Happened All in One Day

He was rich and need of nothing and had many children, servants, and animals. But one day this wealthy man was horror stricken! He was informed by servants that his oxen, donkeys, and camels had been raided by the Sabeans and his servants killed with the sword. On the same day he was informed that the fire of God had burned up his sheep and killed his servants. Worst of all the news came that a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of his eldest son's house while his sons and daughters were eating and drinking, the house fell on the young people and they were killed. The rich man had not been given a chance to mourn his loss on the day disaster struck!

He Fell to the Ground

The rich man fell to the ground and said 'I came from my mother's womb naked and naked shall I return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord'.

Struck with Boils

After some time the rich man was struck with boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And in order to get relief from his boils which were filled with worms, he sat in ashes and used a potsherd to scrape himself. The rich man's body was in such a state that he was advised by his wife to curse God and die. Now the rich man's name was Job. And Job said to his wife 'you speak foolishly; shall we indeed accept good and not adversity?'

All Against Him

Job's friends decided that his life was not right with God and was the reason for his affliction. Therefore, he had no one to comfort him from his grief and cursed the day of his birth.

Worms and Dust

Job explains that his flesh was caked with worms and dust and his skin cracked and breaks out afresh, and that he would rather die than live! Though afflicted he refused to turn his back on God and instead he said that 'though God slays him, yet, he would trust Him!'

In Anguish he Cried

Job thought that he would die of his boils, as a result, made himself explicit that after he died that he would rise again and live on the earth, without worms and sores afflicting his body. But what Job did not know was that God was on his side and was not the one who inflicted his body.

Satan the Afflicter

One day Satan went to God informing Him that Job loved Him only because He had given Job everything and that if He (God) were to take away all His blessings from Job, Job would curse Him! Now God was not pleased with Satan's comments and in order to let Satan know that He had faithful men and women on the earth who served Him, gave Satan permission to remove Job's blessings but commanded him

Job's Trial Ended

After his trials, God spoke to Job reminding him that his trials had nothing to do with any wrong act that he had committed. Also, God told Job that He had allowed these trials to befall him because he was being accused falsely by his greatest enemy (Satan) on earth and that He was having none of it. God also reminded Job that because of his steadfastness Satan was once again defeated.

Alive, Blessed and Accepted

God healed Job from his plague of boils and worms and united him once again with his brothers, sisters, and acquaintances that consoled and comforted him. However, God blessed Job and gave him more wealth than before, and Job lived after this for one hundred and forty years.

God Rewards the Faithful

Sometimes when trials come we complain not knowing the reason(s) for our pain or affliction. Job's life is a beacon for us today. His life showed steadfastness, faithfulness, and loyalty. He stood up for what he believed to be right, although it meant separation from those whom he loved. He did not allow worldly goods and pleasures to cloud his mind, therefore, gained the victory over his enemy. Likewise, are we to gain the victory over our enemy (Satan) by the grace of God?

Veronique Belmar is author of Words of Life (www.wordsoflifegh.com)