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A short book on the story of Job |
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There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. ~Job 1:1 All was well in Job's world as he rose from his bed and took a long, deep breath of satisfaction while his beautiful wife remained in bed, her dreams still prancing around in her mind. As Job thought of all of his provisions and what a blessed life he lived in, the only thing that he could find to do was to offer up a prayer of thanks and gratitude to his God of abundance. "Lord, I can never find the right words to tell you of my gratitude, and how blessed I feel to live the life that I am living. Your love for me is manifested in all of my possessions, and your provision has never failed to impress me and my family. I will forever praise you in my heart, and I thank you once again for being the God that you are." This course of events was now customary for Job, and although his wife had still been sleeping at the time, she fully knew what Job had recited that morning, for she often had heard him pour out his gratitude to God every time he rose up from bed. Sometimes she even said them herself, for she was also immensely grateful for the husband and family that she had been blessed with. Life truly was a paradise for Job and his family. Job dwelled in the land of Uz, and possessed sheep, camels, oxen, and donkey in immense quantities. He had many servants working in the field, tending his livestock, seven sons, and three beautiful daughters. Every one of his children were a blessing sent from Heaven, though now only one remained with him, a daughter. The rest owned their own property and were living their lives, each with their own spouse. Tarah, who was now sixteen years of age, would also dwell with another man in a few years to come. Thus Job treated her like a jewel for the time that she was still with him. Job left his room after dressing, and sat down at a table in the main room of the house. One of his servants was in the room their, waiting for him. "A message arrived for you, master." "From whom, do you know?" "Truly, it is from Eliphaz the Temanite, and I believe that the message is mainly a curiosity for your well-being." "Good, good! I shall have it, then." Job scanned over the parchment that he unrolled, and he discovered that it was just as his servant as stated. He found some blank papyrus of his own and responded to his friend, telling him that the world couldn't be a better place for him and his family. It was at this time that his precious gem entered the room, and wrapped her arms around her seated father. "Father, Jophath has invited me and the siblings to feast at his house for a few nights, and I would like to hear your approval for the invitation." Normally Job would have agreed to this request within a few moments. Jophath, his eldest son, was a very responsible and mature man, one whom he could certainly trust his daughter with. But something didn't set right with his spirit, and he hesitated. "Surely such a request would not be cause for disapproval, father?" Job decided that he was just being ridiculous and quieted his conscience. "Of course not, dearest. You have my approval. But please, don't drink too much wine." "Yes, father." After Tarah had been well on her way, Job's wife questioned him. "What is troubling you, Job?" "It is nothing, dearest. All is well with my soul." "Nay, but you think that I did not notice your delay in your response to Tarah. Even now I see that something is not setting right with you. Come now, it is only your wife! I do not doubt that you will tell me what is causing your uneasiness." Job stood. "Nothing ever gets past you darling. Truly that is both a blessing and a curse." Job's wife just smiled and waited for him to continue. "Dearest, something troubled my conscience when Tarah asked for permission to attend the feast. I don't know if it was from God, or maybe it was just a product of my own flesh. Whether 'tis one or the other is beyond my knowledge at the moment." "Ah, but I felt it too! Perhaps we were imprudent in granting Tarah our approval?" "I dare hope against that. Nevertheless, I will offer sacrifices to Jehovah and intercede for her safety, if it His will." ***** A silent hush fell over the multitude of angels in Heaven. A path slowly emerged as angelic beings stepped out of the way for the most evil spirit ever to exist. Lucifer walked up to the throne of God with two gigantic, disgusting demons escorting him down the path. He stopped abruptly, and waited for God to begin the conversation. God's voice boomed with power and authority. "Where have you been, O Lucifer?" "It has been my pastime to walk to and fro on the earth." "Surely this has not been a mere pastime for you. I know that you never rest, seeking whom you may devour." Satan remained in silence. "Tell me now, how you ever considered my servant Job? Truly, there is not a man walking on earth that is not as righteous as he. He has remained faithful to me all the days of his life." Lucifer grimaced, then spat on the ground. "The whole thing is rubbish! The man is nothing more than a fraud! How could you expect him to rebel against you when you have blessed him like you have, and kept him under the shadow of your wing?" Lucifer stared at God and then lowered his voice. "I say to you, if you took away all that he has, he would curse you to your face." God immediately appeared to be very solemn. "Very well, then. Take all that he has. But he himself you may not touch." Lucifer scoffed, and then turned away, laughing. God turned to Michael. "Grab a few of your comrades and watch over Job. I'm sure we all know that Satan isn't exactly a man of his word..." ***** Job stood before the altar as the scent of the offering rose up into the sky. He closed his eyes in deep prayer to God. He was disturbed. "Job!!!" The startled Job turned around to behold one of his servants in the distance running in great leaps. He was of the opinion that the news he bore would not please him. He made his way towards the panicking servant, covered in sweat and breathing heavily. "Come, come now! Be still, and take deep breaths. I am patient enough to wait to hear of what you have to say." "No...I ca...can't wait...almost...captured..." "What?!" His servant gathered himself together and explained the situation. "Sabean raiders surprised us with an ambush and captured the oxen and donkeys we were watching over. They also took away all of us as slaves. I am the only exception I'm afraid...but Job...my life-long friends...gone..." He fell to his knees and began to weep...as another servant appeared in the distance. "Fire!" "What now?!" The exhausted servant approached Job and stood next to the previous man. "Fire...came from the sky...consumed all of your sheep...I'm so sorry..." "And the servants?" "...I'm the only one..." He also began to cry as a third servant came running. "...Chaldeans...took your camels...all gone...servants...were slain..." Job began to weep with all three of them and started crying out to God. He fell to his knees when he saw another man running in the distance. "Oh, God...what is this?" The fourth servant who had just arrived fell to the ground, sobbing. "Tell me...where have you come from?" "...eldest son's...feast..." "Oh, God...please..." "Great wind...blew down...house" "No...no...no..." "Job...your children..." "God, why!!" "They're all dead..." Job lay flat on the ground, and screamed out to God. His servants quietly left his presence, weeping. "Oh, Tarah...what a wretched man I am!" |
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