“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.
