A Second Attack on Job, Job 2:1-13

“A Second Attack on Job”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Job 2:1-13

 

Satan has lost Round 1 of this battle with God. Job 1:11 had Satan telling God that if He were to take all of Job’s possessions from him, he would curse God to His face. But that is not what happened. Job 1:20-22 tells us that not only did Job not curse God when his possessions and children were taken from him; he worshipped and did not sin or blame God. But if Satan is anything; he is persistent. And he will stop at nothing to not only accuse the brethren, but also destroy the kingdom of God. Let’s see how this next attack unfolds…

 

 

I.                   Another conversation in heaven    Job 2:1-6

a.       As this chapter opens, we have another day when the “sons of God”, or a group of good angels, came to present themselves before God. This seems to be a regular occurrence that is going on in heaven. Verse 1 tells us that Satan is alongside them again prepared to present himself to God as well. Just like there had been a day when Satan had first approached God with his accusatory plans, we now find ourselves here again.

b.      In a very similar way to Job 1:6-8 we are now introduced to another conversation between God and Satan. Verse 2 continues in the same way as the first conversation with God asking Satan where he had been. Satan again tells God that he has been roaming about the earth and walking on it. Remember 1 Peter 5:8 that reveals Satan as a lion roaming and seeking something or someone to devour.

                                                              i.      There are some that would struggle with the idea of Satan having this kind of access to God. In fact, they may have even heard somewhere a statement that goes something like this: “God cannot be in the presence of evil”. Have you ever heard that? If so, this whole scene is a bit confusing. Let’s consider that thought for a moment: Can God be in the presence of evil?

1.      God is omnipresent. This truth means that God is everywhere. So He is around evil all of the time.

2.      Jesus Christ came to earth. If Jesus Christ is not God and He did not come to earth, than the Incarnation is not true and we remain in our sin and lostness.

3.      The Holy Spirit indwells us. If God the Holy Spirit cannot be in the presence of sin, than this is not possible.

4.      But this current toleration of the presence of sin will not last forever! Satan will ultimately be banished to the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:10)

c.       As much as these 3 verses remind us of the previous chapter, Verse 3 ends in a way that was not a part of the chapter 1 and its explanation of the conversation. God says that Job held up to the first attack. In fact, even as Satan had incited, or urged, God to ruin him, he held up with integrity. This word integrity is interesting in that it means that Job was whole, complete, and sound after this fierce attack. It is also worth noting that this phrase “without cause” does not mean that Job was perfect. There was no apparent connection between what happened to Job and an equal sinful condition that needed to be punished in this way.

d.      Satan is really on the run here. He has been defeated in his first attempt to discredit God and destroy Job. Why does Satan hate Job so much? Because God loves him so much! Verse 4 continues by saying “skin for skin”, a strange word picture that has unknown origins and meanings. In context, it would seem to mean that Satan is saying to God that Job lasted through the first attack because it had not affected his body. All men can rebuild the business, or have more kids, but Job will not last an attack that is laid on him personally. Everyone will protect himself or herself, says Satan. In addition to the story of Job, the life and death of many of Christianity’s martyrs would disprove this statement. But again, if Satan is anything he is persistent in his hate. He should have been discouraged, but hate kept him going! Verse 5 says that if God will afflict Job’s body, than all of this talk of Job’s character and virtue will be over. Like 1:11, Satan says that Job will curse God to His face.

e.       With that, God again releases Job over to the hand of Satan. But again, He does it with restriction. Verse 6 says that Satan is not to kill Job with whatever evil plan he has.

 

II.                Satan’s second attack on Job    Job 2:7-8

a.       As quickly as Satan hears these words from God, he is off again. The text says in Verse 7 that Satan “smote” Job. This word means to “strike, hit, beat, or slay someone”. And that’s exactly what Satan did! How did he do it? With boils from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head.  The book of Job itself will eventually tell us more about the boils and their effects, but please allow a brief listing here. These boils will be painful and festering, will impair his vision, will cause black skin and scabs, will cause bad breath, will waste him away physically, will be painful day and night, will render him “unclean” and leprous (Leviticus 13:18), and will cause incredible disfigurement and appearance just to name a few of the things.

b.      These boils are so bad, according to Verse 8, that he takes a potsherd and scrapes them while he sits in the ashes. Whether this is an actual tool for scratching, or a piece of broken clay ceramic is unknown. But these things are too nasty to touch!

 

III.             Job’s wife comes on the scene    Job 2:9-10

a.       The story continues with the first appearance of Job’s wife in Verse 9. Whether her input here is driven by the fact that she lost in chapter 1 as much as Job did, or she is really a mess emotionally, we don’t know. But without question, she is not very much help! You have to wonder if the reason that Satan didn’t kill her in the first attack was part of an evil plan to “use” her later to discourage Job even more. We don’t know that, but we do know that our wives have tremendous sway on our hearts and their words have incredible power.

b.      Job’s response in Verse 10 is nothing short of amazing. He tells her that she speaks as a crazy woman, not that she is a crazy woman. And then he offers what has to be one of the great themes of this book: Shall we accept good from God and not accept adversity. WOW! The timing of this statement is noteworthy and the truth of it is undeniable. Job again is reported to “not sin with his lips”.

 

IV.             Job’s three friends show up    Job 2:11-13

a.       Very quickly, let’s examine the arrival of Job’s 3 friends noted in Verses 11-13. They are from distant lands or areas, so the news of Job’s troubles must have made its way to the community. There are a few thoughts here worth considering here, although we will look at his friends in much more detail later in the story. Job’s friends:

                                                              i.      Heard of Job’s troubles and came. This is the first act of a caring friend. While others didn’t, they did.

                                                            ii.      Weren’t sent for, they came. They initiated the care toward their friend.

                                                          iii.      Made an appointment and came. They didn’t barge in. they initiated both asking and coming.

                                                          iv.      Came with a plan, but were flexible. The plan was to “sympathize and comfort”, but the details were unknown until arrival.

                                                            v.      Displayed compassion. They were appalled at what they saw, but they came alongside him. Can you imagine sitting down on the ground with Job for 7 days and nights? Without speaking?

 

V.                An Application For All Of Us

a.       Friends are both great and necessary, but ultimately only God can speak to and heal the broken man.