Job’s Calamities
February 23, 2022
Commentary
In Satan’s first assault on Job he loses his property and children (vv. 13-19). While his 10 children were feasting in the eldest brother’s house the first tragedies, engineered by Satan, to hit Job came by both human and natural attacks. The first was a Sabean attack (v. 15), by a people group from southwest Arabia who stole their donkeys and slaughtered the servants. While Job was reeling in shock from the news of this loss he was stunned by another. The fire of God (thought to be a lightening storm) killed 7000 of his sheep (vv. 16-17). As if this is not enough, the Chaldeans, a fierce nomadic people north of the Persian Gulf, attacked from three sides, stealing 3000 camels and slaughtering the servants.
Following this a mighty desert wind (perhaps a tornado) struck the four corners of Job’s house causing it to fall on Job’s 10 children, killing them (vv. 18-19). All of his livestock had been stolen, all of his servants had been murdered, and all of his children had been killed. In just a few minutes he had been reduced from wealth and prosperity to grief and pauperism. In response to the fierceness of Satan’s rapid fourfold assault Job tore his clothing, symbolizing his inner turmoil and shock (vv 20-22). He did not hide his overwhelming grief, but he had not lost his faith in God.
Watch this man Job and listen to his testimony. Here is a philosophy of life that Christians need today toward material things. He has lost everything but he says, “blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Application
I remember the day I heard this news about Dawson Trotman’s drowning. If, and when, I receive bad news I want to be able to go to Psa. 115:3 with the same assurance Lila Trotman had.
Job 1:13– 22 (NET)
13 Now the day came when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 and a messenger came to Job, saying, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing beside them, 15 and the Sabeans swooped down and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I—only I alone —escaped to tell you!”
16 While this one was still speaking, another messenger arrived and said, “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and has burned up the sheep and the servants—it has consumed them! And I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”
17 While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”
18 While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind swept across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”
20 Then Job got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head, and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground. 21 He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed!” 22 In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety.
Illustration: Dawson Trotman His Wife’s Reaction to His Drowning
The bitter news of Dawson Trotman’s drowning swept like a cold wind across Schroon Lake to the shoreline. Eyewitnesses tell of the profound anxiety, the tears, the helpless disbelief in the faces of those who now looked out across the deep blue water. Everyone’s face except one-Lila Trotman, Dawson’s widow. As she suddenly walked upon the scene a close friend shouted, “Oh, Lila … He’s gone. Dawson’s gone!” To that she replied in calm assurance, the words of Psalm 115:3: ‘But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.’ All of the anguish, the sudden loneliness that normally consumes and cripples those who survive did not invade that woman’s heart. Instead, she leaned hard upon her sovereign Lord, who had once again done what He pleased. (Starting Over by Charles R. Swindoll, Multnomah Press, 1977, p. 67).