Is there a creator?

Job's Comforters.

Job chapter 3 verse 11:-   11 Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? 12 Why were there knees to receive me And breasts to nurse me? 13 For now I would be lying down undisturbed; I would be sleeping and at rest

Satan went before Jehovah and demanded to have Job to put him to the test, Jehovah knew that Job was a righteous man who was faithful to him - but he had to allow the test for the sake of the Angels who were watching. It should also be noted that Job had no knowledge of Satan's existence! But after loosing all of his children in death, and being struck with a loathsome and painful disease he still kept his integrity and faith in God!

So Called Friends.

At that time, three so called comforters came to show sympathy to Job, but they ended up proving themselves to be far from sympathetic!

Job chapter 2 verse 11:-   11 Three companions of Job heard about all the calamities that had come upon him, and each came from his own place—El'i·phaz the Te'man·ite, Bil'dad the Shu'hite, and Zo'phar the Na'a·ma·thite. So they agreed to meet together to go and sympathise with Job and comfort him.

But what does this significant event teach us about Job and his suffering, as well as help us today who serve Jehovah to understand our own problems and troubles that can come upon each of us? Actually this event explains a huge amount regarding God's people in our time, and teaches us much about real faith!

A Merciful God!

Perhaps the first event to examine is the reaction of Job's wife to the loss of her ten sons, we cannot begin to understand the feelings of grief and even anger that she must have felt. To loose one child is unbearable, but ten sons would cause anyone to loose all reason and control. We should also remember that Jehovah could not disallow Satan to carry out this despicable act, because if he had intervened, he would have proved Satan to be correct in his lies and deceit. The test must be allowed! But Jehovah would have hated every minute of this horrible act, and would fully understand the reaction of Job's wife and her feelings!

Job chapter 2 verse 9:-  9 Finally his wife said to him: “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

Integrity Tested.

Satan then struck Job with very painful boils all over his body from the sole of his feet to the top of his head, the pain must have been unbearable! But even through all that had befallen him, he never blamed God for any of his sufferings!

Job chapter 2 verses 4 to 6:-    ” 4 But Satan answered Jehovah: “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life. 5 But, for a change, stretch out your hand and strike his bone and flesh, and he will surely curse you to your very face.” 6 Then Jehovah said to Satan: “Look! He is in your hand! Only do not take his life!”

At that point his so called comforters listened to Job as he described his situation in detail, the pain and anguish and dashed hopes. But when they replied to him, their words were definitely now words of comfort, instead they concentrated on saying that Job was suffering these events because of his own sinful ways! But even then Job did not abandon his integrity toward Jehovah!

Job chapter 4 verses 7 to 9:-   7 Remember, please: What innocent person has ever perished? When have the upright ever been destroyed? 8 What I have seen is that those who plow what is harmful And those who sow trouble will reap the same. 9 By the breath of God they perish, And through a blast of his anger they come to an end.

The Power of Loyalty.

All three of his comforters tore Job to pieces verbally, they never sympathised, they tried to break him! How often we as servants of the true God can face trials that weakens our faith, and how we react to these situations is of vital importance, especially at this time of the end! Our integrity is often put to the test through our survival in this wicked world.

The test upon Job was extreme and horrible, but it was completely necessary because if Job had failed to keep his integrity, if he had failed to continue faithful to Jehovah, the consequences for the human race would have been very different! But Job passed the test and Jehovah rewarded him by restoring his health and his wealth and even gave him ten more children and doubled his life span. the end result was that Satan had been proved to be the evil liar he actually was, and it was firmly proved that an imperfect human could keep integrity under even the most terrible pressure!

We all need to look at Job's sufferings and use them to strengthen our own situation when experiencing severe trials in this wicked world. Never let Satan prove you to be false to Jehovah, always endure without wavering and continue faithful. the reward is everlasting life in happiness, and never again having to suffer the extremes of Satan's wicked system of things!

Job chapter 42 verse 10:-   10 After Job had prayed for his companions, Jehovah removed Job’s tribulation and restored his prosperity. Jehovah gave him double what he had before.

Tests Will Come!