The Unseen Conflict — Part 2

Sermon delivered on March 19th, 2017
Morning Service

By: Pastor Greg Hocson

Scripture Text: Job 1

 

Introduction

In the last Sunday's message, the veil was pulled back once again, exposing our enemy and his devices. And in the opening chapters of Job, we are allowed to hear the dialogue that took place in Heaven between God and Satan. There we find Satan as usual attacking and this time we find him attacking not only Job but God Himself. 

 

This morning consider with me Satan's Devices and Job's Devotion.

 

I -  Satan's Devices

1. Satan Attacked Job by Defamation

In the Garden, Satan attacked Eve by telling her that God is not good to her and Adam. He slandered God by telling Eve that God is holding back on them. If He really loves them, He would allow them eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge. 

 

Then in Heaven, he attacked Job, by insisting that Job is not really a real worshipper. The only reason why Job worships God is because He showers him with blessings. Not only that, Satan also attacked God by saying that God buys worshippers. If not for His blessings, Job would not worship Him and maintain his integrity.

 

He says to man, "God is not good enough to you.Then he says to God, "You are too good to men.

 

Then he challenged God to remove His blessings and hedge upon Job, and as soon as all the blessings are removed, Job would show his true color, Job would curse Him to His face.

Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 

No doubt Satan has in his mind what we read in verses 2 and 3, seven sons, three daughters, seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys.

 

Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. 

God took Satan up on his challenge. God now remove the hedge. He allows him to touch his  business and his family. But he was not allowed to touch his actual body as to inflict disease. And in the next chapter He will even remove that limitation. The Devil will be granted access to bring all kinds of physical attack upon the life of Job. But I want us to remember that Satan attacks with limitation.

 

He is not Omnipresent

Satan is not all-present. He can only be at one place at at time. 

 

He is not Omniscient

He had no idea how Job would respond or that his entire plan would end in failure.

 

He is not Omnipotent

Satan is powerful but he is not all-powerful. His power and authority are limited. He cannot even touch and tempt a believer except by God's permission.

Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. 

 

He is not Sovereign

It is God who issues this challenge for His glory. There are times according to the wisdom of God when He removes the hedge of protection and allows the Evil one to come and touch us but only as far as God in His wisdom and sovereignty allows it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

Now let us look at the other attacks of Satan upon Job.

 

Job 1:13: And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 

It was the birthday of the oldest brother and the other siblings were all gathered together unsuspecting of Satan that is now descending upon them.  And then Satan poured out all his hatred and fury upon Job and he caused him much suffering.

 

2. Satan Attacked Job with Devastation 

He attacked him with devastating lost. 

 

A. Lost of all his properties 

Job suffered with the lost of all his possessions - in rapid succession.

Job 1:14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: 15: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 

The Sabeans under the influence of Satan take all the oxen and the donkeys away. Then kills the servants. But one escaped, and he comes running into the presence of Job and says, "I only am escaped alone to tell thee."

 

Job 1:16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee

There was not even an opportunity for Job to respond here comes another messenger. In a moment under the direction of Satan lightning burn up all Job's sheep and kills all the servants. But one escapes, and he comes running into the presence of Job and says, "I only am escaped alone to tell thee."

 

Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee

The Chaldeans under the influence of Satan took all the camels. Then kills the servants. But one escapes, and he comes running into the presence of Job and says, "I only am escaped alone to tell thee."

 

Literally the entire financial business empire of Job has come crashing down, all within a matter of seconds. 

 

B. Lost of all his children

Job 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 19: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 

All of Job's material possessions were taken away, but at this time Job perhaps was thinking, at least he still has his ten children with him, his most valuable possession. But while the third messenger was still speaking, the fourth messenger came and brought the news that his children were all killed by a great wind from the wilderness.

 

Of all the bad news, Job received that day, this one is the most distressing of all. This is the one that is the hardest to bear. His children were taken away when he had most need of them to comfort him under other losses. In God only have we a help present at all times.

 

But Satan is not through with Job, he comes to God again asks permission to touch his health.

 

C. Lost of his health

Job 2:7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8: And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

Job's whole body, foot to head, was covered with painful boils. This one, Satan hopes to hear Job say and do what he has been insisting, "to curse God to His face."

 

Our enemy is mean and vicious and has no mercy. 

 

Martin Luther wrote:

 

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great,

And, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

 

3. Satan Attacked Job by Disappointment 

Job suffered with great disappointment from people who should have been there to encourage him but instead they did the opposite.

 

His wife's lack of faith

Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

The worst trial of all is when those nearest to us, instead of strengthening our hand in God and confirming our faith, conspire to destroy it.

 

Satan had spared her, but she allowed Satan to use her to discourage rather than to encourage. Sometimes the people we love and value the most are the one's that break our hearts. We ought, therefore, carefully to watch, that we be not drawn to any evil by them.

 

His friends' lack of support

Job's own friends judged him and came to a wrong conclusion that his sufferings are all due to his own sins.

Job 3 - 25

 

II - Job's Devotion

We all know that Job responded very well initially but when his friends arrived Job experienced depression, because, instead of his friends encouraging him, they condemned him.

 

So, how will Job respond? 

Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 

Job shows extreme grief. This reaction shows the us the humanity of Job. I want us to understand that Job is not a super human being. I believe this  is the reason this book of Job opens with ...

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

 

This is an expression of absolute shock and extreme grief and a sense of despair. He is not a stoic. "Oh, well! Que sera, sera! Whatever will be, will be."

 

No, he is feeling this and he is in extreme grief. But in spite of all these Job responded in a way that is beyond our comprehension.

 

1. Adoration

Job 1:20: Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped

Job bows before God and worships God. That is where Job begins - worship. This is grace at work. This is not natural. Job knows God enough to trust Him in the midst of devastation and disappointments. It is only by God's grace that anyone can respond like this. God's description of Job in verse is not an exaggeration. It is accurate.

Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

 

Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 

In stead of cursing God, as Satan insisted and falsely accused Job, Job blesses the name of the LORD. Job chose not to revolt against God but to reverence God. He chose not to malign God but to magnify God. He chose not to blaspheme God but to bless God. He chose not to attack God but to adore God.

 

2. Recognition

Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 

I brought nothing into this world, I will take nothing out of this world.

 

I do not know how much Scripture Job has at that time if any, but he knows enough to know the truth ...

 

All our earthly (material and family) possessions are only meant for this present life.

1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

 

All our earthly possessions are given by God and therefore God has a right to take it away as He pleases.

James 1:27 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

I am what I am by the grace of God. I have what I have but the grace of God.

 

3. Submission

Knowing truth is one thing but submitting to the truth is another thing. Job submitted to the truth he knew. Job not only recognized that all earthly possessions are given by God and only meant for this life, but he also submitted to it. 

 

Job recognized and submitted to the absolute sovereignty of God over his life and the divine prerogative to do with his life whatever is according to the infinite wisdom of God. 

 

Closing Thoughts 

Job's response to Satan's devices and fiery darts is truly amazing. I do not know that I could respond like this. It is only by God's grace that anyone can respond like this. 

 

Job greatly disappointed Satan and proved his accusation wrong. Satan was defeated. As we all know Job went into depression and despair. But even in the midst of it, he continued to look to God for help, for vindication, and for answer. In the midst of these devastation, disappointment, and despair, Job chose not to curse God nor blame Him but instead he chose to worship God and bless His name.

 

O, to be able to have faith like that, to be able to live as Job lived in response to such devastation. May God give each one of us here today this kind of humble faith  that leads to worship and adoration even in the midst of devastating lost and deep despair and disappointments. 

 

Christians, we believers are engaged in this unseen and universal conflict. It is still ongoing even as I speak. But I want to close with these comforting truth.

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

It is our comfort that Satan will be cast into the lake of fire and shall suffer day and night  for eternity. Satan will no longer be able walk about like a roaring lion seeking and devouring. He will no longer have the ability to attack, harass, accuse, slander, deceive, blind minds, steal and attack God's Word, spread false doctrine, oppose churches, hinder God's work, destroy families, inflict sickness. His ability to destroy will be completely taken away from him because he shall be destroyed himself. Satan, with all his demons and all who rejected God and His Son Jesus Christ will be tormented in Hell day and night for ever and ever.

 

A mighty Fortress is our God,

A Bulwark never failing;

Our Helper He amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing:

 

AMEN!