8/27/24

Job 1:20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

Job had seven sons and three daughters. Seven is the number of completion and perfection. Three has a very similar meaning. These seven sons and three daughters symbolize a complete and perfect family. Job had everything he wanted. Besides, this he was blessed with much wealth. Everything in his life was complete and perfect and he gave God the glory for it. He would regularly sacrifice to God just in case one of his family had sinned against God in their heart.

We know the story Satan tells God Job only lives and lives for God because God blessed him and protects him. So God gives Satan permission to take all that Job has. When this happens we come to our text. Job finds out he has lost all his sons, daughters, and wealth, at the same time. So he stands up and tears his robe. Every culture is different and in their culture, a sign of sorrow is to tear your robe. It allows others to see that you are mourning. He also shaved his head. This is also a sign that shows his grief. People who have lost a child have explained that you can not know the hurt/grief without experiencing it. Many strong faithful Christians have felt such hurt and grief in this type of loss that they have gotten mad at God. This is the response Satan thought Job would have. However, we see Job go through the acts of tremendous hurt/grief (tearing his robe, shaving his head, and wallowing in the ashes,) but he doesn't blame God. Many would say this type of reaction makes no sense. Why would you tear your clothes, pull your hair, and wallow on the ground? I say to that, I want you to picture a toddler throwing a fit when they don't get their way. Does it not look similar? These were natural reactions to hurt. However, in all of this, he knew God was God, and He is due worship. Our text says Job did this. He fell to the ground and worshipped God! He cried out to Him not in anger but in need. What a great example for us to see that a perfect life here on earth is nothing. It comes and goes, but what always remains is God, who is there waiting for His children to cry out to Him.

Listen to what Job cried out to God as he writhed around in hurt and grief with torn clothes, cut hair, and covered in ashes. Job 1:21 He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

People, we need to realize these blessings on earth, including our children, while they are perfect blessings for us now, will one day be gone, but God will remain. So put nothing before Him and praise His name at all times just like Job did in the perfection of his blessings and in the despair of his grief. All he always had to say was "Blessed be the name of the Lord!"

Satan as always was wrong so don't listen to Him today when he tells you that all that matters is what you see on earth. Because when it is all gone all that is left is the Lord!

Love Bro. Scott