he's going to curse you." Now, remember, Satan was an angel, too, right? And demons were angels, too, right?
Now, let me show you how deep the picture gets. Let's see if you're paying attention. Satan was an angel, too, right? At least a spirit creature, right? And the demons were spirit creatures, right? That means angelic creatures like us have the potential to sin. If they didn't, then Satan would not have become Satan and demons would not be demons. Now, notice how wicked and evil Satan is. He's trying to cause doubt in the minds of the sons of God and trying to get them to doubt God's assessment and judgment. Because if Job fails, that means God was wrong. Satan was right. Creating doubt in the hearts of the angels. Because then they would start questioning. Does God really know what he's talking about after all? You see how evil and wicked he is? See what he's trying to do? Did you catch his motive? Did you guys catch it? They're listening. If Job fails, that means God was wrong. God's assessment of Job's character was wrong. Satan turned out to be right. Well, that means if God was wrong about Job, how many other things can God be wrong about? And maybe Satan is not that bad after all. Maybe God is deceiving us and thinking Satan is the enemy. You understand? You see the battle? What's happening behind the scenes?
Now, Job doesn't know this is happening. Job does not realize this is happening. He's on earth. He doesn't see what's happening in the spirit realm, which is a lesson for us. You do not know what's happening in the spirit realm over you. In the spirit realm, there's a battle over believers. You do not see what's taking place. So, you do not know why you're being tempted. But it's a battle over your salvation, over your soul, and God's integrity. Now, what if God said, "The hell with you, Satan." Would that have solved the problem? No. That would have actually created doubt. What do I mean? Cuz the sons of God could have reasoned with themselves. Why was God so quick? Why did God rush to get rid of Satan so fast? Does Satan hit a nerve? So now God is in a situation. God, now in his love for Job and angels, has allowed Job to be tempted so that he can vindicate Job and strengthen the sons of God's confidence in him.
Believe what I say. Trust me and take me at my word. I cannot lie. My assessment is perfect. He's the liar. He's the deceiver. Never trust him. You understand what God was doing? He was trying to protect other angels from falling under his wrath and vindicating Job, defending Job's honor in front of the angels, and at the same time strengthening the angel's resolve. Never doubt me. Satan is a liar and a deceiver and the father of lies and a murderer. Never for a second entertain his accusations and never doubt my integrity because I am perfectly good and righteous and I cannot lie. So God vindicated Job and strengthened the angel's confidence in him. In other words, God did this in order to come to Job's honor. God was coming to save the integrity and honor of Job. And Job did not know that. Are you with me there? You see how deep this book is? You see how deep God's love is for angels and humans? He was fighting for the honor of Job. I said there's no one like him, blameless and upright. You're saying I'm wrong, that he's a fake and a hypocrite and only loves me because of the blessings. So, you're basically saying I don't know what I'm talking about and you're questioning his integrity. Now, I have to come to his honor and vindicate him. You see how beautiful our God is? And Job did not know that. Job thought God hated him. He didn't realize it's because God loved him. Job is, be—you know, you know what the story of Job is if you understand the rest of it because God told you he passed the test. Job 2:10 it said he passed the test. Then what's the rest of the story?
The story of Job is this. How can the one whom I loved and honored hate me so much? In other words, it's a story of a heartbroken friend not understanding why is it my best friend whom I loved hates me so much and turned against me and wants to make me miserable. What did I do to him for him to hate me to such an extent? It wasn't him so much justifying himself. It was him being heartbroken over the fact that this God whom I believe to be good and faithful would turn against me and hate me so viciously and break my heart. Why? Why? What did I do to you? What did I do to you? Why would you hate me so much? Why would you turn against me and do this to me? What have I done to offend you to be my enemy? Why are you now my enemy? The one that I love more than anything. That's the story of Job. You understand the story? You understand the story now? Is it making sense? It's the story of heartbreak. You understand? It's the story of heartbreak. My best friend, my friend whom I love and been loyal to turns against me and does this to me and my family. What did I do for you to hate me so much and turn against me so viciously? He didn't know. It wasn't because God had turned against him. You with me there? It wasn't because God had turned against him. It's because God was vindicating him because Satan had questioned his integrity.
And you know what's even more beautiful? When God shows up in Job 38, if you read—God shows up, he finally appears to Job. You read Job 38-42. Did you know God never defends himself and tells him why? Did you know not once did God say, "Job, it wasn't me. It was Satan. He was accusing you before the angels and I had to vindicate you and come to your honor. I came to fight for your honor." Not once. Did he explain that? You know what he told Job? Job, I'll give you the answer when you can answer these questions about creation. In other words, Job, don't ever question my wisdom. The only time you can sit in judgment of me is when you're more wise than me or know as much as me. Can you answer these questions? No, you can't. Right? So then why would you sit in judgment of me thinking you know enough about the situation to then assume the worst of me. So he never gave him the answer. He gave us the answer. Do you know that? You know that's the story of Job. You see how beautiful the story is? It's heartbreaking because Job, he was heartbroken. The one I love, the one I adored more than everything. Why does he hate me? What did I do to you to become my enemy and attack me with such viciousness and destroy me? If I did something, then I understand. What did I do but love you and be faithful to your commands? Why would you hate me and turn against me so viciously?
And God's answer is, I don't hate you, Job. I love you more than you can imagine. But you don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Satan accused you and questioned your integrity. But I know you, Job. I know you by name. If you only knew what I said about you in front of the angels. I bore witness to your integrity in front of angels. To the angels I said, no one is like Job, blameless in my sight, righteous, who fears God. You don't know how much I love you, Job. I was fighting for your honor. You understand? That's the message. I was fighting for your honor. But he never tells him. Do you know that he never tells him? You know what he says? You know what the message is? I don't need to tell you and vindicate myself in front of you. If you know the kind of God I am, then trust me even when you don't have the answers. That's the message. Read. I'm not lying. Tonight, read Job 38-42. Not once does God tell him why he did it. Because God wants his servants to trust his character. Even if you don't have the answer, don't doubt me. Trust me and take me at my word. I love you more than you can imagine. That's the message he never has said. He goes, "Job, gird up your loins. I will answer you when you can answer these questions." Were you there when I laid the foundation of the earth? No. Are you the one who directs the lightning? Are you the one who sets the sky in place or commands the clouds to bring rain? Do you know how animals are fed and sustained? Can you trample the seas? No. Right. Then how dare you assume the worst? Are you as wise as me? No. Then why would you question my faithfulness to you? Can't you trust me and take me at my word? I know more than you can imagine. And I know what's best for you and I see things behind the scenes you do not see, and that whatever happens, it's for your best. It's because I'm in love with you and I am here for you. I'm not against you. If only Job knew what God was doing for him. He was vindicating him before heaven. And then when Job passed the test, God could then look at the angels and you see, did you see what a liar? What a deceiver? How wicked and vile Satan is? Don't ever doubt my integrity and don't ever doubt my assessment and judgment. You see, Job is as I said he is—blameless, faultless, righteous, and unlike him. And the response would have been, "Yes, Lord, we will not doubt you because Satan is a liar and the father of lies and a murderer." Right?
So, the theme of Job is summed up in this. Here, let me tell you where the theme of Job is summed up. Here it is. Let me show you. You want to know the entire 42nd chapter of Job summed up in one passage? You ready? Your wife is listening. This—where his prayer broke my heart. Sorry, Aba. Amen. Your reactions. Thank you, Holy Spirit. This from the Holy Spirit. Didn't I tell you it's going to make you love God more? Didn't I tell you that? Thank you, Holy Spirit. You're the teacher. Didn't I tell you it's going to make you love God more? When you get to see God the way he's supposed to be seen by the spirit illuminating us, you're going to find him irresistible. How beautiful are you? How amazing are you? You are mind-blowing. You're beyond my understanding. And I don't understand why you are so in love with me, especially when you don't need me. Here is Job summed up: Romans 8:28. And we know, see if you know God, if you know Jesus, and we know and have no doubt that for those who love God, all things, not some things, everything that happens in your life—cancer, COVID, car accident, the death of a loved one, everything, not somethings—if you believe God and his word, work together for your good, for good for those who are called according to his purpose. That's the story of Job.