When Terror Strikes Home: Terror and the Sovereignty of God (Job 1)

Where: College Baptist Church

When: October 14, 2001

Why: To turn wrestle with the "problem" of the sovereignty of God and evil in the world; to see that because God is sovereign and in control, even when we can't understand the reasons why things happen.

Text: Job 1

Introduction

As the dust and rubble of earthly towers lie around us- those vulnerable symbols of strength upon which we once trusted- we run to our tower of strength, the Lord God Almighty. Yet even as we find shelter within the strong, reassuring walls of His protection over us, questions may come to our minds which are difficult to answer, questions that may make us feel shaky yet again.

How could God allow such a thing to happen? If He is powerful enough to have stopped the attack, why didn't He? And if He allowed such evil to take place, how can one trust His goodness? And if His goodness and love cannot be trusted, then is it possible that I am fooling myself by seeking the answers in Him?

These types of questions, when answered through faith in the truth of God's Word, bring about greater stability, increased faith, and an expanded vision of who God is and His worthiness of our trust.

When the world is in turmoil around us, we are still confident God reigns over all. Though uncertain circumstances may cause some to despair, His sovereignty is our joy and security.

Scripture reading

Job 1:1-22. In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. ² He had seven sons and three daughters, ³ and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

⁴ His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. ⁵ When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.

⁶ One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. ⁷ The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"

Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

⁸ Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

⁹ "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. ¹⁰ "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. ¹¹ But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

¹² The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."

Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

¹³ One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, ¹⁴ a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, ¹⁵ and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

¹⁶ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

¹⁷ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

¹⁸ While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, ¹⁹ when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

²⁰ At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship ²¹ and said:

²² In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

When the world is in turmoil around us, we are still confident God reigns over all. Though uncertain circumstances may cause some to despair, His sovereignty is our joy and security.

As we consider Job and supporting scriptural truth, we gain faith strengthening insight into life, the character of the God, His greatness and His love for us.

The first insight that we gain from the Job account is that seemingly bad things do happen to good people.

1. Seemingly bad things do happen to good people.
2. 1. There is a belief that is common today that bad things only happen to bad people; if you are good, good things will happen to you. And there is a broad principle there that can be demonstrated from Scripture- righteous living brings about blessings that flow from righteousness. But this does not mean that things that seem bad and difficult to understand will never happen to good people.
   2. Job was a righteous man. Very righteous. Early every morning he would sacrifice to God, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts" (1:4). This was his daily routine. And though his life was blessed, one day the tower crumbled and dust and ashes and grief were all that he had left.
   3. Throughout the annals of the history of God's covenant people we see good people to whom bad things have happened:
   4. 1. Joseph- sold into slavery and imprisonment. Yet, in the end it was clear to Joseph why God put him through all that suffering: ⁷ But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance (Genesis 45:7).
      2. Paul- faithful in ministry, but often suffering.
      3. 1. In 2 Corinthians 11:22-29, Paul tells of his suffering while defending his apostleship. ²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. ²³ Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. ²⁴ Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. ²⁷ I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. ²⁸ Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
         2. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12. ⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
      4. Jesus- suffered at the hands of others to His Father's glory and our eternal benefit.
      5. 1. Isaiah 53:10, 11. ¹⁰ Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makeshis life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. ¹¹ After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
         2. Hebrews 12:2. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
   5. Job, Joseph, Paul, even Jesus- bad things at times do happen to good people. When they do God has a purpose.
   6. When you and I suffer, when our nation suffers, it does not necessarily mean that we are bad because bad things happen to bad people. We should search our hearts. Yes, if there is sin in our hearts, let us repent. Having confessed our sin, let us trust God, confident that He has a purpose, because . . .
3. God is in control; He is sovereign.
4. 1. Ephesians 1:11 tells us that our God is the one who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
   2. Scripture reveals Him as Almighty God, unequaled in authority and power, who reigns over heaven and earth, the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
   3. Isaiah 46:9, 10. ⁹ Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. ¹⁰ I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
   4. In the Job account we see a God who is in control. It is the Almighty who gives the go ahead for the attack on Job, for his possessions to be decimated, for his family to be killed, for his body to be a mound of seeping boils. Some find comfort in reflecting on the possibility of this being God's "permissive will" (something He allowed for His ultimate purposes and glory) rather than His "express will." In either case, God is revealed as sovereign.
   5. Today we can experience tremendous security by embracing the sovereignty of God. Though our nation goes to war against a nearly faceless, illusive enemy who does not fight by the rules and has no qualms about attacking an innocent vulnerable civilian population, we still find security knowing that nothing passes God's attention. He is in control and no one, even terrorists, can thwart His purposes.
5. God intimately knows us.
6. 1. I find great comfort in God's intimate knowledge of Job. God says to Satan when he comes before Him, Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil (1:8). God knew job. He knew his actions. He knew his heart.
   2. God's intimate knowledge of and involvement in His world extends to the smallest details. Matthew 10:29. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. ³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
   3. Fear is a common emotion during these unsettled times. Two weeks after the attacks I had a terrible nightmare of being huddled with my family on our bed, victims of a biological attack. My fears intensified to an almost irrational level as I pictured my family wrenching and gasping for breathe, enduring a lingering death. As the day dragged by, the Spirit started to whisper to my spirit that I should strengthen myself in the Lord, that I should release my fears to the security of His greatness.
   4. Let's take great comfort in knowing that our God knows not only how to count hairs; He knows our heart. God's intimate knowledge of us yields to His tender care for us. God's tender care for us relieves our fears, even in the presence of our enemies.
   5. 1. ^41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you! Don't be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you- yes, I help you- yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand! (Isaiah 41:10 NET)
      2. Psalm 23:4, 5. ⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
7. When we don't understand the reason for the world collapsing around us, God is still worthy of trust.
8. 1. Job didn't understand the reasons for his world collapsing around him, but he trusted God nonetheless.
   2. Why did Job still trust? Because he knew God was sovereign. 1:20. ²⁰Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. ²¹ And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord."
   3. Job is soon inflicted from head to toe with oozing boils. As he scraps pussy crud off himself, his wife confronts him. ⁹ Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!" ¹⁰ But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips (2:9, 10).
   4. This week I heard someone reflectively say, "In times like these, understanding does not lead to belief; belief gives us understanding." It was Job's confidence- his beliefs, his faith- that God was still sovereign and good that settled his soul.
9. God has established parameters beyond which Satan cannot operate.
10. 1. Clearly, Satan is a major player in this account. He comes as the accuser and destroyer to God the Father. And he comes recognizing the limitations of his own authority.
    2. 1:9-12. "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. ¹⁰ Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side?You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. ¹¹ But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" ¹² And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person."
    3. John Piper agrees, "Yes, Satan is real, and his is terrible- and he is on a leash."
11. Grief and dismay are appropriate responses in appropriate circumstances.
12. 1. Even when we know God is in control is OK to be filled with grief, sorrow and dismay in the face of tragic circumstances for which we have no clear answer.
    2. Upon hearing of his world collapsing, upon hearing of the loss of all his possessions, the destruction of his buildings, the death of his children- Job grieved.
13. In His sovereignty God is good, loving, and merciful.
14. 1. God is consistent. God's sovereignty under girds and reinforces His other attributes like His goodness, His love, and His mercy.
    2. Listen to Romans 8:31-39. Let it feed your soul.

Conclusion

My friends, there are no easy answers when airplanes crash into buildings, when thousands lose their lives in what would appear to be a senseless tragedy, when the world is at peril with an escalating war and when there is the potential of ever increasing violence, when we have to be concerned about our mail containing mysterious white powder. But rest assured, nothing will separate us for the love of God that is Christ Jesus our Lord.

There are no easy answers when the planes hit even closer to home- when families disintegrate, when children are abused, when spouses are unfaithful, when jobs fail, when disease strikes. There are no easy answers.

But there is truth. Our God reigns. He is sovereign. In the midst of the dust and debris of confusing circumstances, we find our solace in Him. Let us yield our fears to Him. His knowledge of us in intimate and complete. Our enemy is on a leash. No, in all these things we are more that conquerors through him who loved us.

When the world is in turmoil around us, we are still confident God reigns over all. Though uncertain circumstances may cause some to despair, His sovereignty is our joy and security.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Hebrews. 12:2. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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